I don't see the problem with it, and would happily send her the book if it matched the conditions.  As for saying 'LOOK AT ME!'  Every.single. charity on the planet does that.  If they didn't, they'd cease to exist.  Do you get annoyed when you see an ad for the American Cancer Society, or during the Jerry Lewis telathon?  Anyone doing charitable work must advertise to continue that work.

Those conditions wouldn't have made me blink.  I would have interpreted them as saying that the receiver isn't as concerned about conditions for his or her own books, but wanted to be sure that books that would be sent on to others are in appropriate condition. 

I'm always surprised at how much we can read into a couple of simple, polite sentences. 

Looks like the Condition Police are out again... ;-)

I completely agree that she probably just wants people to know that while she may not be concerned about a couple issues, she'll be giving the books away and wants to make sure they are in good condition so that she doesn't end up with books like some of us have -- readable, but not particularly giftable.  I don't know why one would want to assume the worst in this situation... the whole reasoning is because you (general) think she assumed nasty things about you first.   It just creates a big viscious circle. 

I don't know why one would want to assume the worst in this situation... the whole reasoning is because you (general) think she assumed nasty things about you first.   It just creates a big viscious circle. 

This is why conditions shouldn't say anything other than the conditions you're looking for. Nothing about gifts, nothing about care packages, nothing about little old ladies, nothing about your 7 cats, nothing about your sick uncle, etc. I just want to know if my book meets your conditions. There is no reason to have this other extraneous information. Absolutely none. The number one complaint about conditions is that they are TOO LONG, and the extra info doesn't add anything to the transaction itself. 

If you're just looking for PBS quality, then just say that. Period. Nobody can read anything into: Please ensure that your book meets PBS guideline quality. Nobody can read anything into: Since Large-Print books are often mis-marked, please ensure that the book is large print. Nobody can read anything into: Please wrap in plastic to prevent water damage during shipment.

If we all keep it both polite and simple, completing transactions will be much simpler.

People can find an issue with anything.  Someone might complain that if you have a book on your wish list, why should you care if it's large print?  You just want to read it, right?  So... read it larger.  People have conditions asking for no plastic and one might be offended at the landfill waste that is created with thousands of books are wrapped in plastic for their short journeys.  Some might be offended that someone stated the books should meet PBS guidelines because, well, everyone knows that and it's insulting to assume that the sender hasn't.

People can and will be offended about anything, even the things you've written above.  It seems simpler to decide not to assume the worst than it does to revamp the entire system to force people to choose carefully worded and approved conditions that can still be offensive to anyone who chooses to take offense.

Some people might even feel this should be like a community (GASP!) where we can talk to each other a bit and tell others about what we're doing and what's on our lives, thinking it might give others a new perspective or open up some lines of communication or maybe just connect them with another human being who might be interested to know where their books are going. 

I'm with you Cozette (are you in my head?)  There was nothing wrong with the way the condition was worded and its sad when people always assume the worst about someone they know nothing about.  She might be some sweet little old lady or a young person trying to do a good deed and not meaning to offend anyone.  Too bad people take it that way.

Rebecca -

I agree with you, and you are not unreasonable - neither are they. When you post a book, it is supposed to be free of water damage & missing cover - and the system asks this every time you post a book, so all  (even newbies) should be aware. By turning down "conditions" it just makes the books available to the next person w/o "conditions" so I dont think it is hurting myself, or anyone else if I refuse the request. They are your books and you can do what you want with them. Also, my husband IS a soldier overseas, and I send him books all the time. Believe me when I tell you the soldiers would not mind if the books are not perfect - they are in the DESERT so the books are not going to be in the greatest shape when they use them anyways.  I think its Ok  if the person requesting lets you know the books are going to soldiers or ederly as you may want to donate extras etc. but not to use that as a reason to add conditions, especially conditions that should already apply to all.  Maybe there needs to be some type of action taken on a member that sends out "nasty" books in poor shape, like losing a credit for it, or being suspended from trading if they continue to send out damaged/smelly/soiled books. Instead of berating members that dont like sending books to members with long lists of "conditions"??

Angie B -

Thanks! I couldn't have said it any better!

I hope the person with those conditions hasnt read this thread.

<John Cleese voice>

Yes, I find the preceding comment exceedingly offensive!

</John Cleese voice>

;-)

It's funny, I just read this thread the other night and got a request tonight with those exact same conditions. I would not have thought much about it, except for the book that was requested.

It's a Ford Ranger repair manual. I'm just trying to decide if some homebound elders are going to be working on the truck, or if some deployed soldiers brought a Ford Ranger with them to work on in their free time.     :-)

I'm torn about it. It's not in as good of condition as I usually like (come on, it's a car repair manual), but it technically meets the criteria.  I gotta think on this one.

I love ALL the responses in this thread, always good to hear opinions from both sides.

Brian

Brian just because the person orders books for soldiers and the elderly it doesnt mean they dont order for themselves too.

"I gotta think on this one."

I respectfully suggest y'all are worrying about this way, way, WAY too much.

Does your book meet PBS standards? Does your book meet (reasonably clearly) this persons conditions? Are you a reasonable person willing to honor the PBS standards you signed up for (which include accomodating other such reasonable people legitimately using PBS features, such as conditions)?

If you can answer Yes to these three questions, then send it - if not, then don't.

PS - If you don't FEEL like being reasonable (and Brian, you are not being singled out here personally), that's fine too - just quit angsting and go ahead and do whatever you want to do. I suggest though, that if you're going to decide whether you're going to honor a perfectly legitimate book request based on your own assumptions of someone elses (ultimately unknowable, without, uh, asking) intentions, rather than some more objective metric, then don't complain about others who you perceive as gaming the system.

ROFL I think that about sums up what I said 4 pages ago!  

Brian A.

What a hoot! LOL  I can just picture both scenarios in my mind....  Thanks for the laugh.