Hi,

This may be a silly question, but I did want to put it out there since I've only been a member for a little over a month or so.  I checked the Help Docs on this, and it really didn't specify about writing on the cover of a book.  I recently discovered a large thrift shop locally that has a decent selection of books.  I grabbed a whole bunch that I wanted to read, and after checking the site found out that a few are on WLs  My problem is that some of the books have the price ".99" or "1.14" or whatever the case may be written in marker on the cover in the top corner by the thrift shop.  I was so happy to find these books that I didn't even think of that until I wanted to post one of them.

I just wanted a general idea of what people thought about posting books with the thrift shop or used bookstore prices written on the cover where it can't be erased or cleaned off.  Is this something I should PM the requestors about or am I being too overly cautious about this?  I really enjoy this site and I don't want to jeopardize it by accidentally causing problems.  Thank you for your time.

I wouldn't see any problem with this, it happens with used books, that sometimes there will be markings that we'd prefer they didn't add, but many will use a marker and swipe thru the ISBN/UPC space also.

You might try just a tad of hairspray on a cloth, or rubbing alcohol on just a smideon spot to see if it will come off without taking all the covering with it. DH has cleaned a lot of marks off books that I didn't think would come off.

Brenna -

Welcome to PBS! 

That's not a silly question at all, it's a very good one!  And you're right, the Help Center isn't much help on this one!

If they were price stickers, there would be no question that it's postable - even though many stickers are not removeable.  So my sense would be that they're postable. 

I can't find it quickly enough, but I vaguely remember reading that prices written on the cover were OK.  All the Help Center has to say on the subject of writing involves the text pages, so it sounds perfectly postable to me.

As everyone has said they are quite fine and postable...and if any of them appear on my wish list you can feel free to post them directly to me *wink wink, nudge nudge*

My favorite thrift shop near me does the same thing. The price is always written on the cover in red marker. I always just wipe the price off with a damp cloth or sometimes a windex sheet. It comes right off usually with no damage to the book. If I see that it doesn't wipe off easily I leave it on.

If it were written in gigantic letters across the cover than I'd say no.  But I doubt the bookstore would do that so they're ok.  My husband's aunt gave me a box of books a few years ago and she wrote the year the book was published (I don't know why) in gigantic letters across the front covers.  I had a few left when I joined PBS and I didn't post them. 

Thanks everyone for your help!  I feel I can confidently post these books now (one I've finished reading them...) 

Sherry- I tried using an alcohol wipe on the book after your suggestion (we have tons of them in the house- If you ever saw My Big Fat Greek  Wedding, it's my family's version of Windex, my mom uses it for everything! :-P)  It did succeed in lightening the mark on one of the books, so I'll have to give it another go-around later.  Perhaps it will take it off.

Tracey- Sorry, none of them are on your wishlist. In fact, you and I have quite a few of the same WLed books (I even found another to add to my list after scanning your list :-P)

Thanks again everyone, I'm so pleased with how helpful and friendly everyone has been! :-)

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work wonders!  Just make sure the eraser is only slightly damp and then dry the cover of the book with a paper towel.

Brenna - Too funny! Good like with the wipes.

I have also purchased a few books at a thrift store that marks their books with a dry erase kind of marker.

I can usually remove the price from the book, with a kleenex or papertowel...so all of the suggestions that are already listed are good ideas!

Welcome to PBS!  I love it here!