A member sent me this book through FIFO and I believe it's not postable. Here's a link to photos I took of the page edges. Although the marks don't bleed into the pages, they aren't remainder marks or just writing a name on the page edges. It's like having a newly printed piece of paper with wet ink touching the page edges. The member did refund my credit & gave me postage to send the book back to her, but we're still discussing whether or not it's postable.

What do you think?

Photobucket link: http://s1159.photobucket.com/user/showpic90/library/Cockroaches%20book%20pics

I think it's postable. Some people will probably tell you it isn't. Technically, you could consider the book dirty, (if the smudges are dirt) which is against the rules, but I honestly overlook tiny smudges like that all the time, both sending and receiving. From your pictures I would guess it's some kind of printing ink smear, which is postable anyway.

In any case, a little bit of sandpaper will take that right off, making the book 100% postable. (it might sound weird, but it works like a charm, and unless the pages edges are colored, you usually can't even tell it was done.)

I consider ink on page edges postable whether it spells out a name or not unless it bleeds into the page edges or is so extreme it will come off on ones hands when holding the book. 

If it is not ink, then it is soiled and the rules say books cannot be soiled, it is not postable. It can be fixed with sandpaper, but the sender could have and should have fixed it before they send it. Pure lazy. 

Looks postable to me, but I too would've sanded it off before sending.

I think this is postable if the marks are just on the edges and do not bleed into the pages.

I did check the pages themselves to see if the ink marks bled through or there were other marks/stains. They don't. To make sure I understand correctly, page edge marks that don't bleed into the text are okay if they're not made with dirt, food, or something gross. That seems to be what I'm reading here. If it's postable, I'll return her credits & keep the book. I'll get some sandpaper & try removing the marks myself before I post it to the next person. Otherwise I'll offer it in the Book Bazaar. Thanks for the second opinion. 

I bought a box of books at a yard sale for cheap that turned out to have the author's name printed out in Sharpie along the top edges.  Apparently she had limited space and could fit more on the shelf with just the ends stickin' out and so she labeled them.  I had already bought them when I noticed and had figured to just make a list of them to offer as a free unpostable.  None of the ink bleeds through to the text.  They're all perfectly readable and many of them are in excellent condition, but for the marker. 

Do you mean to tell me that, 1) sandpaper will take that off and 2) they would be postable even with the marker? 

Oh, and what grain of sandpaper?

Yep, and I use fine grain sandpaper.  :)

I use one of those nail file/buffing  blocks. Easier to apply even pressure and the sanding texture is extremely fine.

Do you mean to tell me that, 1) sandpaper will take that off and 2) they would be postable even with the marker? 

Mrs Grimm, no sandpaper won't take off marker without damaging the pages, it is really for surface dirt not something that is "in" the paper as marker/ink would be.

Yes they are postable even with the marker on the edges. The Help Center specifically addresses names written on the page edges as postage.

To make sure I understand correctly, page edge marks that don't bleed into the text are okay if they're not made with dirt, food, or something gross.

That is the way I interpret the rules. Some people interpret differently. But  "soiled" is specifically prohibited. Writing on page edges is allowed. I don't consider ink to be "soiled" but more like writing.

Well, right on.  I'm pleased to report I now have one even more enormous pile rather that one enormous and one smaller, but still fairly large pile.  Do ya think I should warn them in a PM about the marker?  It would not bother me atall and, in fact, some of them went on my keeper shelf, but I'd as soon avoid strife.  Reckon it might be a BFHD for some?

ETA:  I also meant to say, thanks for the tips.  I'll be runnin' a sale in the Book Bazaar, once I get 'em all posted.  Have not doubt.

I would not PM about something that is clearly stated in the rules as postable. It just causes confusion.

Personally, I do not like like names or other words written on page edges. I would never post a book with writing on the edges, and would not like to receive a book with writing on the edges. It's gross and disfiguring, and much worse than writing inside the front cover or on first page.. Marks such as those in the photos of the original post, however, would not bother me, whether from publishers' ink smudges or soiled from shelf wear.  Although subjective, I consider writing on page edges to be objectional and lightly soiled edges acceptable. That's just my opinion.

Chris F--Personally, I do not like like names or other words written on page edges. I would never post a book with writing on the edges, and would not like to receive a book with writing on the edges. It's gross and disfiguring, and much worse than writing inside the front cover or on first page.. Marks such as those in the photos of the original post, however, would not bother me, whether from publishers' ink smudges or soiled from shelf wear.  Although subjective, I consider writing on page edges to be objectional and lightly soiled edges acceptable. That's just my opinion.

Then you need to have a "Requestor Condition" to not receive these books.  According to the rules, these are OK to post.  You would have no cause to RWAP, unless you have an RC in place.

I would not PM about something that is clearly stated in the rules as postable. It just causes confusion.

Why borrow trouble, right?  I dig ya.  Good point.

For removing edge marks I use a heavy grit emory board.The beefy ones for acrylic nails. It won't obliterate permenant ink, but It's removed ugly coffee stains, chocolate milk stains, dirt smudges, cheeto smears.