I messed up, and I am not sure how to fix it. I accidentally posted a Wish List book that I realize now doesn't match the description. The book that I posted does have the correct ISBN , title, author and publish date, but the book that comes up in the PSB database is a paperback - 184 pages and mine is a hardback - 164 pages. The problem is I didn't realize that it was a different version until AFTER I posted it. I joined a few months ago, but really  only got active in the last couple weeks. I finally got around to posting several books. This was one of them. I have been trying to be very careful about the ISBN and everything. I just didn't realize that sometimes the same number is on more than one type of book!

I posted the book today and tonight notice it is on 48 hour hold. Went to look it up and get the book ready, and clicked on the PBS description, that is when I noticed it said paperback. Doublechecked the ISBN on my hardback. Still matches. Anyway.

According to what I read, I can't cancel this transaction until I get the request for it. When that happens it looks like I am supposed to say "unable to mail" and then I can send a PM to tell them what happened. Two questions. Once I hit unable to mail, will it be removed from the system, or will it be offered to the next person and I have to go through it again. I see it has thirty some WL requests! Also, I noticed by searching on the title of the book that there is a listing for this book as a hardback with the short ISBN. It is also wish listed -5 or 6 people. How do I handle this? I think I am supposed to repost the book as a book without an ISBN so how will the people wishlisting the hardback find it? Or should I offer this version to the first wish list requester in the PM after I decline? I don't want to break any rules, and feel really badly about the whole mixup. Please help!

Pamla

First of all, I think all of us have made some sort of mistake like this before.  When someone accepts the request send that person a PM saying that you have a hardback copy that has the same ISBN as the paperback version and didn't realize it until it got sucked in the wishlist process.  Ask that person if he or she still wants the book and tell him or her that you will cancel if he/she doesn't want the book.  There is a pretty good chance that the person will want it anyway and that you can just send it.  It is a postable book you just posted it wrong.  You can't do this if it is an unpostable book like one with water damage.  If the person wants a paperback copy then you need to cancel the request saying you can't mail the book so that person doesn't lose the wishlist spot.

After you have said that you can't mail the book it will be taken out of the system.  You are right you do need to post it as a book without and ISBN.  There is no direct way to let those people who are waiting for a hardcover version know.  However, if someone searches on the title your book will show up.  You can also go to the book bazzar form and the form of the genre of the book it is and say you have this copy, then someone can go and order it off yourshelf.  You can also put a note to that effect in your signature line so someone in a forum might see it.  If you do that I suspect it will get snapped up fairly quickly.

I hope this is clear.  Ask more question if it is not.

Thanks Kate for your answer! I wasn'sure I could PM the requester before I responded to their request to accept or cancel. I will wait for their request and go from there.

I am relieved that it will be removed automatically if I mark "can't mail". I had this nightmare vision of ticking off  all 30+ WL requestors!

I appreciate your help and am really enjoying getting more involved in this site.

You can put a tag on it so that people will know that there is a hardback copy with that ISBN - people will see that and might search it out!

Ruth

Does the short ISBN match your copy for all the other info? I think the person who posted it originally had the same problem as you. So I would post it using that number

Isn't it frustrating when publishers use the same ISBN for different editions of the same book?!

Check both ISBNs on the book, and if they both list it as hardback, you can do a custom posting, I think the link says Post a Book Without an ISBN or something similar, it's on the Post Books page.

You can PM then while it's on hold and tell them the problem. Tell them to accept so you can decline to send. When the book is requested hit I Cannot Send for Other REasons. This will remove the book from your shelf. Then repost without an ISBN.  On the hardcover that's WL-put a tag with the ISBN# PBS assigns to your copy.  You can also put it in your signature or advertise it in the book bazaar. 

If the book looks like it's about to time out on the 1st person withoug being requested-put your shelf on vacation.  This will prevent it from being offered to person #2. Then before you unhold your shelf-delete the book.  THen you can repost w/o an ISBN. 

If I am not mistaken the rules state that you cannot do what Amy suggusts..."Does the short ISBN match your copy for all the other info? I think the person who posted it originally had the same problem as you. So I would post it using that number"

Yeah those 5 digit PBS assigned ISBNs are only for that specific copy.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions.

The book was requested from me when I checked in this morning, so I was not able to PM them. I had to check "I cannot mail" and then put the reason in the box that popped up. After reading all your replies, I went ahead and reposted the book without the ISBN and then sent a PM to the requestor explaining the problem and what I had done so she could request the alternate version if she wants. If I don't hear from her by tomorrow, I will follow up by posting a tag on the hardcover WL book and or posting in the bazaar.

I still feel badly about what happened, but I really appreciate your advice and help!

Pamla

It happens to everyone.  3 times now I have had to cancel WL books I posted and agreed to send because I accidentally damaged them.  So at least you can still send out the book.