I know debates about requestor conditions can get heated but I have an honest question about one I just received.  I've never received one like this before and I'm not sure how to tell if my book fits into that category.

It says "I'm not willing to accept abridged or condensed books".

What is an abridged or condensed book?  I've heard of abridged audiobooks but this isn't an audiobook.  Is there such a thing as abridged or condensed books and how do I know if this one?   Does it say on there somewhere?

Thanks

some of the reader's digest books are condensed versions of longer books.  It would say somewhere on it, Abridged or condensed. 

Some books are shortened for length, just like audio books are. Reader's Digest Condensed Books would fall in this category. They remove "unnecessary" material to shorten the length of the book. Most abridged books are clearly labeled as being such, and are more often (but not always) found in collections of books (like 3-in-1 books). I'd check the title page and the back side (where the publisher's information is). If there is no indication there, you should be fine.

Thanks for the quick responses.  I checked it over and don't see anything about it being abridged or condensed so I should be safe sending it.

Thanks again

Classics are abridged too, to make them more accessible for children especially.  And I've seen where George MacDonald books have been "updated for the modern reader".

Publishers can be very tricky about hiding the fact that the book has been abridged, updated, edited, etc.  There's even some discount paperback publisher (I think it's Landoll)  that claims it's books are unabridged but upon comparison with a reputable publisher's unabridged edition it appears to be a lie.  

As a rule I am very suspicious of "classics" that don't come outright on the cover and say complete and unabridged.   Then I start reading every word on the covers, fly leaves, even reviews and copyright page looking for some clue.  Generally it'll be hiding in the wording that the publisher has tampered with the original in some way.

It can be frustrating trying to get unabridged books on PBS because the database won't necessarily give you the information.  I tried to make this a requestor condition one time too after getting an abridged copy of a children's classic but then I got refused on a picture book that I really wanted and then couldn't re-order.  So I turned that off and tried just PM'ing when I was requesting a classic and got a very rude response to research it myself.  I guess some books will just have to be purchased new.

As to what to do in your case. I don't know.  If it looks fine to you and you send it and you missed the obscure mention (and they can be obscure) then they'll ask for their credit back.  That's yucky.  If you refuse it and it's a picture book it'll be yucky for them.  It's bad all around, imo.

Rebecca W.