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Topic: Scotch tape damage
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I received a book in the USPS bag because the wrapping had disintegrated and separated from the book. I marked RWAP damaged by USPS. That was a mistake as the damage was caused by thin wrapper and a few pieces of Scotch tape holding it closed.
The tape was also attached to the front cover and when the wrapping separated from the book part of the cover ripped away. Here's a picture: http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t656/cocoakelly/DSC01161_zpsc8600501.jpg
Anyway, having asked for my credit back since the book is now unpostable, here are the sender's comments: "The book was sent in good condition and in good faith. I mail all my books the same way and have never had this happen before. I also wrap gifts this same way and have never had one rip. I believe the ripping was caused by USPS's poor handling. I am not going to refund the book credit. I honestly believe this is not my fault and that the book is still in good condition. I think it stinks that the USPS botched this delivery, but it looks like from these photos that the book is still in one piece and looks quite readable."
So now what? Did I err in marking the book damaged by USPS and out a credit? The book was obviously damaged by the sender's wrapping method. Is this worth bothering PBS about? Or today's life lesson not to rush when marking a book received? :)
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I think we all eventually learn that lesson-- to look carefully at a book before recording it in the system , whether before marking it "received in good condition" (as I have done at twilight without turning lights on only to discover later that there is highlighting or writing in the book that the sender didn't let me know about) or marking one "damaged by USPS" when it could well have been the sender's fault. And just FYI, the USPS rules state scotch tape is not to be used to close any package or envelope (that's why there's such a thing as packing tape, right?) and that is reiterated in the PBS packaging instructions too. |
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PBS tries to not get involved between members. The only time they are willing is when one side clearly mentions their own bad behavior in their PM. If this member clearly states that they use Scotch tape on all their packages, then you are good and can contact them. Do you even have the option to mark it as unresolved in the Transaction Archive for USPS damage? Or is that not even offered? |
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Well, judging by what I can see in the picture: 1. Yes the book was damaged but 2. it still looks postable to me. So, a credit refund is not warranted when books are still postable, even if they were damaged. Is this worth bothering PBS about? No, because PBS does not become involved in problem swaps, unless the sender 1. admits that they did something wrong and still refuses to refund the credit, or 2. doesn't respond to the probem at all. |
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Thanks for the advice. I think I'll just let it go. And yes, you can keep the status unresolved for USPS damage.
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Last Edited on: 11/24/13 7:59 PM ET - Total times edited: 1 |
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I'm going to be the dissenting voice and say you should contact PBS, as the sender has admited to doing two things that PBS states clearly you should not do, and damaged the book in the process. In this document in the Help Center, it states: http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=475 "Use plenty of tape (2" shipping tape, not Scotch)
She Scotch taped to the book, and admitted it, she caused the damage, period. She needs to learn to stop doing it. You can contact the in-house PBS staff by using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of any PBS page, then the Feedback button. |
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Honestly, I agree with Sara (as I so often seem to!). The book looks postable to me, so I don't see that there's any reason to bother with it further. |
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Last Edited on: 7/25/13 7:36 PM ET - Total times edited: 2 |
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