I received a book today that is rather old.  I expected the frayed edges and general old look of the book, but there were stains on the inside covers. These stains soaked through a few of the pages. Should I report this as received with problem or not? I know it's probably 40 years old, but I thought stained books were not to be listed.

Yes, no stains is one of the rules.  I have very old books with a few stains like you mentioned.  I just don't post them.  They can always go to the library sale.

It's up to you whether you ask for a credit back.  Personally, I wouldn't since it is an old book, but that's a matter of personal preference.

If you're sure it's not yellowing from age then mark it as RWP.  You don't have to ask for your credit back and you may not get it if you do.  But it needs to be reported incase this person habitually sends out unpostable book.  A 40yr old book should be expected to have some wear and yellowing. But liquid stains are not postable regardless of the age of the book.

Amy, when it comes to old books, that's really a tough one. For me personally, I lighten up on the specifics and just start with the "good condition, not excessively worn" and go from there. Could the stains be from aging or flawed paper, or does it look more like a spill? Is it across the entire pages or just a bit? How hard did you have to inspect the book to find the stains? Are the pages stuck together? Is there warping?

Ultimately, it's up to you as to whether you report it. Personally, I'm more lenient on older books, because I know that it's hard to find them in decent shape. But as the rules do say... No Stains. I suppose that I would ask myself if it's reasonable for a book of this age to have come through unscathed, KWIM?

A "middle of the road" option might be to mark RWAP but not ask for a return credit (if you were planning on keeping it, or you're OK with the book yourself and not feeling comfortable reposting). If that's the way you want to go, you can explain that you felt it should be RWAP because of the stains, but you don't want the credit and go with that. But it does sound like you don't feel comfortable with reposting, so consider your plans for this book when you decide.

Sorry about the wishy-washy answer. But utlimately it's your call.

You are correct Amy, stained books are not to be listed.

The book has dark brown spots, about the size of a dime in several spots inside the front cover. On the inside of the back cover there is a long brown stain that goes from top to botton and some of the map inside the cover has been ripped as if the pages had stuck together at some point. I hate to ask for the credit back because they spent $13 shipping the book.  I really appreciate everyone's advice :)

THIRTEEN DOLLARS?!?!  Sheesh!  Was it hand delivered by a Secret Service agent? LOL!

I just returned from the PO where I mailed a box containing two good sized hardback books and it cost me $3.15 for Media Mail...pretty good deal! 

They shipped it first class.  I really appreciate that they did that. I did report it as having a problem. The member said he had repaired the book with Elmer's Glue and didnt know about the stains (they're on the insides of the book cover). He said he was sorry if I was disappointed and he pointed out that he had shipped it first class to get it to me quickly. I told him that I appreciated that and for that reason I wasn't asking for my credit back, but what should I do now? Is it ok to list books you've repaired?  And how could he miss the stains? 

The book should not have been posted.  There's no way to repair stains. It's also not your fault that he spent so much on shipping. I mailed a 4lb book to another PBS member today.  It only cost $3.15 for media mail.  I checked what the cost would be to mail cross country before I posted the book.  If it had cost $5 to mail, it would have gone to Half-price books. 

It's up to you as to whether or not you ask for a credit back.  You should not repost the book unless you want the same complaint made against you. 

I never repost damaged books.  I am always very careful about what I post. I'm going to leave it as unresolved. I think PBS should be aware that this member is posting books that aren't suitable for posting.  I also think he meant that  he repaired the binding with glue.  This is the 3rd book I've received with a problem (I actually received one book that had a small worm in it!!!), but I've received many, many more that were in wonderful condition. 

First Class mail only goes up to 13 ounces and after that it's considered Priority. I would still like to know how it came to $13?

I thought the big no-no was stains on the text pages.

Inside covers, and the title page and table of contents wouldn't bother me...

Even though most of us wouldn't care about small stains on the cover, the books are still not postable here.

Overall Condition:

• No damage at all from water or other liquid
• Not soiled
• No stains (exception for cookbooks--see below)
• No mold
• no highlighting, underlining or writing on text pages (exception for textbooks --see below)

sounds like water damage.

I don't know - some of my older books have what looks like a stain inside the cover.  They've never been water damaged, they have been cared for, it appears to be just part of the aging process.  But I've never seen it on the pages, just the inside cover.  I wouldn't post a book like that, just to be safe, but I don't know what causes it.