I marked a book RWAP because there was marking throughout the book and I hadn't agreed to any textbook  conditions. This is how it went:

Problem: Damaged by Sender

The member to whom you shipped your book 'Biology As Ideology: The Doctrine of DNA' has sent you this personal message:

"Hi,

I'm sorry to have to RWAP this book, but there is writing and underlining in the book in black ink in several sections. Books with underlining/writing on text pages are not supposed to be swapped unless the sender PMs the receiver and they agree to a "textbook condition" book. Also, the tape used to wrap the book adhered to the cover in several places. I realize you may not have remembered that this book had writing in it, but I would like to ask for my credit back as the book was not technically postable. "

You did get credit from the system for sending the book. ***The requestor is asking you to refund credit for this book.***

What I got back was:

"Didn't realize it was such a big deal. Send it back then."

Isn't the sender supposed to refund my credit first? And what about postage? I seem to recall the sender of the RWAP book was supposed to supply a credit to cover postage, but I honestly can't remember and I don't know where to look in the help docs. I was just surprised by the brusqueness of the reply and wanted to know what the rules were before I responded.

Isn't the sender supposed to refund my credit first?   Yes.

And what about postage?   IF you agree to send it back, they need to send you additional compensation for the postage. 

You can find this under Help docs: A requestor says there is a problem with a book I sent! 

I would send them these parts of the Help Center:

Under "Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS"

Guidelines:

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)

Dust Jacket:

• The DUST JACKET (this is not the same as the cover of a book) does not have to be included with a book at all, unless the requestor had this in their Requestor Conditions.
• So DUST JACKET condition cannot be considered as part of the condition of a book, unless there were Requestor Conditions on the request specifying that the dust jacket be included.
• If the Dust Jacket was to be included as specified in the Requestor Conditions on the request, the Dust Jacket must meet the same conditions as defined for the cover, below.

Cover:

• Must both be present (front and back)
  • note that a paperback missing its front cover is usually an illegal, unsold copy
  • "cover" does not = dust jacket. Hardcovers do not need to include their dust jackets to be swapped here.
• Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to any part of the book)
• Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed
  • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 square inch, this is OKAY
  • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
  • yes, that does say "chewed/gnawed" above. That means no pet-chewed (or human-chewed) books.
• A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

Binding:

• Must be intact, with no separation on the inside or outside of the book
• If the book tends to open at a particular page, this is OKAY
• Small amount of fraying or denting at top or bottom is OKAY

Pages:

• No torn or chewed/gnawed pages
  • yes, that does say "chewed/gnawed". That means no pet-chewed (or human-chewed) books.
• No loose or missing text pages
  • for travel guide books - maps if designed to be detachable may be detached, but must be included.
• Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to any part of the book)
• 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).
    • Exception: if it is a travel guide (not a picture book but a guide, such as Fodor's or Lonely Planet), some writing on text pages could be expected. All maps must be present and included with the book - if detachable it is OK if they are detached, but they must not be missing.
      • if you post a travel guide that has writing in it, 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 textbooks/workbooks and cookbooks--see above and below). 

and

A requestor says there is a problem with a book I sent!

Yes Michelle, you are correct.  The book should not have been mailed FIFO without the sender involking the 'textbook clause', pming you the details of book condition, and receiving your approval prior to mailing.

Returning the book is optional for you.  If you agree to do so, the sender must first compensate you for the cost of return postage (either a credit, SASE, etc.).  This is clearly stated in the rules, which Melanie has posted above.

Thanks everyone! The sender decided they did  not want to give me a credit to have their book returned, but they returned the one for my order. There was some flouncing, but I have my credit back. I just don't get the rudeness, but everything is fixed up thanks to you all and the help documents.

There was some flouncing, but I have my credit back.

Happy they returned your credit. Hopefully next time they have a book with highlighting they will realise it is "that important".

It amazes me, when people who know the rules here are met with insolence when kindly pointing them out to members who didn't read them.  Good for you Michelle for being courteous, yet standing up for yourself.  I have lost credits by not wanting the confrontation.  When I do ask for a credit return (rarely), i always end up feeling bad. Not winning.