In my collection of several thousand books I have a few duplicates. Some I have in both hardcover and paperback. I was wondering if it would be OK to post the paperback version and then when it is requested to PM the requestor and ask if tey would prefer the hardcover edition? Should (could) I post the hardcover  and offer the paperback in a PM? Do people here prefer hardcover or paperbacks? Or is there no preference?

Everybody's different and gets books on PBS here for different reasons, so I think there is no "correct" response to your question.  In general, I like paperback versions because they are easier to transport about and read on the fly.  But some books I want as keepers and then I like the hardcover version.

I think you may possibly get more "hits" for your books if you post the paperback version.  Then (and I think this is such a nice gesture on your part) you could PM requestor about the binding choice.

Or you could post both books and assuming that both versions aren't scooped up immediately by the system, just PM whoever orders either book and offer them binding choice, although if they requested particular ISBN, they probably prefer that binding version.

Personally, I'd post both versions and just let the system handle it from there...

Hi Jason,

Welcome to PBS.  I would suggest you post both and allow people to choose.  Individual people may have a preference.   Personally I prefer H/C but I have a friend who will only read paperbacks.  So you will get the most orders if you just post both.

I think you are asking for trouble by PMing them and offering a different binding.  Plus not every checks their account everyday. So what if they don't respond for a few days. Then you have to decide do I mail the book or wait longer. Then if for some reason they aren't happy with the alternate version you sent they can complain about not getting the book they ordered. And the transaction will say the original binding type. 

Like previous posters said: most people have a preference of which binding they want. I'm a paperback gal.  They're smaller and easier to handle to me. But then I'm not a keeper. I read them and post them.  I find paperbacks generally cheaper to mail and easier to wrap. 

Are you planning to keep one version of the duplicates?  If yes then keep the version you prefer and post the other.  If you don't have a preference post any that are WL and keep the other. Or post them both then when one is ordered delete the other one.  Make sure they aren't WL when you do this and be prepared to have a request for both come in at the same time. Probably not likely but you never know.  If you don't want to keep them post them both. You can have the same title on your shelf more than once as long as the IBSN and bindings are different.

Keep it simple, post them all, make sure your postings are correct as far as binding and such goes, then mail what people ask for.  As long as your books are postable, a credit is a credit is a credit.  It's very kind of you to consider if you should PM folks, but I think you're borrowing trouble, you just aren't aware of it yet.  You sound like a nice guy, but my advice, again, is don't fix what isn't broke.

There's nothing wrong with that, just as long as you have the binding they originally requested available to them.  If you PM them and don't hear back, just give them what they originally asked for.

Jason, do you mean you want to only trade one copy of the books (and keep the other copy for your collection)?  If so, and you post both copies, you could conceivably end up with orders for both books, if they are popular.  If this is what you meant, I would suggest checking the wishlist first to see if any of the books are listed, then you would know for sure one copy would be taken.  Sometimes people post both copies hoping to get at least one of them ordered, but if orders for both versions come through during the time you are away from your computer, you will end up disappointing one of the people by cancelling their order.  You can also check to see how many copies are in the system already, but that can be misleading because one version might be requested more frequently than the other.

If you don't want to keep one for yourself, go ahead and post all copies of the same titles.  Depending on the book, there are some I prefer to get in hardcover if it's available, and others I would much rather were paperback, so you are sure to find people who, for different reasons, would want each copy.  Welcome to PBS!

I had someone do that once (I asked for the PB version and she told me in a PM she also had the HB version).  I thought it was really nice of her to offer it.  However, as others have said - you are going to be stuck in a bad place if the person does not respond to your PM.  You could do like a deadline in the PM, like, "Hey, X, I have the hardback version of this book if you are interested in it instead of the paperback.  If you are interested, PM me back by 12/13/07 and let me know.  Otherwise, I'll just go ahead and send the paperback that you requested."

Ihappened to have two copies of Perfect Match, one in HB and one in PB.  I posted them both and they both are on their way to new homes.  I'd say post both kids of books and have at it. A credit is a credit.

By the way, it is not true that you can post a second copy of exactly the same book as soon as the first one is requested, because I tried to do that today.  (Without success)   I got two copies of the same book that had several wishers at the Dollar Tree Store today.  I think you have to wait until the first one arrives and is acknowledged to have done so before you can post the second one.    I have, however, had as many as three copies of the same book in different binding types or reissues etc. with different ISBN#'s on my shelf at once, though. 

Again as have all of the above said:  WELCOME TO PBS!!

Winston, once the book is marked mailed you can post the  second one. I had 3 copies of a same book in transit to people at the same time recently.