I know that this is a subject that goes on and on with everyone having an opinion either way. I have been a member for about 4 years and have sent out close to 200 books with only one complaint. My issue now is that in the last  two days I have received 6 requests for various books with very strong RC's.One person even requested that the book be wrapped in bubble wrap to protect it.(I have purchased plastic/bubble wrap envelopes which I use for all my books but I don't expect anyone else to do this.) I agree that it is their right, but I also feel that this is a book swap. Personally I feel that if I want to read a book badly enough (and don't want to buy it or go to the library) then I am willing to accept a book in just about any condition. If I want a "like new" or "smoke-free" I will purchase at a bookstore. Mine is a smoke-free and pet-free home (I have severe COPD) but I am not sure where the books have come from.  I know it is no big deal, but it seems odd to me that all of a sudden there are more and more "conditions"on books. Maybe this goes in cycles or maybe the Swap has just drawn more people.

I am not looking to open a discussion on this matter, but rather just making some observations.

Thanks to all of you who have made this such a fun place to find good reads...

Consider the discussion opened.  For what it's worth, I almost never get RCs - I have no idea if it's the sort of books I post, or if it's just the luck of the draw.  If you don't like them (for whatever reason), turn them down and move on. 

Personally I feel that if I want to read a book badly enough (and don't want to buy it or go to the library) then I am willing to accept a book in just about any condition.

It doesn't matter what you want in a book or what you're willing to accept. They're not spending your credits.

If they want to ask for a certain type of book, in a certain condition, it's entirely acceptable and allowed by the site. If they have to wait through several books to get what they want, so what? It's their choice.

Could be that there's been a rash of really crappy books sent out lately, and people are tired of getting garbage. RWAP is a hassle and some people get more than their share. I've come close a few times because I've gotten too many bad books in a row. Or they have a special book they want for their collection.

But basically, it's really not anyone's business why they have an RC.They have one, it's allowed, and the receiver can accept or deny as they will, in seconds.

It's not worth fussing over.

I am not looking to open a discussion on this matter, but rather just making some observations.

Any time you post on a forum you're opening a discussion. It's what forums do.

Personally I feel that if I want to read a book badly enough (and don't want to buy it or go to the library) then I am willing to accept a book in just about any condition.

The assumption that the books people are requesting here fit this is where many go wrong with RCs. The site serves many people with many different purposes. You only see that RC on one book and to assume it is their general swapping criteria may be an incorrect assumption. It may be, but it also may be the one and only book they get more strict on because its a gift for their spouse, kid, mother, brother, library, dying cousin Ed. Some have already read the book and are building their personal library. Some have Mt TBRs on the hundreds or thousands and have plenty of time to wait for the person who can fill their request. Just like the selection of books here, the membership and their reasons for being here are vast and varied.

According to my Transaction Archive, out of the last 50 books I sent, 18 of them had requestor conditions. There were some multiple book orders in there though, so it was really more like 45 orders, 13 of which had conditions, so my overall rate is about 29%. As I was clicking back through the request details, I did notice there were long stretches where there were no conditions, then all of a sudden 6 orders in a row had them. So, it does seem to go in streaks for me. I have not had any conditions in the past month though.

I wish there was an opt out of RCs.  I had very few for a long time, but over the past couple of months... they have really picked up.  I've gotten to the point, I just don't read them.. I just decline and wait for the next person.

that is your right Brenda and I agree with you to a point.  I at least read them and as long as they aren't requesting something too off the wall I will usually send if applicable.  I tend to pass on the "like new" because that is very subjective.  if it says non-smoking home then I send because I can safely say my home is non-smoking and I know that I have that RC on my orders.

I get orders with RCs (I don't know if I would call it frequently), let's say, steadily.

It doesn't bother me, I either send it or don't, according to whether or not my book meets the condition.

I have mailed out about 800 books, and I have never had any issue with someone complaining about a book with an RC. Never.

This is already being discussed a few posts down.

Decline and move on if you don 't want to deal with the RC. 

An observation . . . I think that when PBS started it was truly to swap books to read. To keep them moving through the system, just keep rotating from reader to reader, etc. I think now more and more people are collecting books for their own collections or for gifts and are therefore more picky about Like New conditions.  

Remember a requestor IS purchasing this book from you so, if they want to put additional conditions it is their right, just as you the seller of said book have the right to decline.

An observation . . . I think that when PBS started it was truly to swap books to read.

From what I remember, the whole point was to swap a book you didn't want anymore for one you did. So they wouldn't get thrown away or go to landfills if there was someone out there that wanted it.

There wasn't anything about having to keep the books moving, or that you shouldn't have a big TBR file, or a collection. In fact, they've always been clear, IMHO, that the book is your to do what you want with it, you're under no obligation to repost, and they put in the RC ability so people could ask for what they wanted.

I think the site is working just as they intended for it to work, RC's included.

"An observation . . . I think that when PBS started it was truly to swap books to read. To keep them moving through the system, just keep rotating from reader to reader, etc. I think now more and more people are collecting books for their own collections or for gifts and are therefore more picky about Like New conditions.  "

Another observation: media mail postage has gone up substantially since PBS started.  Perhaps people are less willing to spend that much money to "rent" a book.

I've noticed I've gotten more book requests with RC lately.  They don't bother me, if I can send I do, and if I can't I don't and explain why.  For a long time I didn't get any requests with RCs.  Think they go in cycles.  Pat

We seem to be hearing of more RC's recently, dunno it it's a cycle or a trend.

I'm good to read about 3 sentences of RC.  If they haven't made their point or caught my attention by then, I usually decline and move on.  If they come across grouchy or demanding I might loose patience even sooner.

My book requests tend to hover between 20 and 40 per month ... I have not noticed more with RCs or more "like-new" RCs. My best guess is about 1 in 4 or 1 in 5 will have an RC. That's pretty much what I have always had, I think.

Out of 800 books mailed, I think I have seen a "like-new" RC maybe twice.

For me I need the smoke free condition on my account because this winter my asthma has got pretty bad and opening a package from a smoking house sets off an attack.

If I want a "like new" or "smoke-free" I will purchase at a bookstore.

Just to play Devils Advocate here for a second...

When I first joined PBS I was a freshman in college.  I went to a private univeristy in a tiny college town in Idaho, where there wasn't any bookstore or library except those owned by the university.  For obvious reasons, both were lacking in non-educational books.  PBS was so great for me because it was a way for me to get books via mail that I couldn't get at the library or bookstore, and I couldn't purchase through sites like Amazon because of my poor college student budget.  I could afford postage and that was about it.  :)

I have an RC on my account (hardcovers with dust jackets and no ex-library books) so I don't mind them.  For as much as they are discussed, I'm surprised I don't get more RCs.  In almost 200 books sent I think I've had maybe 5?  And I've only declined once: a no smoking RC that was for a book from the thrift store.  RCs don't bother me at all. 

Edited to fix typos.

PBS members are usually very understanding of the 'anti-smoke' RCs Monique, for the same reason you have one.  It's a health concern the requester has very little control over.  Unfortunately, some other RC's can come across as frivilous or overly picky (depending on a senders mood and/or past experiences).

I think perhaps we are seeing more RCs because more people are becoming aware of the ability to use them on their accounts.  I have seen more lately, but they seem to be more about smoking/pets or dust jackets which aren't hard for me to decide on.  I sent one recently that asked for no moldy smells because of severe allergies which was worded very nicely and since my book was almost new, it was easy to decide to send it.  I just don't like the ones that are grouchy sounding, but others have explained why some of them sound that way.

oh yeah, I understand. I was just explaining to the OP why I need a smoke free RC.  I have had 2 very picky RC's, I turned one down and the other thankfully my book met their conditions so I sent it. I do think sometimes it is over the top, I will not accept "PM me " RC's, but it is their "money" and their right to do as they wish with them.

when I read that other members just cancel any and all RC's that come into their account without reading them.

I want to protest that mine is harmless - it's just about dust jackets, it wouldn't hurt a fly - and is short, sweet and to the point. If you want to deny it because you don't have the dust jacket, that's one thing. But, denying it because I have the audacity to have an RC is another.

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I have actually had 6 book requests in the last few day and all of them had requestor conditions.  I am definitely seeing alot more of them lately.

I agree with Cyn. I don't understand why people reject all RCs out of hand.

I have a "non-smoking home" RC. It's not a health thing. I'm not allergic. I just hate the smell of cigarette smoke. I've checked out books from the library that I couldn't read because the reeked. I'm not saying smokers are nasty or anything. I grew up in a smoking home. I just really hate the smell and, if it's strong, can't stand to read the book.

I don't care where the book was before you had it. If it doesn't have a very noticeable smoke smell, send it on. If you have a "smoking home", you're probably a very nice person with a cleaner home than mine (no doubt). It's not personal. It's not a judgment. I would really like to have your book, if possible. :)