I'd like to get people's opinion on the use of the comments box... when someone receives a book from you and logs on to give you a credit, do you expect them to write a thank you note in the comments box as well, or do you feel that the credit is sufficient thank you? 

I ask because I offended a member when I did not write "thank you" in addition to giving them their credit, and I certainly don't want to offend anyone -- I think PBS is a great service and like to keep the member interactions pleasant.  Just wanted to get your take on the use of the comments...

I actually prefer not to get a PM that just says Thank You, and I would never send one either.

For many years it was considered bad netiquette to post a message that just said "thanks". It's not as annoying as it used to be when everybody was on dial-up and we had to pay for every byte we downloaded, but old habits die hard.

I almost always say thanks when receiving a book, but that's just me.  Never hurts to be polite, and the sender gets a sense I am truly appreciative of both the book and their time in sending it speedily on it's way.  I especially like to if I got a deal from the sender in the book bazaar, or if the sender added something to the package, once I got a bookmark another time some green tea, the least I could do is take 2 minutes and say thanks.

That being said, if someone orders a book from me and just marks it received, that is fine.  I don't expect everyone to say thanks, nor are my feelings hurt if they don't.   Of course it is nice when they do, but I would never in a million years pm someone and chastise them for not doing so, personally I feel that is very rude.

I never heard it being bad "netiquette" to post a thank you  from a single person,  I do know it was considered a big no-no to do in a group situation where you could get dozens of one line replies to a post , and as you said it was mostly due to dial up and paying for bandwidth, and the fact that all groups were totally email based.  

I think that if someone was offended because you didn't take the time to write a thank you note, than they are a little snooty, and a little juvenile.

I usually send a thanks but rarely recieve a reply. I also rarely recieve a thank you. I certainly dont expect them. Its a nice gesture if you wanna do it. I consider demanding a thanks to be a little rude.

Ive been trying to get in the habit of leaving a comment for R&R when I get exceptional books. I got a really great like new one yesterday and a really bad moldy one too. I left feedback on both.

I agree that I prefer not to receive just a note that says thanks.  If they have something else to say that is fine with me but otherwise I have to go and log in to PBS after receiving my email notification and only to find out they say thanks.

I used to thank people for the books I got, but after all the poeple had said that they don't want to receive a note that just says thanks, I quit doing it.  I get a few thank yous occasionally, but the majority don't, which is just fine.

I like getting a thank you.   Just like when you buy something in a store, the clerk says thank you.  I am NOT insulted if I don't get one.   I normally leave a few words but not always.   I often get a PM back saying thanks for my nice note.   I just feel saying thanks is a polite thing to do.   Like all manners, it's not mandatory!!  lol

I, too, used to send a "thanks" every time until I read an earlier thread were the majority said they were irritated by it.   I admit that I would rather not log in just to read a simple thanks.   Most of the books I send rarely get a thanks and its just fine with me! 

I always send a thank you, with something extra. For example, :Thank you , I have had this book on my wishlist since 2005! I'm so glad to finally recieve it. Or how I like the series or something.

I like getting thank you's.  I usually just reply with "Enjoy the book" or "that's a great series" or something like that.  I've gotten into lengthy book chats with a couple of people that way, and it can be a nice way to network.

On the other hand, I'm not bothered if someone doesn't thank me.  I certainly don't thank Amazon or Overstock when I order a book.  I guess it all depends on how you view the site.

"Ive been trying to get in the habit of leaving a comment for R&R when I get exceptional books."

What a great idea! I wish I'd thought of it ... at least NOW I can think of it!

As a sender I usually don't notice whether I was thanked for a particular book or not, though I do open them to see if they had mroe than one word to say

As a receiver I usually send a "thanks" on deals and books I am particularly eager to receive (probably most).

Thanks for all your replies!  We are a varied bunch and it's great to have your feedback.  I think I just caught someone having a bad day -- they did send me an excellent copy of the book I requested.

Wow! Thats just icky. You would always sent them the link to your thread. *lol*

Wow that was awfuly rude. I dont think Id wanna trade with that person after that.

Kalualani (btw love your name!) I didnt think of it either. I saw someone else suggest it in another thread and thought R&R would like to see something other than complaints every once in a while.

I like to receive "thanks," but don't fret if I don't hear anything.

I try to say 'thanks' for the books, and add something else, like who the book is for, how the packaging looked when it arrived (good or bad), or if it came especially quickly.  I would say I get a response 1 time out of 10, which is fine.

I also sometimes leave comments, particularly about packaging or book quality in the Feedback area.  I figure is a member is being complained about, a full picture of their trading should be available.

Christy, if you are up to it, I would send back a message that some people have expressly said that they don't like to get "thank yous" if there isn't anything extraordinarily good or bad to say.  You didn't intend to offend her, and hope she  understands that not everyone has the same expectations.

Maybe point her to this discussion or one of the others where people have said they are annoyed by the 'thanks.'

And then, I would forgive her and move on. (Not in the message of course, just in my mind.)

I once got a 'thank you' and an additional comment that the condition of the book was great.  It made me feel good, so I like to do the same back to others.  However, I never expect  a thank you!  That line telling you not to request another book from her/him was plain rude! 

Deb

Why would it be considered bad etiquette to just say "Thank you!"??

Is there a link to the other discussion about this, because I could not find it, or is it too old and no longer on the site?  Thanks. 

I'm sure it is too old because I've been wondering about this myself. I always say thank you. I've only received a few thank you's though. I like getting them, but I never have responded with "Your Welcome", but I've received a few "your welcomes" back from my thank yous so I was wondering if I should start doing that for the people that thank me. LOL. I think I'll just stick with Thank You's though.

I don't mind someone saying thank you and try to make a comment when I receive a book (Thanks, I look forward to reading this or something like that).  Sometimes I will reply like 2 people received books via media mail within 3-4 days of me sending it from Texas to NY & VA.  I didn't expect the books to arrive that fast so when they marked the books received and sent a message I told them to enjoy and that I was surprised they go there that fast.  Nothing too big, but just a little note.

that said, if someone didn't leave me a message when they receive a book, it doesn't hurt my feelings at all.  Had I gotten a msg like the one above it would have ticked me off and I would have written a not so nice note back.  I can't imagine even on my worst days sending a message like that one to anyone just for receiving a book and not saying thanks!

"But I think it is a sad sign of our society..and I don't mean to offend anyone personally....that a Thank You is seen as an irritant."

I agree, it is sad.  I always send a Thank you and often times add more. That's just who I am.  I love to get a thank you,  if I don't it's no biggie. I also always reply to a thank you by saying you're welcome and to enjoy the book.  Just my way of being  friendly.

I think it's rude to tell someone they should have sent a thank you note.  if I get a thanks-fine..if not-fine.  I assume they are thanking me when they take the time out of their day to click they recieved the book. life's too short to get upset over trivial matters.