or will the FIFO system default to someone else whose book was listed first if there is more than one copy available of a given item?? 

patti

If you are looking for a particular book, and you know someone who has it, then yes, you can order directly from them.  But there is no way to tell what book is on whom's shelf without actually searching the individual shelves of people.  I do hope I understand your question and am answering accordingly?

If you know someone who has the book, you can click on thier "Book List" icon and order from thier shelf. 

If you want to make sure you are ordering from a specific person make sure you are on their page. Dont order from the pop up description or the linked description page. Click order this book ON THEIR PAGE. If you do it anywhere else you will get sent to the FIFO.

... and even then, verify that it was indeed ordered from them after you order it.

It is  possible to identify some members who have a given book without looking at individual shelves by using the BOB search interface.

It is  possible to identify some members who have a given book without looking at individual shelves by using the BOB search interface.

Yep, I also agree with double-checking after you order it (if you click see more from this member's shelf I think it shows you the name before you send the order through) but if you do accidentally order from the wrong person, it is easy to cancel and the person will never know b/c of the one hour hold or whatever it is.

Yes, you can.  Once I find people who can meet my RC's, I add them to my buddy list and order directly from their shelves over and over again.  You just need to make sure that you ARE still in their bookshelf.  If you want to read a description of the book before ordering, DON'T push the order button from the description page or it will take the book from the person who is first up in the FIFO system rather than the bookshelf you are browsing.  Just back out of the description page and then hit the order button.