Just a reminder that ARC's are not allowed to be posted to the system.  If you have one that you would like a credit for, try offering it in the Book Bazaar.

For the first time ever, I'm first on a WL and more than a month before the MMP comes out, it was offered to me. Hmmmmm.  The sender PM'd me that it was an ARC and asked if I wanted it.  I said no, since I'll probably post it back into the system when I'm done with it. She cancelled and all was well. 

Then, a week later, I was offered the book again (about a month from pub date) from someone else.  Now that I was clued in, I sent PM asking if it was the MMP and no, another ARC.  Again, sender cancelled - all good.   

Then, this week, it's posted again by different person.  This time, we go in circles (apparently she didn't realize that she's not supposed to post ARC's- and she's not new to PBS) and wanted me to decline the offer.  I sent her the No ARC reminder and so far so good.

A simple request, if anyone is planning to post an ARC of Lori Handeland's Any Given Doomsday to the system, please don't!!!   I'm sure that there are folks in the Paranormal Form who would love it, so try putting a note in there.

Sorry to vent, but this was starting to drive me nuts!  Just follow the rules and we can all be happy.

I hope you didn't decline the last offer since they need to otherwise you lose your spot in line!

why can't they understand the no ARC rules?!  I have several ARC's but post them to another site because you can there.

and unfortunately the violaters probably don't read the forums!

Unfortunately posting here probably wont solve the problem. Most of the folks who visit the forums, even occasionally are pretty familiar with the guidelines. Only a very small percentage of PBS members ever visit the forums, which is a shame since the other members might learn a bit more about PBS and how it works. Not to mention make some friends and learn about lots of other stuff too.

Just follow the rules and we can all be happy.

That is all I want too! It just burns my butt that on a site of READERS, many people either don't read the rules or just flat out don't care whether they are following the rules or not.

What I find annoying is people that then sell those ARC's as first editions!

What I would do is let them send you the ARC, then mark it RWP so you get your credit back AND stop the book from being reposted.  *shrugs* I get ARCs all the time but I follow the rules set by PBS as well as the rules by the publishers that state they are not for sale.   Since credits ARE worth money then it is breaking the publishers rules by posting them.

I once bought a 1st ed copy off ebay only to find out it was an ARC and the photo they used was just the stock one from amazon. I dont ever buy books from there anymore.

How do people get ARCs?  I know that they come from the publisher, but how do you sign up to be someone who receives ARCs? 

Not that I want to get one to post....It's pretty clear they are not to be posted. IMHO

I've just never even seen one! 

I wonder if they're from the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program? I know LibraryThing gave out a lot of ARCs of that book.

There are a variety of ways in which you can get an ARC of a book. A few ways are ~~

• Library Thing Early Reviewers
• Reading Group Gold  - http://www.readinggroupgold.com/access/earlyaccess.aspx
• Read it Forward - http://www.randomhouse.com/crown/readitforward/sendtoafriend/index_thanks.html
• Blog Giveaways
• Barnes & Noble First Look Program
• Sign up for Shelf Awareness - http://news.shelf-awareness.com/register.jsp?appid=411 (daily newsletters are sent out to let you know what's coming up in the book world and at times there will be ads for ARC's.
• Online-sweepstakes (and then click on books/magazines) http://www.online-sweepstakes.com/directory/books-magazines/

Another way is by starting a book review blog. Ever since I started my blog I get emails at least every other day from authors asking me to read and review their books on my blog.  The other day I received an email from Rick Mofina - a mystery/thriller author I enjoy. He wanted to know if I'd like his publisher to send me an ARC of his upcoming book to reveiw on my blog. H**l yeah! :)

I also received the following email from an author

I received a ARC--marked it RWP and requested my credit returned--after 2 PM'S I received an argumentative PM--see below

"I currently have no credits in which to return to you.
I'm sorry you found this to be an unreadable copy, I know that though it is an ARC copy, it was in excellent condition, better than many books I have received, as I try not to crack the spines of my books and take great care of them. "

She had to verify that it WAS NOT a ARC when she posted it --so she lied. NOT a new member--been in club over 2 years.

I pointed out that the book was unpostable by club rules--I could not repost it--and credits were available for sale in the Kiosk....
No response received AND no credit returned! She has books on her WL--what did she plan to use for credits when one is offered??

GRRR....

I receive ARC's from Rebeccasreads.com where I am a reviewer and on rare occasion from Harper Collin's First Look program.

I guess I am different from you all. I dont mind getting ARC's but like to be told that it is an ARC so I can decide. If I am ask and it is a book I want to read I will go ahead and request it. I have never had any problems with this and if I tell the person I am not interested they gladdly cancel and I am put back in line.

Debbie

I too just had an argument with someone who sent me an ARC. 

My initial message:  I received the book you mailed and it's in excellent shape; however it's an advance reader copy. PBS doesn't allow ARCs to be posted here so I won't be able to relist the book when I'm done. You can find this information in the help center.

I would appreciate it if you would return my credit. Thanks.

His response:  Sorry about that, Ginny. I got it from a fellow swapper and didn't pay attention to the fact that it is some different kind of copy. It's a good book though.

It sounds like you still want to read it. I would be happy to take it back when you are done, via this site. If you let me know when you are done, and post it, I will request it -- and then just give it to a friend.

I answered:  (His name), I can't post it.  PBS doesn't allow Advance Reader Copies to be posted. That was my point. I've paid a credit for something that I can't post.

His response:  What I am saying is ... if you post it, I will immediately request it and you can return it to me. I posted it using the system, so it is possible to do so. And when you do, I will request it back. When you have finished reading of course.

Again I answered:  I will not post it because it's against PBS rules to post it. Doesn't matter to me how many people have posted it wrongly before; I won't do so.

He responded:  There are two other options.

1. If you do not want the book because of the version it is, you may return it to me and I will return a credit to you.

2. If you do want the book, keep it. Read it. Enjoy it.

At that point, I gave up, marked the transaction as "problem not resolved."  I'd like to forward his responses to PBS so they can be alerted to him trying to get me to break the rules.  Does anyone know how to do that?

Ginnie, leave all of the PMs sitting in your PM inbox and use the "contact us" link on the bottom of this page to send a message to the PBS team.  You can copy/paste all of the PMs into your email.  If the PBS team needs verification of them, they can see them in your inbox too.

I'd defintely contact PBS about it, the member clearly does not get the problem.

It is a good idea to send these PM's to the Team.  It is important that these people get the message that it is against the rules to send ARC's through PBS, and if they do so anyway, they will lose the credit they receive from the book.

Ginnie, you also are not obligated to send the book back to the sender.  If he wants it back, then he needs to reimburse you in some way if you agree to do this.  Either he needs to send you the money for the postage, or give you a credit.  This is in addition to the returned credit.  But you don't have to return the book at all, it is up to you.

Thanks for the advice on how to contact the PBS team.  I knew that's what I needed to do; just wasn't sure how.

Ginnie

Are ARC books clearly marked as such?  To my knowledge, I have never seen an ARC book in my life.  Could some people be posting ARCs, not realizing that they are ARCs??

I have a few ARCs (won them in contests, they are signed by Nora Roberts/JD Robb).  One says ARC on it--not for resale.  The other says Uncorrected Proof for Limited Distribution--right on the front cover.  They are clearly marked, you can't miss it

This one said it was an Advance Reader Copy in the upper right corner of the front cover.  Couldn't miss it.

I thought others might be interested in the response I received from the PBS team:

Dear Ginnie,

(Other member's name) was not suggesting that you repeat his error by reposting the book for other members to request; he was suggesting the common thing members do when they want to correct a problem swap: the receiver posts the book back to the sender.  We understand your reluctance to post the book at all since it is not permitted.

The solution to this is for him to refund your credit for sending you a disallowed book, and the matter of returning the book is separate (if he wants it back he can send you a postage-paid envelope or give you an extra credit or PayPal money for postage).  This is made very clear in the Help doc "A requestor says there is a problem with a book I sent" which you should tell (the other member) to read.  The information is also in the Help doc "There is a problem with a book I received".  The Help Center is accessible from the top of any page on the site.

Have a great day!

The PaperBackSwap Team

from the other member:

I received a message yesterday from PBS asking to return your credit to you. That message included the following:


Please provide the information I will need to PayPal you the $1.90 that will be necessary to ship this book via USPS Media Mail back to me. My address is: (xxxxxx).

Upon receipt of the book, I will return your credit to you.

Thanks ...

AND

---------------

Am I being too much of a nitpicker to think my credit should be refunded and the money to mail the book sent to me BEFORE I mail the book??  And, sorry, I think I highjacked this thread......

I got an ARC the other day. I didn't even know what one looked like as I had never seen one. I guess I just imagined that it would be printed on the cover. I marked the book Received W/O Problem. A day or so later I started to read it and discovered the ARC notation on the flyleaf and on the back cover. I PM'd the sender but have not heard a word back from her. What should I do now? I know it is my fault for marking it RWOP, but I sure learned a lesson. I have no interest in reading an ARC. Now I am out a credit and can't repost either.

Pat, I'm not sure that you can change it once you've marked a book as received without a problem but your tour guide could probably give you a better answer.

One of my friends on this board just received an ARC and wondered what to do. She knew it was wrong. I showed her the help docs and this thread and she has sent a message off to the sender after marking it RWAP. Still waiting to hear from the sender. The book is clearly marked. Very frustrating.

susan/vt