I recently recieved a book from another member (I've recieved around 20-something since I joined in March), and this is the first problem I've encountered.  As soon as I noticed the book I noticed it was sticky and it has sticky residue all over it.  I've managed to get some off, but there's still a good bit left on it.  The back binding is also coming loose and it's in average condition with some dents, and wear.  It's the stickiness that bothers me.  This is the first time I've encountered this and I'm curious if this is aganist Trading Guidelines as I don't feel its in good condition.

Did the book by chance come wrapped in press-n-seal? That will make a book sticky all over. The guidelines do say a book cannot be soiled so that could encompass stickiness, but if you can get it off, then I personally wouldn't consider it unpostable, just rude.

If the binding is separating, then that would be unpostable, but if it is still fully attached, just coming loose or starting to fray, then it would be ok.

The problem with your book is that it sounds like it has multiple borderline issues. None of them scream unpostable, but the sum total add up to a book you don't really want to pay a credit for?  No sage advice. If I can't identify something in the guidelines clearly making it unpostable, I usually mark it fine, maybe note the stickiness, and then take the book out of PBS circulation.

Unless the stickiness is actually staining the cover or the pages of the book, it's not against the guidelines.

Goo Gone works miracles with any sticky residue left on book covers.

Hi Rebecca;

Here's a link to Book Condition Guidelines

Using Press-N-Seal type wrap is against the guidelines.  If I couldn't remove the stickiness with rubbing alcohol, I'd mark it RWAP.

From the Help Center

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/search.php?terms=press+n+seal

• Consider using an inner layer of plastic
  • You can use Saran Wrap, or clean plastic grocery bags, or any kind of clean plastic material
  • please do not use "Press and Seal". This product contains some type of glue that sticks to the books.
    • If you wrap your book in this and it is then damaged when the package is opened, you will not receive a credit.
    • If you get a book that was wrapped using Press-and-Seal, a little rubbing alcohol will remove the residue from the book cover.

Unless it was actually in press 'n seal wrap when you got it though, there's no way to know if that's why it's sticky.  It could be some sort of foodstuff on there, maybe even Lord knows what kind of bacteria as well - which is a much worse thought that anything from press 'n seal wrap by far.  I'd message her and try to get her to say exactly what the sticky stuff is or could be - and that before I even handled the thing, with laytex gloves, btw:P  If it's juice, kool-aid, soda, etc, I would think PBS would consider it "damaged by water or other liquid", and it would be unpostable in any event.  They're mentioning stickiness in the quotes posted here with the assumption that it's from press 'n seal wrap; in other words, I don't think they'd say the same thing about pancake syrup or grape juice:P  Food residue is quite different from adhesive residue I think.