I just received a bible with writing in it.  I'm disappointed.  From some other markings, I think the Sender got this at a Used Book Sale and probably did not notice the writing inside.  Do you think TPTB would consider a bible as a text book (writing allowed)  or can I mark it as RWAP?

And ... should I contact the Sender first, or just receive it and mark it RWAP?

THX for the advice!

If you were not informed of the writing before hand, you mark it RWP. In the updated Help Center docs on textbook/workbook exception they say that any book can be posted under that exception for writing/highlighting. BUT, that exception requires that the sender to PM the condition of the book to the requester and get an acceptance of the condition BEFORE sending it. If they send it without PMing first and getting your acceptance, they do not get to use that exception and you can mark it RWP and ask for your credit back.

You should mark it RWAP.  Whether it was a traditional textbook or not, they still need to PM you before sending, and you have to agree to accept. From the help docs:

If a member considers her book a textbook she may Post it with underlining/highlighting/writing on text pages, according to the "textbook exception" in the Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS; BUT since the textbook exception in the Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS require her to contact the requestor and obtain PM consent to the book's condition, she won't be in the position of sending a "stealth textbook" to someone who doesn't expect to receive one.

Examples/further explanation:

• Member A posts an Economics 101 textbook - something that most people would clearly consider a textbook.   

• Following the Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS textbook exception rules, she sends a Personal Message to the requestor when she gets a request, describing the book's condition.
• Chances are good that she will get PM consent from the requestor to send the book with highlighting/etc. 

• Member B posts a novel (fiction) that she used in a class - something that most people would NOT consider a textbook.
  • Following the Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS textbook exception rules, she sends a Personal Message to the requestor when she gets a request, describing the book's condition.
  • Chances are good that she will NOT get PM consent from the requestor to send the book with highlighting/etc.
  • If the requestor declines the book in its condition, Member B will have to cancel the request and repost her book.  It will go to the 'back of the line' for requests.  (If it is a Wish Listed book, it will be offered to the same wisher and the sender will again have to cancel.  She will have to wait for the wishing member to get a copy of this book from someone else before Member B can post her copy again.)

So, the farther the book is from a 'textbook' in common perception, the more likely it will be difficult to get consent to its condition.  Members in Member B's situation may encounter several declines, and will eventually realize that the book is not likely to be acceptable to the club in its condition.  Member B will stop trying to offer it as a "textbook"  and will consider it instead an unpostable/damaged book.

In this way, the club defines "textbook" on a case-by-case basis, and no one who is following the rules will be able to "surprise" another person with a highlighted/written-in/underlined book.

And is it just me, but does it seem really wrong sending out a Bible RWAP?

Yep, Caviglia, it is hard for me to do RWAP on a Bible!

And, thanks, all.  I read through everything and I've got it all figured out: what to do, why to do it.  So ... on to RWAP!  And then a PM to the Sender.