I just got an email from PBS TPTB that the recipient of two books which I had sent out just got her account closed due to violations. Am I just out the two books/credits like I think I am. This sucks.

(edited for spelling)

Wow, I can't believe they wouldn't go ahead and mark them as received for you. Maybe you could email about it and see about getting your credits?

I think you will still get your credits     not for sure

I would think they'd give you the credits. That's what happens when a recipient account is obviously inactive, and uh, I'm not sure you can get any more inactive than completely closed.

Well, that is good to hear. I will update this thread when I hear anything official.

And I have!

Dear [ligytha],

Thanks for your response!  The system will mark the books received in time, as long as you mark them as mailed before the deadline to do so.

Have a great day!

The PaperBackSwap Team


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Now I am curious about what happens to the credits of someone whose account is closed.

I would guess that they're absorbed back into the PBS system--I mean, think of all those free credits they give away when people join up! If they closed someone's account because of violations, I would think they would consider the credits fraudulently obtained and that person would forfeit any right to those credits. At least, that's how it would work in a perfect world. Whether it really does or not, I don't know. :)

Cheryl

I think it would depend, somewhat, on the reason why the account was closed and if the credits were purchased or not.

From the TOS:

1. Termination
   

   National Book Swap reserves the right to immediately terminate the service and forfeit all credits of any member who National Book Swap determines, in its sole discretion, has violated one or more conditions of this contract. In the event such termination occurs, National Book Swap has no obligation whatsoever to refund any portion of fees paid or to pay compensation for credits forfeited or lost use of Site privileges.

   also found this:

   1. Fees and Payment
      At present, the use of the Site is free, except that users agree to mail items at their own expense. National Book Swap may charge fees for continuing use of the Service, provided that all users will have the opportunity to opt out before incurring any charges. National Book Swap may also charge fees for incidental benefits associated with membership. Fee-based goods and services include but are not limited to: Paperbackswap merchandise, credits, Box-O-Books participation, delivery confirmation, Book Journal, wish lists, or other services, in the sole discretion of National Book Swap. Fees may be added, discontinued, or changed at any time without notice. Once a member elects to purchase a fee-based good or service, payments are non-refundable.
   2. Money Accounts
      National Book Swap accepts credit cards, money orders, checks, and PayPal as a means of adding funds to a member’s money account. Account funds may be used to purchase credits, merchandise, transaction fees, or others goods and services offered by National Book Swap. National Book Swap reserves the right to change the price of credits and other goods or services at any time without prior notice and without any compensation to members with existing funds in their money accounts. Funds added to a member’s account are earned by National Book Swap when deposited and are non-refundable.
   1. Refunds
      

      Users who are dissatisfied with this service may cancel within the first 45 days of use and receive a refund, in the event that fees have been paid for use of this site, computed according to the following schedule:

      • No credits used: Full refund
      • 1 credit used: 65% refund
      • 2 credits used: 30% refund
      • 3 or more credits used: No refund

      Regardless of the number of credits used, no refunds will be issued after 45 days of service.

       

      (bolding is mine)

I once mailed a book right before PBS emailed me asking me not to.  I still marked the book sent, and PBS marked the book received a few days later.

Yeah, anytime a member's account is closed, regardless of the reason, the system will auto-mark books received after a certain length of time so people sending books to those folks aren't out their credits. And thatnks for the info, Janelle!

Cheryl

When you order a book they take your credit and basically hold it in escrow until the book is received (unless the sender uses DC).  So that's how you get your credit back.

I would think that most of these people probably don't have a large credti stash or much in PBS money. I mean if I were knowing doing wrong things on the site that might get me terminated at anytime: I would spend my credits fast and leave my PBS money empty.  These people know they are breaking the rules-you have to agree to mailing dates and posting guidelines when you post books and accept requests.  They just try to get away with it as long as they can.

I mailed a book first class on April 2nd.  I was surprised that it hadn't been marked received yet so I looked up the member today to see if their account was on vacation hold.. Their account was suspended/closed.  I contacted PBS as I wasn't sure if the system would automatically mark the book I sent received (and if so, after how many days?) or would I have to request PBS to mark it received. 

PBS said "If the account continues to be suspended/closed, your book will be marked received by the system.  If this does not happen (if the book is declared "lost" and the account is still suspended/closed), please contact us..."