So, a woman posted a book that was on my WL. I accepted. Ten minutes later, I received this PM:

Hi, this is an old paperback. but the story is so great, I decided to list it. Is that okay?

My response:

I don't mind older books. But is there any particular reason why you might think it shouldn't be listed? Water damage, loose pages, or anything like that?

Quite simple, huh? Apparently, no. She immediately cancelled the transaction and I got no response from her at all. The next morning someone else had posted the book, I accepted, and it's now on the way to me. Can you guess what happens next?

I received the book today. From the first woman. The one that cancelled and ignored me. In the book was a handwritten note. The note tells me that she promised (huh??) to send the book and so she did, and if I find it acceptable to send the credit to her, or toss it in the garbage. Now, if she would have asked me about doing this in a PM, instead of stuffing the question inside the book itself, I would have been fine with it. But now I have the same book on the way to me from someone else, and her copy, which was definitely not postable. It's in very good condition considering it's over 20 years old, except for liquid damage that involves most of the pages.

I'm feeling like I should just ignore her like she did me. If she would have written me a one-sentence response to my original question, this would have gone smoothly and I would have given her a credit for the book, damaged and all. I get the feeling that she went about it this way in order to try to guilt me into giving her a credit for a book that she knew wasn't acceptable. Notice she called the book "old" but never mentioned anything that would make it unpostable. But idunno. It was just such a weird way to go about this, and the sender has been a member for years and appears to be very active.

I know I can just ignore this, but I'm wondering what you all would do.

I'd ignore it and go on. Toss the book or whatever you want. Very weird.

That is very strange.  Who does that????  I would ignore her too. And do whatever with the book.......Very bizarre.

I am curious though.....how did she get your address if she cancelled the order before going on and printing out your info?  Did she print out your address and then cancel it?

IMO she canceled the transaction so as not to receive a RWAP, but hoping you will pay the credit anyway.   I'm tempted to suggest contacting TPTB, she really shouldn't be attempting to circumvent FIFO in this manner.  Would be different if you had agreed in advance.

She canceled it, so, in my mind, its over. Unless you decide to take Denise's suggestion, which is a good one...

I am curious though.....how did she get your address if she cancelled the order before going on and printing out your info?  Did she print out your address and then cancel it?

It came with a PBS label. I guess she printed, then cancelled.

IMO she canceled the transaction so as not to receive a RWAP, but hoping you will pay the credit anyway.

Yup, that was exactly what I was thinking. Sneaky... I'm going to wait a day or two and see if she contacts me about it.

I wouldn't bother The Team with it. You would be complaining about what? That someone send you a free book. There is no obligation to give her a thing so she isn't working the system in anyway. If you don't want anything to do with it, dispose of the book and be done with it. If she contacts you tell her that your request went to someone else when she cancelled and they got your credit for the book.

The Help Center does say that if a transaction is canceled you are not obligated to send a credit (their emphases, not mine)

When you receive 2 copies for a book after submitting only one request, you are not obligated to give a credit for the extra (canceled) copy.  You are obligated to mark the properly sent copy received.

the sender has been a member for years and appears to be very active

based on this alone, the sender knows better or at least she should.

There is no a obligation to give her a thing so she isn't working the system in anyway

Yep!

This is one in which I'd ignore.

You are obligated to mark the properly sent copy received

But the book from the circumventee not properly sent. It was a total Mickey Mouse mail job. The 2nd book that's on it's way? Yeah absolutely it should be marked received when it arrives. I don't understand why it would not be.

Oh yes, I am planning to give credit to the second person. Always was.

I don't know if this lady was hoping that I wouldn't know the rules but, it's possible. I'm completely aware that I'm not obligated to her and the more feedback I get here, the more I get the feeling that she's trying to avoid RWAPs and get some credits thrown at her at the same time.

My thought regarding TPTB, would just be a notification of the situation, not expecting action on this one (rather like adding notes to the comment box on the book log-in screen).  Just a FYI for PBS admin, because maybe there have been other situations regarding this member that would show a pattern.  By circumventing FIFO, it appears she is attempting to solicit credits for books not really posted FIFO...rather a gray area.  And as we can see, limits the options for receiving members.  Membership guidelines were not followed, which just confuses everything for other members . . . like Lisa.

I'd ignore and forget about it.   The powers that be have many other, more serious things to think about and check out.  She honestly didn't break any rules.  She sent you a book.  It's yours to do with whatever you like without answering her or sending her a credit.   Not all books are posted FIFO such as books offered in the BB. 

I would ignore it unless she  contacts you about it. Then I would politely explain how when she cancelled the book went back on your WL and was posted quickly afterwards and that the book she sent you was water damaged and should never have been posted. 

You responded very well to her the first time, it's just unfortunate that she chose to cancel & send the book anyway.  I'd PM her back & tell her that I was either donating or tossing the book, that I had already ordered another copy when she canceled, and it would have been better if she had responded to your inquiry & saved you both the trouble.

I agree with Kim.  I was going to say the exact same thing.  Sometimes a little educating is a good think so that the person understands the ramifactation of her actions.  Long time member doesn't always mean they understand what transpired due to their actions.  All we can do to help each other understand  is improving the working of PBS all for the better.

I would just ignore her and NOT give her the credit.  She knew the book was unpostable and cancelled the order so as not to have a RWAP.  If she has been a member for so long she knows better, she is trying to cheat you out of a credit.  PBS does not make you give credits if you already have another book coming and the first sender didn't marked it mailed, canceled the order, etc.