I am getting a little frustrated with Requester Conditions.

I do not mind clear ones state the they do not want books that are currently in a smoking home or books that are currently in a home with pets.

My frustration lies with RC that contain a long list of things that go above and beyond what PBS describes as postable, such as:
Hardbacks must have dust jackets if they ever had one
No markings or stickers, even on the inside of the cover and non-text pages
No creases of any kind

I see that I have a book requested and get all excited, then see this long list of extra no-nos and usually end up denying the request because my books are actually used and I get the impression that the requester will be unhappy with anything but a new book in pristine condition.

Am I just being grumpy about this? I find myself wondering if a person is so picky about everything, why are they even looking for books they can't inspect first?

Susan

I don't think you're being grumpy.  I like getting the dust jackets with hard back books, but I don't have an RC for that (I just think the books look prettier with the DJ).

Markings and stickers might be a problem as I send out a lot of ex-library books (in great shape), but sometimes the books come with a special price sticker on it, and most people don't take those off, so you might have to turn down a book for that reason. 

The creases would be hard because if a book is read even once it usually has at least one crease on it (especially if it's a paperback) so this would lead me to believe they only wanted new books.  Hardback would probably be different as usually they aren't creased on the spine.

The only RC you've listed that I probably wouldn't turn down is the DJ one.  Pat

I added a RC that all hardcovers need to have dust jackets if they originally had one because I typicaly only order HC books if I want them for my permanent collection. Books stand out a lot without them since all of my other books have DJs and I'd rather have a tattered DJ than none at all. 

Is that picky? Maybe. However, I think there's a big difference between asking for a DJ and assuming that  someone expects a used book be in like new condition.

In some ways, I think it's similar to selling a video/dvd/computer game without the original case. Do you have to have it to use something? Probably not. Is it nice to have if you can get it? Absolutely.  

Requestor Conditions are there for people that want books in BETTER than the posted guideline.  Not necessarily brand new books, just ones that are over and above the minimum requirements for posting the book.

People that have RCs like those are probably used to getting turned down for books they request.  Probably just as frustrated from getting books in bad shape as you are with the RCs.  Or, they're looking for a gift-quality or keeper quality book.  Lots of reasons.

Don't let RCs get you down, every swapper runs into them.  Some days I'm grumpy about getting a request with one and some days I'm not.

I'm not sure that people that have RCs necessarily expect to get a newer book. They just might be bothered by one particular thing.

Like stickers ... I don't have an RC against stickers myself, and price or store stickers don't really bother me, but it is kind of annoying getting other kinds of stickers on the books. I got a book a month ago that had a huge label (like 3 X 5 inches) that was plastered on the spine of the book ... it was someones personal inventory sticker.  So, now that the book is on my bookcase, I have to look at this really ugly inventory sticker that takes up most of the spine instead of looking at the spine. And, its an older book so the sticker can't be removed without damaging the cover. And what's printed on the sticker? ... the title of the book and the author, which was on the spine BEFORE they added the humongous sticker.

So, I still didn't make an RC for stickers, but if I get more books like that one, you can bet I will.

I don't mind RCs, because I don't feel obligated to accept them.  If I have a doubt or a qualm or even a bad feeling, I turn them down, clearly stating why I did so. 

I've thought about implementing an RC myself for when ordering paperbacks, but haven't figured out how to effectively word it.  Many of the paperbacks I get have broken or about to be broken spines.  In many cases the separation is borderline, but I wouldn't post it and I'd rather get fewer of them, especially for books with many copies in the system. 

Of the RCs you listed, I'd only turn down "No creases of any kind" - I doubt that my books qould qualify, and even if they did, I'd rather surprise someone with a great book than worry whether the requestor would find an errant crease.

The other two requests seem reasonable to me.  I don't much like stickers, and dh is fanatical about dust jackets.

Personally Yes, I think you are being a bit grumpy about Requestor Conditions....the purpose of them IS to list requests that are above what PBS states is postable.  It is something that is put into place by the site for members to use so, that they can increase the possibility that they get a book like they want.  Do they get turned down...you bet they do.

Hardback books  look better with the dustjacket, paperback books can be read without creating creases and stickers on a book are totally frustrating.

Thank you for your feedback. It is doing me some good to hear it.

It's really not the single condition that gets to me, it's the RC that's about as long as my arm: no this, no that, none of the other thing, either.

Simply 
"I want the dust jacket if there ever was one"
-or-
"No books that are currently in a smoker's home"
-or-
"No stickers"

Really isn't so bad, but when they are worded vaguely or all piled up in the same RC, I get an image of a receiver that can't be pleased.

Thanks!

I tend to turn down lengthy RCS and ones with a lot of requirements.  I'm afraid I'll miss something and quite frankly I just don't want to read some of the really long ones.  A really long RC just screams picky to me.

I don't mind the no dust jacket/exlibrary/no bookcrossing type ones.  Or the no-smoking no pet ones either.  Those I can appreciate.

It's the no smell, no creases, no dog-ears, mint condition ones. I actually had one that said they only want books that look brand new.  I would have turned down that one even if I had a brand new never read book. 

I had one recently for an audiobook that asked for a mint-condition box.  I turned that one down. The box was in good shape but htey aren't required and I did not want to be guilted into giving back 2 credits because the box wasn't pristine especially since it was WL.  I mean it's an audio book-get real.

I'm always polite in my reasons for rejecting.  Although I did tell one lady who requested a 15yr old oop/htf WL book and had RCS asking for only books in brand new mint condition that she was too picky for a used trading site and an old book with over 80 people wishing. 

I have to say the dust jacket thing is kind of humorous. As a designer and Architect, the first thing I do in someone's home or office is remove all the dust jackets so their books look better and more expensive. When I started on this site, I thought that would be a problem since none of my hardbacks have dustjackets. I keep them on if I get them from PBS, but they are kept in a closed book case in my bedroom where I keep my "Trading" books.

I guess it is all in how you look at things.

As a designer and Architect, the first thing I do in someone's home or office is remove all the dust jackets so their books look better and more expensive.

Rebecca, I had to laugh when I read this!  I myself find dust jackets really annoying and generally toss them asap.    As far as reading without creating creases, frankly when I am reading a book I enjoy, maintenance of the book's current condition is hardly a top priority to me.  So I will probably be rejecting quite a few requests, I guess.

This is the way I look at Requestor Conditions.   They are allowed by the site with no restrictions.  So it does not annoy me if someone wants to write long, complicated RC's.   However - it is also my right to say thanks but no thanks, I'll send my book to someone else.   I'm not going to let someone's desire for a book in a certain condition to upset my day.

Cozette, you are absolutely right about that.  Anyway, all of my posted books are in fully postable condition; furthermore, we are a non-smoking household with only a bird which doesn't get near the books, so I probably will be able to meet many RCs.  IAC if I think I might not be able to do so, reject it I will, and let someone else who is less picky get the book.

I just turned down a request for a book because of a very long list of requestor's conditions. The book I just listed has been sitting on my shelf for about a year, but is still in brand new condition. It met all of the requestor's requirements (well, if I shipped the book exactly as the person asked it to be shipped), but the tone of the conditions were just out of line, in my opinon.

The book is wish listed, so I'll be happy to send it to the next person in line.

Nora,

I also find dust jackets annoying. I take them off immediately, read the book, then put them back on if I am trading. And, I hate the look of them on shelves, they are usually torn, worn, loose, or something. I either sort my keeper books by Genre, then binding color, or sometimes just by binding color, like one shelf has all red books. or one stack has all red books. I store them both vertical and horizontally.

Thank you ladies, for making me feel better about those dust jackets. I have a 3yo daughter who seems to have made it her mission to destroy dust jackets. It's nice to know she's in good company in terms of not liking them!

I am amazed at how many people seem to have an issue with missing dust jackets. About half of my books that came with the dust jacket have a cover identical to the jacket, so I really don't understand what it is about them that makes the book undesirable without them. Of course, I've always viewed books as something to read or refer to. Maybe the dust jacket is more of an asthetic issue for people who use books as a decoration. Hmmm....

Susan

Of course, I've always viewed books as something to read or refer to.Maybe the dust jacket is more of an asthetic issue for people who use books as a decoration. Hmmm....

It's possible to enjoy books both intellectually and aesthetically; the two concepts are not mutually exclusive. Just as some prefer antique furniture to sleek contemporary pieces, the DJ/ no DJ debate ultimately ends up a matter of personal preference. Neither preference is better or more logical. At the end of the day, it's purely a matter of opinion. 

While I myself have no issues or RCs regarding dust jackets. ( I just love to read! ) The logic of having one for me would be protection for the book. Let the dust jacket take the hits of wear and tear in order to preserve the book itself just a little bit longer. I would probably have an RC if I wanted to collect a set of hardback books by one author. The logic being if the Jacket meets posting guidelines then the book is probably better than average. :)

I think it's annoying to have extremely long RCs, if they want the book to be brand new they should go buy it and not expect someone to give it to them for free.  Aren't we here to read books and give them to others?  I can understand a few requirements due to allergies and such or if you are looking to collect a certain type, but like the architect said above keep it an enclosed bookshelf so the dust doesn't get to the books.  They look nice and protect.  But I just turn them down politely and wonder to myself why they are looking for new books on a site that passes around books to tons of people.  Oh well...they lose the book.

I had one today that made me laugh:

Please, hardback books without dust jackets. Thanks!

HUH?

Redwingsgal, I did not mean to sound like it is a bad thing to use books decoratively or that it is not possible to enjoy a book for both its content and appearance. Just, well, if you could see my overpopulated bookcases, you'd see where I'm coming from with that statement.

I don't really mind RCs. I turn them down if they're unclear. It hurts a tiny bit to see a possible point disappear but better than having to return it later because they were unclear!

I understand both the DJ and sticker RCs. I don't have RCs for them, but I was so nervous after ordering a hardcover that I really wanted the DJ for. I'll be using an RC if I ever really want the DJ on future hardcovers. I was lucky with this order though! I also got a book recently with an address label on the title page. I never thought a name or sticker label would irk me but it did! I tore it out along with part of the page. So it's a little thinner in that spot but now it doesn't have her name and address on it (it's one I'm keeping anyway). I haven't made an RC for no stickers though. I'm still mulling it over. Basically what I'm saying is, I'm glad the RCs are there, you never know when suddenly you might start thinking about using them. ;)

Can I just make one appeal for the "long" RC commenters... please read a bit before your reject it out of hand!!  I have one R/C and one only, but it is necessarily long because I want to explain thoroughly the requirements and quirks of living overseas at a military APO address!!  I have so far only had one person turn me down for the length of the R/C, and one because s/he stated that s/he "reject ALL R/C on principle" (then apologized since it was obvious mine is unavoidable, but it didn't stop them from turning me down anyway LOL). 

That said, I agree with those who say they turn down those who have a laundry list of R/Cs, depending on my mood and how much time I want to devote to nitpicking.  If I'm in a good mood with plenty of time I might take the time to read carefully each and every item and ensure the book meets the condition, if not I just click "does not meet conditions" and go on my merry way.  :)-  While I find some of the lists ridiculous and it does seem apparent they want only new-condition books, I defend their right to ask whatever they want and I *LOVE* the fact of the R/Cs and wish all the swap sites had them!!  :)  Like Cozette says, what's the big deal?  It's ok for you to say no if you don't like them.  :)