Hello everyone,

I just recieved a hardcover copy of a book today that had about a six inch jagged cut along the front of it. It looks like the sender attempted to fix it with scotch tape. The biding is also somewhat loose, but I believe this is due to the large cut in the cover. My question is should I mark it RWAP? I looked under the guidlines, but am still not sure. I try really hard to not be picky as I understand these are used books, but I am not sure this book was postable. Thank you in advance!

That sounds bad.  I can't imagine what that looks like.  I know about tears on paperback covers, but I haven't read anything about this.

Ruth

It does look pretty bad Ruth. I am not sure how anyone managed to tear a hardcover book in this manner, especially since the tear isn't just along the binding. :0(

Here are the help docs...

http://www.paperbackswap.com/help/search.php?terms=guidelines

If the book is a hardcover, and the tear is in the Dust Jacket, that wouldn't count as a flaw since DJs are not required unless the Requestor has an RC for them.

If it's a tradeback, I'd say that it would follow the paperback rules. They're one piece covers, not seperate.

So basically if the HC cover (not DJ) is torn - then there's no guideline really.  I'd say ask the PBS team.

Ruth

This is the ISBN 9780824958596
I also noticed when I looked closer at the book that the front cover, when opened, the cover is completely detached from the binding. What I mean is I can actually see the pages bound together, without the biding cover.

I've always thought that the rule below goes for both hardcovers and paperbacks.

Cover not torn or chewed/gnawed

• 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

The rules do say no tears in the cover and it doesn't specify paperback, I think we just all mostly think of that because how the heck do you tear a hard cover?!?! If it is a gouge instead of a tear, then you get in a grayer area. I would suspect it would not be in "good condition" if the gouge is bad enough to weaken the spine and is still be unpostable. Good luck with that RWP.