I just got an RC that is pretty vague.  This is what it says:

"I can accept books from a smoking home with pets if book is hard to obtain.  Other than that, if it fits PBS's guidelines (in "good" condition), I'll be satisifed." 

I have pets (cockatiels, no cats or dogs and no feathers on the books) and have no idea if this is a hard to obtain book.  It's an Agatha Christie Leatherbound volume that I have a double of.  It isn't super common but harder to find on PBS.  It is in very good condition.  I hate PMing about books! 

That's a tough one, but it does sound like your book would fit the "hard-to-find" criteria.

If I were in your shoes and I had the only copy posted in the system, I would probably accept with the latest mailing date and PM saying something like:

I have (pet list), but I believe this leather-bound book meets your "hard to obtain" criteria and I am planning to mail on XXXX date. If you do not wish for me to send this book, please cancel this transaction by (date and time).

I would then probably say something about how nice the quality of the book is, if it is in "better than PBS" condition.

If there were other copies in the system, I would just pass.

I wouldn't PM about it and would just decline the request.  It isn't up to you to decide whether a book is "difficult to obtain."  Too subjective and open for RWAP for my taste.

I went ahead and cancelled the request.  I don't know what criteria to use in "hard to obtain" and we have cockatiels in the house.

I don't blame you on that one. I often try to be more flexible if I have the only copy of a book (or a particularly unusual one), but that one is kind of strange.

I'm in the 'decline' camp. I do that for any RC that isn't clear or is asking me to make a subjective judgment (i.e., "no books that smell like smoke") and I don't send PMs or ask for clarification. If the person wants something different from the PBS posting guidelines, IMO it is up to them to make it clear to me exactly what they want.

In this particular RC, who defines "hard to obtain?" That is so subjective as to be silly.

Cheryl

It is the responsibilty of the RC writer to be very clear, yes or no.  I'd turn down that one.  Too vague.  If the book is not wish listed, then they can ask for the book again with the RC off.

I would turn that one down without a second thought.

Send them a PM and say it was on the top shelf  on the top floor of the room all the way in the back and therefore very hard to get. LOL

I would respond that the RC is too subjective.  If that member receives enough replies with "subjective" in it, he/she might clarify the RC so that other members could make sense of it.