Okay, so I've only been on here for about a week and I've had 1 book request.  I thought that once your on here, you would have your books fly off the shelf. What's up with that? I'm feeling like this was not a good idea and am about to close my account. How can I get new books to read if I can't get rid of the ones I already own? How does this really work? Am I just being impatient?

Unfortunately Tina, you have very common books that already have many copies in the system on your bookshelf. The only thing I can really recommend is trying to get some more unique books, newer releases, ect. for your bookshelf. You can usually find tradable books rather cheaply at garage sales,library sales, thrift stores and other places like that. Sorry I couldn't be more encouraging but obviously, you can't MAKE someone want the books you already have posted.

Welcome :)  I just took a look at your bookshelf, and it looks like you mostly have some pretty common authors.  When you enter a book in that has other copies in the system already, your book goes to the back of the line.  Then as people request the copies ahead of yours, you slowly move towards the front.  Eventually some of those common books will end up being requested, but it could be quite a wait on some of them.  If you want to get some of them moving faster, you could try offering a deal on the Book Bazaar forum.  Perhaps someone would be interested in getting 2 or 3 of those books for 1 credit, which would allow you to skip the long lines you are in for the FIFO (first in, first out) system and get those books off your shelves.

Be patient. Your turn will come on those books. Before you know it you will amass credits.

Thanks everyone! I'm sorry for venting, but I just kept signing on everyday hoping that one of my books would be requested and nothing but one has been, that one was a best seller, I think. I guess I just need to be more patient. I just figured that because most of my books are popular books, that they would go quickly. Thanks for the insight.

That's the problem with best sellers---a lot of people have them, read them and then post them, so there could very well already be triple-digit copies in the system.  You can always check to see how many copies of a specific book are in the system by first adding it to your Reminder List and then checking it there---it will tell how many are already posted.  Most times, unless the number is <10, you are likely looking at a long wait for it to get ordered from you, unless you offer a deal or someone specifically orders it from your shelf and not from the FIFO system.  

ask friends and family for book they don't want any more.  it takes time if it is a popular book.  There are books I've had on my shelf for a year and one was just requested.

I felt the same way when I joined a few weeks ago, then someone suggested I become a boxer.  It was a great idea, I just had 8 books come yesterday!

If you want to see how many books are ahead of you in the FIFO line, list your books in your REMINDER LIST.  It will tell you how many are in front.  Of course, if you posted a week or so ago, this is going to be skewed somewhat.  However if there are say 300 books in the system you're probably closer to the 300 than the 1.  Good luck.  It does take time.  I still have some books from 2007 listed, but I'm close to the top, so I don't want to delete them. LOL.  Pat

As another poster suggested, visit some garage sales, Goodwill, Friends of Library Sales and ask friends and relatives if they have any books they no longer want. 

Wishing you a happy experience at PBS.  

I'd wait longer, or cross-post your books on alternate swap sites. I had 5 books from a particular author languishing here for 6 months. I Posted them on a different site last week, and 4 of the 5 books went within 2 days.

Also, some books do wear out there welcome. The demand for them eventually dwindles drastically and it becomes very hard to find takers no matter where they are posted. I usually donate those to libraries or reading charities

Try becoming a boxer.  I"ve been able to trade some very common books for other, new to me books in BOB trades. Last week I sent out 3 books with loads in the system already.  I got 3 books I haven't read yet in exchange. 

Also consider doing a deal.   It may seem like you're giving away free books when you do that. But the postage doesn't go up that much and you can order books in a deal from someone else to even it out. 

I find it comes in spurts.  I won't have an order for a couple of weeks and then, all of a sudden, I get several orders in one week.

Just be patient.  To make your credits go further, try the Book Bazaar where you can get several books for one credit.

If you're game, try a deal in the book bazaar.  And welcome!

Welcome, Tina!  I just ordered a book from you.  I agree with the others -- try to diversify a little and then be patient.  The requests will come.

The day you are short on postage money, that's the day you'll get requests!  Hang in there, it'll happen.  Diversify.    You wouldn't believe how many  WL books you can find at the Goodwill.

I noticed that you have three large print books on your shelf.  You might want to post in the Book Bazaar and mention that you have some large print books in your subject line.  Those may help you spark a some interest in your shelf. 

I've been here for a year and have only sent out about 36 books. It doesn't really bother me too much. I do have other means of getting books, and i love doing book bazaar deals to stretch my credits. I have noticed when i buy books at Goodwill, i get more Wish Listed books than i manage to find any other way.

I started out here not having much in the way of books to post. I don't read the newest popular fiction. I am however, finding more and more books i would like to read.

Sometimes, these things take time. You won't be able to make PBS the only place you get books from for awhile, i am sure. I get enough requests that keep me in credits. And i don't feel the need to blow all of my credits because i have plenty to read. But i get happy and excited when i post things that people either want already, or request quickly.

I just ordered a book from you too!!   So just by talking in here you've gotten a few orders!  Add more books - get more orders! ENJOY - it's a lot of fun.

Welcome!  I just looked at your shelf and will be placing an order in a few mins :)

I felt the same way you did when I first joined... hang in there, things will speed up!  I would definitely become a boxer, I did when I first joined and now I have a steady flow of books heading out the door... I would definitely say most of those packages are from boxing not orders.  When orders are placed it goes into the FIFO system, with boxers you can request from the individual boxer- when you submit an offer, the other boxer will be able to directly look at your shelf and order from there. 

Diversifying your shelf and adding more books also helps. 

Good Luck!

And when you post in Book Bazaar, you do not have to offer a deal, just feature your shelf. There are also several threads where you can state what is cool about your shelf, including the cool and unusual thread. I'd feature the Large Print.

Also, do ask relatives and co-workers. I have found that my more obscure books and much nonfiction just get requested much more quickly.

And I will go order a book from you.

Sometimes all it takes is getting traffic to your shelf. You had a mass market paperback that is undoubtedly very common (a Mary Higgins Clark) that I hadn't read. I never go looking for her, but pick them up when I see them (usually a USB or thrift store.)

Posting in the forums is an excellent way to get that traffic. Frequently when I see a poster whose ideas I like, I do go to their shelves. (sometimes I go look when i don't like a poster to see if my suspicions are confirmed!  :) )

The day you are short on postage money, that's the day you'll get requests!

Yup!   I also just listed a book in one of the genre forums in a "What's on your shelf" type thread, and of course it then got ordered within 30 minutes, but I don't think it was by anyone who saw the post. 

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the wonderful ideas you have given me! Thanks to those who ordered from me also! I apperciate all that you have told me and I am looking foward to finding more books to post. Thanks again and, please feel free to check out my bookshelf.....I'll be checking out yours!