Hello all!

This has happened several times to me. I've posted a book which is very popular and figure it will be snapped up. It sits around and when I check there are several Wish List requests for the same book only perhaps the ISBN is different (later printing) or perhaps it's a different binding. I know if there's a book I'm wanting I don't really care if it's paperback or hardback for the most part so I figure there are some people out there like myself. Does anyone know of any way to let those wish listers know there is a copy out there available?

Thanks!

First, check that the WL versions are not for Large Type or audio books.  Those types are often WL for much longer as they are released later.  Then I go to the WL version page and add a Tag such as "also under ISBN xxxx".   That helps to move the other versions.

Thanks! I'll give that a try. Never check out the tags myself but that doesn't mean other people don't.

Any other ideas out there?

Check that the names are entered exactly alike.  The system only links books (the red or green link saying paperback or hardcover) if the name is exactly the same.  The same middle name or initial, even the period.  You can update listings that vary under the edit book data option. 

Be sure to explain why you are making the edit.  Every edit is reviewed by a volunteer.  If we explain why, it goes much faster.

For example, John Smith, John J Smith, John J. Smith and John James Smith are treated as 4 different people.

Different ISBN books could have different introductions  by different people (happens a lot with classics). Also it could be abridge version vs unabridged version. Some older titles that have been re-release have been re-written in spots. My version of Stephen King's The Gunslinger has an intro by him where he says says changed some spots from the original ( because he was so young when he wrote this I guess it had a lot of things in it he saw as "newbie" mistakes).

Also, there's a thread in the Book Bazaar for alternate versions of wish listed books.  You could post it there.

good call Patty

I was going to suggest the tagging but also the data editing.  If you submit data edits to  make all the versions match-make sure they are all spelled right, excess publisher info is removed, series info added, etc.., it helps to connect them to generate the Other version button and emails.

But it could be just like what was mentioned: some people only want a specific binding, some people collect a certain cover type for series, some people only want audio or large print.  It's also possible that some of the wishers are actually no longer active and the versions that are WL just aren't posted often enough to have weeded them all out yet.

ETA: the actions I take in these instances usually depends on how many copies of my version are already in the system. If there's a lot then I don't do much to advertise it because most likely those people really want the version they have WL.  If mine if hte only copy or there's just a few then I do the tagging, etc..,   I always submit data edits when I see them needed so I do that either way,.

Check the availability of your version (add it to your Reminder List) before adding the Tag. There are often excess copies of the mass market paperback in the system when there are wish list lines on the Hard Cover, Audio, and Large Print. That's usually because that is the only versions those people want. I wouldn't tag the HC version of a book showing its available in paperback, especially if there are 100s of copies of the paperback already in the system, the wishers probably know already. The system sends e-mails to those members when the alternate version is listed and the Expander button on the Wish List shows the other versions too.

I'm not a big fan of mass market paperbacks so I don't ever request them on here. There is one book on my wish list that I have requested the hardback version of. There are a ton in paperback and I get an e-mail everytime a new one is added in the system. I'm sure the people on the wish are just interested in getting a different binding,

I also don't like trade copies so I don't always WL that version but sometimes I get an email from PBS saying "another version of the book you have WL is available", not sure how that happens for some and not others.

FYI: you can turn those other version emails off. I WL a lot of audiobooks and turned the emails off because it would send me an email for every print version that was in the system.