Is it against the rules to ask a specific person for a deal?  Say I am searching around for multiple books and I find someone who has two of them on their shelf.  Is it okay to PM that person and ask if they are willing to do a 2 for 1 deal? Obviously, it would be okay if they have something in their profile or signature about deals.  But what if they don't?  Is it against the rules?  Or considered bad manners?

It's not against the rules, and I've done it before with success, both with asking for a deal as well as being asked for one.  Opinions vary on whether it's bad manners or not- I am totally ok with it either way, myself.  The worst that can happen is someone says no.  Just be polite- I have offered to reciprocate a deal, and one person took me up on that, so it worked out well for both of us.  Just keep in mind that it may depend on the books- some may not want to do a deal on hardbacks, for example.  Good luck!

It is not against the rules.  Just keep in mind that no one is obligated to offer a deal, so be polite when requesting one, that always works best!

I think you just need to keep the PM very polite.  Do not make it seem like you will not order anything from them if they say no. 
I once saw someone advertise a series of 4 books.  Just letting others know she had them.  So I asked for a 4 for 3 deal which was accepted because it saved them alot on shipping :)

I think it would be considered rude if you PM with I want these two books for one credit. 

But if you ask " I was looking at your shelf and noticed you have (name the two books) would it be possible to get a 2 for 1 deal on them please."
If they say no, then just order them from that persons shelf.  And yes next time they are looking for books they might check yourshelf out first.

That's about what I thought.  I've actually done it several times, always with a very polite email and totally understand when someone declines.  I just had someone today respond that it was "absolutely against the rules" and I wanted to be sure I was okay.  Thanks!

It is against the rules to ask for or offer more credits than 1 for a book or 2 for an audiobook.

It is not against the rules to ask for or offer less credits.

I've had people PM me out of the blue and ask for deals, which I was happy to give them. I personally, like to know which books they are talking about before I decide how many credits seem fair, so if you PM, I would make sure you say which books you are interested in.  My biggest deal was a 24/9 (took me a couple of days to find a big enough box   :)   )

Some people are just against the whole deal concept. But there are also plenty out there who think its OK. So, go for it.

Like everyone else has said, it's not against the rules. I've done it a couple of times myself, esp. if the person has a large bookshelf, so far everyone has been willing to do a deal. Just be polite and be willing to accept no for an answer.

Have to admit I have asked politely for deals.  90% of the time they have been accepted.  I always offer to do a reciprocal deal with them. IF they pm back that they rather not, that is fine.  I am only bothered when they ignore my request.

I always want people to ask for a deal...I've got so many books, DH is threatening to cart them to Goodwill for the writeoff. He obviously is not understanding that the level of total level of books in the house never changes, just how much I have/have not spent on them is different! LOL

I wouldn't take it amiss if anyone asked, and am generally receptive as long as it isn't a request that would put me out too much postage - like a 4 for 1 or similar! It's all in the wording...good luck!

I don't believe it's against the rules.  As long as both parties are in agreement, you can trade 10 books for 1 credit.

For myself, 1 book for 1 credit is a great deal.  I would never ask anyone for anything more than that and I wouldn't accept a deal for anything less than that.  That's just me though.  It's probably why I stay away from the bazaar!

I also don't mind if someone asks, well thats not completely true.

The first time it happened I was a little bugged because I was offering a 3/2 deal and the gal asked if I'd do 2/1 on two particular books. Said she only had one credit. At first I thought why wasnt my "deal" good enough for her. But then I looked at the books and actually with those two books it was fine, it wasn't going to cost me extra in postage or anything. Guess what I'm trying to say is being flexible and nice are a good thing .     And I know her kids will enjoy those books instead of them sitting in a plastic tub at my house! 

I haven't turned down a deal on my paperbacks yet, but I think I would on a 10 for 1 offer.LOL  Like others have said, the worst they can do is say no, because AFAIK it isn't against the rules to ask.

I like it when people put on their blue headers that they will consider deal offers.  I don't really like to ask without that invitation.  The most I will ask for is a 3 for 2 or a 5 for 3 deal.  I don't get kids' books, but I can see how they might be part of a really lop-sided deal.

Ruth

I don't mind at all when people PM me about deals.   I save on postage and it moves some books out of the house. 

OK, maybe I should clarify that... I don't mind when the deals are reasonable.  Please don't anyone PM me asking for 10 humongous hardcovers, ask me to throw in 5 or 6 unpostables and offer me one or two credits, LOL. 

I do appreciate it when peeps include the titles of the books they're interested in.

Can't figure out where in the rules the person would misconstrue that it is against the rules. As a matter of fact, in the tips section in the BB it specifically states that you CAN ask for deals:

(5) If a member asks you for a deal and you haven't offered one, this is not considered rude; it is also not considered rude to refuse. This kind of thing should be handled politely, without hard feelings on either side.

I'm also generally very open to deals, but unless the 2 (or 3) books together are under 1 lb I'm generally not open to a 2 or 3 for 1 b/c it's not a postage savings and not worth it to me.  I'm usually happy to do reasonable deals for 2 or more  credits, since it clears books and saves postage.

I would only say it's rude if they have it specified that they don't want deals. I put a note at the top of my bookshelf in the blue header specifying that I don't do deals. I've still gotten a couple of PMs despite that note. Well, maybe rude isn't the word....annoying would be more like it.

Cheryl

I'm always open too, and would love if people PMd me about deals...I love getting rid of books!  LOL

I did PM someone once and asked about a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1 on some children's books for my daughter, and the member acted as if I were crazy/breaking the rules/trying to do something underhanded.  I felt awful!  So...just watch how you word the PM!

I like Cheryl's idea of putting her policy on deals in the bookshelf header. I wish more folks would use that header. I always click on a person's bookshelf to see if I can do a multiple order. I also wish folks would put if they are non-smoking or smoking or pet or pet-free homes in the bookshelf headers too, simply because if I want to do a multiple book order, it's nice to see if I'm going to be actually be able to get all the books from one person. (I have a non-smoking household RC). It would save time I think for folks to put those things in their headers. But I don't know if  a lot of people actually use it or even realize it's there!

Babsscifi - I'm going to take your suggestion and do what you've mentioned.  I've thought about doing it before, but just haven't decided what to put there.  You've helped me out!

Ruth

I'm another who would love to know which books you might be hoping to get a deal on. I had someone request a 2 for 1 deal from me and I said sure. After I kind of wished I hadn't because while she didn't ask for wishlisted books she did ask for some very popular authors and I know those 2 books would have moved very quickly anyway so I felt like I was out a credit. I guess if it's a 2 for 1 deal I would like at least 1 of the books to be one that is languishing on my shelves, not a new pub that is most likely to go quickly.

But ask, the most they can say is no.

susan/vt

I consider it borderline to ask for multiple books for one credit out of the blue.  Because I see that as asking them to spend more to send you more stuff--no benefit on their end.  Especially if they aren't little books.  Clearly, other foks don't mind being asked to pay extra for their credit, but I always found it a bit off, especially out of the blue.

Deals involving more than one credit where the sender saves on shipping, I like gettng those requests.   I think those are better deals, especially out of the blue--both sides benefit.   Even if the sender declines, I don't find the request rude.  It's at least potentially mutually beneficial.

All this is assuming the request is politely worded, of course!  I don't think you nesc have to order from the shelf if they decline the deal either.  If you only want those books if you get 4 for 2, I don't think asking for it obligates you to order if they decline.  Just be nice.

I have offered to reciprocate a deal, and one person took me up on that,

That's a nice thought!  I'll remember that if it comes up. :-)

If you only want those books if you get 4 for 2, I don't think asking for it obligates you to order if they decline

I also don't think you are obligated to order if they say no.  In fact, for most people I think it unlikely they will order; chances are they only want to books *with* a deal.  Again, being polite on both asking and, if necessary, being declined is key.