ok i just received a book in the mail today, but it has a mysterious yellow stain on the side of the pages (the ones you see when the book is closed). its not obstructing any words, but im afraid to know what it is. the last time i saw spots like that was from the box of books i found the mice it. (i threw those in the trash) should i go ahead and just mark it received. what does the help center say about this?

Does it bleed onto the actual pages, or is it just on the side?  Sometimes used book stores mark the books they sell by putting a mark on the side- could it be a yellow marker?  If you think it is indeed a stain, I would mark it RWP, becuase the Help Center says that no stains of any kind are acceptable.

Lesley

its not marker, and it only bleeds onto some of the pages, and even then its not much

The HC says no stains are allowed, except for cookbooks, and then the receiver must agree to the condition before it is shipped.  If it's not a cookbook and you didn't agree to it, then mark it RWP at the very least.  Whether you ask for your credit back is up to you, but you won't be able to repost this book if it is stained.

How old is the book? Is it a paperback? I know I've gotten some paperbacks that are older (I'm talking books from the 80s or 90s) that have a yellowish "staining" to them that appears to have bled from the edges of the pages which I think is caused by acidity in the paper. I know it's happened to some of the paperbacks I've had around my house for years too--and also to old photo albums.

If the book is an older paperback it could be from the acidity and isn't staining from any sort of substance. Just another possibility.

its a fairly new book. so i know thats not the problem. i just marked it received. its easier that way

Stephanie, it might seem easier that way, but if you do not report problem books, then it becomes a problem for everyone, because that sender is still sending out books that they shouldn't.  Unfortunately, some people do  not read the posting guidelines, and only find out what is unpostable by being notified that something they sent did not meet the guidelines.  Even if you did not mark it RWP, I would still encourage you to send a polite PM to the sender and let them know that the book was stained and that stained books are against posting guidelines.

someone one time gave  me some paperbacks and it something strange on a few of them like and come to find it was her male cat spraying them ! so watch out ! but, i have gotten some older books that yellow from age.

i figured i would prolly just keep the book, or give it to the library when im done.