I have just received a RWAP on a book I sent.  Due to a trade paperback being "creased".  My automatic reaction is to not refund the credit on this.  Am I wrong?  I rarely receive a trade paperback that isn't slightly wavy from being shipped.  Trade sized just seem to get more smoshed that MMPBs.   I don't think that would make a book unpostable.  (I just put my big dictionary on them.)

What are your thoughts and experiences?

I fear the other party is hiding behind the "excessively worn" clause - you have a stalemate. Do not return the credit.

Creased is postable.

I do not believe that creased is even close to excessively worn, either.

I would never even consider refunding a credit for it.

I'm curious as to what they mean by "creased." Are they talking about the spine? The cover? Some pages? The entire book? I'd want more information from the sender, though I agree with the other posters--creases alone don't render a book unpostable. If the entire book was folded, mashed, and permanently creased in half by the postman, then it could be a problem, but it would still be damaged by USPS, not by the sender.

Unless it's the spine and the member really meant 'cleaved', I agree with Sara (again!).   Creases in themselves do not render a book unpostable.

Earlier this week I received a large paperback cookbook, the mail carrier had 'folded' it into my box    I would have much prefered a pick-up slip, even if it meant a trip to the post office.

You know the condition of the book when you mailed it, so if you know that there were no issues that kept it from being posted, then just gracefully decline to return the credit, noting that creases alone are not an issue that makes a book unpostable.

1 unresolved RWP won't hurt your account especially if you are communicating with the other person.  They look at the overall picture of hte account. I have one on mine because the requestor ordered the wrong binding and was convinced that PBS was somehow at fault. 

I wouldn't refund the credit either. I've never marked a book with spine creases, or even the occasional cover crease as RWAP. I've always just seen it as normal wear and tear. Until it gets to the point that the book is falling apart from it, then it shouldn't be a problem. If they want a (pristine) keeper copy, then they should make an RC asking for no spine or cover creases.

It did not sound like the spine was creased.  It just sounded like the book was reaching the end of it's swap life.  It is still wish listed, so I feel like she could offer it in the genre forum.  Her description did not feel like the book was unpostable.  I did not feel like it was when I posted it.  Just cheap paper making the book feel flimsy.  I just did not feel like this sounded like it was my fault and required a credit refund.  Partly because her gripe seems to be that she feels she can't repost it.

The member to whom you shipped your book 'XXX' has sent you this personal message.

I am sorry but I'm requesting a return of my credit because of the condition of the book. The book has a folded in half cover, about 30 pages that are creased, a big crease on the back cover, and some fraying on the spine. If I choose, I want to be able to trade the book but I know I would have problems doing so with the book in this condition. So I'm sorry but I want the return of my credit. Thank you.

Partly because her gripe seems to be that she feels she can't repost it. - Just want to point out that the Help Center's suggestion for wording a RWAP message is to that say that they can repost the book.

Her description sounds like something I would consider not in good condition- the sum total of too many problems, and if you think that she needs to offer it in the genre forums, then it kind of sounds like you think it is too worn to post too. BUT, really only you and the receiver can determine whether this book was not in good condition since the rest of us can't get our hands on the book. You felt it was postable, she does not. You may be at a stand still. We can all give our opinions based on the words we see here, but none of us can see the book. If you feel you sent a postable book, the say that you are not returning the credit and close the issue with the receiver. One unresolved transaction won't hurt your account.

After this RWAP on a book that I considered quite postable,  I've carefully reread book posting guidelines and the definition of "good condition" from the help.  The only mention of creases is in reference to spine creases.  This is a new wish listed trade paperback,  published in May.  The RWAP is on the books third location, second swap.   From her description, a slightly creased book became a quite creased book during shipping.

But I really kinda expect trade paperbacks to be creased from mailing.  I do not consider that being excessively worn.  I'm just always thrilled to get these expensive paperbacks.  Just found out rather roughly that not everyone feels that way. 

Rather surprised by PBS's suggested wording of a RWAP.  Looking back on this, she used almost the exact langauge that PBS suggests.  I knew I did not like the PBS RC wording.   I'm glad I marked the old thread of suggested form letters as watched so I can find them.

If you feel that the post office caused the damage I would let her know that and tell her you are not going to return the credit for damage caused by USPS. It sounds like the book left you in better condition than it reached her.

I think it sounds 100% postable.

It is 100% readable, not gross in any way, not falling apart in any way, and does not break any of PBS's explicit rules.

I think she would have no problems re-posting it, either.

I still would not return the credit, if I were you.

"I think she would have no problems re-posting it, either."

There are books that reach the end of the line in the "postable gray area": technically, they meet the guidelines, but could be seen as "excessively worn" by some (not necessarily hyper-picky) members.
 

But I really kinda expect trade paperbacks to be creased from mailing. 

A properly packaged trade paperback shouldn't get cover and page creases in the mail.  Unless the book is floating lose in a large envelope I can't figure out how it would get creased.

If you believe the post office cause the damage she is seeing then say so. You just seem so back-n-forth and justifying the damage that its hard to tell if you do believe that or if you are trying to justify sending the book because it was wishlisted and an expensive book to buy so the receiver should just be happy with it in any condition. If you firmly believe you sent a postable book, then just tell her that.  Some trades will never come to an agreement between the two members. That is just a fact when trading used books.

I've received trade paperbacks that were apparently bent in half during mailing. Not that this will help the OP's situation but adding a sturdy piece of cardboard (with the corners rounded to avoid puncturing the packaging) can minimize the chance of bending/creasing during shipping, especially with trade paperbacks.