I am wondering if I could have opinions on the benefits of joining the box of books club.  What exactly are the benefits and how exactly does it work?  What do you do when the person you are trading with doesn't have any or many books that you would like to have?  Just trying to make up my mind about joining.  Thanks everyone!  Jenny

You can trade a lot more books for far less postage cost.  Other people may request copies of books you have posted that have many copies already in the system, so they move off your shelf far faster then if you were to wait for FIFO.

If the person you are trading with doesn't have any/many books you are interested in, well, if you are the one initiating the trade just don't initiate it.  If they initiated it, send them a PM.  You can simply decline, politly saying something like "You don't have any books I'm interested in at the moment".   You can also offer them a credit deal for the balance  "I [didn't find any] [found two] books I was interested in; I'm willing to send you the other 8 you requested for 3 credits if you like, otherwise please pare down your side".

Sometimes boxers only trade one book, like say you were looking for a certain book and you found a boxer who had it and wanted to trade with you you would get the book you wanted without having to spend a credit on it.      Lets say someone wanted to box with you and they wanted 5 books from your shelf- you look at thier shelf and you only find 2  you like. You can tell them you only found two books you like and they can either narrow thier choices down to 2  or they can cancel. For that matter you can cancel as well if you didn't find anything you wanted from them.  

Thank you both, these answers are a big help.

Another one if I may.  Do you have to use the PBS postage and delivery confirmation or can you use the regular labels and go to the PO?

You can  use the regular labels and go to the PO.  

So there isn't a set amount of books that you HAVE to ship in a certain time?  I have been considering doing box of books as well, thanks!

Keri

no, you get to decide how many books you wish to trade- and then you get about a week to send them off.

Hi guys!  Thanks so much for letting me know about BOB even though I didn't start the thread. =)  Sounded like great benefits, so I went and joined today...looking forward to swapping!!

Keri

you're welcome - and welcome to box of books- hope you enjoy it.

Some people may not care if they get 3 for 3. I know sometimes I don't. I almost always accept a BOB and can ususally find something on someone elses shelf. If the request is for childrens books I will usually only take about half the amount in return cause I figure the shipping is more on their end. If you do decide that you want to swap and don't want  to take 4 for their 4 pm them to let them know that you are happy with the box the way it is, so that they don't take books off their side to make it equal.

This is just the way I do it. Everyone is different.

Well, I think you have all convinced me that this is a great deal!  :)  I like the fact that you can swap without credits.  I know there may come a time, when none of my books are moving and I'll have used all the credits i've accululated.  AAAHHHH! 

I also like the fact of saving on postage.  And You're right Kathi, I can usually always find something, I just tend to not order them because I"m afraid of running out of credits.  So maybe this is the way to go.  Thanks everyone for all your advice.

Jenny

One question, got my first BOB order today, and do I have to take off the books off my list, or does PBS automatically do it when they accept my request?  Thanks!

Keri

it happens automatically as soon as they click accept.

Actually, it doesn't happen until BOTH sides accept, becuase up until then, you can still make changes.

I've found my average cost of books, including credit trades on my shelf & DH's are running between $1-$1.25 / book since the PO rate hike. That's not too shabby!

WELCOME to BOB :) I love it and i am addicted to it yup yup..lol