No - it's not Multi Level marketing.  It's a cult!

I guess they fell into that category of people who are smart enough to know they don't want to get involved in MLM, but are too dumb to recognize it on thier own!

Obviously I am too dumb to know what muti-level marketing is, unless it is those pyramid schemes?  Either way, I would be inclined to answer "I don't know what it is, other than to say it's an obsessed reader's dream come true."

unless it is those pyramid schemes

Exactly!  See how dumb you're not?  :-)

I'm familiar with the basic concept of pyramid schemes, but how exactly did they think PBS fit into that category????

Either way, I would be inclined to answer "I don't know what it is, other than to say it's an obsessed reader's dream come true."

ROFLMBO....I have to say I COMPLETELY agree with this assessment.  My DH would too, since he see's me as one of thos obsessed readers!

Kristin, I am thiking that they are afraid it would be used like the MLM in that as I sign more people up and the more people that order underneath me, the more money/credits I would make.  That's the only way I could see it working like an MLM, but I can't see how it would 'work' since WAY too many free credits and such would be going out that the site couldn't keep up.

JMHO

Does it count that I now have enough books in my TBR pile to make a pyramid? A really big pyramid?

Love it, Cheryl!  I wonder how many book pyramids we PBSers have among us all?

Oh, great big one here--Giza sized book pyramid!

Maybe we should all build statues with our books and take pictures of them!! I am sure  I could make a castle with all the books I have around the house. Of course I JUST reorganized my bookshelves to get all my books on it, so I would  hate to empty them to try this right now!!

Diane

"Is this multi-level marketing?"

I'm glad that I didn't get that question during my volunteer shift. ;-)

But Jen M. -- who I met at the Times Festival along with Linda, John F., Camden S. and others -- came up with the best way to describe what PBS is about:

"It's like your bookshelf at home becomes a national bookshelf!"

The Festival was a great event, and I think we convinced quite a few people that PaperBackSwap is a great idea! I guess we'll know when those referral credits start rolling in :-).

I had a good time, meeting everyone and talking up this wonderful website. I'm looking forward to the next event in Sarasota.

Roger C.

Actually, I often wonder how many people wonder that. Think about it. Most folks who sign up here probably get many of their books new or perhaps used online, because finding particular books in the local UBS can be difficult at best.

So you come to PBS and post some of your newer books, which get snatched up quickly. You now have a few credits to spend, plus the freebies. So you go browsing. You look for a newer release, but none of them have fewer than 250 people on the wait list. Hmmm.... You check "A Thousand Splendid Suns", a book that's been released for 5 months, and there are 1300+ wishers on that one.

So you think that you'll just try for the new Sue Grafton book that comes out in December. Nope. Already 250 members waiting for that one. So now what? You've just posted a few books that could possibly have garnered $10 to $12 on half.com to get credits for what?

A lot of folks say "There are plenty of OTHER books to get!" Well, sure. But the appearance is that the only way to get a highly desirable book on this site is to be a long-time member, it sure can LOOK like multi-level marketing. And when it comes to the internet, appearances mean a lot.

Hey Roger!

I too really enjoyed working the PBS table!  It was fun!!!  I would like to think that just my excited description of  the WL feature sold some people!  :)

BTW Roger, I thought you didn't have a PBS nickname...

- Jen M.

"it's an obsessed reader's dream come true"

OMG, what a great line.  I have been a member for almost two months and I think I have died and gone to heaven.  My family is ready for an intervention......

Does it count that I now have enough books in my TBR pile to make a pyramid? A really big pyramid?

LOL. The best laugh I've had all day. Thanks, I needed that.