Hi!  I'm pretty new to PBS, so I don't know if this is normal behavior.  Today after I posted a bunch of books, a member pm'd me to ask if I would give her another of my listed books if she ordered another book that I had posted.  I'm not really sure how to reply to this- I mean, first of all I didn't think that she could just request a specific book from me.  Second of all, is requesting a 2 for 1 deal a typical thing?  My inclination is to say- "nope, sorry" but I was curious about other people's reactions/experiences.  Thanks!

Welcome to PBS, Sarah.

Yes, it's possible to request a specific book from another member -- she has to go to your bookshelf and request it directly instead of requesting it from the general page about the book. The order will go to you instead of whoever is first in line to send the book out. (Outside of these specific requests, PBS works via First In, First Out in the majority of transactions.)

It's not considered rude to suggest a deal, or to refuse one. In fact, there's an entire forum (the Book Bazaar) devoted to people offering and seeking deals.

It's totally up to you if you want to do a 2 for 1 deal. I would personally check how many copies of the freebie book are available in the system (by adding it to your Reminder List) and how much sending the additional book would affect postage. I'd weigh this against my desire to get one credit now, since if you refuse she'll likely order the book from someone else through FIFO. You can also counteroffer with a deal involving more than one credit, for example, 3 for 2, which helps you lower your cost per credit. 

Good luck.

If she requests directly from a bookshelf, then she can.  There are often deals offered on books that are heavily posted. 

It is totally up to you if you want to accept the deal or not.  Feel free to say no. 

I personally will ask for a 3 for 2 deal.  But not a 2 for 1 deal.  I feel that the place for 2 for 1 deals is in the Book Bazaar, where it is offered rather than asked for.

It's okay just to say "No. Thanks." and let it go at that. Then if they cancel or don't complete the first order than it's their choice.

Thanks everyone for your insight- that's very helpful.

One more thing, since you haven't been here long I would mention that it is not particularly common to get deal requests out of the blue (when you are not actively advertising a deal offer, I mean).

It is certainly not unknown, and it is allowed by PBS to request deals, or to at least inquire to see whether someone is interested in offering a deal, but I wouldn't say that it is so common that you would get these all the time.

Folks will often mention if they offer deals in their bookshelf header.  But asking?  Not common.  I'll often refund a credit on a big order.  But I think I was asked once in 4 years.

Welcome to PBS !

Yes people do deals all the time here ,but its up to you to decide if its what you want to do. I always accept them and have asked for them before.

there is a place for deals here. called the books bazaar. You can check it out first to see all about before you decide.

Welcome to PBS!!!

I've been a member for two years and I've only received a PM requesting a "deal" one time.  I politely said no, thank you, and that was that.  It's rare, and if you're not interested, just say no thanks.  You're not going to hurt anyone's feelings or offend them.

Happy swapping!!!!

Sarah, do you know how to put your books on the reminder list to see how many copies are in the system?

Some older, once highly popular books may have 300-600 + copies in the system, and since they are not highly requested anymore, it will be a LONG time before your book comes up for request thru FIFO.

I've asked for a 3 for 2 deal if I'm on the fence about 2 of the books, AND, I know the book is not WL, or will be a slow-mover, or there are a ton of copies in the system already.

If somebody asks me for a deal, and I know that those books might sit here for 6 months, they get a deal, LOL  

A Bird in the Hand is sometimes worth 2 in the Bush, as the saying goes.

If it's a deal I'm not willig to make, I just thank them politely then decline. 

I thank them, becuse, IMHO, ANY time a member is interested in my bookshelf, and has taken the time to look it over, I'm pleased, because they are potential customers and of course, potential repeat customers!!!  There are a million other members they could get books from. 

PS.  If I'm getting a tiny cozy, that was published decades ago, like one of those VERY COMMON little western novels, or one of those little agatha christie cozies, I might ask for a deal.

Otherwise, I probably wouldn't order a book like that for 1 credit.........there are thousands in the system, and I can usually pick it up at a yard sale for 25 cents or so.

I have occasionally asked for a deal.  Both senders were happy to accept.  One was a 4-3 and the other a 13-5.

No one has ever asked me for one.

It's perfectly OK to say no thank you.  I wouldn't have been offended if the senders had said no.

I have asked for deals before if I saw something on someones shelf that I thought I might like but was unfamiliar with the author. I have a long wishlist of other books that I know I will enjoy and I usually only have 3 or 4 credits at a time. It is only a request and I realize the sender may turn me down but it doesn't hurt to ask. I know that most of the books on my shelf are there because I am through with them and ready to get them out of the house. Unless the book is already going to cost a lot to mail because it is a large book, I am usually willing to give a deal to get the additional books out of the way.

I think the counter offer of a 3 for 2 deal is also a great idea.

Sarah,

Welcome to PaperbackSwap! I asked for a deal just once for Rainbow Magic Books that my school teacher daughter is collecting for her classroom.  The person said "no" and I said thanks and moved on. I haven't asked again. While it may not be common, it is addressed in the "Help" section and is permitted. Until tomorrow on Book Bazaar (for the first time ever) I am in the process of offering a 2 for 1 "sale" on my bookshelf.  It has been successful in moving books that have been there a while.  One thing I learned in the process is that two books can be mailed a LOT cheaper together than separately. In most cases 2.82 for 2 vs. 2.42 each.  If you are offering children's books, you can probably save more money.  Offering a deal is a good way to clear your shelf and add credits possibly cheaper than it would be to buy them.  Debbie H.

Sarah,

and anyone else who might be wondering the same thing Sarah is.  I found this information in the book bazaar ,

(5) If a member asks you for a deal and you haven't offered one, this is not considered rude; it is also not considered rude to refuse. This kind of thing should be handled politely, without hard feelings on either side. 

Here's the whole thing if you want to read it.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/How-Use-Forum-Please-Read/topic/39715/ 

I pretty much agree with everyone...I have given TONS of deals and have asked a few times.  You just never know til you ask! :)  And I think it is all in the way you say it.  I always let them know that I would happily offer a deal in return if they see books on my shelf that they like, but that I completely understand if they would rather not.  I also agree it is about the TYPE of deal you ask for. You should still make it worth THEIR effort as well.  Most accept and some decline. 

When I first started it took some getting use to :)

Some have no clue what a deal is and when you mention it they are happy to hear about it.  Especially if you have books on your shelf they also like.  And when I tell them about the BOOK BAZAAR they get pretty excited and thankful. 

I have even gotten a good deal from someone, looked at their wish list and saw a book I was almost finished reading, then sent it FREE as a thank you for them giving me a deal. 

I have also turned down deals or "counteroffered" if in my opinion they were asking for too much. 

Have fun with your new addiction of PBS :)

I recommend it.  I sent someone 7 books for 2 credits-- at first i was really worried if it would be worth it. Those 7 books ended up being the exact same postage as one other book that i sent out the same day. 

I asked for a 5 for 3 deal yesterday - and got it. Had I not gotten it, I would have just ordered the original book. I always have 5 for 3 on my shelf, and sometimes offer better in the Bazaar.  It's a good deal for the poster as well (unless they really prefer/need credits)....individually the books would cost her in excess of $10 to mail - these aren't large and it will be less than $3. And who knows how long it would take to receive orders/credits via FIFO?