I'm wondering if something is going on. I joined on March 13th. My wife and I enjoy it very much. I check the page about 5 times a day. ( I'm retired.) At first we were disappointed by one thing : that there wasn't more action--more books ordered. Even so, from March to June we sent out 37 books--that averaged 3 books per week. Now, since June 18th, almost 4 weeks, we have not gotten a single request. I know things go up and down but not a single request during a time frame when we had previously averaged 12 seems strange. I have a fairky large bookshelf--almost 200 --with many popular titles and a few unusual ones.We are just wondering what's going on. And I don't know if it's connected or not but one certain book on my wish list, which I watched drop from #269 position down to 70th position, for the last two weeks not only stopped going down but went up from 70 to 73 !!! Any comments?

Since its summer, I think there are just a lot of people gone on vacations or out doing things and not online as much as some of us.  When someone puts their account on hold it keeps their WL position so that when they un-hold their account they go back in the same place in line so that is probably why you would move higher on the WL instead of down.

Sometimes I don't get any orders for weeks, then get several in one day the next time.  I notice that if I post new books then I often get orders for that and other books on my shelf since new books posted show on the home page.  Also, anytime I run a deal in the book bazaar I usually get at least one order from it.

Moving backwards a few spots in the WL lines is very common. That can happen when someone that was in line before you takes their shelf off of vacation hold; has a book en route to them go lost or arrive RWaP; or an offer expires or gets cancelled. With summer here, lots of people are on and off vacation hold quite a bit.

As for orders on your shelf. A lot of people say they have long dry streaks like that. Glancing at your shelf, you seem have a lot of best sellers that will have a lot of copies in the system. Be patient and the orders will start coming again once you've worked your way up in the FIFO lines. If you really need credits, the offering a deal in the Book Bazaar might get some traffic directed at your shelf. 

Thomas,

I went through a dry spell too.  Then I looked at my TBR pile and noted which books were WL'd.  I read and posted a couple and the next thing you know I had some orders again.

Like you I have popular books on my shelf so it's slow going. 

Hope things improve soon!

During the year there are times that we can expect there will be slow times and not so slow depending on what's on our shelves.  Any time around a big holiday and summer you will notice a dip in requests and also  a spate of dosey-doeying (so to speak) in the ranks on the WL all because people are actively going on and off vacation hold or just not ordering.  Whenever PBS gets a huge publicity boost we can see a sudden influx of new books and requests...but mostly new books that go to our WL's.  If you want a little more action on the books that are very popular on the market and numerous copies in the system, you might consider joining the Boxers where you can trade book for book from another Boxer.  This will at least get some books off your shelf and new ones to read. 

I sympathize with the feeling of "what's going on?" when nothing is happening with your account.  It's always frustrating and sad...but these things as mentioned by others are cyclic and you'll sit for a while then suddenly get lot of orders or WL offers.  A lot of people take these opportunities (down times) to explore new genres and authors.

Don't worry - your account will get active again - right when you have other things to do!!  LOL!!;D

Ruth

ETA (spelling errors) I take this time to look for books that are on others' WL's either to read myself or to buy cheaply and put into the system to sort of prime the pump.  Books reach the end of their lives and can't be traded any more so getting new ones to put into the system is always productive.  Ask your family and friends if they have any old books they don't want any more.  That's always a good boost.

I got a ton of requests when I first joined and then a steady amount for about a year.  Now, unless I post a wishlist book, I never get orders!  I can go months at a time without one. 

ETA:  Not two hours after I posted this, I got a request for a book that has been sitting on my shelf since I first joined!  What a coincidence...

It happens.  Those "popular" books tend to also be heavily posted because everyone goes out and buys them and then posts them here.  So that mega selling James Patterson or John Grisham is likely have a few hundres (sometimes over 1,000) copies posted and it takes time to work your way up FIFO.

If you are tired of them hanging around the house or need credits you could condsider running a deal on them.  A lot of people won't order those heavily posted books for a full credit.  THey wait until they can get them in a deal.  But they do get ordered.  I've had pretty good luck wiht getting heavily posted books ordered right from me.  1 reason is because I hang out on the boards a lot and people order right from instead of FIFO because they know I won't let the book time out.  Another reason is that I post a lot of WL books and people frequently add a heavily posted book by using the Order More From Member button.

Thomas:

Definitely doing a "special" in the Book Bazaar is a great way to get books moving... I've had success with that... you could do a 2 for 1 or 3 for 1... or just a post saying "Hi... come look at my shelf!"  (Although in that forum, you'll get a better response to a specific deal...)

I notice several "specials" displayed in other member's Forum signatures too, and if you hang out on the boards al lot, these will get you noticed... I shamefully admit to looking at & ordering from several shelves because of this!  (And with my TBR pile as big as it is... I definitely shouldn't!!)

You could also try posting in the "stickies" advertising bookshelves at the top of the specialty forum pages if you have several books that may fit into a category that would be of interest to those that frequent that forum.

(Just a few ideas I've learned from "surfing around" on this site... hope that helps!)

I don't know if it's just a coincidence or luck or that this article induced some one to look at my bookshelf but within an hour of posting my queary I had TWO people order a book. Hmmm, interesting. Thanks.

Posting what you are reading in the genre forums can also get folks to view your shelf.  Knowing that someone is on line often and the books will not time out can be very reassuring. 

I find that posting some new items to your shelf often seems to "get it moving."

Took a quick look at your bookshelf, and as you say, a lot of what I saw there is the "popular" books by authors like James Patterson, John Grisham, Jonathan Kellerman, Dean Koontz, David Baldacci, Tom Clancy, etc...and those books probably have hundreds of copies in the system, so if you just joined in March, it will take a long time for them to get the "front" of the FIFO line. It's very common to have a bunch of orders when first joining when the wishlisted and more uncommon books get snapped up--and then you're left with the stuff that yes, is popular--but because it's so popular, there's lots available. As others said, you can try offering deals if you're of a mind to, otherwise, you just have to be patient!

That said, I did find a book on your shelf (the "Horse Feathers" one)  that sounded interesting--I'm a word freak so books about words are among my favorites. :)

Cheryl

Thomas - on the popular books (and actually any book I post) I post to my REMINDER list to see how many copies are already in the system.  If there are too many (and this would be your determination if you do this), I just don't post them.  Some I keep to do deals on (sometimes someone will be looking for deals on Clancey, Patterson, etc., and I'll post that I have the books, but not on my BL, but they are postable) and have been able to do some deals that way.  However, if there are too many, I just donate them to the library and find other books that I think will move more quickly through the system to post.  I too am retired, and don't have years to wait for a book to work it's way to the top of the FIFO.  Good luck.  Pat

Becoming a box of book member is a great way to get rid of some those heavily posted books as well. 

As far as deals go: I had better luck putting a 2 for 1 note in my signature and posting a lot then I did when I ran a 3 for 1 deal in the book bazaar.  Hanging out in the forums can help in getting book orders.  Many people will order from other forum regulars before they order from FIFO especially those heavily posted books.  Because they know the request will be accepted and mailed out and they won't have to possibly wait for 2 or 3 dead accounts at the head of the line to time out.  A lot of people join PBS and lose interest when all their heavily posted books don't get ordered. THen they work their way up the line and either ignore the emails or maybe no longer have that email and the request times out after 5 days.  So ordering from a fellow poster is almost a guarantee that it won't time out. 

Thomas--

I also noticed that some of your books don't have plot descriptions or other details that would make them more appealing to readers.  Updating that information can help.  If you need help editing info and/or adding images for the books on your shelf, feel free to contact me or any member of the data or image teams (we have little icons under our names).

If you are open to deals, try putting that information in the banner over your bookshelf. (Go to My Account > My Bookshelf > Edit My Public Header).  Other useful information to put there might be if you have a non-smoking or pet-free household, etc, to encourage members with allergies to order.

You might also read in the Help Center under "How to get your books requested!" -- they have some good tips there too.

Cheers,

Catt

Boy, Thomas, I can sure identify with you!  When I joined there were quick requests.  It is always a thrill  even now, or any time, to get a request.  If you have sent out 37 books since March, you are doing great, by my standards.   But I have more dry spells than sending spells!  So with a big TBR pile, I decided to just read, and post, and be patient.  Hope that pays off like they say it should!     :)     D. 

Wow, Thomas! I just took a look at your bookshelf, and I must say, that's the biggest one I've seen yet!  :)

I must concur with those who said that very popular books like those by Grisham, Patterson, Koontz, and the Kellermans tend to "flood" PBS' FIFO (First In, First Out) system. That's not a bad thing, by the way, it just means you're in a longer queue to get rid of those particular books, but they WILL be requested from you eventually.  Like you, when I first joined, I got many requests.  After the initial flurry, the rate of requests slowed down considerably. Hang in there, it really does pick up after a while. You just have to let PBS do its thing and in the meantime, enjoy the books you receive.  :)

Tom, not a coincidence in my case anyway.  I saw your post here and went to take a peek.  One of the books on your shelf looked interesting, so placed an order.  If the book is as good as it looks,  then your post will have introduced me to a new author and a whole new series.  :-)

Here's another suggestion for getting rid of some popular books in a productive way -- go to the website "operationpaperback.org" and you can become a volunteer donator to send books to our servicemen and women overseas. They don't accept romance or textbooks, but most general fiction that are mystery or thrillers, etc. I actually got this idea from another member when I first joined. I did sign up through that website to become a volunteer shipper -- it did take about 2 weeks to get a response, but once you are registered through there, they will provide you with names and addresses of where to send. Unfortunately, most of my books I initially wanted to get rid of were romance, but now I am scouring yard sales and UBS's to pick up cheap, but good condition paperbacks to send to our military. I'm such a book junkie -- if I have to shop for someone else, I will! I just thought it was a good cause.

All of my books are from a non-smoking home and are in generally VERY GOOD condition. Check it out!  :)

Marilyn

Marilyn  thanks - I definately have items on my shelf that would qualify.   I can understand textbooks - but romance?  Aren't there women in the armed forces :)   I think would read romance if it wasn't for the covers.  I am checking out the site - thank you

if this was the link http://www.treatsfortroops.com/index.php - then it is no longer in operation.  This is sad.

jubead- Here is the link for Operation Paperback http://operationpaperback.org/. I have sent them numerous boxes of books also. Very good cause IMHO.

I do the operationpaperback.org.  They love mysteries, westerns, thrillers, horror, sci-fi and fantasy. 

You can add non-book items to your box if you want but then you can no longer send it media mail rate.

thanks for the info - I am going through my bookshelf now!

edited:  thanks - I just signed up and waiting for my information package to arrive.  This is great