I sent some books in the mail and I guess the paper I chose wasn't strong enough. It tore. Both people said it was just the paper, that the books were fine but now I'm worried that I'll be listed as a "serial poor wrapper" or something like that.. is there a way to check my rating here or something like that?

Sarah, there is no public rating system on PBS.  If there are multiple complaints about you or problems with your account you can be removed by the site owners, but everyone is allowed to make a mistake--we all have!  The best advice is to search the forums for book wrapping or book packaging or similar phrases--you'll find old posts with lots of great advice on how to wrap books securely.  There is information in the help center on this also but the forum posts cover a lot more territory.

No. The site does not do a feedback that is public. Only R&R see comments that people may put during the survey part of marking a book recieved.

I wouldn't be concerned.

It probably wasn't the paper so muc as you need to use a goodly amount of tape...packing, not scotch.

Most likely they didn't mark it as being a problem they were just letting you know that you need to tape them better. I received a similar book the other day.  It was 3 books actually. The side of the wrapper tore open but the books were in excellent condition. I marked them received with no problem and put in the PM a note about the tear. Just to let her know so in the future she can tape them better.  Next time the books might actually get damaged. She had wrapped them in an old map which I thought was a great idea.  It just needed more tape.

I didn't request from sarabeth8585, but I just have to pipe in. 

I just received 4 books wrapped in only notebook paper.  Yes, it was taped, but the during the shipping process, the package was punctured and one of the books was damaged.

I have received a few other books in the past year or two that have been demolished because it was only paper and tape. 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if someone has the courtesy of requesting from you, package the book EXACTLY how you would like to receive it!!!  Paper & tape are not IMO good packaging!!!!

The only feedback  for swappers is for  Boxers.

Just use a lot of tape. I tape all around the package on the edge and then around the top bottom and sides. Probably use 3 yards of tape LOL.  The tape holds up much better than just paper and scotch tape doesn't have the durability that the packing tape has.

I have used everything from paperbags to wrapping paper to manilla envelopes and haven't had any problems. I just ordered the plastic mailers. I'm still using tape tho! LOL

Don't fret Sarah!  You aren't going to get in trouble.  If I receive books that are falling out of the wrappers, I usually let the person know, especially if they are new, because how else will they know that they need to use a little more tape and/or paper?  I'm sure they were just trying to be helpful.  There are things that can cause your account to be put on hold or terminated, but only you and the powers that be would have that info, and it would have to be because of multiple severe (more than likely intentional) activities.  Everybody makes mistakes sometimes.  The good news is your books got there!

Just use a lot of tape.

But don't go overboard!  Lots of people say "use lots of tape", but I disagree.  First, you're sending via Media Mail, which is subject to inspection on the whim of a postal employee.  THEY are unlikely to be overly concerned with opening the package delicately and a lot of tape will just make them have to struggle with it.

I've gotten a lot of books wrapped in so much tape that I've had to damage the book just to get it open and a couple harmed by the PO during "inspection"!  There's no need for tons of tape.  If you feel compelled to use tape for more than just closing the package, just tape all the way around once, both ways - top to bottom, side to side.  That is MORE than enough to keep the book inside the package.

JMO!

I have received two books in the past which were only scotch-taped.  Both packages arrived with the tape coming off at both ends.  The books were (luckily) fine. 

I did not report them as received with a problem, since the books were not damaged.  I did send a gentle PM to each of the senders, telling them that the tape did not hold and suggesting that they use the clear packing tape instead.  They both seemed grateful that I took the time to tell them about the scotch-tape problem.

Deb

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if someone has the courtesy of requesting from you, package the book EXACTLY how you would like to receive it!!!  Paper & tape are not IMO good packaging!!!!

The only way I know to do this is to put it in your conditions and then you run the risk of someone refusing based on your conditions.  I usually wrap in plastic wrap and then printer paper with the info on it and a fair amount of table on the ends and corners.  I have not had a complaint yet.  I have also received MANY books wrapped in paper and tape and have had no problems.

I agree that too much tape can be a hassle to get into the books.  I have a problem with my hands and sometimes have had to have someone else open my books for me, because there was too much tape!  (My hands shake a lot, so I don't trust myself with scissors next to a book).

And I received my first scotch-taped book yesterday.  Some of the tape was coming off, but it wasn't bad.  I didn't think to PM the person to let them know, and I received 3 books yesterday, so I don't remember which one it was.  I'll remember for the next time.

Just curious--Is it really that difficult to go to a dollar store and buy 3 bubble mailers for $1?  Is using boatloads of packing tape that much cheaper?

BTW, the person who I requested from offered to refund my point, which was very nice.  I didn't accept because I just wanted them to know what happened.

I have mailed 233 books.  MOST of them have been just paper and tape.   And yes, a lot of tape.    I am going to tape and double tape and maybe even triple tape UNLESS your conditions ask me not to.    I am not willing to trust the PO to not damage a perfectly good book.   And we all know who gets blamed if you get a book that wasn't taped well and it's been ruined!     I use whatever paper I have around, printer paper, wrapping paper, whatever (except newspaper) and a plastic bag and tape.    SO far I have not had ONE complaint!

I got a book this week ONLY wrapped in a heavy zip lock bag.   It was taped well and the bag was sturdy and I thought that was a pretty smart wrapping job. 

With me it's simply a choice I make Brenda.  Since the site recommends the paper, why shouldn't I use it?? IF I have a lot of request then I might go buy some special bubble mailers.     Not everyone has a dollar store nearby btw. 

Some traders are nice and offer to refund the point.  PBS basically says "Sorry about your luck".  I have had 4 books destroyed because they were shipped in only paper & tape. 

I didn't think about changing the conditions to request better packaging.  I would rather have my request cancelled than to receive a book and wonder what  sentence would have been where the hole is!

BTW, I have e-mailed customer service and asked them to please stop recommending the paper & tape method to no avail

I also just want to add, that I don't mean to step on people's toes, just hoping to give a different perspective ;)

I love wrapping books!!!!  And have had many, too many to count, people say that they learned something good from me.

First i wrap in saran wrap, then in whatever paper is available (no newspaper) I use shipping tape, obviously excessively to some, all over, sometime in places 3 times!!!  but my books have never arrived wet, torn, or missing.  I have never had a complaint. 

Of course, if it was listed in conditions, I would not do that, I would send it in a bubble mailer and hope it makes it to its destination intact!

Coming up on the wet season, i may even use more tape.  ; ) I love when I get books that are hermetically sealed!!! . its like having to work a puzzle.

i'm weird, i know. . 

BUT, I have noticed that we all have our own best ways to wrap.  I have only rec'd 1 book damaged in all this time and it was basically ripped in half!!!!  (Remember the guy that could tear phone books in half?? )

I just stick them in a bubble mailer. I've never had a complaint.

Wendy - are you my wrapping twin??  LOL

I've mailed 220 books in just saran wrap, paper, and tape.  Never had a problem so far!

My problem isn't even the tape crazy folks.  It's the TIGHT tape crazy folks.  Lots of tape seems pointless to me, but it's harmless.  When a book is wrapped so tightly in tape that I can't even get a knife point into the tape without nicking the book, that's what makes me nuts.

When I first joined PBS, it took me a while to adjust from what I've known as the proper way to pack a book to what is acceptable here.  New pool, new rules....  I suppose, if I ever hope to see a change on the "wrap a piece of paper around it and swaddle it in tape" advice, I'm going to have to do my part and actually answer all the questions on each book I receive.  Until I do that, I can't honestly feel like I've got the right to bitch about it.  :-)  Usually I'm one of those who figures if I can still read it, that's good enough!

I've mailed almost 200 books in the paper wrappers with packing tape - saran wrapped first, and haven't gotten any complaints.  I make sure the ends are well taped, because I think that's where the friction is with the postal machines.  About half the ones I've gotten in bubble mailers or manila envelopes have had the mailer torn because it wasn't taped snug to the book, or appear to have extra wear from where the book moved around inside the mailer.

What I do when I wrap mine, is leave the corners a little bunchy - that is, not perfect military corners on the package.  I just feel like this adds a little cushion to the corners and ends of the book where the machines hit them.  It should be pretty easy to just snip the corners off with scissors to get into them too.