OK, I got a book in the mail, and to me it seems perfectly OK, but there is a small stain on the outer page edges. It is not water damaged.

Would you post this book to your shelf? I am asking because I have finished the book and want to repost it, but I have often seen people upset with a book, and want their credit back for something of this nature. Can I have some opinions on this?

are you talking about the edges when a book is closed?  does the stain go onto the pages?

it could be just dirt and if it wasn't on any pages I would most likely post that book to my shelf because it isn't against the rules.  plus the outside of books take a beating

Thanks Leslie. Yes it was ust on the edges, It is a stain but minor.

If you do repost it, be willing to return the credit if the receiver complains. NO staining or soiling is allowed, doesn't matter if it is minor or major or where it is located. Like Jeri recommends, I would try sanding it off. If it its too deep or dark to take off with a lite brush of sandpaper, then I would say it is definitely unpostable and you shouldn't even try to pass it in.

Melanie, I thought that it if was on the outside edges that it didn't go against PBS rules because you expect the edges of the book to get dirty/stained.  of course it depends on what the stain is but if it looks like dirt or it has gotten dirty from being on a shelf or whatever, then I don't consider that a "nasty" stain

So should I have asked for my credit back since I got in that condition? I am not being a witch here, I am truly confused. I never thought I would get used books in pristine condition, and since none of the pages are unreadable, I didn't think anything of it until I started seeing people getting upset in different forum threads about the state of books.

I love the sandpaper idea. That should be added to some help documents somewhere in the site.

In fact, I'd use that as my rule of thumb. If the 'stain' on the outer edge can be removed with light sandpapering, do that and it's postable. If you can't, it's not.

Leslie, I have never seen the rules or PBS say that being on the edge of the book was OK for anything by stamps or writing. The rules just state, no staining and no soiling. I think the books may not get marked as RWP very often with only light soiling or staining, but I believe a sender has to be willing to return the credit because the book will not meet the posting conditions as they are written and a receiver would have every right to ask for the credit back. The bottom line to me is - Is the book soiled or stained?

I agree Rick and that is what I do.

If you're talking about a stain that is only on the edge of the pages and it didn't absorb at all into the adjacent pages, then it's probably some sort of "dry" stain like from dirt or adhesives, which are generally very easily removed with some light sanding or scraping.  I've heard of people using a very sharp edged knife or woodcutting blade, pinching the book very tightly closed, and just scraping those right off.  I've even successfully sanded very superficial remainder marks and library or bookstore stamps off with a small sanding block or sponge.  Anything that has absorbed into the pages though, I wouldn't bother trying.

Well then I guess I am just a sucker since I didn't ask for my credit back and I now have what you all consider an unpostable book. Thanks for all of the feedback.

Is it possible that your "stain" is faded marker? If so, that is allowable/postable as long as it doesn't bleed onto the text pages.

I don't know why you think you are a sucker.  have you tried the sandpaper trip?  did it not work?  is it possible that it is a marker or faded stamp of some sort.

don't assume it is not postable

I will try the sandpaper when I get home, I am still at work yet. The stain could be marker, but there is no telling what it is. It does not extend into the pages, of that I am sure. I guess I feel like a sucker because the stain is so minor I was not even slightly bothered by it, and yet, I am sure if I sent it out the next person would be upset. I guess you have to be very careful about what you post and what you get.

I wouldn't assume that if it were sent out that someone would get upset about the stain.  if it is that minor they probably would think the same.

When you see things posted in the forums, remember that it represents such a small percentage of those on the site...so it is not a true representation of what is actually happening with book trades

Ruzenka: I have received quite a few books like this and did not mark them RWP and ask for a credit back.  I figure it was something so slight that the sender probably never noticed.  I don't think I've tried to send one out though to test whether anyone else would complain.  I've just read them, enjoyed them and either posted them on another site that allows for condition notes or put them in the Damaged Books Virtual Box in the Games forum.  I received one just yesterday and didn't mark it RWP.  To me it looks like maybe the stain from a bookshelf and it's only on the edge and very, very small.  I'm going to try the sandpaper thing.