I am somewhat fairly new to this site however I have mailed out several books and requested and received some to read.  It's been going along quite smoothly.  However....a member requested one of my books on 11/7  that I promptly mailed out on 11/10.  I live in Jersey and it was going to Georgia which shouldn't take all that long. 

So when alot of time passed I decided to personal message this person and ask if they received the book.  When I went to do so, it said "this person is no longer an account holder".  So I emailed the founders of this site and asked how am I to get my credit if this person is no longer a member.  Which I found odd because a request was made on the 7th and I mailed the book out on the 10th.  How does someone quit this site after requesting a book?  I said I didn't feel I needed to wait the full 21 days that it takes for me to get my book credit from someone who was no longer a member. 

They emailed me back and said that this person is indeed still a member however their account is suspended and that for me to be patient.  I will get my credit I just have to wait until the date that is specified which isn't until December 7th.  I have received messages that several of the books that are on my wishlist have been posted and are available.  But I have no credits!  I have missed out on at least 2 books because I have no credits and I don't think this is fair.  If this person's account is suspended, how then are they going to log in and give me credit?  What is the big deal for PBS to award the credit in this case?  And why would someone's account be suspended anyway?  I just felt PBS was being quite unfair in not understanding this situation.  It really bugged me that I missed out on books on my wishlist all because of a "Suspended Member" and I can't understand the logic of PBS in making me wait for the credit.  I just wanted to hear other members take on this situation.  Thanks.

Kelly, there are many reasons a person's account can be suspended and it is only determined by the founders.  They alone can suspend someone's account.  Some reasons might be (but may NOT be in this case):  too many black marks on their account, attempting to do something that is against PBS rules, or poor behavior within the site/forums....among many others. 

As for them making you wait....unfortunately that is the rule in this situation.  It doesn't seem fair at times, but they had to make a rule about it so that there is a foundation to go on in all situations where  a member is no longer an account holder when there are still pending transactions.   It's one of those things that if they try to figure out and delineate between all individual circumstances, they will be doing that all day long instead of doing what they do best:  working on this site to make it better for everyone.  A line/rule had to be drawn, and unfortunately some aren't going to agree with that. 

Also, if you will check your account...I just buddied you a credit!  :)  Pay me back when you can!

Perhaps the suspension is due to be lifted before the 7th? In which case, I would be frustrated, as you are, but can understand why they asked you to wait. If the situation hasn't changed by then, I'd write to PBS again, asking for your credit at that time.

You said: "I live in Jersey and it was going to Georgia which shouldn't take all that long." Well, actually, yes it can. I had a Media Mail package take over two weeks to go 10 miles earlier this year. I wondered if they'd sent it on the back of a mule? Heck, I had a FIRST CLASS book take 4 weeks from WA to CA!  On the other hand, I've had transcontinental Media Mail packages take three days.

You said: " I have missed out on at least 2 books because I have no credits and I don't think this is fair." The transaction in question was one (1) book - how can you have "missed out on 'at least 2 books' "because of this situation?

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WOW!  I didn't know you can give someone buddy points!  I can't tell you how much I appreciate this!  I am so going to add you to my buddy list and check out your bookshelf ASAP!!!  Thank you again, you are terrific!

In response to Seajack:

I should have explained myself more clearly when saying that I missed out on 2 books.  One was from my wishlist that I had to decline because at the time I had no points and then I got another email several days later regarding another book that was on my wishlist that just got posted that I also had to decline because I had no credits.  Also, people that I have on my buddylist offer a 2 for 1 book deal that I couldn't take advantage of because, yet again, Jack, I had no credits.  So that is what I meant when I said that I had to miss out on 2 books that I have been waiting for due to no credits.

You can also buy credits if you really, really don't want to be passed up for a wishlist book.    

Kelly, you are very welcome.  Glad to help! 

you will not have to contact R&R on 12/7 because you will get your credit automatically.  This happened to me as well and I had to wait but luckily I haven't missed any books.

once you've been a member for awhile longer you will probably build up a reserve of credits for those books you have WL'd.  and as Coz said, you can always buy credits, either from the site or when someone posts them for sale in the book bazaar thread

Not to mention, that even if their account hadn't been on suspension, it could have just as easily been someone leaving PBS and not bothering to come back and mark it received, or the PO taking the full month or more to get it delivered, which happens often, especially this time of year. Either way, the longest you wait is 26 days, and that is just the way the site works, and everytime you send out a book, you have to realize that you stand the possibility of waiting the full 26 days for it to either be delivered or marked lost to get your credit.

R&R can't possibly be making exceptions for everyone that has a credit coming from someone whose account goes on hold, or is suspended. With over 28,000 members, I would imagine this is a common occurance (much more than we realize, I'm sure) and they have enough to do with trying to deal with the member of the account without trying to then compensate for every book they have coming. Try to see it from that viewpoint, and your credit slowness might not seem quite as unreasonable.

If you can't stand the possiblity of waiting for 26 days, buying a credit is only what? A $1.50 more than mailing a book? You need a fix in a hurry, buying credits is pretty easy, and really not that much more than mailing, and no wrapping required!!!

Here's hoping all your transactions go better, but remember, it can take up to the full 26 days for the PO to deliver your book. So, if you want INSTANT CREDIT with no waiting, use PBS Postage w/DC and you will get your credit THAT DAY, no waiting, no worries about accounts going on suspension, no worries about the PO misdelivering or taking a month to deliver. You get it immediately!!! Just a thought :)

Yeah I guess you put everything in perspective for me.  I had thought this was a unique circumstance that was why I couldn't understand why I couldn't just get the credit.  But like you said with that amount of members they would go crazy trying to worry about everyone's credit.  I'll just wait the full 26 days and learn some more patience.  However two people were nice enough to give me buddy points and I am now able to hopefully get that book on my wishlist!  I am so greatful for that!

I always was curious about the PBS postage and how that exactly worked.  I may need to research that some more.  It looked a little confusing.  I was always afraid it would print out wrong or I would do something wrong and end up costing me double to mail a book.  But thanks for all the advice.

I have had to wait nearly the full 26 days for the media mail mule to get my book to me, from an active member. 

I get how you feel, this site is so great, and you respond so diligently, and quickly, and then you have to hurry up and wait!  It's a bummer, but I would nicely suggest learning to be patient on this site.  Media mail is a horse of a different color!  I just read a post where someone's book showed up 7 months late! 

Welcome to PBS!

Kelly,

If you have a postal scale, PBS postage is so easy to use.  Just weigh your package, verify the weight on the printable postage label, print out the label, wrap and mail.  Once you mail it, instant credit. 

If you are in immediate need of credits use the PBS postage with DC.  You get the credit right away and you save the time of having to go to the post office.  Also you get 48hrs to respond to a WL book.  If you have Paypal, post in Book Bazaar that  you want to buy some credits.  You can usually get them cheaper that way. I have a lot of credits and a few times I have sold blocks of credits or just a couple to someone.  This helps cover my postage costs since I've had a very active shelf.  After you've sent out some books and earned some credits-hang on to a few to cover those WL books. 

Kelly - just remember to put the books you had to decline back on your wish list.  When you decline them, they move onto your Reminder list.  So, if you haven't done so yet - go to your Reminder list and covert them back to Wish List books. :)

Happy Reading!!

Anna-Melissa

When I was new and out of credits I declined on a WL book that came up.  Someone pointed out that it's not much more expensive to buy credits, so that's what I always do in a pinch.  In the Bazaar section, someone's always willing to sell credits for a decent amount, or you can buy them through PBS. 

Wow all your suggestions are really helpful.  I guess I jumped the gun by being impatient.  I have to realize how many members there are on this thing.  However 2 people were so incrediably nice and gave me a credit!!!!  I was SHOCKED and so thankful because I was able to get that book on my wishlist!!!!  I thought that was so nice for two people to do for a person they don't even know.  I am so glad I was able to vent my frustrations and have all you pros straighten me out!  Thank you all I appreciate all the advice.

Kelly, I'm sure everybody was happy to point you to the understanding of how the site really works! hahahaha Seriously, you will come to love this site more and more as the weeks and months and books go by. I was not surprised at all to know that you received 2 credits. You will never cease to be amazed at the generosity and friendships of the members here on PBS. The ability to vent and find support is a tremendous feature of the forums, too. I am so glad you were able to take the advice given here in the spirit it was intended, and be able to back up and see the picture as a whole is a tribute to you, and I am glad you are a member with us, and wish you better luck in all your trades :)  WELCOME!

Hi Kelly, and welcome to PBS. One thing that I'm surprised others haven't pointed out, so I'll be the meanie and do so.

One of the great debates here on PBS is the Wish List. (Which is supposed to be changing soon) I haven't checked lately, but last time I read the HELP center, it said to only put books on your WL if you have credits to order them, or are prepared to purchase credits to order them.

The logic is that if somebody posts a WL book into the system, you have two days to accept or decline, on day 2 you decline and it goes to the next person in line, on day two they decline and it goes to the next person in line, etc. etc. Theoretically a WL book could be tied up on my shelf for quite some time. (Several of us have had this happen) That really sucks, especially if  somebody posted the  WL book so that they could receive a quick credit to feed their own addiction.

You will find that many of us are willing to gift credits when others need them. We're a pretty generous group. I just wanted you to know that as it stands, the WL is only supposed to be used for books that you have credits to cover, or will purchase credits to cover. On the other hand, you will never get all your WL books at once, so I don't really see the need to have the exact number of credits as what you have on your WL. If you're down to 0 credits, you can also put your WL shelf on hold until more credits roll in. That way you don't have to pass up on a WL book offered to you.

Did any of that make sense or did I just talk in circles? Help me out here somebody.

Oh now that is something I didn't know!  I just put a whole bunch of books that I wanted on the wishlist so that I don't forget which ones I want!  I read the synopsis in Amazon or whatnot and then put it on my wishlist at PBS.  I didn't know that you had to have the credits available at all times.  Even though I don't think I have ever held anyone up the 2 times that I got an email saying that a book on my wishlist was available, I had no credits and had to decline.  I am always on this thing!  Maybe what I will do is when I am out of credits, I will put the WL on hold until I have at least one.  What I am a little fuzzy on is this Reminders List.  Not too sure what that is supposed to be.

Well thanks for the tips.

The Reminder list is where you are supposed to put the books until you are ready to commit to ordering them from your Wishlist. So when you find a book at Amazon, throw it in your Reminder list until you have a credit or cash, then put it on your Wishlist.

That said... I don't have one credit per book on my Wishlist, and I doubt many people do. With 44 WL books (probably about 25 different titles, but several different ISBN's) I typically keep around a dozen credits to cover any wishlist book that might come up. I am also more than willing to buy credits if I need to just so I don't turn down a WL book offer. The longer you are here, you will find friends you can borrow from also.

Now all that said.... That's the way things are "supposed" to be done. That isn't the way they are always done. Plus, it's all supposed to be changing in the near future! So, keep reading the boards and asking all the questions you can come up with. We're more than willing to throw in our .02, as you can see! Again, welcome to PBS!

Kelly, the Reminder tab will show up on the right hand of the space when you are looking at a book's description.  When you click on that button, a litle 'ting' will sound and it will say that particular book ISBN and book title  was saved to your Reminder list.  To look at your Reminder list, click on 'my lists' and then on Reminder. That list will store all names of books you want in the future.  You can also use the Reminder list to see how many copies of any particular ISBN are in the system at a time.  Hope that clears it up a bit.