I had a request for a book and noticed when I went to package it that it was damaged.  So I sent a PM and told the person about the condition and asked if I should still send it.  Her reply was "that's ok." But that was unclear to me.  Did that mean yes or no? So I asked her.  She has not responded.  But I marked the book mailed to keep it from going back on the shelf and be available again and wrote another message telling her I would mail if when I hear back from her.  She has not responded.  I assume she doesn't want it, appropriately. So the book is marked mailed, but it isn't really.  Was there a better way to handle this?

A few months ago, I accidentally damaged a book as I was wrapping it, making it unpostable.  I cancelled the transaction, PMd the other member and offered to send the book as a freebie if she could find another book on my shelf that she was interested in.   She requested another book and I sent both of them to her.

If it were me, I would have just cancelled without sending a message b/c technically, your book was unpostable and should not have been sent(although, I know you didn't realize that until you had already accepted the request.)

If the book does not meet the PBS book condition guidelines, the order should have been cancelled and the book removed from your bookshelf.

I agree her reply was vague, but even if someone is willing to accept a damaged book, it shouldn't be posted.

I would contact the PBS Team and have them cancel the order.  Only TPTB can cancel an order after it's been marked mailed.

To contact them, go to the bottom of this page and find "Contact Us".  After clicking on that link, you'll see an area to send it "Feedback".  Ask them to cancel the order.

Also when the sender cancels a transaction it does not go back on your shelf.

To answer your question, "Was there a better way to handle this?"  the answer to that would be yes....you should not have marked the book mailed, you should have cancelled the transaction or allowed it to time out....neither would have put the book back on your shelf.  You should not use "Book Mailed" has a hold system.

It's also helpful when sending messages, to give a time deadline.  such as...Your answer was unclear, please clarify prior to Tuesday night or the offer will time-out and I will list the book elsewhere as unpostable.

Patricia- Had I been the person who received your PM about the damaged book and had wanted it anyway I would have said 'that's okay'. I know because that has happened to me and that was how I answered. Luckily she sent me the book. If it happens again I will know to be a little clearer as I can now see why you were confused.