I've never done RWAP before, though a couple of times maybe I should have. Today a book arrived that was in a seriously torn package with no protective plastic inside, the book edges crinkled from some sort of impact and enough water soaked in to make it unpostable. Also, the PO stamped it front and back with: "Received in damaged condition" . Not sure what that means...?

So I don't know whose fault the damage is, but at least part is the PO, part is the sender. It looks like I have to RWAP. I hate to penalize the sender, but this is what I have to do, right? There's damage, and PBS can decide who to blame, which I guess is what they'll do. I'm keeping the wrapper aside in case. Is there anything else I should do? I haven't marked it anything at all, as yet.

Plastic is not required for book wrapping. Unfortunately. Neither is waterproof packaging.

You have a clear case of Damage by USPS. Unfortunately. The sender does not owe you a credit.

"Received in damaged condition" is a stamp that ANY post office along the mailing route may have stamped on the package. So, in otherwords, if the book gets mishandled between stop 3 and stop 4 somewhere in the postal route ... PO office #4 may stamp the book with that stamp.  (It is NOT necessarily related to the original package condition from the sender).

Mark it RWAP - Damaged by USPS

When the PO is at fault for damaging a book or loses it altogether ... PBS splits the "damage".
1. Completely lost books ... the sender is out the book and the receiver gets the credit back.
2. Damaged but delivered books ... the sender keeps the credit, the receiver pays the creidt but at least they can still read the book, even though it may not be postable when they are done.

It's actually pretty fair when you think about it.

Ok. I'll wait a bit longer before I mark it. I wouldn't mind not penalizing the sender. I appreciate the clarification on the stamp- that helps me see things more clearly.

I agree.....there is nothing you described that would indicate that the sender did anything wrong. When PO says "received damaged", it means the final delivery PO got it that way.  They would never send a package that was given to them from the mailer in that condition.

Ok. I'll wait a bit longer before I mark it

Why wait to mark it?  It was clearly damaged by the PO unfortunately.

What Sara said

"...They would never send a package that was given to them from the mailer in that condition."  I'm going to disagree a bit with that comment Jeanne.  Not my PO, but when visiting other PO;s I've seen some odd/poorly wrapped packages accepted at the counter (including string which has been specifically banned for years).  PBS members have reported mailing items without packaging (coconuts), and receiving books with the mailing label cut out and rubber banded/taped directlly to the cover.  Or receiving books in an ordinary zip-lock sandwich bag with the address label, and other strange/unsecure wrappers.

That is why I am waiting...I want to hear other opinions, see other replies. At least now, reading the replies, I feel much better about knowing what to do. You have been nice and clear. Thanks!

Yes, unfortunately it is the USPS fault and you won't be able to repost the book. I hope you can at least read it or you are out of a credit and book. I received a book a couple of weeks ago that was cut right through the wrapper and book from some USPS machine. I marked it as Damaged by USPS. At least I can read the book but won't be able to repost it.

Yeah, I would have felt really bad if it had arrived unreadable. I can still look forward to reading it, once it's dry, that is.

It is my opinion that "Received in damaged condition" does not imply that the sender did anything wrong.  That's just an indication that the last  post office to receive the package got it in damaged condition.  I would infer that some post office along the way damaged it in the way you described.