I posted a book Non-wishlist today at

Posted : 9/19/2014 11:42 AM ET

another member requested it today

Date Requested: 9/19/2014 1:44 PM ET

when I went to say I could send the book I saw that they have a laundry list of RC's here are their RC's

UPDATE: please mark any package to me "Do Not Bend." My postal carrier has found great joy in cramming as much as possible into my small box, including accordion-folding some PBS books. I don't know if it will help, but�Thank you!

I am an elementary�school librarian, looking for books to add to our school collection, or to give as incentives to students. Therefore, all requested children's books need to be in very good / gently read condition, with no strong odor (smoky, animal, etc.).

Please also verify that if your listing says "hardbound" that you send me a hardbound version.

Do the Title, Author, ISBN and Book Type match your book EXACTLY?

Occasionally, I do request a "grownup" book for myself ---- these need not be in as good condition as above, but please, no moldy, smoky books. Thanks!

I am a little worried about sending because even though the book is in awesome shape. no bends no creases no marks no odors.nothing wrong with it. I did buy it at a used book library sale. and it does have some price stickers on the front top corner from half price books. also  i can't control what her postal  carrier does to the book when putting it in her mailbox.  from her RC's it sounds like he/she just shoves stuff in the mailbox without caring if it says do not bend on it or not. the book is a 46 page soft cover paperback that is easily bendable.

so my question is would you send or would you say too many RC's and decline.

i have the only copy posted in the system so any advice is greatly appreciated.

Most of her RCs are just restating PBS posting requirements, which some members feel is necessary based on their experiences with swappers unfamiliar with PBS' rules.  The "very good/gently read" condition is pretty subjective -- how do we know what that means?

In the end, it is up to you what you are comfortable with.  If you're not comfortable, then decline.  If you do decline based on the RCs, however, you'll have to state a reason, and the sender will see that reason.  A polite, constructive comment about why her RCs are difficult to meet could help her modify them to be more clear -- I know I've modified my own RCs based on that feedback.

I think writing, "Do Not Bend" is not an onerous request.

The other items, if you are comfortable with your book fitting the conditions, then I'd accept.  You tend to know the condition of your book and your comfort level with the requests.

Frankly, if I have to spend a number of minutes reading a lengthy RC I decline. We all have the right to have whatever RC we want to have but sometimes it's just over the top.

I, personally, would decline - too subjective or vague for me.

Up to you, but if I had a book that I felt met the RC, I'd send it. I've never had a problem with an RC request.

I can sympathize about the 'no bending' thing. I had a postman who'd roll anything and everything he could into a tube and stuff it into our nested box. It would unroll and fill the space. But the back of the box he could get to didn't have the lip of the door, so my side was smaller than his side. I once had to tear apart the packaging of a paperback he'd managed to roll up with other things, just so I could pull out the wrapping piece by piece and get room enough to carefully pull out the book and other items.

He didn't last long on our route, thank goodness. 

It's a shame that members now have to have RCs which just re-state what PBS already states in their "swappable condition" rules.

All her RCs seem very reasonable to me.  Maybe this member has gotten burned a few times, sure seems like it since none of her RCs are unreasonable.

I send to RCs all the time, I have never declined one in 4 years I don't think, and never had a problem.

The "Do not bend" request is really no different than asking a member to take the extra step to baggie-wrap during wet seasons.  I would be happy to write that line on envelope if it helped the other member receive a book that is not warped by her postman.  It doesn't require a lot of effort, does it? .  :)

Although I am fairly new at this, I too think her RCs are acceptable.  Like others have said, if you don't feel comfortable then its fine to decline.  

I send to all RCs that my book meets. I generally don't worry about how well it's written or if it's "too long" whatever that means. There is zero correlation between long RCs and picky members. Never has a single problem sending to someone with an RC.

She's just asking you to write "do not bend" on the package, not holding youvresponsible for what her mail carrier does. If anything, she is trying to hold him responsible.

I would have no problem sending the book.  It sounds to me like they're mainly looking for something that will hold up to repeated readings; meaning, something that's not already worn.  I don't think writing "do not bend" is unreasonable at all.

I would decline, too subjective.  I often accept RCs, but I would decline that one.

I would not have a problem with that RC, particularly since it is the only copy posted  - it is polite, and explains why she is adding the RC.

All it really asks is that the books be on gently read/very good condition, not have a strong odor - and for you to write "do not bend" on the envelope.

If I was mailing this, I'd probably add a piece of thick cardboard to thwart her mailman too :-)

I would send but in addition I would place the book in a manila envelope and place a piece of cardboard on each side of the book, making sure, for my own piece of mind it would be very difficult to impossible to bend and still write Do Not Bend on it.  I would PM the requester and tell her I took those measures.  I think she would appreciate it.

I agree with the mention that it's a bit long...when reading RC's my mouse creeps towards 'Decline' if I get bored, annoyed, or confused.

That said, once read I don't see anything specifically that would cause me to decline or recommend you do so.  But that's entirely up to the sender.

I'd decline.  It's too long, for one thing, and if her mailbox is too small to hold what she orders, then she needs to get a bigger mailbox or talk to her mail carrier about what to do with oversize items, not put the burden on to the sender.

No smells and gently used are both too subjective for me.  So I'd decline on those terms, even before I got into the fact that it's too long and I hate to be told to follow the rules when I already am.

However, it's entirely the sender's choice to send or decline, just as it's a recipient's choice to have RCs.  If you don't feel comfortable, don't send it.

Personally, I'd send it. I'd use a hard mailer or add extra cardboard as others have suggested.

if you do decline based on the RCs, however, you'll have to state a reason, and the sender will see that reason.

you can just say that you can not control her mailman.

I'm a bit frustrated so this is a bit of a rant.  Just received my first RWAP message regarding a condition that was not even listed in the requesters RCs.  Because I really do not want a fight, I just refunded the credit (and told the requester to just trash the book -- it is not worth sending back), but it has left a bad taste in my mouth.  I guess my takeaway is that if I see any conditions from here on out placed on any books requested from me, I'll just kindly decline.  I really don't have time for snobs nor crybabies.  These are books -- not fine art nor antiques.  I can understand not wanting "junk" or damaged books, but I think that the PBS club rules are pretty straightforward on what is acceptable and what is not.  If I have some questionable book that is otherwise in high demand, I'll sell it elsewhere that has a better way to indicate condition.  Ok... rant concluded...Original Poster -- I would RUN away from this request.  It is not worth the trouble.  

I can usually meet most requester conditions, so I have no issues sending the book if it satisfies the extra conditions. I have never had an issue.

Eric, those notes apply to the title, not to your specific copy.  So if you put a note that "book has lots of spine creases" the person requesting it most likely won't see it. If you have a book that you feel is questionable and is wish listed, you can list it for a credit on the Unpostable Wish List thread. 

If the RC did not have listed what the person complained about, I would not have refunded the credit.  I would have replied that whatever issue they had was not listed in the RC so I would not be refunding a credit.  PBS can see what was on the RC when the book was requested.

 Because I really do not want a fight, I just refunded the credit (and told the requester to just trash the book -- it is not worth sending back), but it has left a bad taste in my mouth. 

Seriously, you don't have to fight about it. If you're sure that the book met PBS guidelines, and there was no RC from the receiver over the issue, you should stick to your guns and not refund on an RWAP.

You shouldn't feel like you're being held hostage to it. Just make sure to keep them to a minimum, and The Powers That Be can see that it's not something you're continuing to have a problem with sending books out. Just make sure you know all the Guidelines.

I've sent out a few books that I felt met RC's. I've sent out over 900 books, and have never had a RWAP listed as "Damaged by Sender". (I've only had one lost in the mail, and two 'damaged by USPS".) And the best "Thank You's" I've gotten were over RC books. 

So an RC isn't an automatic problem. You can get a RWAP mark from anyone, whether they have a reason or not.

Just to make it clear...the RC on my latest transaction (that was RWAPed) only stated "I don't want former library books, or hardcovers without the dj."  The ISBN clearly refers to a book is a paperback and it was listed as such.  The book was in excellent condition, but, as stated, was paperback.  The RWAP reason was "I wanted hardcover."  So the problem was that the buyer made the request without reading the listing and seeing that the book was a paperback.  Hello -- this is Paperback Swap.  While there are certainly hardcovers, the majority of what is listed is paperback.  I should have fought it.  

This afternoon, I delisted the remainder of my books and will just donate them to charity and see if I can find a place to use the 4 PBS credits I have.  If I could donate the credits somewhere I would as I plan to close my PBS account as soon as the credits are gone.  I just will not support a site that condones scammers and their ilk. 

Eric, I really feel you should have refused to return that credit. That was so wrong of that member. Really nasty of them.

I don't like the repeating of the rules. I don't like venting about previous trades.

That said, accepting or not really depends on how I feel about the tone. Which can vary quite a bit, depending on my mood.

Oh. You can donate credits to the school program at any time of year.

So many members have asked us how to donate to Books for Schools  (our annual program that turns donated Book Credits and PBS Money into free new books for needy elementary schools) "off-season" that we created the BooksForSchoolsCredits account. You can donate Book Credits there anytime, and when the next program starts the collected credits will be divided among the participating schools. Read more details about Books for Schools, including how to suggest a school for participation, here.