Ok, here's a strange situation. I received a wishlist book today which had been sent priority- for over $10.00. I suspect it was sent this way as the sender posted it 2 days after reporting it mailed to PBS, but whatever.  I am not a stickler for the mailing date as long as it is not months later. The box took awhile to get to me as the sender handwrote the address and put in an incorrect zipcode.  I know the PO often just looks at the code first, and sends the book accordingly.  I am guessing the book had quite a cross country journey before someone figured it out.

The book had been thrown into an overlarge priority box and arrived looking like it had been through the mill- It wasn't helped by the fact that the lone strip of tape at the top had come partly unstuck, possibly exposing the book to weather etc. The book, a hardcover, shows hard wear- the spine has a lot of wear with the book boards exposed at those corners and the back covers is torn from the spine about an inch an a half down.  The cover boards themselves are soiled and the pages show evidenced of water damage (color from spine material has 'run' and stained the pages at the top) and there is 'waviness' from the moisture. 

Ordinarily, I would have marked RWAP fault of sender, especially as the book was dry when it reached me and my estimate would be that the damage occurred well prior to mailing.  This one is harder to figure- some of the damage could be from the post office handling- although probably as a result of inadequate packing.- should I mark it as the PO's fault? And of course, part of me feels bad for marking it as a problem when the sender paid so much extra to send it.  OTOH, my cynical side kicks in that maybe they did so knowing that it was unpostable, but that I would be less likely to complain if I saw the priority post as "extra effort". 

Before the long story gets longer- how should I mark this one? I have an unpostable book, but who should be accorded the responsibility when I mark it received? I could PM the sender, but  figured I wwould get some variation on ,"It's the PO's fault and why are you complaining, you mean person, when I spent so much to send your book." 

Thank you for any guidance, suggestions etc. ahead of time!

I'd say RWAP, if for nothing other than the water damage.  You have no control over how much the sender paid to mail the book... No need to feel guilty!

Ouch (postage) but I'm going to agree it's a RWAP, for several reasons...liquid damage, spine seperation, and probably excessive wear.  Any one by itself would warrent RWAP...the amount of postage, yes it feels bad but what'cha gonna do?  PBS doesn't give bonuses for extra effort (or extra postage), Media Mail is available and recommended for a very reasonable rate.  Postability is the biggest criteria for members.

You are the only one that knows the condition of the packaging and book.  However based on how you explained the situation above, I would mark it RWAP and not ask for my credit back.

This is a priority box and when I use priority (not to send books) I do not feel the need to use packing tape too.  It sounds like the water damage may party be the POs fault.  However, covers separting from the spine is different.  I would mark the book RWAP, but would not ask for my credit back.  However, that is me, you have to do what you feel is right for you.

No matter what, I would let her know that she can send a book two days after marking the book mailed per the help docs. Save her spending money on priority mail.  I was going to say to check how long she was a member, but I have found many long term members are getting back into swapping and may need a refersher!

Good Luck

I'd give the sender a little bit of the benefit of the doubt and mark it damaged by the PO.  But that's just me.

RWAP. I had a guy do the same thing. Its crazyness.

Thank you for the responses! They were very helpful.  I RWAP with notes on what had happened and heard back quickly from the sender who offered my credit back readily.  I let her know that in the future, she didn't have to spend the extra cash on the priority and could pm if she needed more time to send the books out.  And of course, to spend the $$ and have the book take an extended journey as well as acquiring  damage is annoying for all concerned! All seems to have ended well.  Thanks, everyone!