I want to apologize up front for posting this question because I'm sure it's been addressed in these forums many times - but to be honest - my wife and I just had our first baby Saturday and I really don't have the time to search for an answer (I wonder why ).  I also don't want to sit on a received book without marking it as received for too long.  

So here's the story.  I ordered a book last week - my first order actually - and it came in Monday.  The book itself is from ~'92, '93 and this copy/edition could very well be one of the original paperback copies from the mid 90's.  No big deal at all... that said, the condition of the book is almost down-right horrid.  The cover is pretty horribly torn, ~30% of it is missing.  Pages are wrecked pretty well... the binding is completely broken in the middle to where the book flops open in the middle and is held together by shipping tape.  There are the glossy picture pages in the middle of the book... at least I think there are supposed to be... there is only one picture page, so I assume others are missing.  

Now I'd assume that this isn't typical of books offered on here.  I've posted ~20 books or so, had 7 or 8 requested from me, and every single one is in a condition that is pretty close to new/hardly used.  I realize some books won't come through in the greatest condition, but this one came to me in a condition I wouldn't even imagine donating, etc.  

I know/assume I can refuse the book from the little bit I've read... but I haven't read into the details of how to go about it.  I really don't know if I have the energy/want to take the time to refuse it, send it back, whatever.  I just wanted to get some thoughts from the members here on what they may do... is this common... etc.  

Again, I'm sure there are very similar topics, but I hope you're understanding to my situation... I just haven't had the time to research it/go through the help topics.  Thanks in advance - I look forward to my time on this site.  

Hi and congrats on the baby :) Mark the book recieved...but hit the RECIEVED WITH A PROBLEM  button then  fill in that the boo is unpostable due to a torn cover etc....then write the person who sent it..pm them and ask for your credit back

Congrats on the new baby!!

It is rare - thank goodness!

You don't "refuse" or send it back. When you go to mark it received, you check the box that says it was "received with a problem." That's RWAP - and when you have time, you will see several topics about it.

The instructions - and what constitutes a problem are here - http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_index.php

Basically you mark the book received with a problem. Fill out the form. Send a polite PM to the sender asking for your credit to be returned as the book is unpostable.

With luck - the sender is nice and polite and refunds your credit. Then you mark the transaction resolved, and move on to happier transactions. :-)

** And will I was typing all this...Sandy gave you the accurate and concise version! :-)

Fantastic - thank you both for you help.  As I said, I'm sure it's a simple answer but I wanted just to post the question and get a quick answer instead of searching and searching.  I figured I could hit book received and then go from there to figure it out, but I wanted to understand what options were available before I did so.  

Thanks again!