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Topic: Question about condition restrictions...

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highlandergirl avatar
Subject: Question about condition restrictions...
Date Posted: 9/24/2009 8:22 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2009
Posts: 37
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Ok.. this is the second one I have gotten with restrictions.. the first one was simple as they wanted no marks.. this one I'm not so sure about it says

I do not want any books with excessive spine creases (to the point that the spine is heavily creased and the picture worn).  Also, any  that are "dirty" or spine is tilted.  No Ex-Library edition either. 

 

Ok.. so this is a paper back they Always have spince creases and there is some wear to the picture but you can see it clearly... however I have NO idea what a "tilted" spine is.. can someone explain this to me? sounds like this person wants a brand new book.. I don't know any paper back that doesnt' have spine creases once it's been read a time or two..

Any suggestions would be appreciated... thanks

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Rick B. (bup) - ,
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Date Posted: 9/24/2009 8:24 PM ET
Member Since: 11/2/2007
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I don't kow what tilted spine is, but I'd decline.



Last Edited on: 9/24/09 8:24 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
gingerkitty avatar
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Date Posted: 9/24/2009 8:41 PM ET
Member Since: 4/25/2007
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Sometimes if a book has been roughly read or stored improprely, the spine is at an angle.

When you put the closed book on a flat surface, the spine should be at a 90 degree angle to the flat surface.  If the spine leans, then I'd call it tilted.

I would decline also.  You don't know if your definition of "excessive" spine wear is the same as theirs.  Most MMPBs, they get spine creases just from one reading.

jubead avatar
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Date Posted: 9/24/2009 8:44 PM ET
Member Since: 5/14/2009
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from alibris.com  - cocked - Refers to the condition of a book; the spine is no longer straight and appears crooked or twisted. Also known as spine lean.

cocked.jpg

I think the request is subjective - they lost me on "the picture worn" "and that are dirty".     Your definition of worn,  will not be the requesters. Personally, I would delcine the request.   Good Luck



Last Edited on: 9/24/09 9:04 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
highlandergirl avatar
Date Posted: 9/24/2009 8:52 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2009
Posts: 37
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yeah I think it's best not to send it as well... I wish there was a way to contact them to ask them exactly what they mean or even send a picture but at this point I don't want some crazy person causing trouble over a $6 book... thanks everyone for the info... I find myself asking why they are even on here but to each their own...

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Pat O. (PatinCO) - ,
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Date Posted: 9/24/2009 9:04 PM ET
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I'd say a tilted spine is one where when the book is laying flat on a table the front part of the book is forward of the back part of the book, i.e., example:  the cover and pages XXX through XXX are farther forward in the book than the back cover and pages XXXX through XXXX in the back of the book.  Pat

highlandergirl avatar
Date Posted: 9/24/2009 9:08 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2009
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ok turned the request down and you do get to send an explaination, which I did... sounds to me this person wants a new book and books to keep instead of books to read and pass on... It's only a 6 dollar book if you paid full price for it so I'm not going to lose sleep over their issues of book conditions... thanks everyone for the help and info...

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Date Posted: 9/24/2009 9:42 PM ET
Member Since: 3/27/2009
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It's when you lay your book on a flat surface and it looks like The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I hate those!

Though I still swap 'em. Just to get them out of my face. I'll spend way too much time trying in vain to fix it.

LaurieS avatar
Subject: I'd decline
Date Posted: 9/25/2009 10:46 AM ET
Member Since: 6/10/2005
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The request is too vague for my liking.  And is it just me or are more and more people wanting nearly new books?  It seems like nearly every other request I receive has a long laundry list of requests.  Not the "no pets" or "no smoking" but line after line of "No spine creasing" "No worn covers" "no "no this, no that".  It's starting to rub me the wrong way.  My books are always in nearly new condition, unless I've received them from someone else at PBS, and I accept everything because I just want to read the books.   It seems to me some folks are looking for a new book at a cheap price. 

melanied avatar
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Date Posted: 9/25/2009 10:50 AM ET
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it just me or are more and more people wanting nearly new books? I think its just your interpretation. Most people add RCs on condition after they get tired of getting too many books that are absolute crap. They add RCs asking for better that PBS condition in hopes they can eliminate some of those getting sent to them. 

Many new spines tilt after 1 or 2 readings. It appears to a side effect of the cheaper binding.

LaurieS avatar
Subject: Maybe, maybe not
Date Posted: 9/25/2009 11:17 AM ET
Member Since: 6/10/2005
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I've been a member since 2005 with steady requests every week and seen these laundry list requests here and there.  Lately though it's becoming much more frequent which leads me to wonder if people are using Amazon.com less and coming here looking for their new or "nearly new" books.  I even received one that said something along the lines of  "These books are gifts.  Must look new."  Ah, sorry, you must go to Amazon then you cheapskate!  Maybe I'm just in a cynical mood. 

I can't tell you how many crappy books I've received but it's been quite a few.  One I threw away and had to wash my hands it was so nasty (mouse turds & pee pee stains, ewww!).  Still, the good far outweigh the bad and I think the long lists of "I want", "I will not accept" are getting excessive.  I just "want" to read the book without mouse turds but that's just me.

pjs2780 avatar
Date Posted: 9/25/2009 11:19 AM ET
Member Since: 8/1/2009
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Laurie, that is so gross. I had to go wash my hands after reading your post.

ETA: This is my 200th post!  I never thought it would be about mouse turds and wee wee.



Last Edited on: 9/25/09 11:20 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
sarap avatar
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Date Posted: 9/25/2009 12:21 PM ET
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I haven't noticed any increase in "like new" requests from my own shelf, or even an increase in RCs, for that matter, ... and my shelf is pretty active (I mail an average of 50 books per month). I have noticed an increase in people oomplaining about RCs in the forums, though! I use my RC only for some requests ... most requests go without RCs at all, and yesterday I unwrapped a package of 4 Brand-new looking books! Almost all of the books I receive are in very nice condition without needing an RC at all. Of course, I have received some real pieces of c**p, too, but those are very few.
Spuddie avatar
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Date Posted: 9/25/2009 1:00 PM ET
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I would say that yes, I've noticed a a bit of an increase in the number of RCs that either just re-state PBS posting conditions or. those with long  laundry lists of "don't wants."  I've only noticed that because I'm turning them down if they aren't VERY clear and not subjective. Just turned one down the other day that carried on a bit and then came to "very good condition." Ding! Sorry...I have no idea what that means to you. Decline!

As far as RCs about no smoking, no pets, no ex-library, I still get a few of those but haven't noticed an increase from, say, 2 years ago.

Cheryl

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Ronda (RONDA) - ,
Date Posted: 9/25/2009 1:15 PM ET
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I didn't know what spine tilt was either, but I think once you know that this rc is clear. And I don't think that it says no spine crease. To me it says that they want to be able to read the spine. Sounds like they want the entire cover to be in good clean readable condition. And I don't believe spine creases are inevitable. It depends on how you read the book. When my sister or I read a new book I don't believe you can tell it is not new & I can say the same about many books I have received from this site. Of course I agree that if you are uncomfortable with the conditions you should always refuse it.
fangrrl avatar
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Date Posted: 9/25/2009 6:17 PM ET
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Laure, I'll agree that RC's for 'giftable' conditon are amusing...mouse turds and wee-wee are beyond gross.