I know that users are monitored when a book they send out is marked RWAP, and that too many of those can get an account suspended. However, I'm wondering whether there are any repercussions when the receiver is marking many books RWAP.

I've been on the site about a month and a half now, and have completed a pretty good number of transactions. Everything went along well for the first while, but then I started receiving a whole spate of books with issues. I've received the advice here that I shouldn't just "let it go" because we all need to make sure everyone's obeying the rules and "weed out" people who are consistently disregarding them, but I'm starting to wonder ... with six or eight RWAPs marked by me already, am I going to be setting off any triggers on my own account?

I don't know, but thanks for asking. :) I'm interested in this myself.

I've never heard of that happening. If you're worried, you could take a few notes on what was wrong with the books. You could even take pictures of the damage. That way, if you're ever asked about it, you can explain exactly why they were marked RWAP.

I don't know the answer to that, but personally I think that there should be some sort of flag on accounts that do mark an inordinate number of transactions as RWAP, because it is something that has the potential to be abused. Maybe the PBS team should at least review those transactions and 'what was wrong'  with all these problematic transactions. Maybe they can contact the person to discuss with them, to see if the person has their expectations set too high or something.

And I have no idea what "an inordinate number" would be, either. I suppose it would be best expressed as the percentage of problems in relation to the total number of swaps. If you've had 25 swaps and 10 of them had problems, I'd say there is something wrong somewhere. If you've had 250 swaps and 10 problems, not so much.

I've been here almost 4 years and have received nearly 1300 books and I don't think I've had more than half a dozen RWAPs out of all those, so it is very difficult for me to relate to folks who report having one problem swap after another. Not saying it doesn't happen, just saying my mind boggles when I think of it!

Cheryl

I don't think they would suspend your account for it, but you might get an email from PBS asking you to send pictures or descriptions to justify some of the RWAPs. I have no idea what they would consider enough RWAPs to trigger a "red flag."

I worry about this very same thing.  I have received some absolutely gorgeous books through PBS...books that are in pristine condition.  Most of the books that I receive are in very good to good condition.  Obviously used but in good condition.  At the beginning of this year I had a spate of water damaged books.  I believe I got six over the course of four weeks.  I was pulling my hair out with frustration but...water damage is water damage.  Since then, I have only had one problem and that one has gone unresolved because the sender claimed the book was "brand new and never even read".  Whatever. **eye roll**

It would be interested to know what TPTB do with the people who mark books RWAP.

I would RWAP away and not worry about it.  Just try and insure you're following guidelines and not being too picky.  A good way of doing that is to post the specific RWAP conditions here.  RWAP questions always get other members posting opinions here.

After all, we're supposed to be doing our PBS civic duty by marking RWAPs.

When in doubt, double-check the guidelines. Usually if a book is what I'd consider to be in a "gray area", I'll not mark RWAP. (I have other ways to get rid of borderline books, and I often receive postable books from friends who pass along their castoffs, so I don't worry too much about credits.)

I do try not to be too picky! I've received so many books in fantastic condition that I've ended up scrutinizing books that are quite postable, just a little more loved! I guess I'm spoiled! :)

All of my RWAPs have been due to water/liquid damage.  I have received one or two well-used books that ended their lives with me and I've had a couple arrive damaged by the USPS.  I expect that sort of thing to happen and I'm willing to eat the credit.  The clear and obvious water/liquid damage is inexcusable and I will always report it and request a return of my credit.  I have a stack of five unpostable books sitting here in evidence.  (Free with order! LOL!) ;)

Absolutely--the "fear of retribution" should never stop you from marking a truly problem swap as such!! Reporting those folks who send bad books is a must-do so we can weed those buttheads out. LOL

I think I would be take pictures of any book I did mark as RWAP just for documentation purposes, and especially if you get a bunch of them in a row or a short time. That way if PBS does question you, you can show that you've just had a run of bad luck or something.

Cheryl

Just about all of my RWAPs have been water damage. I've been noting how large and how many pages were affected in PMs to the senders and in the PBS records; in almost all cases, the senders were apologetic and the issues were marked resolved. One had some torn pages. But really, it's been quite a lot of water-damaged books, and they all came in pristine packaging, so none of them were USPS-damaged. I have been clear on the notes.

This doesn't include the half-dozen or so books I've gotten that were just so worn that I will have to be their last reader. I didn't mark them RWAP, they're just worn out. Someone has to be the last one to receive them, and I just seem to be having a little run of bad book luck.

I shouldn't complain, though. I've been very happy to find PBS and so many great books!

You need to document all the RWAP's with details of what exactly was wrong.  The first and best place to do this is on the book survey when you mark a book received.  Always be sure to do that.  Otherwise, if you have the ability (I don't) to take and upload pictures of the book, then do so.  I wouldn't worry about it if you do those things.

Ruth

I had a streak of RWAPs a few months ago - it seemed like almost every day I was getting another unpostable book. Some were highlighted, some were ARCs, some had water damage... I don't know why I started getting them all at once. I was kind of worried about my account getting flagged for marking so many books RWAP, but it never turned into a problem. (Also, I haven't received an unpostable book for months now.)

Great question! This is interesting to me because in the short time I've been a member, I've had quite a streak of RWAPs and it is the most frustrating thing ever! They've all been stains, writing and underlining issues--oh, and one ARC. I feel like I've had an unfortunately high number of RWAPs and I'd hate to be under suspicion because of it.

A few weeks back I had a string of RWAP and books go lost. I PMed TPTB because I was concerned about my account. Below is the reply I got back.

Thanks for writing in!  You needn't be concerned that we would suspect you of suddenly becoming dishonest.  Your record speaks for itself.  We are very sorry to hear that you have had a run of bad luck lately, and we are glad you are marking the books as received with a problem - that will be sure to flag the senders if they have a habit of this.  NOT marking incoming books with a problem allows bad senders to "fly under the radar" which is not good for the club.

So keep up the good work, and we hope your "spree" has come to an end.  Your account status is fine.

Have a great day!

The PaperBackSwap Team