What's this? Is it a new 'thing' next to how many books you've posted on the  Main Account page?

its been there for as long as I can remember

It's always been there Fran. It simply is giving  you an estimate of how much money you would have saved if you'd bought your books at a USB instead of swapping them here at PBS.

Perhaps you didn't notice it until it started registering some dough.  It's always been there.  It's not accurate because it can't account for freebies and deals and such.  Mine would be much higher if I were able to include all the great deals I've received from the book bazaar!  In case I haven't said so, Welcome to PBS!

Wow... maybe I should put some books on Memory problems on My wishlist.. I've never noticed it before...

Thanks!

LOL Frann! Yea, it has been there since I joined in 4/2005 as far as I can remember!!

Don't feel bad for missing it Frann, you haven't been here that long and there is so much to see!  No doubt you will be discovering lots of other features that you haven't noticed yet-- LOL!   At least you are familiar with the forums--I didn't start reading them until I was a member for months and months...

I thought it was connected to that little calculator that figures out the cost of gas to take your books to the postoffice.  Since you only have to mail the books, not take them into the post office, you are supposedly saving so much.  Doesn't work for me, though, because the mailbox is in walking distance and the mini post office is right there too.

The savings calculation doesn't mean much to me either, as I would not be buying all these books if they weren't available here.  I also rarely spent as much as $4.50 for used paperbacks.

I agree with you Cindy, i think the postage cost should be calculated in, it puts me paying well over what I would pay if I bought th books outright. Most used books I buy I don't spend over $2 for so paying over at least $2.13 to earn a credit often means I pay more. I only buy certain authors at full prices and I am 400 plus on the WL for any of those. BUT, the fact that the books I am done with can get into the hands of someone who wants them and I can find some of the not so mainstream authors makes it worth it.

I find the mileage thing humorous, the PO 2 blocks out of the way to work and I drive a hybrid car. When I do the calculation it tells me to save money, I really should take the books to the PO rather than buy postage.

The other thing that I've noticed, with regard to this, is that I entered books into my wishlist on my first day (about 25 books)...and, I've only received one from that list of books (and that was sent to me by a lady who kindly found a copy for me on another site).  And, even more frustrating, on 89% (I did the math) of the books, my "place" in line hasn't changed since I enrolled.   Why is that important?  Well, because I wouldn't buy half of the books that I've received in swap.  I end up just randomly ordering books that are similar to those things on my wishlist because I need my husband to think that all of this packaging and mailing is worth the money.  Sadly, though...I feel like I'm going to have to go out and buy the books that I really wanted anyway.  Kind of defeats the purpose. 

Also, I had listed several "new books" (published very recently) and I paid full price for them on amazon.  The books I'm getting back are, like I said, older books that I wouldn't have spent cash on.  So, that "money saved" figure is kind of annoying because I've spent $50 in postage in three weeks that I could've used to buy the books that I have on my wishlist.  KWIM? 

For me, it's the opposite.  I've saved far more.  I don't really have access to a used book store, so that option is out and most of my books wouldn't show up there anyway.  I've been here for almost 2 years and rcd (at last count) 148 books just off of my WL.  Including 9 DK Eyewitness Travel Guides that retail between $25-$40, 12 Traveler's Tales books retailing between $12-$24, the entire Stephanie Plum in HB....it goes on and on.  Most of my WL books are trade or HB with a minimum price of $12.  I've saved thousands of dollars here, literally.

I almost forgot-my very favorite book from PBSwap-a giftable condition copy of In Tuscany by Frances Mays ($35)

I've spent more on postage in my time here than I would have spent on books in that same time, but I think of it as a hobby.  The benefits far outweigh the cost.  I discover new authors, receive books that would otherwise be hard to come by,  get something in the mail besides bills, and the most fun of all, get to send out a book now and then that someone's been hoping and waiting for.

I have no access to a used book store either! This site helps me tremedously. As for WL books, depending on the books, sometimes you will have a to wait for it. Threre are some that move faster than others.

Couldn't have said it better myself Judy!

I agree it's an unrealistic amount.  I just ignore it.