I find myself reluctant to post hardcover or heavy paperback books because they cost more to ship, but only net me one credit.  Anyone else have thoughts on this issue?  Audio books are two credits, but they're cheaper to ship than lots of books.

If you also order these size books then it evens out in the end.  They will not allow you to ask for extra credits to mail heavier books and they will not change the system to allow for that.  Audiobooks get 2 credits because they generally cost more new and retain their value a little more used. Although with digital audiobooks becoming more and more popular I am not sure how true that is anymore.  But most popular hardcovers& trade size paperbacks can be found cheap in lots of places soon after release so that's why they are only 1 credit.

Actually, they refuse to say why audio books are 2 credits, so that's just speculation.  I've inquired numerous times to no avail.  Audio cassettes are still 2 credits, and those are super light, and almost no one wants them.  But I digress. 

Offering a deal for 2 or more credits helps you send out multiples and cover your shipping costs.  That's what I do.  Check out the Book Bazaar for ideas.

Edited for a typo I didn't catch.  :(

I tend to buy/order books in paperback (as long as such a version is available). For one, paperback books are lighter to carry around. And two, they help with your dilema of mailing a book that is hardcover. I usually only order/buy hardcover books if they are ones I wish to keep in my collection and not trade. On the rare ocausion I do need to mail a hardcover book, I figure it evens out for the number of hardcovers I've ordered. And, in the long run, for what it costs to mail a hardcover, it's much cheaper than buying one. So, I just don't figure its a big deal.

I am a pensioner and we don't have a lot of surplus money but still list several large books. One reason is that I enjoy PBS and the knowledge that someone would like a book I sent. It seems to me to be in the spirit of things.

Another reason is that several other members posted and sent to me several large books without hesitation. I have gotten some Atlases, Dictionaries and History books that cost over $5 each to send. And without a single complaint. It seems only fair that I "pass it on."

Most of the books I send are hardcovers as they are generally the cheaper option when I buy a used book on Amazon. The hardcover comes out first and the price drops as time goes by. The paperback version is generally priced more. Most of mine go by the 2 pound rate as they are slightly over one pound. Sometimes they are three and four pounds depending on the book. It is just a little more money to mail the heavier books using media mail.

Rebecca, your comment about the price of hardcover books often being less than paperbacks on Amazon is interesting. Thank you for posting that.

I, too, have received some very nice hardcover books with postage costs in the $4 to $5 range, so I don't mind sending out hardcovers at higher postage rates because, as mentioned above, the cost balances out for me and is still much less expensive than buying new hardcover books.

I have received some fabulous, large and heavy art books from PBS so, like others, I figure mailing the occasional heavier hardback is my contribution to making PBS the amazing source it is for its members. The extra cost for a 2 or 3 pound book to mail is nothing compared to the savings I have realized by being a member of PBS. Like Thomas, It seems only fair that I "pass it on."

Regarding Sally's comments,  :-)