I am finding myself baffled by this one. Yesterday, I received two books from one sender. They were wrapped and mailed separately on the same day.  Each book cost her $2.57 totalling up to $5.14. I thought that was strange, but then again perhaps she couldn't come up with an alternate way to mail them at the time.

Now to the problem which pertains to both books. Once I took the PBS wrapper off, I found that she used one sheet of paper to wrap around the back of the book and "scotch-taped" it to the front of the book. I tried my best to lift the tape off with the paper, but it didn't work. Now there are 4 rather long strips of tape on the cover of each book. I can't get the tape off. Ugh!  Why would someone do this especially to the front cover? Also, one book has a 2 inch or larger "coffee?' stain on the bottom of the book proceeding up onto the text pages.

The help docs only mention not using scotch tape in the wrapping section and the possiblity of losing a credit. But, it is not mentioned in the RWAP section. I certainly do think that both books should be RWAPed as they are not repostable and that I should get my two credits back. Oh, and she's been a member since at least 2007 (she has books on her shelf from that year)  and is not a newbie.

I am right about these two books being unpostable and should be RWAPed, right? I really do hate RWAPing a book, let alone two books from the same sender. But, as you all have mentioned , members need to be RWAPed when they sent out unpostables and need to stop doing these things.

RWAP is correct. You recieved 2 unpostable books that were damaged when she wrapped them.

I would say that this guideline could cover it: 

Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed

• some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 square inch, this is OKAY
• a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY

If you were to pull the tape off, the cover would be significantly damaged and would violate those guidelines.  So, I'd say RWAP on both.

But is scotch tape (or other clear tape) on a cover a problem if there isn't actually a rip or tear under it? I mean, yes--if the cover was cut in half or had a huge tear and was obviously repaired, then it would be not postable. But if it's just tape over an intact cover, what is RWAP about that?

Yes, the one with the coffee stain would be definitely RWAP, but not sure about the other one, if it was not actually damaged in your effort to remove the tape.

Cheryl

I also am thinking that tape on the cover doesn't constitute a RWAP---it's similar to a sticker on there IMO.  I think a PM to the sender about proper wrapping would be helpful.

I looked and saw only this in the Help Doc's:

Use plenty of tape (2" shipping tape, not Scotch)

• especially at the corners and seams.
• You can get shipping tape at any store that sells stationery or shipping supplies.
• Do not apply tape directly to the book! This can damage the book when the package is opened.
  • If you apply tape directly to the book and it is then damaged when the package is opened, you will not receive a credit.

So this would lead me to think that only if the cover is damagedby pulling the tape off do you RWAP.  If you don't pull the tape off, it is probably okay.  It'sa "gray" area...she shouldn't have done it, but as long as it wasn't damaged (because you didn't pull the tape off)  it isn't RWAP and can be reposted.

One thing you might want to try to get the tape off (this is only a suggestion to try) is to use a craft's embossing heat gun to heat the tape and it's adhesive which makes it come loose easier.  We had to use this to get the Zillion tape pieces my DD used all over her walls to put up posters.  It worked well.  But those were old tape.  You don't want to use a heavy-duty heat gun because it might melt the actual tape.

Ruth

• Damaged by Sender

  • This means the book arrived in poor condition, not attributable to USPS damage en route
  • This includes books packaged using tape applied to the book if the book is damaged and rendered unrepostable by opening the package.
• from

  A requestor says there is a problem with a book I sent!

  So "if the book is damaged and rendered unrepostable by opening the package", which is italicized in the help doc, would be the key.  If you can remove the tape without making a large rip, you may be ok.  try placing the book in a plastic bag in the freezer before taking the tape off.  and thanks for asking her not to tape the wrapper to the cover any more!  maybe she was ill, and a friend wrapped it for her, or something.

Thanks to all who responded. I decided to RWAP the book with the coffee or cola on it. I won't RWAP the book with the tape on it. There are 4 strips of tape residue on it. It looks like it has been there for a while but the cover was not torn as a result of the tape. I just hope that when I repost the book that I don't get RWAPed because someone else doesn't like the tape being on the cover. It isn't the same as having a sticker on it from Target for example. That would be understandable. But, this was done by the sender being careless in the way she wrapped her book. I will have to remind her that we are not suppose to tape paper onto books as stated in PBS guidelines.

Thanks, Anna, I will make sure that I make a note of it and pm the requestor when I repost the book. I do think I would feel better doing that.

I heard that tape on a cover is just a "clear sticker".  I don't think I'd heat it, b/c that might make it really sticky and even ickier.  Perhaps wrap it in plastic and place it in the freezer to see if that will make it brittle enough to crack, then carefully peel it off.  But if it were me, I'd just leave it alone to avoid any more troubles on the cover.       :)    D.