I have sent out and received a lot of books since joining this site and LOVE it!  However, today I had a RWAP and really would like some advice regarding  RWAP and  book conditions.

I received a book today that has high - lighting throughout the  book.   It is nota text book and I was not informed prior to receiving the book of it's condition.  (If I had known in advance, I would have cancelled my request!)

I have PMed the person basically copy/pasting the part under help section that says the book was unpostable because of x reason, asked for my credit back and even offered to send the book back once my credit is returned and that person makes arrangements for return postage. 

In a very polite way, the person has PMed back to let me know they will give me my credit back  only once I return the book at my expense. 

I have just received another PM telling me to go ahead and read the book because obviously I am not interested in it for reference?!  AND When I am done reading the book, this person will request it back from me and I can get my credit that way? 

  Questions: Is high lighting permitted in other books that are not text books? Doesn't ANY high lighting within a book need to be communicated before the order is processed and both parties agree it's an OK condition?   Aren't I losing out 2 credits if I pay for return postage and I don't get a postable book?  Finally - did I do the proper followup and now what happens?  At this point, I don't know how to respond to the last PM. 

Highlighting would fall under the 'textbook' clause, which basically provides a waiver of the PBS rule 'absolutely no writing on text pages'.  But the only way to involk the 'textbook waiver' is to pm the condition of the book, and get approval from the receiver.  Otherwise this is an automatic RWAP.

If the sender wants the book returned, that is your option under PBS guidelines...but the sender is required to buddy you an additional credit to cover the return postage (or otherwise cover your expense). 

Sounds like you've done everything right scoobeee, the rules are clear in this instance.  If the sender doesn't wish to correct the situation, leave it an unresolved RWAP (after the recommended time).  It's my understanding the PBS system will send reminders for the other member to resolve the problem, and too many will get tehir account suspended or closed.

They are not playing by the rules.  You might not get your credit back.  But you are in the right.  They must get all highlighting okayed before mailing.  If they want the book back, they need to give you TWO credits.  And not after.

And what is this about go ahead and read their unpostable book before returning it?  Bonkers.  Sounds like they are trying to weasel out of the one credit as well as the postage credit.  Argh.  So sorry you are experiencing this.

You do not have to return the book at YOUR expense.  If they want the book back they need to send you the credit for the RWAP book and one to cover the postage.

As far as the second PM.  I'd just recopy the helps and send them to her again.   Don't get in a fight just keep showing her what PBS requires and let her know nothing else will do.

Thanks so much for answering my questions regarding this issue! 

.  After  PMs received,  I am pretty sure I won't see a credit   ( were rationalizing how much they paid for the book versus sending it to me  for a credit, etc, blah....UGH !!).     I'm leaving it marked   unresolved and see what happens.

  AND  I am going to be positive --, I have had LOTS of GOOD experiences here at PBS  to outweigh this one not so good one.

I'd send another PM restating that you're requesting a refund of your credit and that they need to pay postage also (or buddy another credit) if they want the book returned. Ask for a response by a certain date (a few days or so).  

If you don't get any satisfaction, go to your transaction archive and click the 'problem not resolved' button for this book and then answer the questions that follow. That will alert TPTB. You still may not get a refund, but you'll have done all you can.

ADDED: I guess the button is 'was problem resolved'.  Click that, and answer 'no.'

Pam

Go to the Help Center for RWAP books.  There is information about requesting your credit and NOT returning the book at your expense.  (I included some here).

I had one and the person said she'd give me my credit back when I returned the book at my expense.  I sent her the information about not having to do that per PBS.  She got a tad angry, then seemed to calm down.  Returned my credit and told me in a polite way to stuff the book.  Not my fault she sent me an ARC. 

Here's a couple of things you can send this to her:

Guidelines:                                                                                                                                       

Overall Condition:

• No damage at all from water or other liquid
• Not soiled
• No stains (exception for cookbooks--see below)
• No mold
• no highlighting, underlining or writing on text pages (exception for Textbooks/Workbooks and travel guidebooks

You are not obligated to return the problem item at your expense, but if the sender gives you an extra credit or postage to do so, of course you may.  

You might politely tell her that if the situation isn't resolved that's a black mark against her.

Also, keep in mind that if the PMs get nasty report her to PBS.  They can and will look at all the PMs and take it from there. 

Did the sender in any way happen to mention that she knew she wasn't following the rules by sending you the highlighted book? If so, I would forward that PM to the PBS Team. If the sender fully discloses in a PM to you that they know they did wrong, PBS might just give you your credit back.