I just received an RC from a person who states that due to allergies they can't accept books that smell like smoke or mildew. Should I decline the request since I purchased the book used and don't know who had it before I got it? It doesn't smell like smoke to me, but I was thinking about declining since I don't know and don't want a RWAP. What would you do?

I generally accept if I know the history of the book (and/or I can tell about the condition) and decline if I don't (or if I have any reservations about the book meeting the condition)

I know that I have a good sense of smell, so I might accept if it were me.

If you aren't sure, its perfectly acceptable to decline. It's generally considered the right thing to do.

Thank you. I do have a good sense of smell, but I think I'm going to decline since I don't know if something would trigger this person's allergies.

I have actually PM'd the requestor and let them know that the book was a donation, and that I would have no idea if there were any smoke or pet issues with it.  They took the book anyway!  At least this way, they have the option of turning it down, and not making them wait.

It is up to the writer of the RC to make it clear how firm the RC is.  Smell RCs are very difficult to word.  Not everyone has a sense of smell.  I'd decline if you had any questions.  Then state that you got the book used in the why box. 

If the book is not WL, they can re-request it with the RC off.

I agree with the others. Decline if you have any doubts.

Not everyone has the same sense of smell.

Also, with things like smoke or mildew, if it's an allergy issue, it's not always about the "smell" itself. I would decline, as I pretty much decline any RCs that ask for my subjective opinion--which might be different from theirs. Asking me to smell something or saying they want books "in decent condition" is too open to interpretation. Now, if they say "not currently in a smoking home" I can do that.

Cheryl

I recently saw an RC that asked that books not have a "funny" smell. When my husband caught me sniffing the book trying to decided if its paper-and-glue smell was "funny," I decided it wasn't worth the stress and declined. I think the same person rewrote the RC and requested the book again, but the second time it just stated that books not be in a current smoking house and have no mildew. I could deliver on that!

I recently saw an RC that asked that books not have a "funny" smell.

I personally think that a lot of new books have a "funny" smell.  Not sure if it's due to the paper, printing ink, glue, or what, but IMO they have a different smell than they used to several years ago.