I received a book, MMPB, that has the cover partly separated from the glue and pages.  At the top of the book, there's no separation, then diagonally down to the bottom of the book the cover is loose from all the pages.  The book is still in very readable condition, glue intact, and no pages loose or threatening to loosen. 

Help Center says:

Binding:

• Must be intact, with no separation on the inside or outside of the book

Is the sort of separation I described the kind that the Help Center is talking about?  It's not clear to me.

Sounds unpostable, but it might have just shifted in shipping.  I would definatly not repost it, but I'm not sure I would ask for my credit back either. 

Run a blow dryer along the spine (not directly on it) and, once the glue softens, push the cover back in position, secure with rubber bands and it will most likely be right as rain by morning.  =)

If Karen's technique doesn't work for you, I would use a glue stick, apply to the back where it is separated and reattach the cover to the bound-together pages.  I have seen nearly brand new paperbacks that had such poor-quality gluing jobs that the cover was separated almost entirely from the pages.  I think the kind or restoration that I and Karen are discussing will resurrect some books so that they are undetectably repostable, or keepable indefinitely without having to be embarrassed about them at all.

Karen, what a great idea! I've mended many a book, but never tried that. Thank you. :)

Glue sticks are far from archival, and don't even stick very well -- I'd use a very small amount of a good wood glue, applied carefully with a Q-tip or somethign so it doesn't run out the sides and stick the cover to the outside pages.

I use an iron on low heat. Put a piece of paper (or cloth) between the iron and the book and run it along the spine for a few seconds then just stick it back together.

The impression I'm getting of the consensus view here is -- that's maybe not what the Help Center is talking about, or if it is, the separation is fixable, and even if not, not worth asking for the credit back. Does that reflect the opinions?

I will probably be keeping the book, so am not too concerned about reposting.

I'd say the HC is pretty clear, that the book was unpostable, BUT from what others are commenting on that it should be a fixable thing. And if it is fixable, it depends on HOW WELL it is fixed, in my opinion as to whether it is repostable or not, thus also depends on whether you should ask for a return of credit.

So, in my opinion, to what I believe you are asking now, for a complete opinion, IF it mends completely, and is no longer a separation, and appears that it will hold, then you should not ask for your credit, and could repost the book.

BUT, if it is apparent that the cover has been repaired, then you could ask for a return, since you could not repost the book. (I say could, because you do have a good book, even tho you can't repost it, if the cover mends at least somewhat.)

Well-said, Sherry! I was trying to think of a way to express it that way and you did it quite nicely! :)

Yes, that kind of separation is not allowed, but it may have come apart in shipping (heat could do that, along with being banged around) so personally I would probably assume that the book looked fine when the sender mailed it. 

I love all my mental images of your avatars wielding blow dryers and hot irons.  Anyone for a nice blow torch?

I wouldn't repost it, but I wouldn't ask for the credit back either.  IMO there are  two thoughts to consider 1. That could easily have happened in shipping and  2. Every book has to find a final reader somewhere.  Nowhere does it say that you should be able to repost every book you receive here.