I had to use the RWAP recently and the sender sent me a very angry and even obscene message denying any problems with the book and accusing me of being a  'book snob' for complaining about the condition of the book I received. I had a very similar reaction from another sender when I used the RWAP. At least this other one did not refer to any of my body parts. It seems that some people resent anybody complaining about their books.

Is it really okay for a book to be in horrible condition but if the pages are all there and the text is readable it is acceptable.

There are some members here that think the guidelines do not apply to them and send out books in nasty conditions. Other members never mark them RWAP so they keep sending out the unpostables. When someone marks it RWAP they get all defensive.

Unfortunately there isn't much those of us can do who receive these bad books can do as it is up to the sender to refund the credit. All we can do is mark the transaction "unresolved".

You could send the message you received from your last sender to TPTB as that sounds inappropriate.

people don't like to be told they are doing something wrong... so rwap responses are likely to be somewhat negative.  the ones I received were.  but they were not rude.

But being very rude is a reason to complain about them to the site.

Also if they admit in the pm that the book is unpostable, but don't want to return the credit contact the site.  They might return the credit, they did for me.

I haven't had to mark very many RWP and it's been years since I did. But I had a couple of people who were very polite about it and a couple who weren't.  I was never called any names or had to report anyone though.

Definitely report the obscenity.  Picture the person talking that way to a new member, or, really, to anyone else.  It should be stopped now.

I've had a range of responses from very apologetic, to frosty cool, to very angry.  But we have to follow through, even if it's uncomfortable, because every time we let someone keep a credit for sending a bad book we're encouraging them to send out another bad book.

Diane

I've been lucky, I've only had to RWAP four books since I joined.  Two of the senders were polite and refunded the credits, but two were nasty and hateful and denied sending out ripped up books.  After their tirades, they refunded the credits.  I would report the sender who sent a message with obscenities.  PBS has zero tolerance for that type of abuse.

I haven't had many RWAPs. Of the ones I had, three were polite and apologetic, two sent snarky responses but returned my credit, one was totally unreasonable. She first claimed I was lying and demanded pictures. I sent her pictures of the water damage. She then accused me of damaging the book myself to get a free credit  or maybe of letting kids, which I don't have, open my mail and get it wet. I had to mark that one unresolved.

I generally think over the top defensiveness is more likely to occur with someone who knows they are in the wrong. I'd definitely report the obscenity.

There seem to be two extremes: apologetic and explosive. As others have said, whenever they come back at me with anger and accusations, I take it as an admission of guilt and just let it go, because I know I will never be able to recoup that credit. But if is over the top reaction, I have no problems contacting the team, just to let them know that the member is being abusive.

I've also had a wide range of responses, but at the moment I can't recall any being downright abusive.  Those I would definitely report. 

I agree with what Diane said: 

But we have to follow through, even if it's uncomfortable, because every time we let someone keep a credit for sending a bad book we're encouraging them to send out another bad book. 

Let's not forget that PBS also says you may receive books that have come to end of their lifespan and cannot be reposted.  Not playing devil's advocate here, but you'll occasionally receive books that're barely within the postable guidelines yet ARE within those guidelines, nevertheless.  You're not going to be able to repost every book you receive, like it or not, if you swap long enough.

you may receive books that have come to end of their lifespan and cannot be reposted

so what are you saying. A book should never be reported as RWAP?

No Charles, I really don't think that's what she is saying. What she said is a rather common way of looking at things here at PBS when a book is simply getting worn out from so many hands and a lot of traveling. The book might be barely postable when I get it so I just intuitively know it's either not going to retain that postability with another reading or not going to survive a particularly vigorous travel trip by the USPS, including the temp changes. It really should be a given that something used often is going to wear out and it's going to wear out on someone.

As for reactions when I RWAP, I haven't had too many negative ones and I simply don't worry about it if I do so I can't really remember any vividly. 

A book should never be reported as RWAP?

No, I'm saying you can't expect every book you receive to be a book you'll be able to repost once you're through with it, and not every book you receive in that condition is an RWAP.  

For instance, I received a copy of Stinger by Robert McCammon that was readable, but the cover was barely hanging on.  By the time I was through with it, there was a single strip of glue left holding the cover in place.  That isn't an RWAP, it's just a book that's reached the end of it's lifespan.  And the more books you receive, the more likely it'll be that you'll receive one, as well.  Just law of averages.  To RWAP every copy of a book you can't repost is unfair.

This might help:  Choose There is a problem with the book I received!

From that help doc:  

• There is a category of "problem" book that is really no one's fault - for example, the pages are all attached when you begin reading but they come loose as you read. That means the book was postable when it was mailed to you but it becomes unpostable when you are done.  We consider this the "last read" and every book will get there eventually (some sooner than later).  Most members will not get a book on its "last read" but it can happen once or twice during a membership.  In this case, the book is not marked received with a problem, and it is retired (= not posted again) after reading.

ahh. I see. So you have turned the gist of this thread around so that I am now the bad guy because I used the RWAP. interesting.

Whoa, easy, I didn't do anything of the kind!  I was trying to help!  But you know, some people only see what they wanna see, and you're obviously one of those.  I got it.  Have fun with all your RWAPs.

Charles K- "ahh. I see. So you have turned the gist of this thread around so that I am now the bad guy because I used the RWAP. interesting."

No one did any such thing.

If the reply you received from a RWAP was abusive, then report it.  If a book you receive does not meet the posting guidelines, then use RWAP.

PBS has set the minimum bar for which books may be posted.  If a book you receive does not meet posting guidelines, the minimum bar, you are well within your right to RWAP.  When you RWAP, just be polite and highlight the portion of the guidelines (I always include a link) that make the book RWAP.  It is now in the hands of the sender to refund the credit, or not, if that is what you want. Book Condition Criteria for 'Swappability' at PBS

If a sender racks up too many RWAPs, then their account will be reviewed.

No reason for anyone to get snarky.  The discussion was about RWAP vs. end of life.  No one was saying never RWAP.  I have had one end of life book.  It was fine when I got it but fell apart when I read it.  I enjoyed the book and then retired it.  The help topics clearly state the acceptable condition a book should be in when received. As stated above, sometimes you recieve a book that's at the end of it's journey.

ahh. I see. So you have turned the gist of this thread around so that I am now the bad guy because I used the RWAP. interesting.

It's really sad that threads on a site promoting reading has so many people that can't read.

Not for one hot minute did Mick say you were the bad guy for using RWAP.  He said that sometimes, at first glance, one might think it's a RWAP but it's just a book at the end of its posting life.

Of course, based on how people interpret reactions to RWAPs (accusation = admission of guilt), then maybe your accusation is an admission of YOUR guilt.

maybe your accusation is an admission of YOUR guilt.

so there is no danger of my misinterpreting your comment what am I guilty of?

as to your other point about not being able to read, if you have ever taken an English course you know that a class full of people read the same story and they don't all read the story the same way or see the same things in the story. So there is nothing unusual about you reading something one way and me reading it another way. The fact that we are different doesn't have any particular significance.

it's interesting that all the men seems to be attacking one another and all the women are very collegial and agreeable.

That's because men are pigs. Ask Tim Allen.

The difference is that most females will apologize if they've misinterpreted another's post.

Oh, I'm female, BTW.

I'm one of the pigs, altho I'm sure I don't have to announce that fact. It seems to be obvious.

"Can't we all just get along?"  -- Rodney King