I realize that some members simply automatically decline any book request when the requester has conditions.  I don't like that but I accept it as a fact of membership here.  I do have a few conditions though, and I want to make them as clear and concise as possible, to eliminate any confusion.

I'm not looking to start a discussion about why I have these conditions, I just want to know if you have any trouble understanding them, or have suggestions for a better way to word them.

Thanks in advance!

Here they are:

I will not accept any book with any form of highlighting or underlining on any page, this especially includes textbooks and "how-to" books.

(Invariably the things another person highlights as "important" are not the same things I find important, and yellow highlighter gives me headaches.)

I also will not accept any individual book with a registration number or stamp in it from bookcrossing.com

(Tracking books this way seems like a rude invasion of privacy to me.  I don't care if the book title is listed with them, but if the copy you have in your hands has one of their stamps or numbers in it then I don't want it.)

I will accept books from members who smoke or who have pets.  However, if you smoke any "illegal substances" please decline this request.  This is not a judgment of what you do in the privacy of your home.  That's your business and I couldn't care less.  My books often have to pass through security checkpoints and it's just downright awkward when one of the drug dogs catches the scent.

If you have any kind of problem with books being taken out of the PBS system then decline this request.  My books are seldom reposted to the system, and are often boxed and sent to troops overseas.

I think those RCs are very clear.

Yes Liesl, I have had that happen, more than once.  My g/f works in a rather sensitive position with the government, and often takes books with her to read on the train to/from work.  When things like this happen it can affect her security clearance.

Also, I'm a general contractor.  I've done work for the state and federal government in secure facilities where everything going in or out is screened and checked.  I can lose half a days work if a dog decides something in my truck is suspicious, not to mention future contracts.

ETA: I should clarify that the times this has happend it was always with a book we got from another source, not from PBS, but we've learned to be cautious.

I don't generally like requestor conditions, but I would have no problem with yours.   They are well worded and very clear.

It seems you might have too much detail for your first two RC's. You might want to consider writing them more simply just so people aren't thrown by extra words. If you make them read too much, some potential senders will just decline rather than bother.

NO underlining or highlighting on any pages, including, and especially, in textbooks and how-to books.

NO books with marks or registration numbers from Bookcrossing.com

Your 3rd one could be modified a bit:

I will accept books from members who smoke or who have pets.  However, if you smoke any "illegal substances" please decline this request.  This is not a judgment of what you do in the privacy of your home, but  my books often have to pass through security checkpoints and it's just downright awkward when one of the drug dogs catches the scent.

(I eliminated the comment about it not being your business and you couldn't care less...)

Your RC's are clear, but I think they are really long.  Some people may decline them because they are afraid they are missing something.  If I were you, I would take out some of the explanations. It's really no one's business why you have the conditions.  I also think there is no need to address people who "have a problem with books being out of the system."  It shouldn't make a difference in their trade. I would also add a smiley face after the drug dog bit, but that's just me.  HOpe this helps!

Here is what I would change them to:

I will not accept any book with any form of highlighting or underlining on any page, this especially includes textbooks and "how-to" books.

I also will not accept any individual book with a registration number or stamp in it from bookcrossing.com

If you smoke or use any "illegal substances" please decline this request.  This is not a judgment of what you do in the privacy of your home.  However, my books often have to pass through security checkpoints and it's just downright awkward when one of the drug dogs catches the scent. :)

Kate, thank you for your response.  I'll consider your suggestions carefully.  In fact, I thought much along the same lines you did when I recently edited my RC's, and that's one of the reasons I started this thread.

One of the other reasons why I started this is because, before I put my reasons below the conditions, I had a member decline a request who stated that my conditions were "...strange and impossible to comply with."  Actually, I think they said "bizzare" instead of "strange".  So, I thought if I offered a brief line giving my reasons then they wouldn't seem so strange.

I highlight the negatives (and also the positives) because I have a mixture of positive and negative conditions, and I wanted it clear as to which were which.  Sometimes, if you read quickly, the transition between can get lost.

Also, I wasn't joking about the dogs.  I've actually had it happen a couple of times.

The part about books being taken out of the PBS system was added today because of conversations taking place in a another thread in these forums.  To make a long story short, a member said in her conditions that her books often go to her church library.  The sender had a problem with the fact that books were being taken out of the PBS system and not reposted.  It seemed silly to me, but the thread got longer and longer and, from the responses, it seems to be split about 60/40 between members who could care less and those who have a problem with that idea.

Personally, I like the short and sweet version.   I don't think you have to explain WHY you don't want them.  JMO

Bernhard, I only care that the books I put into PBS are taken out of my personal system!  ;D  I think some people mix it up that members aren't to stock their used book stores or sell elsewhere with the books from PBS.  As long as new books keep coming into PBS I'm fine with whatever happens.

Ruth

Just a quick thank you to everyone responding so far.  I may not take all your suggestions, but I do appreciate you taking the time to read this thread and post them.

I agree with the suggestions made and second the removal of the "if you have a problem..." statement as it doesn't pertain to which books you find acceptable.

Here's my current revised version:

I will not accept any book with any form of highlighting or underlining on any page, this especially includes textbooks and "how-to" books.

I also will not accept any individual book with a registration number or stamp in it from bookcrossing.com

I will accept books from members who smoke or who have pets.  However, if you smoke any "illegal substances" please decline this request.  This is not a judgment of what you do in the privacy of your home.  My books often have to pass through security checkpoints and it's just downright awkward when one of the drug dogs catches the scent.

If you have any kind of problem with books being taken out of the PBS system then decline this request.  My books are seldom reposted to the system, and are often boxed and sent to troops overseas.

I would accept them.  They seem pretty clear and I'm one of those people who will decline any RCS that are vague, subjective, rude or ask for a PM. 

My husband is in the military with a high security clearance, security checkpoints to deal with and regular drug testing so I can appreciate the bit about funny cigarettes.

I've had the dog thing happen to, so I totally believe you.

Once an MP asked me to put a rag in my glove box before I went through the gate.  Of course, I complied.  The dog found it, the MP removed it and the dog was rewarded...as was I the next time I went through the gate.  My car was pulled over, the dog found the glove box only there was nothing in there but the residue of whatever was on that rag.

After starting a thread about RCs, I changed mine to say "Please decline this request if your book..."  That way, it's less likely to be construed as negative.

Just my two cents.  Feel free to keep the change ;o)

I think your conditions are clear and reasonable and would have no problems shipping to you.  I did like, Bookworm's edits.  I also read the thread you referenced about "taking boks out of the system" and couldn't really understand what her issue was.

I declined a request today (I felt kind of awful as it was a wish list item, and I'm really new here) because the list of requirements were long and vague.  I really think clarity is key.

They read fine once you removed the paragraph about taking books out of the system - that to me was not an Requester Condition, you were asking for nothing specific to the book you are ordering, only making a statement.

I would have to decline your RCs on pretty much all of the books I post because I get them used. It sounds pretty drastic with the part about getting books past a security checkpoint so I would never risk sending a book I didn't know the history of and having you stopped. Since almost nothing I post is new with me - I buy most from UBSs, library sales, and get through PBS - I would decline so I wouldn't risk what sounds like pretty major consequences in your RC. If a used book that isn't currently being subjected to illegal substances is acceptable, you may want to soften that RC a little.

I think for me it really would depend on how much I needed a credit. I don't mind RCs that are short, clear and concise, and if my books meet the requirements I've no problem sending them. But if I'm crabby and getting the request after a long day at work, I'm not likely to have the patience to read through half a page of commentary and would likely decline before getting through all that. I don't need to know why you want things the way you do, only what you want.

I would say,

1) No books with underlining, writing or markings

2) No Bookcrossing books

3) No books from homes where illegal drugs are smoked or used. Cigarette smoking is fine.

Cheryl

I like Cheryl's revisions.  Short and sweet.  I hate reading wordy RCs.  I don't care why you have a requestor condition at all or what you're going to do with the book.

I think the short and sweet versions are the best. I would leave off the part about taking the books out of the system.  It really isn't anyone's business unless you are systematically getting books from PBS to sell.  I would also define bookcrossing because that seems to confuse people. 

I might leave in the part about the drug dogs just because it's kind of funny (at least if you aren't a pot smoker) and it is out of the ordinary, although perfectly reasonable once you explain it.