I received a book today that someone had in a manilla envelope a HC book. They did not use any tape and the book was hanging out of the package. It did make it here OK and was a good book. I wrote a PM thanked them and suggested they use some packing tape as not to lose a book in the mail in the future. Was that wrong?

Thank you :)

Nope, I've done the same thing.  Most times people just don't realize that their packing method is bad and appreciate it when you tell them.

I don't think so.  I would certainly want to know if my packing was inadequate.  You're quite lucky it made it okay.

Whew thanks. I explained to her that I had no issues with the book and was not busting her chops. Being kind of newish myself I just hated to see her lose a book due to lack of tape. Thanks again :)

You did exactly what I would want someone to do if I sent a book that way.    Heaven forbid!

No, it wasnt rude.

Nope its not rude. Ive sent friendly pm's letting people know they may want to package their books differently several times in my two years and 4 months here.

I would have appreciated it if was worded kindly.  She might not be lucky the next time-the next book might arrived damaged because of faulty packaging. I received books one time wrapped in an old outdated map.  I though it was a great idea and told the sender so. But the package did start to tear on the side so I suggested she tape the edges and corners. She appreciated my comment since it might prevent dmg to future mailings.

No, it wasn't rude.  I tell people if their packages come to me falling apart....how else will they know?  I am really nice about it though.  One lady got really upset with me and told me she might as well leave the site....apparently someone else had complained to her about something different.  I told her really quickly that I wasn't suggesting anything of the sort, just that I was trying to help her out so that her books in the future didn't get separated from their packaging or damaged and people didn't send her nasty pm's, because sometimes they do.  I even told her that a lot of people just use plastic that is laying around the house to wrap their books in and don't buy anything special.  Once she saw that I really wasn't criticizing her, she calmed down and was really nice.  I would be sad if my books weren't making it to their destinations because of something I was doing wrong, and nobody on the other end told me.

I made this mistake when I first started.  Someone sent me a kind email and I have been a responsible packager ever since!  It is the right thing to do:)

I once received a book that had only been in print a short while, so I was pretty sure that the sender was probably the only reader. It'd been shipped in flimsy packaging such as the original poster here experienced, arriving in rather beat up condition for such a new book. I PM'ed the sender that the book was OK for me this time, but unless she started using sturdier shipping, she was likely to have transaction problems in future. She replied thanking me for letting her know.

That wasn't rude at all.  I had a book come where the sender was a very new member. She had taped  the wrapping to the cover of the book itself.  My book was perfectly fine--absolutely not damaged.  I wrote her a nice note and told her that I was NOT complaining about my book, that it was just perfect but to not do that in the future because it could potentially damage a cover.  She sent me a sweet note back.  I was very careful to not be critical, just helpful, I hope.

I would ABSOLUTELY want to know also, so no, I don't think it was rude at all, but instead, very helpful as long as not written in a critical manner, which it sounds like you didn't do.  I'd've appreciated your input, if it was me that sent you the book.

Living in California where weather is standard most of the time, I never considered other places I mail books might have rain/snow/water conditions that could damage book, till I read about people here wrapping books in plastic before sending.  I'm from New England, so that made sense to me, and now I always wrap in plastic first, and have gotten thanks from people in wet areas that book arrived undamaged due to my care.  I never would've known if people hadn't posted about it/informed me.

So you're doing everyone a favor when you send out suggestions like you did.  Don't feel bad about it or think it was wrong or rude!!!

No, you weren't rude at all.  I would want to know if  I had wrapped a book carelessly.  I received a hardback book in an un padded evelope-with the whole end wide open.  I suggested to the person it would be helpful if they used moore packing tape. The book  was fine.

Nope I would have done the same thing.

No this wasn't rude. You did exactly the right thing. I think most people appreciate helpful advice if their packaging is inadaquite. As long as its done in a nice way  I don't  anyone should  object to some helpful advice.

Thank you all again. She PMed me back and was super nice about it so my guess is I did write a decent PM....You know in PM and on the net nobody can see your face or hear your voice so they do not always have a clue as to your true intent..I am so glad this went well..Thank you all again :)

Nope, I think you did the right thing! I have sent friendly pms myself. Sometimes people just dont realize....