I was wondering if there's a way to indicate an "issue" with a book when I post it.  I have a few books that have some underlining (used in school), and I have some that are older and not in great condition (but still perfectly readable).  Anytime in the past when a member has requested one of these books, I've sent a PM telling the member about the issue and asking if they still want the book.  I've never had a problem doing that until this last week ... PBS canceled an order because I didn't mark it mailed in time, because I didn't hear back from the member who ordered the book and I didn't want to mail it without the member's approval.  It seems it would be easier and faster if when we post a book there was something like a "notes" option that we could check and type in what the issue is with the book.  The requesting member could read about the issue before they even request that particular book.  Am I right that there's not anything like that?

Yes, you are correct. Books have to meet the Book Condition Guidelines to be postable here. If a book meets the rules, then it is postable and there is no need to PM about it. If a book doesn't meet the rules, then it is Unpostable, and there is also no need to PM about it, as it can't be traded here by posting to your bookshelf.

Books with writing specifically have a special rule to follow, which is to first PM a description of the writing and get an response from the requestor indicating acceptance before mailing. So if the issues you are PMing about are writing, then you are doing the right thing, continue to do so.

Otherwise, if the issues are something different, then if you decide the book is postable, there is no need to PM about it. Anybody who wants books that are above and beyond the post ability guidelines can make a Requestor Condioion to ask for that when they order the book.

yes you're right , there isn't that availability to let people know ahead of time about condition of your book, though it would be nice to have! 

the best way to request an OK from a requestor for a book under the textbook clause (underlining, highlighting) is to give them a 24 hour response time when you PM them, then cancel if they don't respond. Unfortunately you got sucked into waiting for a response that never came, hence the suggestion to give them a time limit to respond.

(sorry, Sara and I were typing at same time and I was on phone too so it slowed me down.)

Thank you for your responses.  I get most of my books from this site, so most of the books I mail out have been read at least a few times.  Some members (like myself) don't really care what condition the book is in as long as the pages are all there and it's still readable.  But I know that some other members are more particular about the condition of the books.  That's why I'll post almost any book that's still readable, but if it has any issues at all, I'll PM the requesting member before mailing it out.  I've just never had the problem of the requesting member not answering my PM before PBS canceled the order.  I'd also printed the mailing label for this book before I remembered it had some writing in it, and even though the order was canceled, the money hasn't been refunded to my account.  I guess I need to notify PBS about that.

Postage isn't refundable. You shouldn't have printed out a label without the requestor accepting the book with the PM about writing. You also shouldn't be posting unpostable books into the system. If these books are wishlisted you can post a thread in the book bazaar describing the condition and requesting a credit.

It doesn't really matter what members' care about on condition, if the book does not meet the posting guidelines (which are requirements) you cannot be posting it into the system. You can offer unpostable books in the Book Bazaar Forum, but that is the ONLY place on the site you can be offering those for credit. Its not fair to the requester to be tying up their request for your book that doesn't even belong in the system and they can't repost it for credit when they are done with it.

As for highlighting/writing/underlining, what you are doing is exactly what the Textbook except allows and requires. If you don't get an answer, you cancel the request (or PBS will do it for you when it times out). Pick the farthest out mailing date to get as much time as possible. You definitely don't want to print the label with any postage on it before getting the OK because if the member says no, you've wasted money since postage is non-refundable. You can send in Feedback to see if they can do anything about it, but the funds are transferred to the postage provider so they can't really get them back. Once in while they will refund a one-time only oops for a member on their own dime.

Some members (like myself) don't really care what condition the book is in as long as the pages are all there and it's still readable.  But I know that some other members are more particular about the condition of the books.  That's why I'll post almost any book that's still readable, but if it has any issues at all, I'll PM the requesting member before mailing it out.

Members want books to be postable. If members are more particular about the book condition than "postable", then they make Requestor Conditions. End of story.

If you are sending PMs about issues other than writing, you are trying to use the the system in a way it is not intended to be used.

If your "readable" books have issues other than writing that would make them unpostable, you can't post them, with or without a PM. You can still offer them to people if you wish to, thru the Book Bazaar or by making a list of them and advertising how people can request them if they are interested. For example, I offer my unpostable books through the link in my signature, free with a book order. When I have Wish List unpostables, I usually offer them for a credit in the Book Bazaar or perhaps in one of the other book offer threads.

The posting requirements are very clear (and do not include that a book must be "readable" since most all books can be considered readable), and books that do not follow ALL of those requirements should not be posted to your shelf.

You shouldn't be having to message anyone about issues with the books unless it's a textbook with writing/highlighting in it.

All books that are posted on here are supposed to follow the rules.  When someone orders a book from you, they are expecting it to be in postable condition.  Older books can be posted, provided they still follow the guidelines that PBS put in place.

Condition notes wouldn't work on PBS because it uses, primarily, a FIFO (first in, first out) system.  When a member looks up a certain book, they don't see who has it listed.  When they request the book they are not given a choice who to order it from. The system assigns the request to the person who has had the book posted the longest.* That's why they have posting guidelines.

*if you have the Gold Key the system will assign it to the person who lives closest to you. 

There is another book site that doesn't work on FIFO and allows condition notes. But the notes are optional and so you never really know what you are getting, they don't weed out inactives, there's no deadline for accepting or mailing or anything.