I wasn't aware this could happen but I guess it is possible.  I had placed an order for a book, went to check the other titles available from the member.  When I went to preview the order it was no longer available.  How can that happen?  I thought once I requested a book it was mine basically right away unless I did not for some reason or other complete the transaction.  I am more than a bit unhappy.

*Hugs* Denise, that's certainly frustrating.   Actually, I've wondered if that could happen b/c the 'Process My Order' button appears later in the request.  If I want to check the senders wishlist, I usually finish the original book request then go back to my main page an look from the link there.

Sounds like you didn't seal the deal, Denise. You may have selected the book but you didn't process the order yet so the book was still technically on that member's Shelf.

Think of it like you were ordering something from Amazon or any other mainstream website like that. When you find an item you like, you have to add it to your Shopping Cart. Just because the item is in your Shopping Cart doesn't mean it's yours yet because you haven't paid for it yet. If another member was faster at getting the payment in, that item would be gone.

Sorry it happened to you, Denise. I'd try the other Denise's suggestion about ordering the book you want before going and checking out the member's Shelf for other books of interest.

When it is a book I really want, and it is the only copy, I request it and process it immediately! Then go back and look at other books the member has. I have had what you described happen -- while I was looking around someone else came in and requested the book and processed it. Live and learn!

I wondered about this recently, too and thanks to your post, I now know it can happen.  Sorry you lost out on the book you wanted.

I didn't know that could happen either. I figured while it was still pending on your account that it would be unavailable to others until you hit cancel or closed the page w/o confirming the order. But I quess it would make sense that it wouldn't hold the book for you.  Then people could start the order and go away for hours or even days just leaving the page open and not hitting confirm. Thus keeping the book from being requested by anyone else. 

I've noticed that, too...  When I order a book I always click on the member's profile and look at their bookshelf from that link. (The reason I do this is that I like to search a shelf that is sorted by author, and you can't do that from "Order more from member" page.)  I've noticed the book that I ordered is still right there in their shelf.  (Note that if I see a book I want to order, I do go back to my account and click "Order more from member".) 

Guess I've been lucky -- have never had a book taken out from under me.  Probably because I usually place book orders early in the morning when fewer people are online.

Have asked PBS to add sorting to the "Order more from member" page. Hopefully someday they will.

This has happened to me when requesting a book on the "books posted today" page.  I guess enough members look at recently posted books to make them a hot commodity, and if it's the only copy, you've got to be fast to get it.  I learned to quickly complete my order before looking at the poster's bookshelf.

I have had that happen to me before.  I learned the hard way also.  I guess the best thing to do is to go ahead & process the order before looking at the member's other books.  You can still add more books after you order one.

It could be that the sender found she didn't have the book afterall.