I received a book yesterday, that has a large black water stain inside the front cover, also some at the tops of a few pages. Asked the sender for my credit back. Got this back

"In my opinion the slight wrinkle at the top of the book hardly qualifies as water damage. It does not interfere with the spine or readability."

I'm I right in thinking the sender just admitted sending out a damaged book? I should get my credit back for this!

http://s1266.photobucket.com/albums/jj534/rangerfan1994/?action=view&current=book.jpg

Yep. Looks like water damage to me. I would have RWAP'd it and also asked for my credit back.

Pam

This is the standard "readable" versus "postable" argument. 

I would re-iterate to them the posting requirements and remind them that just because the book is readable, does not mean that it is postable at PBS.  Make sure you request your credit back and give them a deadline to return the credit and let them know you will mark the transaction unresolved if you do not receive your credit back by that deadline.  At that point (if they haven't returned your credit and you've marked the transaction unresolved), send in feedback to the team and request that they read the PM response from the sender.  The team frowns on admission of unpostability.

This is what i wrote back, didn't set a deadline will do next message if no refund.

The rules of Paperback Swap state no water damage of any kind. The readability of a book does not factor in.

Also the water damage in the book is a lot more than a slight wrinkle at the top of the book. There is a large black stain inside the front cover, you can see a waterline. This makes this book unpostable.

I would still like my credit back please.

Either the color ran OR you have mould in that book :(

Either the color ran OR you have mould in that book :(

The top of the book has a lot of black ink,I hope it's that!

I used to really stress over what to write for RWAP's, but have since read several very helpful forum discussions.  Now I don't even open the can of worms about what "I" can read, re-post, or use, and go directly to postability.  Usually something like, "...unfortunately due to liquid damage, the book does not meet PBS minimum swappability guidelines..."  If the book could have been posted under the textbook waiver, I mention that in case the sender is unfamiliar with that section of postabilty rules.

I sympathize, I've gotten a lot of water damaged books lately.

Diane

I've posted this before, but this is my standard RWAP message. I've had very few problems:

Thank you for sending [title of book] so quickly. Unfortunately, [state damage here concisely]. As I will not be able to repost this book, I would appreciate it if you could return my credit within a week so that I can mark this transaction resolved. If you would like me to post pictures of the damage I would be happy to do so. Thanks so much.

Of course, if people insist on being awful, there's not much one can do.

Well I went ahead and sent the deadline message,just have to wait and see what she does.

I guess I'm just going to have keep my RC for no water damage,on. It's saved me a credit in the past.

It sucks to have to restate the site rules to get people to follow them!!!

This kind of thing scares me.  I hope what I send is ok.  The books are not knew.  And if it rains while it's in the mail I feel like I would loose a credit.  Is that right?  I'm new to the website so I'm asking a lot of questions.  I use bubble envelopes but I know it's possible for rain to get in because it's happened when I receive books from commercial sites like amazon.

Tammy, that would be damage by the post office. There is an option for that when someone marks a book RWAP and the receiver can ask for a credit or not, depending on if they think the damage was due to a poor wrap job. I personally would not return a credit due to damage during shipping as long as I felt that I wrapped the package adequately. Rain happens and you have no control over that. If it would make you feel better, you could wrap your books in plastic also.

ETA: You don't "lose" credits. When the receiver marks the book received they ask you for the credit back. It is ultimately up to the sender to return the credit or not. Nobody just takes them, unless a person turns out to be a problem swapper and the site admins feel they need to step in.

Tammy,

If you're really worried about the possibility of water damage.  Wrap your books in a plastic garbage bag, or the bag your newspaper comes in to give it an extra layer of protection.

I wrap all my books in a layer of plastic wrap before I wrap them in the paper wrapper.

I buy plastic wrap at the dollar store ... one box of 100 square feet will wrap about 80 books. So, it's very economical.

I always wrap my books in plastic first. I have never RWAP  a sender  for rain water damaged book. Just tell them they might want to try the plastic.

Well I just got my credit back!  This is what she wrote me.

As soon as I figure out how to refund credit, I will. Threatening my credibility is unnecessary.

This what I sent her, I didn't do anything wrong in this message did I?

I have copied this from the site.

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/help_item.php?id=205

Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS

These Guidelines are NOT suggestions. They are criteria to which all books Posted here MUST comply.

Overall Condition:

No damage AT ALL from water or other liquid
Cover not water damaged (there may be no water damage to ANY part of the book)

As the book you sent me did not meet site standards, I am asking you to refund the credit.

Please do so by Jan 20 2012. Or I will be forced to mark this transaction as unresolved which will result in two black marks on your account .

Seems fine to me. Just let her lash out if it maks her feel better.

I'm with Lisa.  Your request was perfectly reasonable and polite.  And you got your credit back--YAY!!  Don't let her response bother you.

yes, I agree with the above sentiments.  You did everything right.  It seems like she just wanted to get in the last word.