I received a WL book today wrapped only in printer paper. It's been snowy here lately and the top edge of the book was wet when I opened it. I won't be able to repost this book now. I just want to confirm that to mark the book RWAP is appropriate in this instance since, even though it was not damaged at the time of packaging, it was packaged poorly and damaged upon receipt.

Thanks.

Also, as a follow up, I plan to update my Requesters Conditions. Is this an appropriate RC:

If it is winter, please note I live in a snowy location. I've received books wet upon delivery and they've been ruined when wrapped only in printer paper.

Please only accept this request if you will be mailing the book with a water proof wrapper like a plastic bag or a plastic bubble lined mailer.

Thank you!

It would need to be done RWAP damaged by USPS.  The printer paper is unfortunately one of the site recommendations so would not be considered packaged poorly or the sender's fault.  If your climate is often damp, it might be worthwhile to add an RC asking for a protective layer of plastic wrap.

You would mark it "RWAP - Damaged by USPS". For that type of RWAP, a credit return is usually not given, unless the sender packaged it inadequately.

And, unfortunately, waterproof packaging is not required by the site, so if the book got wet, then the sender cannot be blamed ... it's the USPS's fault. And, senders are not required to refund credits when the USPS damages the book.

What you could do, though, if you wanted, is to make a Requestor Condition on your account requesting some plastic around the book for mailing. Something like

"Please wrap the book in plastic before mailing. Any type of plastic is OK. Thanks!"

Since it is a Wish Listed book, when you are done with it, you may also be able to make a post in the Book Bazaar offering the book for a credit. You are correct, you can;t post it "normally" since it is damaged, but you can offer it informally in the Book Bazaar ans still charge a credit for it. Wish List books usually get snapped up, even damaged.

Thanks, so just to clarify, if I add the RC I mentioned above and a book is received in this condition again, it would be the fault of the sender at that point and I would be refunded the credit, yes? I would not need to mark it RWAP-USPS, it would be RWAP sender's fault.

What they said

Yes, if the book was damaged and it wasn't wrapped in plastic but you have a RC, you could mark it 'RWAP - Doesn't Meet RC" and ask for your credit back.

If it is winter, please note I live in a snowy location. I've received books wet upon delivery and they've been ruined when wrapped only in printer paper.

Please only accept this request if you will be mailing the book with a water proof wrapper like a plastic bag or a plastic bubble lined mailer.

Thank you!

I think it would be best if you omit the first sentence ad turn on your RC when the weather changes and turn it off when it is no longer snowy.

Edited: Or omit the first sentence and keep the RC year-round.

People in other parts of the country have different weather patterns. Some places start snowing before the official start of winter (approximately 21 December). Rarely would this be an issue, but what if someone mails the book on let's say, 17 Dec, and it doesn't get to your location until 22 Dec and it snowed on Dec 20?

If the book was not wrapped in plastic as per your RC and it was damaged, then you can mark RWAP -- RC not met.

If the book was wrapped in plastic as per your RC and it was damaged, the you can mark RWAP - Damaged by USPS (for example, if the mailer had a ripped and water got through). You can't ask for a credit back in this situation.

There's some debate about whether it's appropriate to mark RWAP and/or ask for a credit back if the book is not wrapped in plastic but it arrives fine. Some people say RWAP but not ask for a credit back.

Thank you all. This is very helpful.

I like the suggestion of only turning ON the RC when the weather is poor as to alleviate any confusion. I also like the suggestion to leave it on year round with no reference to winter as it could very well be winter wherever the book is coming from, even if it's not snowy here yet.

It's been years since I've had to mark a RWAP so I'm not sure what qualifies and what doesn't. This has been a great refresher.

it would be the fault of the sender at that point and I would be refunded the credit, yes?

Well, technically if you had the RC you would be justified in asking for your credit back. Credit returns are never "automatic" based on how you mark it. The sender has to actually return the credit, so there's no guarantee that you would actually be refunded, depending on who you are dealing with.

I've had pretty good success with RWAP credit refunds, though.

There's some debate about whether it's appropriate to mark RWAP and/or ask for a credit back if the book is not wrapped in plastic but it arrives fine. Some people say RWAP but not ask for a credit back.

I asked TPTB and they said you can choose to RWAP or not in this situation, but it is NOT appropriate to ask for a credit back if the book is not damaged.

Thanks for the clarification, Sara P.

Almost the only books wrapped in the PBS paper (without reinforcement both outside and in) that arrive untorn are ones small ebougth to be sent frirst class. More than once, books wrapped only in PBS wrapper are torn so extensively that they have been literally re-wrapped by USPS because the tears were such that the book was falling out.

Thanks again for the sound advice, Sara.

This is exactly why I BELIEVE all books should be wrapped in plastic (not plastic wrap meant for food, just something that will protect it if the rain or damp gets in)-- too many variable climates around the USA and HI and AK. If we did this all the time, there would be no guessing when someone's rainy or snowy season is.

I always use palstic unless directed not to. Gives me peace of mind.

Pam