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Topic: What would you do?

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NJSurferGirl avatar
Subject: What would you do?
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:34 PM ET
Member Since: 3/17/2008
Posts: 333
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I just received an email from someone asking me to send her two books for free because she "never has any credits".....have you ever received an email like this? I don't want to be rude, but I have no intention of just mailing books for free to people. Credits can be purchased from PBS if you're not getting requests for what you have listed.  Would you even answer an email like this?

 

Thanks for any input you might have.

Erin

 

nicebooks avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:37 PM ET
Member Since: 4/30/2009
Posts: 2,524
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Erin - that is odd. Do you know this person or was this just a random email sent to you?

Yes credits can be purchased at the kiosk or through some individuals so there isn't a reason to ask for books free.   I guess I might answer the email depending on who the person is, a buddy or a person I know from the site. 



Last Edited on: 7/3/09 10:41 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
gingerkitty avatar
Standard Member medal
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:39 PM ET
Member Since: 4/25/2007
Posts: 12,600
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An actual email to you or a PM?  Either way, I'd use the "contact us" link on the bottom of this page and send a note to the PBS team about this.  This other member should not be doing this.  If people want to offer to send her free books, that's one thing, but you can't solicit free books via PBS.

NJSurferGirl avatar
Subject: email
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:39 PM ET
Member Since: 3/17/2008
Posts: 333
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Jeannie, it was just a random email from someone I've never heard of. She even included her address as if she assumed I would just mail them. It was a little bizarre. Do you think I should report it?

NJSurferGirl avatar
Subject: PM
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:40 PM ET
Member Since: 3/17/2008
Posts: 333
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It was a PM through PBS

Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:41 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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I would definately report this. 

nicebooks avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:42 PM ET
Member Since: 4/30/2009
Posts: 2,524
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I agree with the others - I would report it too.

melanied avatar
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Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:46 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,234
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Please report this. The site is not for people to beg free books from people. If they cannot afford the credits or books to swap to earn credits, then sadly this site is not for them and PBS members should not be guilted into sending free books.



Last Edited on: 7/4/09 11:17 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
PIZZELLEBFS avatar
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Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:47 PM ET
Member Since: 7/23/2005
Posts: 8,359
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To me, it seems that she is asking if you'd do a 2/1 deal on your books.  I''ve had PMs like this (but I also advertise in my sig line that I'm always open for a 2/1 deal).  The PM you received, though, is nothing like the ones I've recieved.  It sounds as if it is poorly worded and presumptuous, to say the least.

I'd politely decline her request if you aren't comfortable with it.

I just re-read your post.  I didn't realize that she wanted you to just send her free books, my apologies.  I'd report it.



Last Edited on: 7/3/09 10:48 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Kate -
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 10:48 PM ET
Member Since: 8/28/2008
Posts: 534
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Yikes, that's weird. Did she ask for two books free, flat-out, or was she asking for a deal (e.g. 3 for 1)? People are allowed to inquire about "deals" but nobody should be begging for free books or credits. If she asked for deal, you can just say no thanks, but if she asked for free books with no "purchase" I agree that I would report her right away.

ETA On second thought I doubt she's asking for a deal. If she had ordered anything, she wouldn't have had to PM you her address! Definitely contact PBS.



Last Edited on: 7/3/09 10:51 PM ET - Total times edited: 2
NJSurferGirl avatar
Subject: Thanks!
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 11:15 PM ET
Member Since: 3/17/2008
Posts: 333
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Thanks everyone for your input! I am going to report this. She was definitely asking for free books without any reimbursement of anything. The way it was worded made me think that perhaps it is a teenager, because it was definitely a "poor me" email. Would any of you reply to her directly or would you just report it? I wonder if she emailed other people as well.  Anyways, I am going to contact PBS and let them handle it.

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Kate -
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 11:23 PM ET
Member Since: 8/28/2008
Posts: 534
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I probably wouldn't reply... given how shameless her request was, I doubt anything good would come of it.

redwingsgal avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 11:25 PM ET
Member Since: 3/22/2009
Posts: 2,402
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Personally, I would ignore it and let PBS answer her plea.

Spuddie avatar
Friend of PBS-Gold medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 7/3/2009 11:57 PM ET
Member Since: 8/10/2005
Posts: 4,607
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Good heavens, the panhandlers have found PBS! What would I do? Depends on the mood I was in when I got the PM. I'd probably PM her back and let her know that begging doesn't become her and to go away. But the best thing to do is ignore it and report it to PBS.

Cheryl

RockStarGirl avatar
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Date Posted: 7/4/2009 12:07 AM ET
Member Since: 4/20/2006
Posts: 5,806
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Last Edited on: 4/18/12 12:42 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
Generic Profile avatar
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 12:13 AM ET
Member Since: 3/27/2009
Posts: 25,000
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She's a scammer. You're not the only one who received this request via PM.

Report her arse.

RockStarGirl avatar
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Date Posted: 7/4/2009 12:16 AM ET
Member Since: 4/20/2006
Posts: 5,806
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Last Edited on: 4/18/12 12:42 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
spuds1 avatar
Standard Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 1:16 AM ET
Member Since: 6/24/2008
Posts: 5,216
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I got the same PM about 15 minutes ago!  She asked me to send her a specific book from my shelf because she never has any credits.  Even gave me her address.  I clicked on her profile and it says "this account is suspended or closed."

Farscapegirl avatar
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 1:27 AM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2005
Posts: 210
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Someone is apparently using multiple accounts to scam free books out of people, this person is randomly PMing tons of people using similiar tactics see the post in the discussion forum....

 

Discussion Forum Post link

 

 
Farscapegirl avatar
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 1:30 AM ET
Member Since: 6/30/2005
Posts: 210
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Please report and forward emails to PBS so she and her multple accounts can get shut down

 

People that attempt stuff like this really make me mad, they make me wary of newbies and I hate having to second guess acts of kindmess and wonder if it's all an elaborate scam. In her case it is.

 
crysstine avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 3:41 AM ET
Member Since: 7/15/2008
Posts: 2,164
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Makes you wonder how many people she actually hit up today, doesn't it?

I've counted 4 people who've posted about it.  So that doesn't even include the non-posters, or the people who don't post every day.  Although I don't know how you'd randomly request books if you didn't just pick people off the forums.  I guess you could, but it's way more effort than I'd put forth.  Glad I'm on vacation hold right now.  I'd hate to be hit by this moocher.

melusina avatar
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 5:19 AM ET
Member Since: 1/4/2009
Posts: 294
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I had someone write to me and ask me for 3 books for only 1 credit. I didn't have any "deals" at all listed for my Bookshelf at the time. I was sufficiently discombobulated by her message that I actually haggled with her for a while, offering her 2 for 1 and so on. She got increasingly picky, wanting to know about the condition of this and that. She ended up costing me a huge amount of time in messages back and forth. The upshot? She snubbed my final offer. What an annoying exchange!

What about asking 3 for 1, when I didn't have any such deal announced in advance? She had specific books she wanted, too, and two of them were choice books, at least in my opinion. I realize it's not as clear-cut as this scammer person the rest of y'all have been talking about, but what do you think?

Fiona

 

melusina avatar
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 5:19 AM ET
Member Since: 1/4/2009
Posts: 294
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I had someone write to me and ask me for 3 books for only 1 credit. I didn't have any "deals" at all listed for my Bookshelf at the time. I was sufficiently discombobulated by her message that I actually haggled with her for a while, offering her 2 for 1 and so on. She got increasingly picky, wanting to know about the condition of this and that. She ended up costing me a huge amount of time in messages back and forth. The upshot? She snubbed my final offer. What an annoying exchange!

What about asking 3 for 1, when I didn't have any such deal announced in advance? She had specific books she wanted, too, and two of them were choice books, at least in my opinion. I realize it's not as clear-cut as this scammer person the rest of y'all have been talking about, but what do you think?

Fiona

 

melanied avatar
Standard Member medalMember of the Month medalBook Cover Image Group medalBook Data Correction Group medalTour Guide Leader medalBook Bazaar Coordinator medal
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 11:13 AM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,234
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Fiona - that really isn't that unusual, in fact the site has addressed it in the Book Bazaar Rules and Tips thread saying "(5) If a member asks you for a deal and you haven't offered one, this is not considered rude; it is also not considered rude to refuse. This kind of thing should be handled politely, without hard feelings on either side."

PIZZELLEBFS avatar
Standard Member medal
Date Posted: 7/4/2009 11:21 AM ET
Member Since: 7/23/2005
Posts: 8,359
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I don't mind PMs like this, but it's helpful to list the books you'd like a deal on in the initial PM so I know what I'm getting into weight-wise.  Three light MMPBs can be mailed for a lot less than three large, heavy HCs.  Not to mention that they're easier to wrap, LOL.

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