Hey all!  I'm new to the site - signed up about two weeks ago. Feeling a bit discouraged.. really with two items: Mailed Requests vs. WL ratio & the new membership change. (Sorry in advance for being long-winded, horrible tendency! lol)

I've mailed out quite a few books so far, 16 sent and 5 more to go this week. I'm moving and do not have room to display all my bookcases, so I've decided to part with the "eh" books and the ones I just know I won't read again (too many TBR dusty piles). It's actually pretty tough for me to do, my boyfriend thinks it's a bit silly how emotional I get over the process. With that being said, I've shelled out about $70 so far in mailing fees - excluding the 5 books this week. I find myself saying, "What the hell are you doing woman?!" I feel like I am paying people to take my books away! lol. I know I need to bulk up my Wish List, but I've not had much success in finding latest releases in my favorite series. Has anyone else experienced this doldrum?

My other issue: I'm a bit peeved by the membership change PBS plans on making, going into effect 2/15. I'll start first by saying WHEN did they plan on notifying members (paid & free)? I would never have found this information out if it wasn't for trolling the forums today. No email, newsletter, alert upon sign in... nada. 

As I previously stated, in the past two weeks I've mailed about 21 books and received 2. Had I known about the new requesting-fee and swap-credit, I would have held off signing up/mailing until Feb. 15th. All of those free-swap credits sure would have been nice (since I planned on staying "A La Carte"). I'm contemplating Standard vs. Limited membership now... but the thought of burning more money is making my eye twitch lol.

So after all that, I guess I'm just annoyed that I'm paying to get rid of books and now paying to receive them. My shelves are emptying and so are my pockets. *le sigh.

I would really appreciate advice, shared turmoil and FRIENDS! (I'm not a paying member yet, am I allowed to have friends? lol) 

- Brittaney

Emails were sent out in the last few days about the membership fees. If you didn't get it, check your Club Communications (main My Account tab, look in the yellow submenu) and see if it is there. See if your email provide caught it in the spam filter.

Sorry about the timing, but glad you are here to swap!

Welcome Brittaney! 

I think many people have thought it  but may never admit to having the thought you expressed here: 

"What the hell are you doing woman?!" I feel like I am paying people to take my books away! lol.

I have felt the same way and when I tell family members that I pay postage to trade stuff they think I'm crazy. 

I will be trying the A La Carte option while I decide future plans. 

Brittaney, Check your PMs

I know as soon as I joined in April 2009, there was already discussion about going to a paid membership format when it became necessary. Over the past few years the 'discussion' came up again and again in the forums so it's really just been a question of 'WHEN?", not "IF".  

I am happy to pay for membership here rather than go to an ads based website like all the others.

Welcome Brittaney. Sorry about the timing, but I hope you stick around and consider membership. As a paranormal junkie I can tell you from experience that pbs is a great resource for getting books. Book stores are few and far between and getting fewer all the time. and have you priced them new books lately? 8.00 for mass market and 12-15 for trade sized. And i expect mass market to disappear alltogether in the next few years. Used book stores are usefull but seldom have the books I want and are still pretty pricey.

I have been a Gold Key Member for a few years and have never regretted it. Best 12 bucks I spent all year. The funny thing is when I signed up for gold key I expected it to cost $20.00 and was surprised it was so much less. Where else are you going to find exactly the book you want and pay less than 3 bucks to have it delivered to your door? IF the used books store has something I want it will cost a minimum of $4.00 and I have to drive there.

Welcome!!  :)  I love PBS and hope your experience becomes more of a positive one! 

Honestly, I don't often order books just off of people's shelves...most of my requests are books that I have on my WL.  Once a WL book is posted to me, I will then look at that members bookshelf and see if they have anything else that sounds interesting.  That way, they can save money by mailing me multiple books...and I hope people consider doing the same when getting WL books from me.  There are some books that have been on my WL for YEARS...but there are others that I really haven't had to wait too long for. 

Another thing to check is the wish list multiples thread in the book bazaar: http://www.paperbackswap.com/February-2015-Wishlist-Multiples-Official/topic/300215/  There people can list all of the wishlisted books they have available in hopes people will want more than one....like most people ask that you request at least 2 or 3 of their books.  If you see a few you want you can private message that member to request them.  That way the person shipping the books can save a little money by shipping them all together to one member rather than to 2 or 3 different members.  Same thing if you have multiple books that are WL'd by other members.  You can post them there to save on shipping to.  (I once sent a box of 8 books to one person for like six dollars and change...to mail individually would probably have been 4 times that cost!)

Hope that wasn't all confusing...I'm a horrendous explainer lol. :)

Hi, Brittaney. Welcome to PBS. I sent you a friend request.

Pam

Why is the fee assessed to the requestor rather than the shipper? Seems like so much dissatisfaction revolvers around feelings relating to unused credits, which is understandable. If the new fees were assessed to the shipper than it becomes a non issue. If you continue to maintain a bookshelf you accept the increased cost or  delete your shelf and work off your credits and go. Changing the plan after member paid to ship make them feel defrauded. It is really not about the money, it is about the nasty feeling of being defrauded.

Mary Anne

If the fee was assessed to the shipper, books may never get posted. :(

Brittaney I also am emotional about getting rid of books but with PBS you know that your book is going to a home that wants it. It may sound silly but that's what has helped me send out 1500 books in my time here. :) I don't like donating them to Goodwill because I don't want my books being stepped on and destroyed. (I will donate other things but not my books.)

Now that I sound truly crazy I will state that I'm not going anywhere and my friend list is on auto-accept.

Thank you for all the responses and friend requests!!  

I am most definitely going to stay on with PBS - that was never a doubt, just a bit of whining.   I've actually been gifted with a year membership, woohoo!!! I'm super excited!   Today I've been going through my wishlist and clicking on the other book-type options, which is a really cool feature. I also love that they tell you what your place is in the wait-line and how many wishes were granted for the week.

Shelby - thanks for the book bazaar WL info. I'll have to check that out!

Marie - I feel the exact same way about donating books. A few years back I went on an uncontrollable buying binge (lol), many of the books I never got around to reading or just lost interest. Some of those I've traded here and it is definitely a wonderful feeling knowing that someone actually wants the book for their own (and I'm sure the new condition will be an added bonus). I've tried donating a couple boxes of children's/YA books to my local library a few times and they've flat out refused to accept them. Very strange...  

You and I are in the same exact boat!!  :(

I love sending children's books, though I don't have many of them. They are light enough that I can send them first class for less than 2 bucks :)