So, I posted my very first batch of books ever and got three hits right away.  I clicked that I could send them in 2 days.  Then, while wrapping the first one, I dinked it with the monster postal tape dispenser and put a tiny hole in the cover: 5mmx2mm.  I pm'd the recipient but she hasn't pm'd back and I really need to send it w/in the two days, don't I?  what do I do? 

ditto for the second book.  The dj has a tear.  I clicked that I could send it but then pm'd the recipient.  Again, nothing back. 

Why did I click that I could send it *and then* pm the recipients?  That is an excellent questioin and I hope you know the answer to that one, as well.  I didn't really know what to click b/c I felt that both are in great condition notwithstanding. I guess I just thought they'd be sitting by their computers waiting to hear from me.  After all, I'm sitting by mine waiting to hear from them! ; )

Anyhoo . . . so what do I do?  Is there some way to deselect 2 days?  Is there some kind of alternate site for remedial pbs users?

Welcome to PBS!

You should probably take a look at the postability guidelines ( http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=205) as these willl let you know what is okay and not okay to post.

Both of the books above sound as if they are fine.  Rips and tears in book covers <1" are okay.  The condition of a dj doesn't factor into postability at all, as they are not required to even be present.  I would just go ahead and send and be careful with the tape dispenser in the future!

Don't worry about the dust cover.  That is postable.  The hole in the cover sounds like it is smaller than a remainer mark.  So that should be okay.  From the help:

Dust Jacket:

• The DUST JACKET (this is not the same as the cover of a book) does not have to be included with a book at all, unless the requestor had this in their Requestor Conditions. 
• So DUST JACKET condition cannot be considered as part of the condition of a book, unless there were Requestor Conditions on the request specifying that the dust jacket be included.
• If the Dust Jacket was to be included as specified in the Requestor Conditions on the request, the Dust Jacket must meet the same conditions as defined for the cover, below.

Cover:

• Must both be present (front and back)
  • note that a paperback missing its front cover is  usually an illegal, unsold copy
  • "cover" does not = dust jacket.  Hardcovers do not need to include their dust jackets to be swapped here.
• Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to any part of the book)
• Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed
  • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 square inch, this is OKAY
  • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
  • yes, that does say "chewed/gnawed" above.  That means no pet-chewed (or human-chewed) books.
• A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

Rebecca, welcome to PBS. you don't need any remedial site ... it takes everyone a while to get the hang of everything here...

There isn't any way to PM the recipients before accepting the order.

There isn't any way to de-select two days.  However, you have a two day grace period. As long as you marked the books mailed by the time it states on the "My Account" page next to the request, you should be fine it's usually mm/dd/yyyy 11:00pm

The two things you wrote about sound to be within postability guidelines. In the future, I wouldn't PM about things that fall within postable standards. However, for the second book if there was a RC (Requestor Condition) asking for the dust jacket and the tear is more than 1 inch, then the book is unpostable and I would cancel the order.

I also tend to choose "I can mail later" and pick the last day allowed, although I usually mail by the next day.

What Sophie said.

Sometimes members aren't too upset by a little tear or stain if the overall condition is good and the book is readable. 

Chosing the 'Mail later' option gies you a few days grace,which is great at this time of year when people and PO are busy

Any stain makes the book unposable whether the recipient minds or not.

If a book is postabe then there is no need to PM.  I don't even PM to clarify RCS . If I can't tell from the RC I decline.

Also always choose the longest mail by date. You just never know when your printers is going to run out of ink, your car is going to break down, your kid is going to get sick etc..,  You can always mail early. I choose the last mail by date even if an order comes in while I'm printing labels and wrapping books and know I'm gong ot mail it within the hour.

Even though you chose the I can mail in 2 days it's not a biggy - unless you've printed the label and it has a postmark date on it.  You do have more than two days as others have said.  I had one that I marked that way and ran into a postal holiday.  Then I got an email from PBS telling me to mark the book mailed.

I'm with you.  If I'm here waiting for a reply why are they here replying?

Welcome to PBS.  Just hang out here for a while and you'll get all sorts of information and help just from reading the posts.  It's a great way to learn.  From others' mistakes!!  ;D

Ruth

Welcome to PBS Rebecca, both books sound postable if they otherwise meet site guidelines.  Although, you may wish to invest in a smaller (more agile) packing tape dispenser lol!

Wow!  Thanks, guys, for the good advce!  I'm taking it! 

I just love nice people!

rebecca