I have a hardback wish listed book (301 wishers) that is perfect shape but inside the front cover someone wrote a huge happy birthday note in a sharpie.  I know it is postable by PBS standards, "a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY", but I would like to PM the person first so they won't be disappointed when they get the book.  But with it being wishlisted, if I PM they say they don't want it, and I cancel so that they keep their spot in line, does the book come off my shelf?  Or what?  I don't want to appear to PBS like I am posting then cancelling for no reason.  Am I over thinking this?  Should not PM?  Any thoughts please?..

I really wouldn't PM.  I know some people disagree, but I think sending PMs for postable books just causes more problems.  If they say they don't want it, you would have to cancel, and if you repost, the request would very likely go straight back to the same person.  It also sets up a level of expectation in people that can also lead to disappointment in subsequent swaps.  I would just send it unless they have an RC in place that indicates that this book wouldn't be acceptable.

When you PM them, tell them to cancel the request if they decide they don't want it.  That will send you to the next person in line and it will save their place in the FIFO lineup.

I would not PM them -- it is completely postable. People who do not want any writing, including names or inscriptions on the flyleaf, usually have RCs for that, and if they don't, they should! No one can legitimately RWAP for an inscription.

Besides, a lot of people accept a wishlist book and then go on their merry way -- there is another current thread right now ("So Frustrated") about someone being very frustrated because they requested a book and the person PM'd them with a question and then ended up cancelling the order because they did not receive a response to their PM. The requestor was not on the site, never saw the PM and was pretty upset about the whole thing.

When you PM them, tell them to cancel the request if they decide they don't want it.  That will send you to the next person in line and it will save their place in the FIFO lineup.

Please DO NOT ever do this with a postable Wish List book. If the requester cancels their request, their place in the Wish List line is not saved, the book is removed from their Wish List and they will need to get back in the line - at the end.  If you choose to PM about a postable book then it is your responsibility to cancel the request if they don't want it and then repost it after they have gotten a copy or ask that they set up an RC you can decline to get to the next requester.

Thanks everyone, looks like I was over thinking it, I will just post it and move on.

Melaine D - thanks for the clarification about wishlist postion - that is what I was worried about.