After reading some postings about RC's I'm curious as to whether my conditions are susceptible to refusal or if I'm simply too picky. That said, I've only had a few refusals (book club editions) so I don't think I'm overly picky.  I've attempted to make them clear and concise to avoid confusion. What would you do if you got these conditions from someone:

No book club editions. (There is no price on the inside flap of a book club edition).

For hardback books: the dust jacket MUST be included and in good shape.

For paperbacks: preferrably 'gently used' or better.

Hardback/paperback: No ex-library editions, no broken spines, no major rips or tears or writing inside, no sun damage (fading, yellowing) no musty/smoky odors, no tape, etc.

If you are unsure whether or not your book meets these conditions, please ACCEPT this request and then send me a Personal Message about the book. It can always be cancelled on my end afterwards.

Thanks in advance.

In my opinion I would not accept. I do not accept requests that are too wordy or picky. It just seems like an easy way for the requestor to burn the sender and have the sender be out a credit & mailing cost. After all this is a used book site.

try  putting something about contacting you about condition somewhere in the beginning

also try to shorten some of your wishes

i know all of the books i post are listable but if one has a condition issue- yellowing, small tear, ect- i accept the request and immediately pm the person to let them know of the condition issue and await response before sending the book out- then i have a record that they will in fact accept te condition of the book and i should be protected

hope this helps

molly

Would not accept for these two lines:

For hardback books: the dust jacket MUST be included and in good shape.

For paperbacks: preferrably 'gently used' or better.

I would say that almost every book I own is in that condition by MY standards.  But, MY standards could be different than anyone else's standards.  So I would turn down the request.  And I am not going to PM someone to see if MY standards meet their standards. 

Sorry, but I follow PBS guidelines.  So I'm not going to stress about whether my book is going to meet subjective guidelines.  It's just too risky.  And I'm really not going to PM to see if we agree on condition (especially since you have no way of seeing the book before I send it anyway).

I'd deny it - I deny most with RC unless it's smoke or mold related as I have those myself and know my books meet those.

It does seem a bit wordy.  I would take out the stuff that's already covered by PBS (major rips, writing inside, broken spines, which, if I understand correctly is cleaving, if they're still using that word).  Also, and perhaps this has changed- I try to skim the rules from time to time to note any changes, but I don't think you can ask a person to PM you, tho including your screen name is a good "hint".

You actually have very reasonable conditions, but it's a bit wordy and I've noticed that folks' eyes kinda start to glaze over and they just decline.  If I may........

Please, none of the following: ex-library, book club editions, yellowing or fading, tape, musky or smokey smelling, inscriptons or signatures. 

For hardbacks only, I want the dust jacket, and in good condition. 

Any questions, my screen name is JReed and I check my PM's daily.  Thank you.

I would probably decline.  My books are PBS postable and I don't auto-decline RCS. But your's just screams "picky" to me.  I've had books that aren't even that old that have started yellowing-I don't keep them in the sun either.  The red flag for me is the "gently used or better" condition.  While most of my books are in very good condition, I would be worried that some minor flaw would cause an RWP.  I don't post borderline books, to me it's just not worth the risk of complaint. I joined another swap site to post books that are unpostable here or borderline.  I'm not going to PM-either my book meets your conditons or not.  The dust jacket RC wouldn't bother me.  If my book has a dust jacket, I accept-if not then I decline. 

And am I the only one that thinks all books have a slightly off smell?

I would not accept. I would probably not PM. I have found it difficult for me to successfully desribe what particular thing about the book condition MIGHT not meet your expectations. Trying to word such PMs has taken enough of my time and I have stopped doing it. I figure I'll just do you the favor of saying my book probably doesn't meet your conditions and let you get one person closer to finding one that does. There is too much judgement call involved and I am not going to trust that your definitions are the same as mine.

I rarely decline RC unless they specifically say currently smoking home or no cats/pets.  However, I too probably would decline your RC.

No book club editions. (There is no price on the inside flap of a book club edition). To me at least, this sounds like you're looking for books good enough for re-sale or trade in value at a USB.  While this isn't forbidden (or at least I don't recall seeing it as being) it doesn't sound like being in the best interest of the site, and I think I am not alone in being turned off from trading under this condition. 

For paperbacks: preferrably 'gently used' or better.  ( I would say 80% or better of my books are ones I bought brand new, read once and post.)  However some paperbacks don't hold up as well as others, and your definition of gently used and mine might differ enough that you would mark it RWP, and with the cost of most new paperbacks being almost twice the cost of a credit, I'm not willing to chance you're wanting it back due to not meeting your RC.

Hardback/paperback: ......... no sun damage (fading, yellowing) no musty/smoky odors, no tape, etc.  This is rarely an issue with me, but I do have some used books from thrift stores or garage sales that I do buy just to post and I do make a large effort to ensure they meet or exceed PBS standards, fading, or yellowing is a norm for older books especially here in Florida.

As I said I try not to be one of thsoe who dismiss RC requests out of hand, but even as easy going as I am about them I would be reluctant to accept yours, sorry.

I would decline, for all the reasons stated above.

I must admit my RC has grown since I began swapping simply because PBS guidelines weren't being followed or ignored altogether. Some of the earlier books I've received were in dubious condition at best. Realizing this is a used book site doesn't mean I'm willing to accept books with loose pages, yellow, brittle pages, stickers covering a third of the cover or spine seperation. All of which have been sent to me at the beginning.

The books I send are in very good condition. Some are new and most hardbacks have a mylar cover much like libraries use.

We're fortunate enough to have a dedicated room in our house to hold, what we call, our library. So, wanting books in 'presentable' condition is not unreasonable in my opinion. And, like I said in my first post, I've only been denied 3 or 4 times because of book club editions.

I'm looking forward to more suggestions as to how to 'tweak' the conditions tho. Thanks to those who've had suggestions as I will use some of them to be sure.

I'd probably accept, but I'm a lot more easygoing about RCs than most people here, I think. Two parts confuse me: I'm not sure what "gently used" means, and I'm not sure what "sun damage" is. Some books have naturally darker pages than others; what is the way to distinguish these from yellowed pages?

Decline.

I would accept your request, but the books I send out are in postable condition.

I would revise your RC to this.

I am not willing to accept book club editions (there is no price on the inside flap of a book club edition) or ex-library editions.

For hardback books: the dust jacket MUST be included.

If you are unsure whether or not your book meets these conditions, please ACCEPT this request and then send me a Personal Message about the book. It can always be cancelled on my end afterwards.

As far as the wording "gently used" and "good shape" I would say that if people are posting books according to PBS guidelines, the vast majority of books are gently used and in good shape and putting that in your RC is unneccesary, even if you have been burned in the past.

A couple of idea/suggestions:

I'm unclear about the hardbacks... when you say "good condition" are you talking about the book or the dust cover or both??  I just gave away a book locally because I feared it wouldn't pass one of the pickier PBS members (and frankly, it was rather heavy for mailing)--the book was in absolutely pristine "like new" condition, but the dust jacket had a huge tear in it.  So, would such a book have met your conditions, since the BOOK was in "good shape," or not, since the dj was torn????   You might want to clarify directly exactly how picky you are about such things.

Also, I find it amusing that you say you don't want ex-library books, yet you cover all your books in the mylar library-type covers.  I've posted (and received) library books that are pretty beat up (but still PBS acceptable), but I've also posted (and received) ex-library books that are in near-new condtiion, the only HINT that they were library books being one little stamp on the inside cover and the funny mylar cover.  If it's the marks inside the cover that are all that's bugging you, leave it by all means.  :)  But if it's the beat-up condition you might want to consider re-wording that so you aren't losing out on otherwise great books for your collection! 

That said, I would turn down your R/C, solely because of the "smells" condition.  The only smell condition I will accept is smoke, because that I can easily tell.  Anything else is far too subjective and personal, imho. 

Oh, and like many of the others, I rarely if ever PM someone before.  IMHO that completely defeats the simplicity of the site.  I won't list cookbooks or workbooks anymore for the same reason, unless they are absolutely new (thus my freebie offer--the book is postable by PBS rules, IF I want to take the trouble to PM first... but I don't!!!)

I wouldn't accept because of the PM request.  The rules clearly say that your conditions should be clear enough that a PM is not required.  

"Your Requestor Conditions should NOT ask the sender to "PM me if you are unsure" "    

I would also decline.  I do not automatically decline RCs.  However, I would just be too worried that my book would not meet your expectations. I had a request today that actually stated that the book must be in "excellent condition".  I declined that request as well.

I agree with Cozette. I think it's a bit heady to require/even just ask people to PM you.

I would decline the request. 

Some of the book condition is left up to an individuals interpretation and what if you and I do not agree on the condition.  (I mean of course aside from a big rip or writing or something).  I would feel like you might not be happy with my book and I don't want to take my chances. 

I would like to just add that this is a used book swap site.  Yes - many times I have received books that are in perfect condition.  Other times they are well-loved, well-read books. 

Here's some input for you: (note that in the following examples, I mean "you" in the general sense, not aimed at the OP)

If you're requesting a WL book, it's unlikely a member will take the time to PM you if there's a long line. Too many other fish in the sea, KWIM?

Regarding the yellowing/fading issue. Keep in mind that if you order ANY older books (especially 15+ years and older), this criteria will pretty much never be met. I've seen many posts to the forums regarding older OOP books where the RC's state no yellowing or gently used, and the poster said "That just ain't gonna' happen with this book, ever!"

Vague terms such as "gently used", "not smelly", "like new", etc. are going to be turned down by a lot of people. Nobody wants to send a book out and have the person demand the credit back, especially if the book sent was in better-than-PBS condition to start with and someone else expecting standard PBS-quality books would have been overjoyed to receive one in such fantastic condition.

As a general rule, members seem to be turned off by RC's that request better-than-PBS condition for all books (especially if it states like new). If you're wanting spectacular condition for only a few particular books (say, in a series) that's one thing, but a lot of folks seem to ask "What's so special about you that you get all the like-new and others get the borderlines?"

Keep in mind that if there is a cancellation due to PM follow-up for RC's, different people will have to cancel, depending on the situation. For a WL book, the SENDER will have to cancel (so that you remain 1st in the WL line). For a FIFO book, YOU (REQUESTOR) will have to cancel so that the sender will not lose her place in FIFO. This is another reason why members don't want to do the PM step. Too much chance for a mistake, and all that waiting will have been for nothing.

If you want a PM you need to include your PBS name (JReed) in the RC so that members are able to know who you are.

I would decline, but my reason is different from all those that I have read so far.

You say if you are unsure,  please accept and i can decline on my end.  If I accept your conditions, it says "are you sure this book meets requestor conditions"  If I click yes, it is saying just that, it meets your conditions.  If you don't decline on your end, and I send the book, you can mark it recieved with a problem, then I am out the book and the mailing costs.  If I receive  books with RC I will only accept if I am 100% sure they are met, I don't PM or such to "descirbe the conditons to the requestor" that is just me.

RC's do not bother me in the least, but I am confused about 'gently used.'  That sounds like you could withold a credit for almost any reason, unless the book was brand new.  Also, I agree with Jane's comment about the fading/yellowing issue.  I collect older paperbacks, and I have some pristine copies that look like they've never been read...but they'll still show discoloration just from exposure to air.  If you only request books a couple of years old, I doubt it it would be much of an issue.