Hi! I'm still new to PBS and was wondering if you would consider these books postable or not?

Book #1: Paperback. Very new. I never read it. The book is nto bent out of shape, has no staining, and no wear. The only thing is it has a 1" tear down themiddle of the front cover which I will tape up. Other than that it is in excellent condition.

Book #2: Paperback. Pages are not stained, torn, or showing any sign of wear. The front cover, however, has signs of wear. The bottom right corner is  showing white and crease lines. The bottom part of the front spine is not attached (2.5") anymore but will be taped to prevent further seperation. Spine shows a little wear.

Someone told me to go by if it is postable or not by judging by how I would feel as if I have gotten these books. However, I am truely happy to receive any book that's free, no matter how damaged, as long as I can read it. LOL. So I'm not the best judge. Book #1 and Book #2 would both satisfy me as I did buy them at a booksale in these conditions.

Help Center sez (in part):

Guidelines:                                                                                                                                        Overall Condition:

• No damage at all from water or other liquid
• Not soiled
• No stains (exception for cookbooks--see below)
• No mold

Cover:

• Must both be present (front and back)
  • note that a paperback missing its front cover is  usually an illegal, unsold copy
  • "cover" does not = dust jacket.  Hardcovers do not need to include their dust jackets to be swapped here.
• Cover not torn
  • some used book stores cut out a small part of the cover; if the amount missing is less than 1 inch, this is OKAY
  • a small rip (less than 1 inch) in the cover is OKAY
• A bookplate inside the cover or on the flyleaf is OKAY

Binding:

• Must be intact, with no separation on the inside or outside of the book
• If the book tends to open at a particular page, this is OKAY
• Small amount of fraying or denting at top or bottom is OKAY

Pages:

• No torn pages
• No loose or missing pages
• No writing or highlighting on text pages
  • a signature or note on the flyleaf or inside front or back cover is OKAY
  • an author's signature on the title page is OKAY
  • writing or highlighting on the text pages is NOT OKAY
    • Exception: if it is a textbook or workbook, these are expected to have highlighting/writing
      • if you post a textbook/workbook, the condition must be described to the requestor in a Personal Message
      • AND the described condition MUST BE AGREED TO before the book is sent
      • This is the one of the ONLY two cases in which a PM exchange about a book is required before the book can be sent(the other is for cookbooks--see below).

• No staining

Natasha sez:  Based on the above, I think your first book would be okay to post, so long as the tear is not more than 1 inch.  I think your second book is NOT okay to post, since the spine is separating.

Edited to clarify/condense.

Thank you. The guidelines did confuse me a little.

Is it acceptable to tape up the tear? Or leave it?

I think it's acceptable to tape it up neatly, just so it won't get torn any more while in transit.  The mail can be rough sometimes.

I would be perfectly happy to receive book number one, but mad as hell if I got a book that the spine was no longer attached to. Book number two is not postable.

Bronwen,

If you still would like to  give the the 1st book away , you can offer it in the book bazaar as a freebie with another book order.

or there is a damaged book thread that you can just give it away without a credit.

Hope that will help you!

Welcome to PBS!

Betsy

1- yes

2 - no

Per the posting guidelines.

Agreeing with the others just to join in. :)

Thank you very much.

Another last question, I'm looking into bidding on some ebay lots. How would you feel about spine creasing? The books are otherwise in excellent condition but the spines are creased when read.

Thanks again!

Spine creasing is AOK so far as being postable is concerned.    That phenominon is nearly universal in paperbacks that have been read a few times.

So far as the second book is concerned:  If the pages are all attached to one another, but the cover is coming undone because the glue layer is not holding together, i woud probably repair it with glue, maybe acid free, if possible.  I probably would not post it even then, but I think it should be repaired before offering it as a freebie, with explanation as to its state before sending it to somebody. 

Oh ok. Thank you :)