Since I've noticed on the forums that a lot of people look at the member's profile before deciding to go through with an order, I've been looking as well to see if I can predict problems from what a person's bookshelf/profile looks like.  The other day I ordered an Ian Rankin book, then looked at the member's information.  He had no profile and five other books on his shelf.  I ordered the book Sunday night, it was mailed first class on Monday and I received it on Wednesday.  And, the book looks brand new!

I do admit I wish everyone had a profile, though.

I've had a lot of great transactions with members who have small shelves.  Often my obscure WL books come from these members. Thanks!!

some people don't have much on their bookshelves because they post WL'd books most of the time.  That doesn't mean they won't be a good shipper!

I've also noticed people that don't show their profile and while it would be nice it isn't required.  Or maybe they don't realize they don't have it as public.

More often than not my books came from people with small shelves and no profile.  Without problems.  The biggest problem for me came from someone with very large bookshelf and profile.

My shelf is teeny! But, like Leslie offered, I post a lot of wishlist books and they go out as soon as I put them up. Maybe that's the norm for us teeny shelf members.

I don't worry about whether they have a profile or small bookshelf. I look at how often their shelf is updated and if it's fairly current I'll order.

I think all of the books on my bookshelf now have been there since I first joined. Absolutely everything I've posted since then (and there have been quite a few) were wishlisted by several people, so they flew off the shelf with nary a backward glance!  I have a ton more to post that I recently purchased from Amazon and B&N, but I'd like to see some of the oldies move first. Any suggestions?  I've got a couple WL books that I rec'd here that I don't feel pass the postable test, so I am planning to offer them in the Bazaar as freebies if they take something else from my shelf. Any other ideas to get some of the books on my shelf that are gathering dust to move?  Carol Ann

Carol Ann - go into the book bazaar thread and offer a deal (say 2 for 1) but don't post any of your newer books (unless they are WL) and see if you can move any of them.  I know I shop for deals to get the most bang for my credit.

I did just go check out your shelf and you have some good books, I've just read them all (or most of them!)

I read mostly library books, listing the books I own that I've read one-at-a-time as I finish them; so, I rarely show more than one or two offerings at a given time. My books are almost all new, and I mail First Class as much as 75 cents over Media Mail so that the book (theoretically) arrives quicker; my books are fairly well-sealed (I've gotten compliments on it).

I am curious to know how one "predicts problems" based upon what a shelf looks like?