Yesterday, I received a wishlisted book (wrapped in kraft paper that was taped on with Scotch tape!) that I started reading before I was able to get to a computer to mark it "Received."  A chapter or so in, I discovered underlining and highlighting in the first third of the book; I flipped through the rest of the book and it seems to be unmarked.  It's also not super marked up, maybe a few paragraphs total.  When I wishlisted it, I hadn't decided on whether I was going to re-post the book.  Well now the decision is out of my hands because I can't re-post a book with writing and highlighting in it.  It's not a big enough deal for me to ask for my credit back, but I'd also like to prevent another person from having to RWAP on this sender in case she makes a habit of sending out unpostable books; the cynic in me doubts this was an oversight while my inner Pollyanna insists I give her the benefit of the doubt.  I'm going to RWAP this book as it's not postable per PBS.  But before I do that, I've drafted a PM and would like your feedback!

Hi Sender!  I got Book Title and thank you for sending it to me; it got here really quickly.  The USPS surprises me sometimes!  I'm afraid I had to mark this RWAP because there was writing and highlighting in it, both of which make it unpostable by PBS rules.  I'm not looking to get my credit back but just wanted to let you know what PBS' posting standards are because someone else might want their credit refunded if it happens again.  I would also recommend using packing tape rather than Scotch tape because the kraft paper had come undone by the time I received it--good thing you'd wrapped in plastic first!

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 --see below)
   

No writing or highlighting or underlining on text pages

• a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY
• an author's signature on the title page is OKAY
• writing or highlighting or underlining on the text pages is NOT OKAY
  • Exception: if it is a textbook or workbook, these are expected to have highlighting/underlining/writing
    • if you post a textbook/workbook, the condition must be described to the requestor in a Personal Message
    • AND the described condition MUST BE AGREED TO in a reply PM before the book is sent
    • This is the one of the ONLY three cases in which a PM exchange about a book is required before the book can be sent (the others are for travel guidebooks and cookbooks--see below).

Sincerely,

BigAppleBookworm

Do you ladies and gentlemen think this is okay to send to the sender?

I think it sounds great. Your not accusing her of knowingly sending out a RWAP book, but your also to the point. If I was the sender I would refund your credit just because of the nice and understanding the pm is. We are all human and like you said, maybe this book slipped by without her noticing this.

Very polite. I don't see how anyone could have any problem with it. And just FYI, packaging using only scotch tape is also against the guidelines:

General Guidelines for Wrapping:

• Your book(s) must be completely enclosed in the wrapping

• Use plenty of tape (2" shipping tape, not Scotch)
  • especially at the corners and seams.
  • You can get shipping tape at any store that sells stationery or shipping supplies.
  • Do not apply tape directly to the book! This can damage the book when the package is opened.
    • If you apply tape directly to the book and it is then damaged when the package is opened, you will not receive a credit.
  • Do not tape over the postage (USPS does not accept this)
  • Do not apply postage to tape (it can fall off)
  • It is okay to apply clear tape over the DC barcode if you are sending a package with PBS-DC or Printable Postage
    • If you do this, avoid wrinkles in the tape that can interfere with barcode scanning

Hi BigAppleBookworm,

The message is very nice. However, any book can be considered a textbook, so her fault lay in not pming to see if you would accept it with underlinig, not in posting an unpostable book.  So if you haven't sent the pm yet you may want to emphasize the textbook rule.

This also allows you to post it as long as you pm the receiver and get permission. Since it's wishlisted, they might want it anyway.

Scotch tape is not accepted by the Post Office either.  You have to use a heavier type tape.  Your PM was very polite and direct.  Good one!  Wait for a response BEFORE marking issue resolved.

Nice PM BAB.  Like Priscilla mentions, you may wish to wait before marking this one resolved.  If you receive a reply, and a polite thank you, etc. than by all means mark it resolved.  But you may not receive a reply (required) or a rude reply (nasty gram) in which case you will still have options.

I always report books in violation of PBS rules.  If I can read them, I don't want the credit. If they return it to me, I send it back.  I have plenty of credits.  But bad books need to be reported. If someone is making a habit of it, that needs to stop.

Thanks for your feedback, everyone.  The sender replied to my PM but didn't acknowledge any of the issues, just wrote "Thank you" and that was it.