First, this is already a happily ended transaction.

I had posted a book.  When it was requested and I dug it out of the box it was in (see my bookshelf). I noticed that it had 2 loose pages I hadn't seen when I posted the book.  I marked it as unsendable with the reason.

That requester had also requested two other books, and this was the only copy in the PBS system, so I PM'd the sender saying I would send it along as a free unpostable with the other two books.  Books received, Whalla everyone was happy.

I have posted 600+ books (and may have found another box that will also be posted?) that is why I instituted the check it once when posting and once before marking it as sendable once requested policy for myself (aka I already know I am human and will make mistakes).  This worked extremely well this time, but what are everyone's thoughts about what I should watch for if it happens again.

The main thing I have thought of is if it is a book with many copies in the system, the requester probably will not want to wait to see if the book arrives before allowing the system to move to the next book on FIFO.  Is it worth the postage for someone to receive two copies (one repostable and one keeper).  If I decline requests do the requesters receive any of the information I post or not?

Im kind of confused. I think what you initially did worked fine. I would have been happy to receive an unpostable freebie.

It's your last paragraph that confuses me.

the requester probably will not want to wait to see if the book arrives before allowing the system to move to the next book on FIFO.  Is it worth the postage for someone to receive two copies (one repostable and one keeper).  If I decline requests do the requesters receive any of the information I post or not?

The requestor gives up a credit for each book. If they want a postable book (and they already know they are getting a freebie), then they would just go ahead and order it again-if not, they can cancel the order from the next person. And they do get your comments in the form of a club communication.

Sorry my post was confusing,

I guess part of my thinking is from the fact that I have spent time on a waiting list or gotten the only copy in the system for all the books I have requested so far.

My thinking is that if someone said they would send me a book for free I probably wouldn't cancel my request (I would lose my place in line).  But for the books that have 20+ in the system this isn't much of a problem is it.

As for the postage, that is postage I am spending (nothing is free someone somewhere pays for it).  I am perfectly willing to spend the postage to make sure the book gets to someone who will want it, but why should I spend $2+ to send it to someone if they are simply going to trash it or burn it.  Fortunately you have answered this question.  If they receive the information I place when I decline to send the book, then I can include a note to PM me if they want me to go ahead and send the book to them.  It's good to know this.  If I have a problem so far with the site it is the lack of ability to negotiate between the two parties at all points of the transaction (aka to make sure everyone is happy).

Is there anything else that I'm not considering.

As for the postage, that is postage I am spending (nothing is free someone somewhere pays for it).  I am perfectly willing to spend the postage to make sure the book gets to someone who will want it, but why should I spend $2+ to send it to someone if they are simply going to trash it or burn it.

As you've found, just PM and ask first. Some may want the unpostable freebie, others may not. Just don't ship it if you don't get a response. I've sent out a few freebies myself, when finding out on second inspection that something was wrong that I didn't spot before. And a few have declined, wanting a better copy for their collections.

If I have a problem so far with the site it is the lack of ability to negotiate between the two parties at all points of the transaction (aka to make sure everyone is happy).

What kind of problems are you having? There's a lot of negotiation going on in the Book Bazaar, and there's usually plenty of time/ways to PM a requestor and ask questions.

I think most people are okay with people asking questions about deals and such, as long as the requestor isn't trying to by-pass the site rules or anything.

What kind of problems are you having? There's a lot of negotiation going on in the Book Bazaar, and there's usually plenty of time/ways to PM a requestor and ask questions.

So far all have been resolved ok so far, and actually I am quite happy with the site (when reading the original comment imagine me shrugging and saying this while smiling while speaking in a cordial tone), it's mostly my intuition telling me where I will have a problem in the future.

I have noticed that once a requester has actually requested a book, all congress between the parties cease until the system has finished it's stuff (you can't even find out who is requesting the book).  The main thing that this means is anyone with an RC is much more likely to get declined than those without (part of the reason why I am currently not planning on an RC).  To me it's mostly interesting because such a thing is a very US (or American) thing to do (like paying the listed retail price whenever you go somewhere).  It takes all of the good parts of negotiation out of the picture (and from what I have seen in the forums, doesn't prevent the hurt feelings that can be the bad part of negotiation). I guess I should also note that simply posting your wish for a book, or posting a book are both a form of negotiation (you are saying I want this or I have this as extra), although it takes out the other aspects of negotiation (the why, such as I want this book because I love this author, or I am getting rid of this because I received another copy for Christmas) that in the non-digital world at least allow a transaction too be performed smoothly.

I do love the bazaar and will most certainly begin a post there myself in the future.  (currently in the data-gathering stage)

My thoughts? I guess I must be 'very American' in this regard then...I like to keep things simple. One book for one credit, and I want a book I can read and repost and when I'm done with it. I don't want to negotiate. I don't want to do deals. If I did, I would be going to the Book Bazaar and initiating deals or responding to those that are posted. I don't want unpostables, even if they're free.

So when I request a book, (or you post a book that I'm first in line on the wishlist queue for) I'm expecting to get THAT book, in PBS postable condition. And that's all. And I'm totally happy with that.

Cheryl

There is no need for negotiation on PBS.  What do you want to negotiate?  If you post a book and someone orders it you get their credit.  There is no real need to discuss it further unless there is a problem.   The only time there might be negotiation is if someone is offering or asking for a deal on books. 

If I were going to offer the freebie that they ordered because it turned out to be unpostable-I would have PM'd them first and then asked them to cancel. When you cancelled it would have reordered the book for them. If yours was the only copy then the book is probably on their WL now.  (they may not even know it's on their WL). 

I personally would not want to have to go back and forth in PMs about every book transaction. 

I don't want to negotiate. I don't want to do deals.

Most of the time, I don't either. I'm not a fan of haggling, but I will do a deal now and again though, when in the mood.

Thing is, when in the mood I know where to go to do deals, so enjoy the FIFO as the way to a simple trade.

I personally would not want to have to go back and forth in PMs about every book transaction.

It just takes too much time sometimes, since not everyone is sitting in front of a computer waiting for a reply, or to reply. Sometimes it can drag out for days. Which is why I like having the Bazaar seperate. When I go there, I've got the time and am in the mood.

If I decline requests do the requesters receive any of the information I post or not?

The information you send when you click "I cannot mail this book" is sent to the requestor, but not in the form of a PM.  If you want the requestor to have the option of contacting you, you need to include either your PBS nickname in your message (so he can look you up in the Membership Directory) or a link to your profile (or one of your pages with a PM button on it.)

We have the option of contacting anyone we've had an active transaction with, but the transaction doesn't begin until both parties have agreed to it.

If you accept first, and then cancel, the requestor can find you by looking for the canceled transaction in his transactions archive.

if you marked that you will send the book a little pm button shows up on the "order".  If you find a problem you can pm the person first and say something like "I rechecked the book and noticed that the book has this issue, do you still want it?  If I don't hear from you before 7pm I will cancel the transaction."

I would not wait long to cancel (maybe one day), so he can be put back on the wishlist or roll to the next person if they are not interested in what you are offering to do.  If you cancel before asking the question, it may have already rolled over to the next sender.

What I like about this site is, the books sent must be in a certain condition, I do not have to read through a PM of issues the book has. I can just click "order" and the deal is done.. I do not want or need PMs going back and forth.  If you book meets PBS conditions, I want it, if not don't post it.
Its also why I do not belong to any other book swapping sites, what I call used or like new is not what others call it.

If your books have issues that make them not postable then put them on the book bazaar.