I received a book, a classic so textbook/classroom is a possibility.  Unfortunately, the sender did not involk the textbook clause and I received a mailbox surprise

The book has light pencil underlining and margin notes on two or three dozen pages (at least).  The book is otherwise postable.  I've received so many of these already this year (highlighting, pen markings, etc), my perspective is becoming skewed (cranky). 

My question:  because the markings are pencil, do I merely mark it received and erase the markings?  Do I RWAP the book?  Either way, I'll not be asking for a credit return.  Just frustrated having to make this decision yet again.

My opinion: Mark the book RWAP -- it may help educate the sender.  If this is a one-time thing, it won't hurt the sender's record.  If there's a pattern of sending unpostable books (or books with writing and not PMing) you're giving the site a bit more info.  You don't have to ask for your credit back.  You then have the option of submitting follow-up that the sender resolved the problem.  Some members do this immediately if they aren't asking for a credit refund.  Others wait to receive a "sorry" or "oops"-type message before marking it resolved.

I agree. Mark it RWAP if just to let the sender know that it's not an acceptable book to send. I did it yesterday with a wrong ISBN even though I didn't want to. The book is (hopefully) identical to what I ordered, but if they continue to post this way, it could cause a problem for someone down the line that needs a specific edition/ISBN for a class or collection or something.

My opinion - light pencil marking on 2 or 3 pages is no problem.  But 2 or 3 DOZEN pages - RWAP!

MaryF

You can mark it RWAP but specify you don't want your credit back. Then they know, it's recorded, but everyone is still happy. Pencil underlining is easy to miss if they didn't read the book but that much of it is unacceptable. 

In similar situations, I've marked RWAP, mentioned that hilighting is only allowed with the textbook exception, and when agreed beforehand, and then not asked for the credit back.  

I would probably just erase the pencil, make the book 100% postable, and call it a day. Because it's pencil.

I would also probably send a PM to the sender about it, so they know to check books better.

If it was ink or highlighter, then I might RWAP and ask/not ask for my credit back depending on if I needed to reorder it. But for pencil, where I could render the book completely postable with a couple of minutes effort, nope.

There are different types of pencil marks. 

Some can be erased with no trace. 

Marks made with a really sharp pencil point, although light,  might come out, but the page would look scratched where the underlining was. 

On some types of paper (usually glossy), erasing will turn the pencil marking into a smudge. (I once had a workbook with pencil marks. I sent a PM describing the condition, and the requestor asked me to check if it would come out cleanly. She was  a teacher and planned to use photocopies of the pages. Smudges would show up on photocopies.)

One would also have to be very gentle in erasing just between the lines. Otherwise some of the text would get partially erased. I personally find it annoying to read some text which is partially lighter, especially since it is usually in an uneven fashion. 

The rules say no underlining / margin notes -- it does not specify pencil. I would likely RWAP. However, I am just sharing my opinion and experience that pencil doesn't always come out. The book might not be rendered postable again, so this is slightly analogous to the "tape doesn't make an unpostable book due to binding issues postable again"  scenario.

If she was paying any attention there is no way she could have missed the underlining.

Because it impacts all of us when people ignore or don't bother to learn the guidelines I'd ask you to please mark this one RWAP.

It is the only recourse we have. We can't ignore books from people we'd rather not have to deal with like we can in the forums (wish we could, but so far no responce from pbs)

I request lots of textbooks and get lots of books with writing in them (and rarely receive warning ahead of time). For a long time I didn't mark RWAP, but now I do. I think it's a pervasive problem and many people don't understand the requirements of the textbook clause, and marking RWAP is the only way that I can have even a small effect on the problem.

I mark RWAP not requesting a credit back, tell the sender why, then immediately mark it resolved. (I wish there were another choice that meant, "I don't require a response from the sender.") I have only once asked for my credit back, when most of the answer blanks in a book were filled in.

I do the same even if it's pencil - because it's against the rules to send it that way, and it's not that hard to PM to ask about it. And one resolved RWAP isn't a big deal on anyone's account, so I'm not being unfair; if they have lots of RWAPs that is another issue, and one PBS would like to know about.

Thanks everyone, great answers (as always).  Just needed some perspective to balance my grumpiness 

....or you could buy a brand new book and not have to get grumpy.  (tongue in cheek)