I know that books with staining are considered unpostable, but does that include that back cover?  I just received a book yesterday that has what looks like some kind of grease staining all around the edge of the back cover...almost 1/2 inch into the cover in some places.  I just wanted to double check before I responded to receiving the book.  It is definitely something that happened before the book was mailed, because the book was completely mummied in tape, and there were no marks on the paper around the book.

Thanks!!

From the help docs:

Overall Condition:

• No damage at all from water or other liquid
• Not soiled
• No stains (exception for cookbooks--see below)
• No mold
• no highlighting, underlining or writing on text pages (exception for Textbooks/Workbooks and travel guidebooks --see below)

Yes, staining is not allowed, even on the covers.

Discoloration from age is allowed, however, so if it might be something like that, its OK.

Keep your fingers crossed for me.. I marked this book RWAP because it is very obviously a stain of some kind and not yellowing or anything.  Keep your fingers crossed for me - I hate confrontation of any kind, so I hope this goes well.

---X X X---  Good luck!

So, the good news is that I got a response already.  The bad news is that there was no mention of refunding my credit, the person just asked that I send the book back if I don't want it.  I responded that I would be happy to, as long as 2 credits were applied to my account instead of my original credit being returned (to cover postage).  Keep crossing those fingers!!  :)

Off the wall question, but it wasn't "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World" by any chance was it?

I know that when that one was posted into FIFO and I was #1 on the WL (I've since gotten a copy), one person turned down my RCs based on the 'no staining' part because they thought I was 'being too picky. I received the book with a big stain on the back cover under the dust jacket, and it hasn't bothered me or affected readability at all.' I SO hope that person gets slapped with a RWAP so they can learn that what they may find acceptable personally is still not necessarily postable.

THIS is why I have to repeat the basic postability guidelines in my RCs. You'd be amazed at how many get turned down because the books have a 'harmless stain' or 'just a little water damage' or something like that. Totally irritating, not the least of which because it makes repeating the guidelines in my RC necessary, which I'm not very happy about.

You got an unpostable, and are entitled to your credit back. I hope you get it.

@Tiffany - no, it wasn't that book.

The issue has been resolved.  I am glad that it went so well, because I was really concerned about what was going to happen!