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Topic: "LIKE NEW" ??????

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Subject: "LIKE NEW" ??????
Date Posted: 1/9/2011 10:00 AM ET
Member Since: 6/9/2006
Posts: 4
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Why do people who belong to this site list as a condition..must be like new...if you are looking for a "LIKE NEW" book..go to the book store! The books listed,by my understanding,are books that hahve been passed to other members and as we are all readers books do not stay in "LIKE NEW" condition......I have a love for reading and books and would NOT pass on a book that was in poor shape but I will not ship to anyone that asks for a "Like New" book.Anyone have any thoughts on this?

I understand "from a non-smoking home or pet free home" but not like new!

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 10:06 AM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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This is discussed almost daily.  I just decline and move on to the next requestor. 

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 10:30 AM ET
Member Since: 7/23/2006
Posts: 15,930
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I've sent to people with "like new" conditions.  Maybe they want to gift it.  Maybe they want it to keep on their shelf.  Maybe they just like having a clean, un-beaten-up book to read.

Don't know, don't worry about it, but if my book is in "like new" condition, I'll send it on. 

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 10:58 AM ET
Member Since: 8/18/2005
Posts: 7,977
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I've had plenty of books that are in 'Like New" condition and have been happy to pass them along.

This is not a big deal. It is not personal. And it's their credit and they know their reasons for what ever RC's they post. Let them spend it the way they want.

For heaven's sake, just decline and move on. A few seconds of your time isn't worth worrying over.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 11:13 AM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,225
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Most of my books that I bought myself look like new so I am always happy to grant their wish. There's no need for them to go buy the book because with hundreds of thousands of members here, someone is going to have the and not be willing to send. If you are not, decline and wait for the next requester.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 12:23 PM ET
Member Since: 9/12/2008
Posts: 35
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What's funny to me is the fact that about 95% of the books I receive ARE 'like new' . . . I have only received one book in all my swaps that came pretty heavily used. Still completely postable and within the parameters of the rules, but kind of 'too icky' to keep as part of my collection.    I tend to keep the books that I receive in trades, so I have been super happy with the book conditions that have been sent to me.  I'm tickled pink with all my swaps and think that most readers DO tend to trade books in fantastic shape.   The books I trade are in fantastic used condition, but I have been scared off of swaps with RCs that say "like new" condition, especially ones that are in belligerant tones - its so subjective and open to interpretation that I don't want to get caught up in the whole RWAP world.  

Loving me some PBS,

Laura

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 1:37 PM ET
Member Since: 8/18/2005
Posts: 7,977
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The books I trade are in fantastic used condition, but I have been scared off of swaps with RCs that say "like new" condition, especially ones that are in belligerant tones - its so subjective and open to interpretation that I don't want to get caught up in the whole RWAP world. 

Don't forget, if it's vague, then as the sender you call the shots and can keep the credit if you really believe your book met conditions.

I've sent out my share of RC'd books. Some easily "Like New".

And I have only received a lot of happy PM's and Thank You's for the ones set out. Not one problem in the whole batch.

 

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 2:09 PM ET
Member Since: 8/18/2008
Posts: 7,759
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If I order a hardcover children's book, then most likely I do want it to be in excellent condition with the dustjacket.  These books I donate to my childrens' school library, as we do not have enough funding for AR books, and they won't buy the AR test without a book.  If I can get them for the school library through here, it's worth my credit, but I don't stress about it if someone declines my RC. 

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 2:21 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
Posts: 14,177
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Gail, that RC gets declined alot b/c many members feel the same as yourself.  Don't take it personally, just decline and move on to the next requester.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 2:21 PM ET
Member Since: 1/17/2009
Posts: 10,178
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I will send to "like-new" RCs if my book meets the condition.

I don't think its subjective at all. I know what a new book looks like perfectly well.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 2:26 PM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2007
Posts: 8,411
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The requestor has the right to add any RC they want, just like you have the right to decline any RC that you want.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 2:43 PM ET
Member Since: 9/27/2008
Posts: 370
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I would usually decline that RC.   To me that means they want the book to look like it has never been read.  I just don't think it's possible to read a book and still keep it 'like new". 

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 3:35 PM ET
Member Since: 8/18/2005
Posts: 7,977
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I just don't think it's possible to read a book and still keep it 'like new".

Many books here probably haven't been read. I've gotten duplicates as gifts, decided to trade out new books that I'd rather have an ebook copy of, and I have one local thrift that gets some MMPB that have obviously never been opened, let alone read. Once in a while I'll see ones at the library sales that don't looked touched at all.

Certainly, if you're not comfortable with what you have being 'like new' then decline. But some of us actually have books that easily meet that condition. I'm glad to send them off, 'cause that makes two of us happy with a trade.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 3:45 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,225
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 To me that means they want the book to look like it has never been read.  I just don't think it's possible to read a book and still keep it 'like new". 

I would very much disagree. I find it very easy to read a book and have it not look any different than it did before I read it.  Books almost always leave my house in the same visible condition as they came in.



Last Edited on: 1/9/11 3:45 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Date Posted: 1/9/2011 4:59 PM ET
Member Since: 1/20/2009
Posts: 2,680
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What Melanie said.

It's actually usually very easy to read a book and have it not even look read when you're finished. Really thick books can be harder, since you sometimes absolutely can't read it without opening it far enough when you reach the center pages to cause some very minor spine bending. But, with the average book, I nearly always leave them after I read them in the same condition they started in. Some poeple are harder on books than others in their reading habits, so it may well be virtually impossible for some to leave the book looking like new when they finish reading it, but I can promise you it is not only possible but quite easy for others to do so.

ETA: Yes, I accept any and all RCs that my books meet, and decline any RCs that they don't. I don't know why some people take them personally, as if it's a personal insult to them that the person has conditions for the books they want. I just assume they have their reasons, which are really none of my business, and either accept or decline based on the condition of the book in question. And yes, I do have a lot of books that have been read which would currently have no problem meeting any 'like new' RC that was in place on a request for them.



Last Edited on: 1/9/11 5:13 PM ET - Total times edited: 2
Subject: Like New
Date Posted: 1/9/2011 8:50 PM ET
Member Since: 11/18/2005
Posts: 5,445
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If my book meets the "like new" I will  send it, if not, I won't. Alot of mybooks I have received have been in NEW condition. I can only think of a coule of books that didn't meet the new criteria...thye were ok, but not new.

Date Posted: 1/9/2011 10:07 PM ET
Member Since: 10/14/2010
Posts: 577
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Hmmmm...

"Like New" still covers a lot of territory.  Look at what these places say concerning "As New" for their book rating systems.  It is virtually impossible for this to occur, they even mention that some books when they are new don't even fit into this category.

Loganberry Book Rating System
Independent Online Booksellers Association Standard Definitions

In addition can you tell me the difference between "Fine" and "As New".  I can't and I'm heavily into numistatics (EDIT: This may be why this gives me problems as "Near Mint" in the collectors world carries a lot of weight).

I have posted several books that I believe are in great condition but that is a very subjective ideal.  That is why the PBS "good condition" guidelines are good they are primarily objective.  To look for anything further than this you can run into misinterpretations due to the subjective nature of the topic.  And the instant that you began to provide specific examples of what YOU mean by "Like New" then you make it long enough that I'm sure most peoples eyes glaze over.

I recently looked for a specific book that I wanted for a gift.  I put in my RC that I wanted a crisp cover with only a few finger rubs on the cover as I wanted it for a gift.  This still doesn't even come close to what "Like New" can mean.



Last Edited on: 1/9/11 10:08 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
Date Posted: 1/10/2011 1:45 AM ET
Member Since: 1/20/2009
Posts: 2,680
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I think you might be overanalyzing this a bit much. In regards to RCs at PBS, I assume people are talking in everyday regular casual terms, since this is a club for regular people, not resellers or collectors. Therefore, like new is in a condition like you'd find were you to buy the book brand new at a bookstore or something, unless the person specifically says otherwise. Not a book dealers or collectors definition of the term.

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 4:10 AM ET
Member Since: 1/17/2009
Posts: 10,178
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Yup, that is how I decide. Either the book looks like I just picked it off the shelf at the bookstore, or it doesn't. I can see that perfectly well.

I don't worry too much over technicalities of book collecting. As far as I am concerned, if it looks new, it is new. If it doesn't, it doesn't (even if it is in fact, new).

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 8:04 AM ET
Member Since: 9/25/2008
Posts: 4,791
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I buy a lot of books new so after reading they would be like new so if my book met the conditions I have no trouble posting it. My goal is to get a credit so that I can order another book I'd like to read.

I don't take a requestor condition personally; someone is spending a credit on a book and if they want it from a smoke free home or a pet free home or no dog earred pages or in like new condition; who am I to judge them? I think it is great we can specify the way we want the books we spend credits on.

With that said, senders can decline to send if their book doesn't meet the requirements or if they just don't want to send to someone with conditions.

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 9:13 AM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,225
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Yup, that is how I decide. Either the book looks like I just picked it off the shelf at the bookstore, or it doesn't. I can see that perfectly well.

+1. It really is that simple. 

If you send a book that looks like it was just picked up off of the store's shelf, then the receiver isn't going to argue. If you send something you've tried to justify by looking up a definition on a bookseller site, well you may have just caused yourself problems. Some people might accept lesser quality as like new, but a sender shouldn't try to guess if they will, that's the only time the phase becomes subjective.

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 9:31 AM ET
Member Since: 4/24/2008
Posts: 310
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I usually decline those.  There is always the next person in line waiting for my book who is not going to be as picky.  Most of my books are in very good condition but a paperback is a paperback and there is going to be some slight spine creasing no matter how good you take care of it and even if you are the original owner of the book.  If you have read the book it is not going to look new. I don't take a chance on these people that they will find the slightest little thing to complain about.   

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 10:10 AM ET
Member Since: 8/27/2005
Posts: 4,136
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I agree that with mass market paperbacks, it's very hard to read the book and not cause spine creases.  Does a spine crease make a book not "like new"?  If so, what is the difference between "new" and "like new"--why do booksellers have two categories if they both mean the same thing?

I think of "like new" as somewhat subjective and would not send a book to this RC unless it was, in fact, brand new--or maybe a hardcover that was read very carefully.

Diane

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 10:28 AM ET
Member Since: 8/18/2005
Posts: 7,977
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Yup, that is how I decide. Either the book looks like I just picked it off the shelf at the bookstore, or it doesn't. I can see that perfectly well.

Absolutely.

It really is all very simple, and it works.

Does a spine crease make a book not "like new"?

If you have a choice between paperback books at a book store, do you buy the creased one?

Odds are you don't. You pick the one without creases because the other looks 'handled' and not 'like new' anymore.

Lots of us have MMPB's without creasing. Even my kids can read them without creasing the spine in most cases. Nor do they dog-ear the pages or write in them. You couldn't ever tell the book had been read.

It's really, really not that hard to tell. And if you can't don't fuss with it. Just deline and move along. It only takes seconds.

Date Posted: 1/10/2011 10:50 AM ET
Member Since: 1/30/2009
Posts: 5,696
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Yup, that is how I decide. Either the book looks like I just picked it off the shelf at the bookstore, or it doesn't. I can see that perfectly well.

This.

The most bizarre thing to me is when people say (in the many threads discussing this issue) that they worry that the picky person with the RC won't properly appreciate their wonderful book.  I mean, wouldn't they appreciate them most of all?  To be honest, in my experience, many RCs are born of frustration, and I've had many a thank you from RC users who are happy to receive a book in good condition.  It's people like me with no RCs who couldn't care less if your book is sparking and new.



Last Edited on: 1/10/11 10:51 AM ET - Total times edited: 1
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