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Topic: Do you RWAP a poor wrapping job?

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Generic Profile avatar
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Subject: Do you RWAP a poor wrapping job?
Date Posted: 3/11/2011 6:07 PM ET
Member Since: 1/2/2011
Posts: 212
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I received a package of three hardcover books today. They were wrapped only in the PBS paper wrapper, and did not have enough tape on the edges and corners. The wrapper had torn at all four corners and some spots along the edge and was falling off the books, and at some point it looks like someone in the postal system took pity on them and added a few pieces of tape to hold the wrapper together.

The tape was stuck directly to some of the books where they showed through the wrapper, and even gently pulling it off of the books resulted in a damaged dustjacket. As I don't have a dustjacket RC, and I don't keep dustjackets on my books anyway, I'm not worried about that. In addition, the edge of one of the books looks "chewed" (pretty badly torn up, as though someone's dog had grabbed it and shook it; the hardcover board is broken and ragged in this spot with the cardboard underneath showing through) where it appears to have been mangled by USPS machinery since it had no wrapper to protect it.

This book was probably fine when it left the sender's hands, the damage most likely happened en route. However, I don't think it would have been damaged at all if the sender had taken a little more care in wrapping them in the first place. So, I have two books that I will mark as "Received" in good shape and one that I'm not sure about. Do I mark the damaged one as RWAP - damaged by sender or RWAP - damaged by USPS? Or is this not an RWAP at all?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Generic Profile avatar
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Date Posted: 3/11/2011 6:14 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
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I woujld definately mark the damaged one as RWP. Technically it's damaged by post office but you can ask for a credit back due to poor wrapping. Wrapping 1 hardcover in just the PBS wrapper is plain stupidity and 3 is definately dumb. 

I had someone wrap a tradesized book in the PBS wrapper and gift wrapping tape.  If they had at lease used mailing tape it might have survived the journey.  But the book was really too big for just 2 sheets of paper and scotch tape.  I mean how would it be to just add a couple more sheets of paper and decent tape if nothing else.  I didn't get my credit back and I marked it unresolved.  Maybe you'll have better luck.

Susanaque avatar
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Subject: Wrapping job and RWAP
Date Posted: 3/11/2011 6:14 PM ET
Member Since: 11/18/2005
Posts: 5,523
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I would say yes, the one book is a RWAP, due to the wrapping job....or lack there of. Isn't it just a case of common sense to use more then the two sheets of apaer when you are wrapping HB books??? I mean really!

FlouncePony avatar
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Date Posted: 3/11/2011 6:27 PM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2009
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If you feel that the the post office damaged the books because the sender did a poor wrap-job, then yes on the RWAP. Nobody with an ounce of sense would send a big heavy load of anything through the mail wrapped in nothing but a couple sheets of printer paper.

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Date Posted: 3/11/2011 6:30 PM ET
Member Since: 1/2/2011
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Okay, I found the Help Doc on damaged books. It looks like I need to mark it "damaged by USPS" but that I can still ask for a credit refund from the sender if I feel the damage is due to poor wrapping technique.

I've received hardcovers wrapped in the PBS wrapper before, and they made it to me fine but had plenty of tape on all four edges and the corners. I believe the only reason this package had a problem was because it did not have enough tape.

I'm just glad they didn't come yesterday, when it was pouring rain outside. All three books would have been soaked!

Thanks for the replies.

ETA: I'm fairly certain that the damage was sustained after it left the sender because there's a matching section of hole in wrapper - hole in dustjacket - mangled hardcover.



Last Edited on: 3/11/11 6:34 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
EmilyKat avatar
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Date Posted: 3/11/2011 10:09 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2008
Posts: 15,524
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Be sure to mention the wrapping and the resulting damage in the bottom box of the survey.  PBS keeps this record.  It will help them if they need to review this member's account.  And it sounds like PBS will be reviewing it if they keep wrapping like that.

robdee avatar
Date Posted: 3/12/2011 4:10 AM ET
Member Since: 7/12/2010
Posts: 4,177
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I don't usually RWAP for a wrapping problem, but in this case an RWAP is needed for stupidity! 3 HBs with 2 pieces of printer paper....are you kidding me.
EmilyKat avatar
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Date Posted: 3/12/2011 1:10 PM ET
Member Since: 7/19/2008
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Remember that you must ASK for a credit return.  It is not automatic.  And I would ask on this case.  Definitely under wrapped.

riahekans avatar
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Date Posted: 3/12/2011 2:16 PM ET
Member Since: 4/7/2008
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but in this case an RWAP is needed for stupidity!

LOL!

When you RWAP the book, please mention in detail the damage and how the poor wrapping contributed to it so this member knows it's not appropriate to wrap hardcovers with the PBS wrapper!

Generic Profile avatar
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Date Posted: 3/12/2011 3:48 PM ET
Member Since: 1/2/2011
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I received a credit back from the sender - they were very nice about it, apologized for the damaged book, and said they would wrap more carefully in the future. A good outcome all around, I think.

Thanks as always to everyone who posted replies and advice!

MaryMary avatar
Date Posted: 3/13/2011 9:11 AM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2007
Posts: 8,411
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I've found that a lot of new members think it's only ok to wrap in the PBS wrapper.  I get a lot of questions asking if it's ok to wrap in a bubble mailer,etc. 

This may be a new member, so try to be gentle. :)