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Topic: Growing number of unpostables

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Subject: Growing number of unpostables
Date Posted: 4/16/2008 5:30 AM ET
Member Since: 12/3/2005
Posts: 3,319
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Is any one else noticing a larger number of unpostables being received?  Since the beginning of the year, in my last 50 books, I've received 6 unpostables (broken spines & water damage).  That is more than I had received in the previous 150 books received.  They have all been wishlist books, several with a large list waiting behind me, that I was *hoping* to read and pass on.  At best, I can now offer them as free w/ an order.

I am noticing that these are not just being posted by new people, but by people who have been here longer than I have.  The most recent would only return credit if I returned the book.  For a site set up for readers, it's amazing how many can't bother to read the Help docs to know posting guidelines or how to resolve problem transactions. 

patticom - ,
Date Posted: 4/16/2008 7:20 AM ET
Member Since: 11/3/2007
Posts: 416
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It seems like there are more complaints about it lately, but so far I've been lucky (knock on wood LOL).  I've only received one book I would call absolutely unpostable (and a few that were "last read" borderlines)... the sender of the u.p. book did not return my credit, but I also did not ask for it since I accidentally marked received OK before noticing the problem.  He was very polite about it though, apologized and said he'd try to be more careful.  :)

Everyone makes mistakes; I posted one wrong myself recently, oops!  What shocks me are the reports of rudeness, and refusal to make it right by returning the credit when asked, especially when people ask politely.  :(   I didn't hesitate to return the credit for my mistake--it's only the right thing to do!! 

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 8:12 AM ET
Member Since: 5/10/2007
Posts: 5,526
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I know I accidently posted an unpostable but was able to contact the person and let them know before I sent it and offered them another book off my shelf for free.  I was sort of anxious about it because if they didn't want it I needed them to accept so I could cancel and they could keep their place in the FIFO line...I went through a few requestors before someone actually responded and didn't let it time out.

you can only hope that it is someone that didn't realize it and aren't making it a habit!

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 8:26 AM ET
Member Since: 8/27/2007
Posts: 3,326
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What shocks me are the reports of rudeness, and refusal to make it right by returning the credit when asked, especially when people ask politely.

What she said! It's one thing to miss some underlining or highlighting, but when a book has problems *and* the sender is rude and/or abusive about having it pointed out - it makes for the kind of bad trades that should never happen.

It's no wonder so many people are just marking them received and not saying anything. Who needs the agravation?

I had a damaged by PO book that was clearly in like-new condition when it was sent. I didn't ask for my credit back, but the sender gave it to me anyway. (I returned it)  And I've had a old book with old stains arrive and the sender refused to return a credit when I asked -- in addition to calling me a liar. I had one woman get so abusive with me that I reported her to TPTB. It's amazing how hostile people can get!

As for increasing numbers -- they are for me!  For books received, the last 3 in a row were bad, and 4 of the last 5.

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 9:16 AM ET
Member Since: 4/17/2007
Posts: 918
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Denise, that stinks. i have been a member for almost a year and i have had my share of dumpy books but they are few and far between. it seems to even out in the end... i have been getting books i swear came right off the shelf at B&N lately.

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 9:32 AM ET
Member Since: 6/20/2007
Posts: 4,974
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I've been lucky--most of mine have been arriving looked very nice.

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 12:15 PM ET
Member Since: 6/28/2005
Posts: 390
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Always mark "problem" books as received with a problem! We need to weed out senders who are sending out bad books. I've received a book that clearly had huge stains in 1/3 of the book. The sender refuses to return my credit and told me that the book was still readable. I've sent her all the info in the help section to no avail. Fortunately in over 500 transactions this is the only sender that I"ve encountered like this. Boo to her!

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 1:42 PM ET
Member Since: 7/7/2007
Posts: 4,815
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<<It's no wonder so many people are just marking them received and not saying anything. Who needs the agravation?>>

Except it is exactly that type of action which permits these bad apples to keep sending out unpostable books and intimidating folks into not saying anything about it.  Marking books RWP isn't always pleasant, but it is your civic duty as a member of PBS.

Cheers,

Catt

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 2:00 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2007
Posts: 8,139
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Exactly, Catt!

I look at it this way... If I post a lot of bad books, say 10 of them, and only 2 people mark them RWAP, then I've netted 8 credits by posting unpostables. But if everyone marked RWAP, I think it would be noticed by the site owners, KWIM? The members might not get credits back, but I'd surely get a talkin' to, or punted from the site.

You don't have to ask for your credit back when the book is unpostable. Just mark it, politely explain why you did, and move on. It works well that way! :)

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 3:10 PM ET
Member Since: 12/19/2005
Posts: 5,091
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It seems to go in waves for most people.  A few months ago, I received three unpostables for one postable (or something like that, I don't remember the exact numbers).  Recently, I've received one unpostable (and got my credit back) but three of four like new books, plus a couple more that were used but completely acceptable.  I hope you all get a bunch of good ones soon!

Date Posted: 4/16/2008 3:14 PM ET
Member Since: 5/18/2007
Posts: 13,179
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<Hey Melissa> <waving>

My daughter got a wishlisted book the other day that wasn't just water damaged but literally warped by the water damage. You can barely open it without it cracking and creaking. 

What really killed us was the fact that the sender PUT A NOTE tucked in the book and basically said: "Sorry it's damaged, I hope you don't mind."  lol I mean ..... c'mon now!

She then told my daughter via e-mail after my daughter contacted her that by "damage" she meant a small tear on the cover. There is no tear and the sender claimed to know nothing about the water damage. Well, it was sent in a bubble mailer, with a plastic lining in the mailer and the mailer itself was perfectly dry.  My dd kept refering her to the help docs but apparantely she's one of those readers who doesn't want to read the help docs!

The sender called my daughter a "bleep" because she wouldn't send the book back without another credit being issued to cover the postage!

All in all, I've had pretty good luck (and so has my daughter). But what I have noticed (and I'm not complaining) is that the books have gone from very nice condition to just barely postable condition. Like I said, it's not an issue with me as long as it's postable but I've noticed the general quality of books I've received has deteriorated.

 



Last Edited on: 4/16/08 3:15 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Date Posted: 4/16/2008 6:00 PM ET
Member Since: 8/10/2005
Posts: 4,593
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I haven't noticed any increase in problems.  I've gotten 1,050 books since I joined here and I can count on one hand the number of books I've received that were unpostable, and most of those were ones I got in the first year or so. I'm ordering less books now than I did then (my wishlist basically does my 'shopping' unless I need a next-in-series book that's in the system) but I'm sure my last unpostable book was over 6 months ago and that one was one that the post office had actually damaged.

Cheryl

Subject: Increased unpostables
Date Posted: 4/16/2008 10:15 PM ET
Member Since: 11/18/2005
Posts: 5,415
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I've been here 2.5 years and I have gotten one book that was unpostable. She offered a credit back, but I said it was ok.  If anything the books I have been getting lately have been all but new, probably read once.  Watche me jinx myself and start getting less then terrific books

Date Posted: 4/17/2008 9:08 AM ET
Member Since: 3/29/2008
Posts: 16
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I am a pretty new member and want to make sure I'm doing everything right.  I have sent out 10 books so far and recieved 5.  All of the books I've sent are in much better condition than the ones I've recieved.  95% of the books I posted when I joined were purchased new and read once.  The books I have recieved I don't think are unpostabe.  All are obviously well used books which is fine with me, but where I'm concerned is when I'm done with them about reposting them.  None have water damage or odors.  The worst one I rec'd had many folded pages, several that are krinkled in on the long edge, the back cover also has some residue on it that can be seen, but not felt.  It looks like someone used press and seal on it at one time.  I marked this book recieved because I really couldn't find anything that was specified as making a book unpostable.  So I guess my question is, can I post this book when I'm done reading it.  I don't want someone to get upset with me for posting and sending an unpostable.  I have been trying to gauge what is OK to post based on what I'm sent, but now I don't really know.  Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

Date Posted: 4/17/2008 11:13 AM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2007
Posts: 8,139
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With the residue, a lot of people recommend Goo Gone. Personally, I just use rubbing alcohol. Works just as well for me. :)

I think that some of us get spoiled when we receive a string of "like new" books, and then when we get one that meets the minimum criteria we get disappointed, LOL! But really, if you're in doubt you can do what I do. Open up the book posting guidelines and read them, comparing each as you go. If it meets site criteria post it! If someone wants better than PBS-quality, the request should have a special requestor condition.

So when you've read it, check its condition and post away. :) If it's reached the end of its life while in your hands, you can donate the book or if it's a WL book offer it as a freebie with order in the Book Bazaar.

Date Posted: 4/17/2008 4:04 PM ET
Member Since: 8/2/2007
Posts: 59,977
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I have been getting more unpostables lately, too. It's driving me crazy! I got one today that's spine is cleaved in 3 places!

Date Posted: 4/17/2008 4:57 PM ET
Member Since: 1/23/2006
Posts: 353
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Nope - I've been getting unusually nice books of late. I'd chalk it up to standard deviation and pick up another one to read!

You have my sympathies if folks have been rude, though...



Last Edited on: 4/17/08 4:59 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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