please someone out there expalin to me the buddy system and why others have to request to be your buddy

thanks

They may like your bookshelf or your wishlist. They may think you have similar book interests or they may just like you.  Just because you are on someones buddy list doesn't always mean anything.

They can also send books to you that are on your wishlist and you won't have to wait in line!

Most of the people on my buddy list are people who I have traded with in my favorite genres and I like to see if they have anything I want.

I heard that the reason for the request and approval system was the blast PMs.  That way, people can't just send you a 'form letter' PM without your consent.

Your buddy list can be used for whatever you want to.  I have mine tagged with the purposes, for instance, "Check her shelf for fantasy hardcovers", "Buddy in a swap", "Offering a deal this week", "Reads similar books", "Pending order", or even just "He has a cool avatar" or "Makes funny posts".  The possibilities are endless!

Usually I'll also add someone to my buddy list just to keep track of them (like to order books from them or look for books from their wishlist), because if I don't have it written somewhere, I'll forget.

HTH!! -Rebekah

Note:  The above are not my actual tags, I just made them up for examples. ;-)

Hello Dana, I think most of us have the same general reasons for using the BL but you might get some different or varied responses if you repost this in the Questions About PBS forum.

The blast PM isn't something I've done but I have received them from my buddies. I like the buddy list as it helps me, as mentioned, to keep track of genres of the people I swap with on a regular basis, and forum friends, etc.

i would like to be buddies with people who have more or less the same type of books on their shelf that i have.. that means we have something in common...

What's a blast PM?

Sue, a blast PM is when you send a PM to several of your buddies at the same time instead of having to send them individually.

Buddies are people you want to keep in touch with for a variety of reasons, many of which are mentioned above.  I know some of my buddies and I swap reviews on books we both read, or want to read, and I like to order from people on my buddy list before going into the system, because I know I can count on them to be prompt.  Sometimes we do 2 or 3 for 1 swaps in which case you can PM your buddy  the info for the extra books without using the extra credits, and sometimes we work out deals  where they send a group of books and I PM them the credits as I get them; sort of an honor system.  They pay less in postage and only have to mail one package, and I still get the books that I want, from someone I am friends with.

I also have some buddies that we just chat back and forth through PM every couple of days or so.  I have found some wonderful friends that I enjoy PMing with just for the interaction.  Of course I shop off of their BS first.  It's just a different way of having friends; and there are many possible ways to use the buddy system in the community.  It's all up to you  and what you are looking for.

Feel free to add me to your buddy list if you think you would like to chat more or you just want a new buddy!

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