My question was answered. You can borrow, but you can not get for free.

(7) Rules regarding posts asking for "credit loans"

NOTE: asking for credit GIFTS is strictly prohibited.  Asking for LOANS must be confined to Book Bazaar and follow the rules below:

• The original post in the topic should specify clearly (1) how many credits are needed (maximum 6) and (2) a timeframe to repay them.
• Any members who lend credits in response to these threads must post in the topic that they have given credits, and how many. 
• When the member who asked for a loan has gotten the credits she needs, she must edit the topic title and the original post to say "Thank you--no more replies needed!" .
• No member should post a topic asking to borrow credits more than once per month, and can do this a maximum of 2 months in a row. So it is okay to ask in January and again in February, but that same member cannot ask again until April.
• No member may ask for credit loans before having paid back all previous loans. 
• Anyone giving credits to a member in response to this kind of topic who expects repayment should send a PM saying "I have lent you [x number of] credits - pay me back when you can" (or state a timeframe in your message).
• Anyone giving credits to a member in response to this kind of topic who does NOT expect repayment should include in her PM "I have sent you [x number of credits] - no need to repay".
• These credit loan topics may not appear anywhere but Book Bazaar. The original poster may bump the topic if she needs to only once - not once per day, but once ever.

You can ask to borrow credits but you can not get them free. Got ya.

Thank you Karen for posting the rules. It really is a shame that some people don't bother to read the rules before they email, comment and post. For someone who cares so much about the rules, you would think she took the time to actually read them....smdh

It is a shame that people dont bother to read what I wrote either. I said GIFT CREDITS  and FREE CREDITS not BORROW!

yea that's what you said after you edited it 6 times.

This is the email I got

[**Edited by the PBS Team to remove a member's name.**]

I should have copied your first post before you changed it 6 times to fit your needs.....

I feel like I should defend Katherine because I read her original post (a few minutes after she posted it) and she was talking about getting free credits.  When someone tells a story that they had a hard year, can't afford to buy credits etc, it does sound like they just want them free especially if they say as you did that you are willing to pay them forward.  (Even if they put "loan" in the subject line.)

That having been said, as long as people are willing to give credits and note that it isn't necessary to pay them back, this will continue to happen.  I liken it to the illegal drug trade, if no one bought illegal drugs, no one would be selling them.  Yes, I know, this isn't that serious but I'm a pharmacist and it was the only analogy that came to my mind.

 I think many people who read the bazaar know that if they ask to borrow a credit someone will give it to them free.  I guess from what I've read there is no rule against them giving them as a RAOK.

There is no need for members to be getting into this issue with other members. Please just contact one of the Book Bazaar Coordinators Amanda or I and we will take care of it. There are links to both of us in the red sticky at the top of the forum where the rules are posted.

 I guess from what I've read there is no rule against them giving them as a RAOK.

There absolutely IS a rule against someone asking people to give them a RAOK when it comes to credits and books. In the Book Bazaar, nothing can be asked for for free. People can get their accounts closed for this.  But again, this is an issue for the BBZs and the PBSTeam to handle, no need for other members to get be PMing other members, that just sets them up for hard feelings and getting into scuffles with people.

People do often respond to requests for loan with a gift, I always caution people on doing this as it does encourage people to take advantage of the generosity of the Bazaar members and not bother to earn their own credits, but just ask for a "loan" when the want one knowing they will get it.

I apologize Melissa, I did see Katherine's post in response to another member who did mention what I stated above.  I didn't realize she responded to more than 1 request with a similar statement.  

Melanie, I know there is a rule against asking for credits.  My response was concerning people who give credits as ROAKs to those who request a loan.  I agree the moderators need to handle these problems.  I must say though, everyone I have ever seen request a loan in the bazaar (and I check it daily) has been given free credits by someone.  You may discourage this practice but I would venture out on a limb and say it always happens.

I have seen a few folks who are asking for credit loans quite a bit.  They do know most folks will just gift them and they don't have to repay.  I think it should be stopped.  If not, you should only be able to ask once a year. Credits for sale here are not that much so they should buy them.  I used to gift credits but there are way too many taking advantage, IMO.  

I used to loan credits but have gotten burned several times so I quit doing it.  I love participating in this website, I think it is a wonderful thing to share my books with other people and you can't beat the price. Here you can get 2 paperbacks  for the cost of a new one at the store and hard backs are like 4 to 1.

Most of us are watching our pennies and even though the cost of a credit isn't huge, it still hits the wallet. I am not against people asking to borrow credits but you shouldn't ask if you aren't positive that you can pay it back. All we can do is hope that people have the moral fiber to do what is right.

Happy holidays to all

Jane

[**Edited by the PBS Team** -- We ask our members to keep these forums a friendly place.  Please contact the Admin Team or the Book Bazaar Czars if you have other comments on this issue.]

I don't want ANYONE posting on this thread again or PMing other members about this issue (unless it is someone you directly loaned credits to or owe credits to).   We are not going to have the Book Bazaar become a battle zone of what members are saying to each other behind the scenes and then come here to argue about he-said-she-dids. I am having to PM members because they are being PMed and being told they are doing things wrong when they are following the rules.

If you have a problem with a member not paying back credits that you had arrangements to get paid back, please use the Contact Us link in the lower right under Company and send in Feedback. Ask the PBSTeam to look into the members' activity 

Feedback

If you see a post that you believe may be a problem PM the Book Bazaar Coordinators Amanda or I to handle it. The links to our profiles are in the rules thread and below. Or use the Contact Us link mentioned above to ask the PBSTeam to look at the member's activity.

Melanie

Amanda

Credit loaning is allowed. It is between the member borrowing and the member loaning to work it out. Every transaction brokered in the Bazaar is outside of the PBS system and has inherent risk for the members who are involved. All loaning comes with the risk of not being paid back and members loaning should take that into consideration when they do so and report a member to the site if the time for repayment passes and requests for the credits back go unanswered. If there are problems with a member you deal with in the Bazaar, please let Amanda, I, or the site know (through Feedback).

Thank you,

Melanie, Book Bazaar Co-Coordinator