So I get a book today.  Click on the links below to see a couple of pictures of what I got.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h153/jedipriestess/DSCI3097.jpg
http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h153/jedipriestess/DSCI3098.jpg

Then I sent the following pm:

I recieved this book today. Unfortunately there was a lot of water damage that did not occur due to the US Mail since the book wrapping was intact with no tears or leaks. You may click the links below for pictures. I'd like to have my credit returned please.  

This was the reply I recieved:

Hi, I got this book from another PBS member and it was already like that. I didn't think that it was a problem and it was perfectly legible. I read it once and just wanted to pass it on. There is no mold or anything toxic. And from what I recall, it was only a part of the book that looked like that.

So I sent another message that said:

In order to be a postable book it can not have ANY water damage whatsoever. From the guidelines " Guidelines: 

Overall Condition:

No damage at all from water or other liquid"

I feel your pain because Ive had books that Ive been reading and literally only spilled like a couple of drops of liquid on but that made them non-postable. If I was going to keep this book it would be a different story but I swap my books as soon as Ive read them and this book is no longer able to be posted for swapping. Im sorry that you received it in that condition, but you should have marked it RWAP and not passed it along down the line. So once again Im asking you nicely to please refund my credit.

I did the right thing here didnt I?  And I think I asked nicely.  My question is what do I do if she doesnt return my credit?  This is my first RWAP so Im kind of unsure.

sorry - the second link is broken.  

Yes, you did the right thing. If she doesn't return your credit - mark it the transaction unresolved.  I would also let her know if she doesn't return your credit then you will mark the transaction unresolved.

eta:  ok that is water damage and you did the right thing hands down. 

ah I fixed that.  I cant get the BOLD and Italic thing to work either.  *sigh*  Anyway the links work now.

You did the right thing.  The only thing you could have/should have added was a time frame for it to be handled by the sender (pls return my credit by 09/19/09 or whatever date).   Then if its not handled you can mark it problem not resolved.  If they choose not to return the credit, the only thing you can really do is mark it unresolved. 

I'm sorry you got a yucky non postable!  I hope you gt the credit returned.

I think you did that perfectly. I have such a hard time wording rwap's. I think yours was very polite and right to the point.

I had someone tell me this recently in a BOB swap. That she had received the books here so they were okay to pass on. Even though they were severely water damaged. Grr. It makes me a little edgy that people use the "I got it here, so it is okay" excuse for sending on nonpostable books.

Unfortunately, I think, but may be wrong, that you are now at the mercy of the person on the other end to have your credit returned. I have had 4 or 5 rwap's since joining and only one gave me my credit back. But they will have a "mark" on their account if they do not resolve this issue, and if they get too many of them, they risk losing their membership.

Good Luck with this. I hope you get your credit back!

I was really astounded when I got it.  I had a Nora Roberts book that I was reading a week or so ago and I was eating while I was reading and I got one little drop of mustard on the page and I know enough not to pass that on.  I mean sheesh, that book looks like it was dropped in the bathtub! 

I mean sheesh, that book looks like it was dropped in the bathtub!

it probably was or they were by a pool ;)

I dug this out you could always send it on to her - this is what the help doc encourages her to do. 

If a requestor sends you a Personal Message about a problem swap, you do need to reply, and to resolve the problem if there was one.  Because the requestor can provide follow-up on how the problem was handled, resolving the problem will greatly reduce the effect of a problem swap on your account record. Unresolved problems (or not Responding to PMs about a problem swap) will more seriously affect your account record, if a pattern of this accumulates on your account.  Remember that one problem swap will not harm your account, even if it is marked as unresolved by the requestor who gives follow-up on how you handled the problem.

Got my credit back today.  Yay! 

YAY  !!!!!!!!

Glad to hear they were cooperative!  That is a LOT of water damage--it's not even really on the borderline.

I'm glad you got your credit back, hopefully the sender has learned not to pass on damaged books.

I had a book on the kitchen table-it was a wishlisted book. The dog bumped into a cup of coffe on the table and guess what he splashed it on?   Yep, the wishlisted book.....so we'll see???

I looked at the book, now several days later and I think I can salvage it.....heres to hoping!??