starting a new thread after 200 posts in the old one!!

from the last thread: chapter 6

Message 202: brknhrt
Minor grump here . I mailed out a book almost a month ago and it has not been marked received. I did a "remind" and an email a week apart with no response. I did get a message with the last one on the bookmooch site that said something about in a month I could mark it received, but that is not my grump. This person claims to be an admin! I hope he is touring Europe or hiking somewhere amazing and not just ignoring me. :)
Today, 8:16pm

Message 203: chelonianmobile
>202 Oh, I think Mark's just really slow at marking books received sometimes. Maybe he doesn't get his mail too frequently? I sent a book that I think took just about the full six media mail weeks some time back.

Since he'll likely see this thread at some point, we can always ask him. Hey, Mark! How frequently do you get your mail? :P

Today, 8:21pm

Message 204: bookoholic13

#202 & #203
Yeah, it takes a little while. I'm waiting for a "received" from him too and we live in the same county! :)

sorry for the delay folks, posted in other thread

Thank you. Resolved my received. I am disappointed though; I really was hoping he was away having some great adventure sailing around the world or something!

reposted from the Chapter 6 thread:

Message 207: DollyBantry
Thanks for this advice. I just went in and canceled about 8 requests which had been "hanging there" for months. I was wondering how long one should wait according to BM etiquette before canceling.

>5/207: I think it depends. If I'm able to actually contact the person I'm mooching from, then I trust at some point they'll send the book. If it's been a month since I mooched the book and my book hasn't even been send or forbid, even accepted, and the user isn't responding to my emails, I'll cancel (unless it's a book I really want - in this case I might hold out hope). Just make sure to put in the public feedback section that you attempted to contact the user and there was no response.

I wait a week and if there is no response I either email them or send a reminder (an email is friendlier). I cancel if there hasn't been a response after another week. This gives them plenty of time to respond without tying up my points for months. Also, if they aren't responding, canceling puts their account "on vacation", which keeps others from tying up their points on someone who isn't around. When they come back, it's easy enough for them to take themselves off vacation status and allow people to mooch again.

If there is a response, I have found that even if it takes a long time, they will generally eventually send the book.

I am in a situation where the person that I want to mooch from doesn't seem to have a functioning email. I tried twice ( and just tried once more today) and my emails bounced back. This person has been on Bookmooch in the past few days and in fact has accepted a mooch from someone who asked for a book a few days later than I have! Their account is set to accepting world wide mooches. I did notice that this person has had moochers cancel on him/her. He/she just doesn't answer.
I'll wait one more week.

8: Keep in mind that people can have 2 or more email addresses setup for Bookmooch. ...but good luck.

8: Oh I hate that. I've had more then a few situations like that. I have to assume those people aren't as active on BookMooch as I am, because I'd realize right away if I wasn't getting emails.

Small rant... I have 4 or 5 books waiting on my pending list for people to mark as recieved. Some have been sent over a month ago airmail (4-6 buisness days). All the people that I am waiting on have not logged into BM for 25+ days so very well could have recieved the book but not marked it as recieved.

What do I do? I've sent out emails and reminders but I do NOT want 4-5 lost books under my profile. The active members I'm not so concerned about, its the inactive people that I'm annoyed with. Grrr lol.

#11 I think you have to wait 6 weeks (?) from the date of your last reminder and then, in addition to the RECEIVED and LOST buttons, the "FORCE RECEIVE" option button will show up. Don't send any further reminders because that resets the clock and you'll just have to wait longer for the FORCE RECEIVE button to appear.

Thanks for the advice Lola. I've already recieved one "recieved" email so whatever I did its working, lol. I'll just be patient and wait for the rest I guess.

Lola has it 100% right :)

I just had my first "lost" marked on a book that I sent. I had two "sent" books that were hanging - I sent an email to the older of the two to see if they received it and it was marked as "received". I was just contemplating sending an email to the second to ask if they had received the book when I got notification that they had marked the book as "lost". When I look through my history it seems that the moocher requested two books from me at the same time - one of which is marked as received. I can't fathom that I would have sent them separately (to my recollection I have never done so) and it is not on my "BookMooch" shelf. Could they have accidentally thrown away the small paperback with the packaging when they received the larger book? I do have a copy of the work in my library (the reason I was listing a copy on BM was because I had accidentally acquired a duplicate) - should I go ahead and send them my other copy?

IN THE MEANTIME - I have contacted someone I mooched 2 books off of because I received one of them but not the other so I thought maybe they had forgotten to include the 2nd in the package. They emailed me back that they had, in fact, sent them separately and the one that I haven't received was actually the one she sent first. It was marked as "sent" on August 24th (was requested July 20th - but sender had communicated re: the delay and I had no issues). This is a domestic mooch, I have been holding off marking "lost" in case it miraculously showed up but I have to admit that the "forced received" possibility makes me a little nervous.

The combination of my first "lost" sent and my first "lost" received is driving me crazy.

>15 The first scenario seems odd. Maybe double-check and have them look around? It does seem odd that one book would be there and not the other.

I've received a books sent separately from the same person anywhere from a day to two weeks apart, and it's often the second one that makes it there faster. I have no idea how that happens.

There is no accounting for how the mail works sometimes. About ten years ago I took a vacation with my mom and sister where I was gone for two weeks; every day that I was gone a mailed separate postcards to each of my three kids. I assumed that each child would receive a postcard every day. Silly me. It turned out that sometimes several days would go by with no postcards and then a whole batch would arrive at once. In addition, one child might receive a postcard mailed on a given day within a day or two, while another postcard mailed the same day didn't arrive for another week. The postcard that I sent to my son on the first day never did arrive, but both my girls got their cards; all three had been dropped into the same mailbox together. It certainly taught me not to make assumptions that mail will arrive in a timely or logical manner.

This is just a rant, it's not like anything can be done. My daughter likes to have the books assigned to be read in her fourth grade class and as the next book to be assigned is out of print, the students will not be allowed to bring them home. So I checked, and there was one copy available on BM. Except. The guy had a long list of conditions, telling people that he was much to busy and important and loved the earth too much to go to the post office unless he had at least five books to mail. He has 50 mooches outstanding.

He goes on to require a second mooch (because of the earth, again) and then requires that the moocher buy it from Amazon instead of mooching from him (so much for the poor earth) since that supports BM. He will only send a book out if it cannot be obtained on Amazon or Amazon marketplace.

Meanwhile he has almost 300 books in his inventory. I have no real complaint, just that this guy's attitude really sticks in my craw.

Rant over.

That would irk me too, RidgewayGirl. Why does he even bother to be on Bookmooch?

In the meantime, why don't you post the name of that book on the "Book Search Among Friends" thread?

Some of us who have large collections of children's books might have a copy we don't need. I know that I don't ever list everything that I'm willing to give away, in case I get swamped with requests.

I think that guy HAS to be violating some part of the TOS. Can't we report him to the powers that be?

Please click 'abuse' and we will check it out.

Mark W
Bookmooch Team

#18
I don't understand...do you mean that the ONLY mooches that he will accept and send are those that have requested two books that are not available on Amazon?
If so, then since Amazon has practically any book available either used or new, then why does he list any books at all in his inventory...or has he checked Amazon and found that none of them are available before he listed them?

It is a total bummer to find that a book you were trying to angel has been rejected because the book owner permanently closed their account.

I'm sure they had their reasons, but a short message in rejection notes to everyone would have been nicer than just closing it down. :(

>23
chelonianmobile - I hate that too! I've wondered why they didn't do that also; guess when you are not active any more it means you don't do ANYTHING!!

Sometimes also, the account is closed on them, not by them - I had that with someone who mooched lots but didn't send any - now that was upsetting!

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 25, 2009, 1:18am.

>24 This was definitely someone who had a history with BookMooch, and sent quite a lot of books back and forth . . . When I went to check their profile after I got the message, it said they'd only been on an hour before, so I'm pretty sure it was deliberate. :(

So my first somewhat unpleasant BookMooch experience today.
I received a book and it had about a 2 inch piece torn off the back cover which wasn't mentioned in the condition notes. I gave neutral feedback (not negative) with the following comments:

Thankyou for sending but should have mentioned that the back cover was torn in condition notes.

I received the following email response:

You know, I really, really dislike people who expect to receive brand new books from a used book site. If you want a brand new book, BUY IT FROM AMAZON OR BOOKAMILLION. It's one little corner. Geezzzzz...

Was I wrong in my feedback? It was more than just a little corner, and I thought things like that should have been mentioned.

If it was for me I probably wouldn't care but I am angeling it on behalf of someone else and they might have wanted better condition.

No, I think neutral feedback was entirely fair. If the book is in less than good used condition, it is up to the owner to list the damage. This protects both the moocher from getting a book in unacceptable condition and the owner from negative feedback. I know that there are some that don't like to write condition notes, but they should be ready to get the occasional neutral or negative feedback as a result.

We need condition notes precisely because it is a used book site. If they were all new books then condition notes would not be necessary.

26 - You did exactly the right thing. I hope their comments have not completely upset you, as they would me. I hate to be vindictive, but perhaps you should consider changing your feedback to a negative on the basis of her reaction. I imagine that it HAS become a negative transaction for you NOW. Try not to let it bother you. It's important that you pointed it out, for the sake of future moochers.

Big Hugs,
Michelle

#25 Yeah, I know who you mean. She even charity-ed one of her remaining points to me, and I don't know why she left! Because of that, I don't think her account was closed by admin, maybe just got tired of shipping. Dunno. :(

#28 Even WITH condition notes, some users will still send neutral/negative feedback.

26 - That would annoy me too, so I think your feedback was spot on. Also, the moocher says in her status message that "My books unless otherwise stated are in good to excellent condition" so you had every right to expect a big flaw like that to be noted. I'm sorry the moocher was so unreasonable in response.

#26:
You know what I really, really dislike? People who don't know the difference between wanting to know the condition of the book you're purchasing and expecting to receive brand new books.
You did the right thing.

#26
It definitely should have been listed in condition notes. You are not expecting a new book, but you should know the extent of potential damage, especially if it is more than the usual wear and tear of some spine creasing or page yellowing. Although I always mention those as well. I think most of my books posted include comments about those two issues, lol.

I received a book yesterday and found that I got a mass-sized paper back instead of a trade size. I really dislike the smaller ones because my eyesight isn't what it used to be and the small print is harder to read, and I really avoid mooching them. I had resisted mooching an available copy of this book for a long time waiting for a trade size to come available, so I was a little frustrated when the smaller one came in the mail. I checked the ISBN to see if I made the mistake and sure enough, the one on the book was not the same as the one on the listing. Still the book had been mailed promptly and was in good condition, so I settled for leaving positive feedback but noting in the comments that it is best to list books by ISBN and that I had been expecting a different edition.

I had another one arrive recently that smelled of cigarette smoke and had some water damage, which had not been noted in the listing. This one was an angel mooch for another member, and I felt frustrated at having to pass it along to her. (Although I made sure she was aware of it before she mooched from me). Normally I would not have left positive feedback on that one, but it was a new member who seemed somewhat confused by the system and who did work with us to reserve the book and then change it to me so I could angel mooch it, and then she did mail it fairly promptly. So once again, I settled for a positive feedback with a note in the comments about the damage to the book and that it should have been listed in condition notes.

#26 Veritas_ - you're nicer than me. I'd have left -1 to begin with. I've never left negative feedback, but have never received such a seriously damaged book that wasn't noted in the condition notes. I realize I'm lucky.

And I'd go back and leave negative feedback now and click abuse.

Nasty me.

I'm not sure if I should say this is a bad thing or not- I mooched a book that had no condition notes so I e-mailed the owner to ask about them. My e-mail said:
"Hi *****, Can I ask what condition this book is in?
Thanks ever so much"

I thought this was polite, and I did receive an answer which says (And I quote): "IT IS PERFECT ! ! !"

I don't know what to make of this. If you put up an older book (out of print) that has no condition notes then one would almost expect people to be curious about condition. So why the drama? (if that is what you would call it?) Or maybe I am just tired and sick and not taking it the right way.

35: I would interpret that as happy enthusiasm that they have such a great book to offer you.

yeah, sometimes people don't realise that caps indicate shouting. If it wasn't in caps, it would sound ok. Or if they added the obligatory smileyface.

I'd mooch it quick. It's not often that you get the chance to read the perfect book. Imagine the sublime plot, exquisite narrative, lyrical writing...

If the story falls short of perfection, don't forget to leave appropriate feedback: "It was a great book in brand-new condition, but it was not PERFECT!! The writing was somewhat derivative and the pace sluggish. 4.5 stars." -1 feedback, of course.

37- MrAndrew, you always make me smile.

This is my first rant ever, so here goes. I received a book in the mail yesterday that I am angeling for an overseas member. It was wrapped very tightly in paper and I had to use a sharp knife to get it open. When I finally freed the book from the package, I found that I had also freed it from its cover. So now I'm on the hunt for a copy of this book whose cover is attached at more than just the very top and bottom. I know it's my fault for being in too much of a hurry to open it up, but Arrrgh!!! I wish the sender had wrapped the book in a little something else before the outside wrapping.

I have a double rant, about my boyfriend and the F*&%ING post office. Last week, we both had things to mail, but mine was packaged and ready to go, while he still had to sort all of his out. So I left to run my errands and asked him to post everything. Before he left, he called me to ask how I wanted my book posted (airmail). I told him what the price would be too.

When he meets me later he's miffed because my book was so expensive to post. Not only did the PO charge him a higher rate, but they gave him a tracking number, which sends the price skyrocketing. He ended up paying over 5 times what he should have.

I know my PO often tries to overcharge me, sometimes out of ignorance, and because they slap me with a tracking number without asking if I want one. BUT my boyfriend has been with me on so many occasions when I posted books that he should know all this. His excuse? "I don't know these things."

Even if he somehow failed to learn anything about international shipping, he should have just refused to pay so much and asked me to go to the PO myself! Do men need instructions for EVERYTHING?

I didn't pay him back, but it's not like that makes a difference...

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 29, 2009, 9:56am.

inkspot, my SO does the same thing, only with laundry. I've lost a very pretty, floaty summer skirt and now have a cashmere sweater the right size for a two year old. You may want to mail your own books next time, because if you send him again it will end up sent via camel train in a gold-plated box.

>39. Yes. They do. Repeatedly. And, no, he won't change and you can't train him. It's love and acceptance of their limitations or a single existence.

40: Hahahaha, yes, I suppose it's best to battle the PO clerks myself.
I've banned my boyfriend from doing any of my laundry, after seeing the way he does his (anything and everything in the bath, add water and washing powder, soak. Repeat. Hang out to dry).

41: Hmm, yes, it seems so. Sweetness, sarcasm, minor physical abuse, none of it seems to work. In his case, it seems that if there isn't a university course and several books on the subject, it's not worth learning.

I have to brag. :)
I once sent my husband to the PO with a flat rate international envelope, should cost $11.95 to ship. He knew enough to take it back away from them when they tried to charge him $35 something for a package. AND when I printed out the info on flat rate envelopes from USPS, he went back down there with me to argue with them. (new postal guy decided that 'flat' rate envelopes should be 'flat'. heh!)

But I wouldn't let him anywhere near the wash! (and he wouldn't let me anywhere near the car with tools!)

sadly the USPS has been pushing this practice of upselling more and more...

I've seen some clerks mainly do so when the customer seems not to know too much about shipping options.

On the other hand, it's the oldest trick in the book to screw up any little job that a gf/wife asks, so not to be asked again.. (I learned that one from my dear old Dad :)

#44 - that's an interesting perpective :)

#38 - perhaps if you've AngelMooched for one of the sweethearts on here, they'll accept the book the way it now is? Worth checking, I think, Kristin.

#39 - oh dear, hope it won't be mac and cheese from a box for you two, inkspot, for all meals until next payday. That's too bad.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 30, 2009, 9:38am.

>38/45 - absolutely. Kristin if that is one of my books I'll happily read something without a cover - no problem at all.

45/46- I'm sure my moocher would have been fine with it, but I just felt so terrible I went online and found a "used" copy that was listed as looking brand new for super cheap. The book I got yesterday looked brand new, and since I can usually never cut in a straight line, I'm pretty impressed with just how cleanly I cut the cover (it's a hardcover). I'm going to fill in the cut with some glue and use it to test out the "how to hollow out a book" instructions someone posted this summer. I guess my moocher and I are both winners since I would probably never have attacked a book like I now plan to.

That's definitely making the most of the situation, Kristin :)

47: If it's wishlisted by more than that Angel moocher, please consider relisting it anyhow with copious condition notes... "Don't judge a book by its cover."

#47
I was just about to check with you and tell you: if it was mine it was OK, but mine isn 't a hardcover...

Dibs on you for slicing so neatly BTW... :) I want to know which book it is you will be now trying!

I always tape my book parcels up really well - they have to travel so far. (Hmm..maybe the comments I get about well-packaged are sarcastic). I hope no one cuts the book getting it out - and I have heard this a few times before. No one has mentioned such a neat removal of said cover though. LOL!

49/50- okay, okay, someone who is an angel here recently added it to her wishlist, so I'm going to offer it to her (it's not a highly wishlisted book). I'll check the sale shelf at the library for a book that nobody could ever want so I can hollow it out. (If I can get the hang of it, I'm thinking of using them as packages for Christmas presents instead of using wrapping paper.)

Lyn- I've gotten a book from you and it was well-packaged. I myself use about half a roll of packing tape per book. However, this package left no room for error, if that makes any sense. I think even a plastic bag wrapped around the book would have given it a little wiggle room so my knife could get through the outer wrapping without quite getting to the book. I swear, I'm normally a very careful person.

>39 etc.
We have to learn these hard lessons all by ourselves!
Eventually (you'll have to leave us ruin our own clothes first of course) we can be "not trained" up to do the laundry *grin*

Hi Kristin, if it's my book don't worry about the cover. I like receiving damaged books so I can take them to the beach.

53- the book wasn't for anyone I've seen post on this thread, but I do have angel books coming for several of you. You all seem so eager to get damaged books from me that maybe I'll start opening my packages with wild abandon.

Yes, Kristin, feel free to go wild with mine :)

I know I got several books yesterday that ranged from:
1) wrapped in white paper and then severely ducked taped- (at least this was easy to peel off).
2) Wrapped in a bubble mailer then taped with mailing tape
3) Put in a white manalla envelope (looked worn) and then STAPLED!(Horrors! This was enough to scare me for Halloween!- Now there is a good Halloween costume- a bookmooch book that is being mailed in a stapled envelope- no-one would get it but fellow BMers.)
4) Wrapped in computer paper and then taped so severely I had to get scissors and try to slice it open slightly nicking the book.

I have to admit that I do use a fair bit of packaging tape. But considering the distance a book has to go, and the packaging guidelines for Australia post... a package should be be able to withstand a drop of 2 metres, and being run over by a forklift.

Add to this that I always get visions of them actually doing that in the rain for some reason.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 30, 2009, 7:33pm.

I don't think my bubble envelopes would withstand that kind of abuse :)

Donna- LOL!

Me too! Definitely correct as one of my books was left on my doorstep in the pouring rain! But... it was so 'well-packaged' it didn't get wet! And I am sure I have received one after a forklift incident.

56: I actually looked to see if I'd sent you a book recently, 'cause #4 sounds exactly like my packages.

I try not to wrap *too* tightly, and not tape *every* part, but with the way the PO handles those packages....

56...I had a doubt too!

I don't know about elsewhere but at the main postal centre in town (where I went to retreive a book that was in a very damaged new envelopeafter travelling round the world) they did mention it was best to overdo the packing. The post is not treated gently and things get chucked and thrown about especially going long distance.
I tend to use the padded envelopes.

Yes, I have a concern. Having had a mooch accepted and the sender said sending soon with tomorrow flagged up, however does not appear to have actually sent the book as I have not received notification to say it's been sent. My request was accepted last Sunday so I presume I could remind.

The last time this happened the response was the sender did not have enough funds to post the book! I cancelled.

I am new to BM but it doesn't seem to run as smoohtly as some of the other book swap sites like RISI.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 31, 2009, 8:52am.

@ booketta. Check with the sender. Tomorrow comes flagged up as standard. I know I tend to forget to change the tomorrow but always write when I plan to send the book.

I've used RISI and it has not always run smoothly, apart from people very often ignoring requesta.
Also, I've had books sent from me (Italy) arrive faster than within UK to my brother's home.

I am all for securely taping (I overdo the tape myself quite frequently) But when I get the books in computer paper covered in tape with no room to rip it off and with no inside layer to protect the book from the scissors that makes me nervous- PO machines can be sharp- if there is nothing to protect the book the PO might wreck it (along with me).

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 31, 2009, 10:30am.

I mooched 2 book in January, and the owner sent those to me at about that time. We are in very distant places (Australia vs. Argentina), so I knew it would take a long time.
Some months later we decided to put the books as lost, but after that the books arrived safely at my home (it took 7 months to arrive).
Can I change the situation of the books?
(sorry if there are mistakes but I am not good writting in English, as a fact neither in Spanish)

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 31, 2009, 10:54am.

#65: Declaring books lost cannot be undone. However, you can put a note in the feedback that it did arrive after all.

booketta, tomorrow is the default setting and if someone is in a hurry or not paying attention, it's easy to say you'll send it tomorrow accidentally. If you're impatient, a week would be the minimum time before sending a reminder would be polite, although many prefer to send a friendly email instead. If you haven't heard anything back, it would be fine to cancel after another week has gone by. This gives the sender time to get the book in the mail.

Grr. Found a book I really want, and in my country for once, but person states that she won't send to her own country. I still mooched it, and I will see what happens, but I'm ready to click that "report abuse" button the second I get a rejection email.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, říj 31, 2009, 5:53pm.

>68
If my poor French is correct she states, on her profile, that she won't send to her own country - I wonder why she does that? Local postage in France is not too expensive, is it?

Anyway, there are only four countries (or so) that such is allowed, and I'm in one of them - I've only done that once and I still feel bad about it - and France isn't. (I don't think). So I would be angry too...

@69 : I wonder why she does that? Local postage in France is not too expensive, is it?

No idea. She's already rejected a handful of French mooches.

French postage isn't expensive, even international, and I really can't fathom why she does this.
Maybe she sends only international because she wants a better euro/points ratio, but that's not following the rules of the game.

Edit: she just sent me an email saying that she doesn't send to France, but she's willing to bring it to my adress in person. I guess if I hadn't been living in Paris, I'd be screwed. Huh.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 1, 2009, 1:09pm.

I can understand the not sending in country if you live in Canada like I do. I just sent a mass market book to another province and it cost me $10.00. If I had sent the same book to the US it would have cost me half that price. I've sent a hardcover book to a US member for less then the price to ship within my own country. I'm seriously considering not shipping within Canada unless it is close enough for me to drop off.

I feel sorry for the postal worker who tole me the price as I was quite shocked and outraged, I see this lady every couple of weeks and she was suprised to see me so upset. I hope I haven't scared her too much at least they never try to upsell me at my local office.

I could never figure out why the Canadian postal system does this. Did they offer you an explanation at the post office?

I take advantage of these bizarre Canadian rates by routing my overseas Bookcrossing bookrays from the U.S. through Canada to other countries. This routing takes the best advantage of the postal rates in North America.

>71

Yes, it can get like that in Australia too, though not so bad. It is actually a better cost/point ratio to send overseas here too - so I can never understand why members here don't, but hey...

That is why BookMooch officially has these countries where it is actually allowed to reject local requests - but France is not; hence my comment.

Canadian local postage costs seem much worse (IMHO) than ours though, and I can sympathise with your (most understandable) dismay.

Add: spinifex - I'm glad you can get the book, even if by unusual delivery methods!

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 1, 2009, 7:04pm.

We can add other countries to the list if you can prove to us that sending single books domestically is prohibitively expensive.

Lyn or Mark, which are the four countries please, or where can I find this info?

Thanks,
Michelle

Michelle, I found the information here: http://wiki.bookmooch.com/index.php?titl...

The four countries are mentioned in the very last paragraph, which says:

Is it ok to require people to mooch more than one book from you? It is okay for any member to ask for a 2-3 book minimum mooch for international shipments. There are also a few countries (Canada, Australia, Russia, Finland), where domestic rates are very steep, so they can require multiple domestic requests. For all other countries, including the USA and the UK, it is okay to encourage, but NOT require, multiple domestic mooches. Please click 'abuse' if you see a requirement for multiple domestic mooches. Although if it is a brand new member, perhaps try a politely-worded email on your own first, pointing out that this is not allowed.

Michelle,
What Rebecca said... :)

From what I have gathered these four countries: Canada, Australia, Russia and Finland are the only ones where it is 'tolerated' (shall I say) because of the high local postal rates, to decline domestic requests and prefer international. And it is definitely OK to expect, and state, that multiple requests be required.

But then, as Mark just wrote - they will consider other countries too, if asked. What this means is that other members cannot consider it an abuse of the TOS if their request is declined due to these costs.

And from what cdnbookworm wrote - just as well it is in Canada (IMHO) - sooo expensive!

add: I usually write in the condition notes to say I will only send international (I know - opposite to the majority) for this book due to cost vs points ratio, and then local moochers know straight up. I do this for heavier books I can send by sea mail as it costs about the same and I get three times the points!

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 1, 2009, 9:16pm.

Thanks so much Lman and RMSacks - that helps alot :)

Michelle

This might be a helpful tip for domestic shipping in Canada - if the packet is 2cm thick or less and under 500g it can go as oversize lettermail, BUT this is not shown very clearly on the Canada Post website (the parcel rate only shows up in the calculator, and it takes a lot of digging to find the lettersize dimensions/rate info.) The same applies for US/overseas though the savings are a bit less. Perfect for thinner paperbacks, I just wrap in a plastic bag first with heavy paper around it and reinforce with packing tape on all the edges, the books I've sent this way seem to have been received safely!

Thanks for the tips, poppycocteau - sounds good :)

>79/80

I'm afraid that the oversize lettermail only works for the very thinnest books, mostly very thin children's books. Most of the post offices near me have a plastic template with a hole in it, and the package has to go though it loosely (no forcing).

I haven't found it terribly helpful, but I guess if you have a lot of very thin children's books to send, it might help.

...and even then, if the package is going a fair distance, or is heavy, it's still expensive.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 3, 2009, 8:23am.

I know all moochers handle their shipping schedules differently, but I have three books in my pending page (one that I mooched as far back as August) and they still have not been sent yet. Gaaah!

None of these moochers were newbies, either. None of them had perfect mooching histories, granted, but they were all active members in good standing. Now the one has been inactive for 55 days, the other has been shunted to Vacation status, and the third seems to be ignoring me. :( I'd rather have my mooch rejected outright than languish on my pending page, forever hopeful, forever unfilled.

If these books weren't so scarce on BookMooch, I'd cancel these mooches without qualm, but as it is I've just made sure to add them back into my wishlist and hope to obtain one or another copy however it comes my way.

geophile - I've sent/had sent to me several mystery novels (Agatha Christie/Dick Francis) and older Penguin paperbacks via domestic letterpost.

I'm wondering if there might be a little leeway in what "fits" through that little slot, depending on the postal worker, and how sweet one is when requesting :)

>84
Well, I have two post offices nearby, and neither of them is willing to be flexible about what will go through that slot. However, here in the GTA they might be a little more "by the book" than in other places.

One tip I have, however, that won't save you any money, but might save aggravation, is that the post office (at least those near me) will give you a supply of those customs forms if you ask. Having them filled out in advance saves a lot of time and annoyance in those post office lines.

Well geo, I'm sure you're as sweet as the best of them, so it must be the GTA/stickler factor. Sorry to hear that.

Yes, my post office will give me those small packet forms in advance as well, as it does cut down on counter time, especially when there are more than a few people in line behind me, and I have a bag of parcels to send. I hate holding up the line, so I usually get the girl to ring me through, even if I'm not done, and then let a few customers go through, before resuming. Just makes me feel better about myself.

Geophile,
May I suggest coming near me to send you mail. The ladies at my local post office are usually good if it squeezes through they'll send as an oversized letter. Though there is one lady that is super by the book.

Poppy,
I have sent a few my self that way but as geophile said it doesn't always work. Many Agatha Christie novels are quite thin when compared to contemporary authors. Most mass market books now a days are at least three inches thick. Working at a book store I know. The book I sent was just slightly too big to fit through the little plastic slot that geophile spoke of and as a result I had to pay for small pacakge...which I'm still fuming about. I had added cardbord, plastic wraped it then wraped it in packing paper and it was still too thick to fit through. *sigh* well I've lerned my lesson I'll have to forget the cardboard next time and it will fit through.

~ Missy

I've just sent a book today, following poppycocteau's info on oversized letter. My book was about 300 pages, less than 2cm thick (or so I think) and less than 500g (confirmed). Alas, with the bubble envelop, it couldn't pass through the slot without forcing and I was hit with the parcel rate which was more than double the letter one. I guess that I need to work on my "sweetness" to have these borderline parcles/letters rated in my favor in the future -:)

My local post office tried to charge me the 500-750grs rate for a package that was 501 grams. I repacked it and cut off 4 grams worth of the mailer p~

#89 - I love it :) Hope you took up lots of counter space as you did it.

Oh, that was so mean to say, wasn't it? I'm becoming like those people that can't censor their own thoughts and words anymore, and just spew out their negativity :)

M.

89: I repacked a US package that was slightly over the 4 pound mark, and took out a (freebie) book.

I don't mind unexpected BookCrossing labels, really, if they're small and the book is for personal use. In general, the mooch was quite fantastic, the moocher friendly, and the book highly wishlisted, but I went to check the BCID on the book, and . . . This has happened before, but I don't think I ever said anything.

BookCrossers, I think what you do is awesome, but journaling my specific town or my BM username when doing a controlled release via BookMooch makes me feel uncomfortable. Especially when it's a book I'm planning to keep. :(

#89 One of my absolutely wonderful Post Office clerks unwrapped a package that was a couple of grams over the 500 gram mark, removed enough of the bubble wrap to bring it down to just under 500, printed the postage and then repackaged it for me. I love my Post Office!

--> 92

BookCrossers, I think what you do is awesome, but journaling my specific town or my BM username when doing a controlled release via BookMooch makes me feel uncomfortable. Especially when it's a book I'm planning to keep.

I usually do this. I never thought not to. Usually a BM screen name is only a first name. That could be anyone. Should I stop doing this? Are others doing this? Could I use one or the other (first name or state - but not both)? I try to be as specific as I can be in journalling my BC books without giving away anyone's identity.

Thoughts?

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 3, 2009, 8:15pm.

>94

Personally, I'd prefer that the most detailed thing was "mooched by someone in ____ state/country" although for people living in large cities that might be less of an issue. (Several million trumps several thousand anonymity-wise.) If the person mooching the book wants to journal the book and add more specifics, that's their decision. I don't like the decision being made for me, especially if I don't know it's a BookCrossing book beforehand. Maybe a good thing to do would be to ask people how they'd prefer you to journal the book? In the mooch acceptance or the sent email. I don't know if everyone would respond, but I'd feel a whole heck of a lot better if someone asked me first.

I think a lot of people don't even check the BCID, and so don't know that you've put the information there in the first place. I also really did mean USERname. Not just my first name, but my actual username, which means that it's much easier to find me on BookMooch and thus contact me. I'm sure if your BC name and your BM name are the same someone could figure it out anyway, but that requires more steps.

--> 95

Personally, I'd prefer that the most detailed thing was "mooched by someone in ____ state/country" although for people living in large cities that might be less of an issue.

So you're saying I should not include a name (first name or USERname) and not include a city, only a state and country. That, for me, is doable, but certainly not as much fun to track.

means that it's much easier to find me on BookMooch and thus contact me.

I'm getting the feeling that, perhaps, someone in Bookcrossing might have tried to contact you before in a way that was not appreciated. If not, I'm not sure where your negative feeling comes from, although I will consider what you've requested in the future. Something about the whole BC process on BM is very upsetting to you.

I don't like the decision being made for me, especially if I don't know it's a BookCrossing book beforehand.

It upsets me that some people who send out BC books via BM do not label their books as such. That's what gives BC a bad name, when it otherwise it is so much fun.

Maybe a good thing to do would be to ask people how they'd prefer you to journal the book?

That's way too complicated for me. Not worth the time or trouble.

I also really did mean USERname.

I only said "first name" because it seems that on BM most userids are, in fact, first names. So what you're saying is that you do not want to be tracked as an owner of a particular book with a BCID in it. That doesn't really make much sense to me since you're a LibraryThing member where any LT other member can see exactly which books you own by looking at your library right on this website.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 3, 2009, 9:19pm.

This is a little bit of a compliant and a little bit of a search for advice. About a month ago, I sent a book domestically. I never heard from the moocher and they never responded to my email asking if the book arrived safely. When I checked their account, it looks like they've been on vacation and possibly inactive. I don't want to mark the book as lost because I don't know for sure whether it was or wasn't, but I don't want it to stay in limbo forever.
Is there anything that I can do or do I just have to leave it?

>96

It's maybe not as fun to track, but BookMooch isn't really the most fun a release can be anyway, is it? A wild release should be far more interesting! I know there are a lot of really solid BookCrossers on BookMooch, especially on this community, and almost everyone is at least responsible about saying that a book is a BookCrossing book. Quite frankly I don't find BC on BM upsetting at all. (I haven't been contacted, by the way. I just don't like that it makes it easier.) What I find upsetting is when people put information about me out there without my consent.

My LibraryThing account is my own business. I choose to have it. I choose to mooch the books I mooch, knowing that other people can see what I've mooched if they really want to. I do not, however, choose to have someone journal a BookCrossing book and refer it back to me. Even just adding one sentence in your mooch acceptance saying "As this is a BookCrossing book, do you mind if I journal the book when I send it to you?" doesn't seem that complicated.

Additionally, and we've had this discussion before as a group at some point, I think the way some people go about journaling puts pressure on the book's recipient to release the book.

>97 I believe there's a function for forcing receipt of a book if the person is inactive? I've seen "force_received" in some mooch transactions. A few people here have used it and I'm sure they actually know which buttons to push . . . Anyone?

96: Also, with a LT account, you can choose to make some of your books private so that others can't view them using the Collections feature. As chelonian says, with LT it is all her choice and her business what others see. With the way BC stuff seems to be handled, the choice is taken out of her hands. Doesn't seem right to me.

>97/99 I think you need to send a reminder first. Once a certain amount of time has passed to give the moocher a chance to respond, there will then be an option visible for you to force receipt of the book.

>97/99 brochettes is correct - if you hit the reminder button, after a required amount of time (different for local vs international) the button for 'remind' will change and you can then marked it 'forced received.'

But you have to click on the 'remind' button first - if you do that it tells you how long and what will happen, so you'll know the time you have to wait. So do that, and then read what it says. I think it may reset the waiting period each time it is clicked - but as I have only tried this once with one of my pending transactions, I am waiting to see what will happen - with this over-long, not happening transaction of a mooch of mine from April!! /end rant/

Oh, it's the rant thread so I am ok. :)

--> 98

It's maybe not as fun to track, but BookMooch isn't really the most fun a release can be anyway, is it

Actually, I very much like releasing BC books through BM. I can get my books to people who would really appreciate them and get some other wishlisted books back in return. It certainly beats wild releasing a book that is later just trashed by someone.

Even just adding one sentence in your mooch acceptance saying "As this is a BookCrossing book, do you mind if I journal the book when I send it to you?" doesn't seem that complicated.

That I wouldn't do because I still consider the book mine until it reaches someone else. I journal all my released books and will not ask someone else for permission to journal them at the time of release. I can, however, not journal personal information (such as userid) on the BC journal. I see no problem stating to what city I am sending a book. That is part of the Bookcrossing tracking information.

What I find upsetting is when people put information about me out there without my consent.

Understood. However, if I say I'm sending a book to a BookMoocher in (let's say) Westminster, Maryland, that's not revealing personal information. And, yes, Westminster is a small town.

I think the way some people go about journaling puts pressure on the book's recipient to release the book.

You are probably right, but that's not really in the BookCrossing spirit. The recipient is truly free to do what he or she wants with the book.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 3, 2009, 10:03pm.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll do the reminder instead of sending another email this time. :)

#97/104 You have to wait 6 weeks from the date of your last reminder and then, in addition to the RECEIVED and LOST buttons, the "FORCE RECEIVE" option button will show up. Don't send any further reminders because that resets the clock and you'll just have to wait longer for the FORCE RECEIVE button to appear.

And it feels like forever before the "forced receive" button comes up--be patient.

I hate, hate, hate getting BookCrossing books. I don't mooch them unless it's a book I'm absolutely certain that I'm not keeping it. I can't keep a book with a big ol' stamp on it that says "I'm a travelling book". Knowing that it's a BookCrossing book is paramount to keeping a spirit of good will between BCers and those who mooch from them. I've received several where condition notes were provided, just not that the book a BC book. Learning that information about me may be given out (no matter how vague that information is worded) without my knowledge or consent does not make me look more kindly on BookCrossing.

chelonianmobile is right. What I do with my own personal details is up to me. I would not disseminate information about someone else without asking them first; I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the same courtesy from others. Why is it "too much trouble" to get permission, but not too much trouble to journal that person's name?

End of rant. I just really hate getting books I don't get to keep if I chose to do so.

edited because rants should still obey the basic rules of grammar.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 4, 2009, 8:50am.

I would not disseminate information about someone else without asking them first; I don't think it's unreasonable to expect the same courtesy from others. Why is it "too much trouble" to get permission, but not too much trouble to journal that person's name?

I once got a book with BC stickers stuck right on the front (without those being mentioned, of course) AND the person used my RL name on the BC website.

I really don't mind BC books and I really don't care if there is condition notes saying that or not. (but I understand other people not wanting to mooch them, so there should be condition notes for them.)
But most of my books end up in middle school class libraries - we call it the Ball Traveling Library. Once I got a BC book (which wasn't mentioned) that had "FREE BOOK - see inside for details" in big black marker right across the top of the front cover. It made it difficult to add to a classroom library. (Nooo, it's not really a free book, noooo, you can't keep it. Kids always say "Why does it say FREE BOOK, then?")

Because it came from Germany, it's the only 3 point book that I ever thought wasn't worth the price.

A book that has writing across the cover in a large black marker should certainly have had that noted in condition notes, no matter what the message was about. I don't blame you for being unhappy, and would not blame you for mentioning your disappointment in your feedback comments. Why would anyone who loves books enough to participate in a program like BookCrossing deface a book that way? *shudders*

I don't really mind getting BookCrossing books myself, but I've received a couple where it hadn't been mentioned in condition notes and I felt that it should have been. I don't feel intimidated into passing the book on, especially if I was not told in advance. I wouldn't feel obligated to make a journal entry, either, although I don't mind doing it because I find the whole concept rather interesting. I think I've only received a couple of them...one I sent on because I had intended to anyway, and one I've kept. I'll mention in the journal entry that I'm sending it to a particular state via Bookmooch, but would never include a person's name. I figure it is up to them to decide whether they want to journal anything more about it.

edited because I should have proofread

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 4, 2009, 7:05pm.

No more Bookmoochers names in my journal entries from now on, folks! You've convinced me.

Should you come across any of my BC books with a Bookmoochers name on a journal entry, please let me know, and I'll remove it immediately.

Thanks, everyone for sharing with me. I hope BookCrossers and non-Bookcrossers on BookMooch can remain friends.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 4, 2009, 8:58pm.

--> 109

Why would anyone who loves books enough to participate in a program like BookCrossing deface a book that way? *shudders*

I don't write on the outside of my books and always try to tape the Bookcrossing label neatly inside (just as I would any other book label). However, there are those Bookcrossers who write on the outside of books to keep other people from selling them. Writing on the outside, in their minds, makes the books only valuable for reading.

The problem, however, with only labelling a book neatly inside the way I do is that, other than the recipient, no else usually discovers that the book is a BookCrossing book. :(

If you do a wild release, a book that is clearly marked on the outside has a much better chance of being picked up. Most people won't touch a book that looks like it belongs to someone else.

Clearly, for a wild release, marking the book permanently in some way makes good sense, and were I to find a book so marked on a park bench, I would feel tremendously pleased and look forward to journalling it and rereleasing it. The problem arises when the person releasing the book receives compensation for it in the form of a point. I think that if BookCrossers were to maybe enclose a removable slip of paper with the BookCrossing information in it, then the person receiving the book could chose whether or not to participate and would have a happier impression of BookCrossing. It's the permanent marking up of a book (with stickers, label on the inside front cover, etc...) that reduces its value to anyone but another BookCrosser.

Quoting RidgewayGirl:
"The problem arises when the person releasing the book receives compensation for it in the form of a point."

Perfectly said!!! Thank You!!!

I assumed that the book mentioned in #108 ("FREE BOOK" in big black marker on the cover) had been so marked at some earlier point in its journey. I agree that it doesn't make sense for a controlled release, but moochable books tend to have a diverse history.

I don't bookcross myself (it's too much work), but if I did I would probably label all my books at once. They would already be marked by the time I decided to put them up on BookMooch.

That would be fine, Amtep, as long as you clearly explained that the book would have BookCrossing labels in the condition notes for each book.

I have emailed people before who mention in their status notes that they label their books for BookCrossing and asked if I could have the book if it hasn't yet been labelled and had good results from about half the people. Lots of BookCrossers are perfectly willing to send you a book outside of that system if you ask them nicely.

I have no problem at all getting a BookCrossing book -- as long as the person sending it to me knows that the chances that it will ever leave MY library are slim to none. I'm a book hoarder. Even if I'm never going to read it again, I have high hopes that my children will.

Maybe I should put a warning in my profile -- the BC stops here.

#117 - :)

I love Bookcrossing, but I have never listed a Bookcrossing book in my BM inventory. I just like to keep my two "hobbies" separate. I think my books and my friends are happier that way, too.

I've been able to find other Bookcrossers who will gladly take my registered paperback cast-offs (these are only books that I have RECEIVED through BM or other means), and I send them worldwide for free. And I LOVE registering my hardcovers that are too heavy to send anywhere, and then releasing them in the wild. None have ever been "caught", but it hasn't stopped me from trying. I'm sure one of these days someone will journal that they have found one of my books, and I'll know that it was all worthwhile.

I would LOVE to find a BC book in the wild. Free books are so cool :) Marked- up books that are "purchased" with BM points? - not so much.

M.

--> 113

Clearly, for a wild release, marking the book permanently in some way makes good sense, and were I to find a book so marked on a park bench, I would feel tremendously pleased and look forward to journalling it and rereleasing it.

For a wild release, I only have a neatly taped label inside the book cover and a removable post-it note on the front of the book. It's clearly labelled that it's a free book which can be taken home. I do not like to mark on the outside of my books. My preference only. I have previously put a small spine sticker on some of my books (again, that makes it identifiable as a BC book) but really prefer not to.

The problem arises when the person releasing the book receives compensation for it in the form of a point. I

That's a non-issue for me. I'm receiving the point in exchange for paying the postage. I hardly think that's like selling a book. LOL!

I think that if BookCrossers were to maybe enclose a removable slip of paper with the BookCrossing information in it

There's not a chance of that. the point of Bookcrossing is to track a book (even if it stays with one person for years). One the BCID (identification number), it can't be tracked. The BCID must be placed permanently in or on a BC book.

It's the permanent marking up of a book (with stickers, label on the inside front cover, etc...) that reduces its value to anyone but another BookCrosser.

No one is forcing another person to get a Bookcrossing book. It may help if John/Mark indicate on the BM site that all BC books must be identified as such, including having condition notes mention all of the extraneous marking(s) done to such books.

By the way, I also use Bookins (which also accepts BC books) and have never had a complaint about any of them. Come to think of it, I've never received a complaint about any of my BC books that I've sent out via BM, either. They now total 46. Not even one complaint! So who wants to mooch a book from me now (I have no inventory presently, though. You'll have to wait a bit) and send me a complaint? :)

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 5, 2009, 8:23pm.

--> 116

I have emailed people before who mention in their status notes that they label their books for BookCrossing and asked if I could have the book if it hasn't yet been labelled and had good results from about half the people. Lots of BookCrossers are perfectly willing to send you a book outside of that system if you ask them nicely.

I have had one such a request and turned it down. I prefer that all of the books I send out be trackable to BookCrossing.

--> 117

I have no problem at all getting a BookCrossing book -- as long as the person sending it to me knows that the chances that it will ever leave MY library are slim to none. I'm a book hoarder. Even if I'm never going to read it again, I have high hopes that my children will.

Maybe I should put a warning in my profile -- the BC stops here.

No need to defend what you do with a BC-registered book after you get it. Only about 10% of books registered and released through Bookcrossing are ever journaled. Who knows? Maybe someday your children will journal them. :)

--> 118

Keep releasing books and you *will* get a journal entry eventually. The first journal entry from a wild release is the most fun.

Remember the stats. Only about 1 in 10 BC books get journaled. You haven't released your ten yet, I'm guessing. :)

You're right - I haven't ....looking at them here on my floor, though :) I'm afraid with the colder weather, my MO has had to change - no more park benches!

113 -

Come to think of it, I've never received a complaint about any of my BC books that I've sent out via BM, either.

SqueakyChu, that is probably because you have clearly identified your books as Bookcrossing books in your bio and condition notes, with an explanation of what that is about. I think the only thing that bothers people is when they receive one unawares, especially if there are markings to the book that have not been listed in condition notes. I personally don't mind receiving BC books and will always leave a journal entry, but I do appreciate knowing in advance. If I knew there were markings on the cover I would avoid that particular copy. People who dislike them have fair warning from you before they mooch. I think if all the BookCrossers did as you do then this would be a non-issue.

edited to include reference number to previous post

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 6, 2009, 1:22am.

@SqueakyChu- I agree with your comment "It may help if John/Mark indicate on the BM site that all BC books must be identified as such, including having condition notes mention all of the extraneous marking(s) done to such books."
In an italian forum regarding BM there were quite a few rants about BMers not mentioning that the book had BC Id. This is becoming a major issue as some Italian BMers are particularly lazy about condition notes in general and about BC id's. I've mooched two BC books in one case I knew (from Europe) in the second no ( Italian, it annoyed me as it is should always be part of the condition notes). I added both books to my BM inventory stating they were BC books and were both mooched without problems.

I think there's another thread that discusses whether condition notes should be required via a drop down box - there should also be a box you could click that indicates that it has BookCrossing labels.

I personally despise getting a BC book. It's always unawares because I will not knowingly mooch a BC book.

68 > In France, there is a special price for books/documents international shipping (Why books ? Well, I don't know myself) that is ridiculously cheap. I used to send some books, by one or by two, in the USA, and it never was more than 1,5€ per parcel.

Post office usually don't offer it spontaneously, of course, but it exists and may be the reason why this bookmoocher prefers to send abroad. It way, way cheaper than the local postage, anytime - especially if her post office is fussy and dutifully apply the (high) "parcel" fare for books, instead of the somewhat lower "letter" fare (the law is a bit fuzy on this point, so it depends on the post employee in front of you, mostly).

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 6, 2009, 8:13am.

This is becoming a major issue as some Italian BMers are particularly lazy about condition notes

I'll post a thread about this issue on Book Talk in BookCrossing. Perhaps that might help.

SqueakyChu, you're the responsible BookCrosser put in the uncomfortable position of having to defend the small minority of feckless BookCrossers. If something's clearly indicated in the condition notes, then no one can complain.

you're the responsible BookCrosser put in the uncomfortable position of having to defend the small minority of feckless BookCrossers. If something's clearly indicated in the condition notes, then no one can complain.

I understand this, but I hate all the bad press that Bookcrossing is getting because of the "small minority of feckless BookCrossers". I delight in being a member of that organization in the same way that I enjoy participating in LibraryThing (which totally has my heart) and in BookMooch.

--> 129

If something's clearly indicated in the condition notes, then no one can complain.

Theoretically they can't, but they do. I'm trying to do some damage control (no pun intended) now, in order to keep people from unnecessarily bashing BookCrossing.

@127: I know (post 70), I live in France. ;)

In France, there is a special price for books/documents international shipping (Why books ? Well, I don't know myself) that is ridiculously cheap.

Parce que la France a une politique culturelle? Le site de la Poste dit "L'offre Livres et Brochures est un produit lié à la politique d'aide à la culture française dans le monde."

We'll see how long this rate exists, as we're supposed to discover the joys of privatization. Frankly, I don't think French rates are ridiculously cheap, I think rates like the American ones for example are blind robbery.

I'm an avid BCer and I have an account with LT as well; however I'm not on BM. Now, all of us here are big readers and that's the main thing that brings us together.

I've put together bookrings and had the odd book go missing during its trip between countries and had it replaced by a book from BookMooch; and that's been fine. However, what I do with those books is this: I'll often keep a book from either BookMooch (usually without knowing I've got one from here) or Bookcrossing for a good while, then I'll have a good look at my shelves and see what I can do with them. If I haven't read them during the year, I'll have big giveaway. A themed bookbox or bookbag. I'll find some way to get rid of some of the Bookcrossing books I have and share them amongst other Bookcrossers.

I can hear you asking why I don't wild release. Well, I used to. But there's not that many people around Brisbane that journal the books. They see the numbers, read the instructions, but don't follow through. So, instead, I prefer to host the fun'n'games that go on during the year. It's more fun.

I'm with you, Mozette!

>134
Mozette - I wish you would join BookMooch!
(she says selfishly as a fellow Oz member)

I'd love to... however, I'm a member of so many online sites that if I did, I'd never get off the computer.

I'm also a blogger and do book reviews (check out my blog: http://continuousreader.blogspot.com/ ). I review pretty much any book that comes my way and anything I've read from my childhood too; as well as magazines and graphic novels.

Okay, a little rant. I've ranted about this before but it's come up again now and I'm sorry, I know I'm in the minority here but it really pisses me off.

I just got an "ask first" from someone that I'm feeling kinda iffy about... I've already contacted abuse, but yeah. This person has recieved NINE books and successfully sent ONE. Three of the ones supposidly sent were lost. In a relatively short period of time.

I know that it's better to trust the newbies then to put restrictions on them right away, etc etc, I've heard all of that. I still don't agree with BM being set up so that people can SO EASILY get NINE books while only sending ONE, simply because the ratio takes into account pending books that they may have no intention of sending.

@Heather19 - I agree with you on that one. I've noticed that a few new BMers mooch happily away and send few books at the beginning. Some of them honestly get carried away by the site others a bit less honest.

@#127 & #133 - In Italy we have a rate for books for within Italy only that is set by the government for cultural reasons and not by the post office.
€1,28 for books up to 2 kg....Not all post offices mention this rate to people :(
For overseas books go by priority post (up to 2kg) so you do get your books quickly. However the cost goes by classes of weight and what really bugs me is the 350- 1000g class of weight which costs the same amount. Plenty of books weigh in at 400g but cost as 900g to send :-/

@SqueakyChu- Thanks. I've already brought the point about writing up condition notes and mentioning if BC and the BC up in a forum on an Italian site. Hopefully this will improve.

>#139: that's very cool about a 'cultural' book rate. Not so good the 350-1000g. In Australia, international rates go up by 250g increments. It's annoying enough when books are 480g but 510g when packed.

Heather --

Bookmooch is very trusting to new members true, but there are many precautions in place... It is helpful to press 'abuse' as you have done in this case.

Less than 1% of newbies set out to scam the system.

>#139: It sounds as though it would be well worth while to compile some sort of list of these “special rates” for posting books. Mark, is there any way BookMooch can include this sort of information in a nice, prominent way? Maybe a link on the member page? I hate to think how many people who would otherwise happily post overseas are being held back because they don't know the tricks and special rates to ask for.

No one's done anything wrong here, but yesterday I got a very nice padded envelope in the mail from a moocher in Germany from whom I had mooched two hard to find books.

So now I get to put those books back on my wishlist and I'm stuck waiting a few months before I can declare the blighted things lost and get my points back.

The package arrived in good condition and with three pieces of sticky tape holding it closed. They didn't look tampered with, but they were haphazardly applied. The original sealing tape remained unused.

I do hope that whoever removed the books is now enjoying them, but later suffers the pangs of remorse.

144: I've just had the same thing happen to me! Only one book, but yes. The envelope arrived safely, but the book (a Worst Case Scenario journal, unlikely to ever surface again) has disappeared.

well. Talk about a Worst Case Scenario for that journal.

@133 > "I know (post 70), I live in France. ;)"

Well, not everybody here knows about this rate, as it's not really advertised by the post service :) Even sometimes post employees don't know about it (genuinely)

"Parce que la France a une politique culturelle? Le site de la Poste dit "L'offre Livres et Brochures est un produit lié à la politique d'aide à la culture française dans le monde.""

Ah, OK. Pour pouvoir promouvoir la culture française chez les grands méchants z'étrangers ? :D ( c'est une plaisanterie, n'est-ce pas ... je préfère la culture des grands méchants z'étrangers de toute manière !)

"Frankly, I don't think French rates are ridiculously cheap, I think rates like the American ones for example are blind robbery."

All is relative. When you pay 5€ to send a book to a nearby town, 1,5 € to send it to California is cheap !

Edit - Sorry for the multiple posts ... I got a bad case of Internet stuttering.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 9, 2009, 8:37am.

I've been a BM member going on two months now and I can't say I've had one bad experience. Everything I've sent has been received and everything I've mooched has come in succesfully, including a 5-for-3 that the sender was gracioulsy willing to send unprovoked.

Like i said, I'm still pretty new, but I've given away 59 books, sent another 8 two days ago, and have mooched 6.

#144 & #145 - Sorry to hear about that happening to you two. Very disappointing to say the least. I hope the four months pass quickly for you RWG, and that you both are able to get your points back before you need them to mooch again. I don't have as many as I used to have for sharing, but let me know if either of you get stuck.

Michelle

--> 144, 145, 152

Sorry about the missing books. When I mail a book, I use *tons* of sealing tape so that anyone who opens the package has to use a sharp scissors or knife if he wants to get to the book. So far all of my mooches have been received with each book still inside its package.

I think I'm going to do as you do Squeaky. I'm always happy when I don't have to use too much tape, but this sounds like a good reason to use alot.

I can use lots of tape if the book is heavy, too. It did come back to bite me recently. A member had left feedback without a comment, and so I sent an email asking if they wouldn't mind writing a comment, to which they responded, "I rather not you used way too much tape."

I always think-better too much tape than too little!

>!53 - 155

Oh; just ask all my receivers! But, to date, no package has arrived empty!
Nice to feel justified in my over-use judicious amount of tape! :)

I use quite a bit of tape too and haven't had any complaints.

On the receiving end, I sometimes have to be very careful when slicing into something just so I won't damage the book!

I use a lot of tape. No missing books so far. I'd rather get a package with too much tape than not enough.

Two things:

1. Why is it that every Harry Potter book is related to #2? Seriously. I HATE getting the emails saying that a book is related to the one I am looking for WHEN ITS NOT THE SAME BOOK! end rant. To solve the problem I have given up on what I thought would be easy with these books: a compelete set by the same publisher in the same style. I think I'll live.

2. I have four boxes that I keep my BM books in. They are stacked neatly in the closet. Why is it that people only mooch from the bottom box? lol. My last 5 or 6 mooches have been this way. Not really rant material but definatly funny.

160: Have you tried turning off related notifications for that book?

From the related email, click "More Options", then "Related to this"

or you can add the right isbn in

http://bookmooch.com/m/wishlist_related_...

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 12, 2009, 9:54pm.

161: I tried that... or at least I thought I did... It worked for other books that I tried...

160, point 2: lol Same thing with me! For a long time I had two boxes of paperbacks in front, and the boxes of hardcovers in the back of the closet, 'cause the hardbacks are more obscure books... but people kept mooching them! It was such a pain to move the boxes all around that I finally reorganized the closet.

163: I'm glad its not just me! lol

Grrr I really hate when people don't read rules of sites before they join.

I just got rejected by a newbie who stated: "Yoiu just don't have any books I'm interested in. Sorry". What really makes me mad is this was a book I was angeling. I don't know if this person has removed the book from his inventory but I can no longer find it on his page. I've never had to or wanted to click abuse but I just did. I also left him negative feedback telling him that that was an invalid reason for rejecting a mooch. I am more then willing to change it later if and when someone comes in to explain to him why he can't reject mooches for such reasons. *sigh* poor angel requester.

~ Missy

I feel better now that I have ranted...

Yeah, I'm feeling kind of ranty too, as someone just sent me a reminder about whether I received a book yet that they sent on Monday. For crying out loud, that's only a few days ago, and given that it's 2pm on the West Coast, I'm still at work and haven't gotten today's mail yet. Sheesh.

#166: I can see that comment on PBS because you get your credit/point when the person acknowledges receipt of a book (unless PBS DC is used) but on BookMooch???? Why does immediately marking a book received matter?? They've got their point already!!

I'd drive that type of person nutty because I don't always get my mail everyday! It can wait. I can wait.. well, usually, but that's a whole different ball game.

I can understand that people on BM use DC especially those using electronic postage via paypal & ebay, but to pester someone to mark it received?

I could make a "smart alecky" comment, but I'll leave it in the mailbox.

Fellow BookMoochers:

I've got a situation & I'd like your input/opinions before I mark the book rec'd.

I ordered a book I needed for a seminar. I mooched the 2004 edition & I smooched the owner a second point to cover first class shipping.

The book arrived today!! It was sent on Thursday!! YIPPEE!!

Except:

#1: it is the 1989 edition (printed 1990) NOT the 2004 edition I had requested.

#2: different ISBN number & cover.

#3: Condition notes stated: "Great condition. No rips or tears." but didn't state that it was a former library copy with spine label & date due slip & stamps, etc.

The extra point was for the fast mailing, which I am happy about!! but the wrong book & deceiving condition notes... ... not happy.

WWYD? What would you do?

Edited to add that she's a newbie, but seems to know what she's doing... almost.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 14, 2009, 6:12pm.

Since she's a newbie, I'd email her first and explain that you needed a specific edition and it wasn't listed correctly, and explain the need for detailed condition notes re library copies, stamps, etc... if she is apologetic and offers to refund your point(s), you could leave positive feedback noting the problems/resolution. If not, then negative feedback is warrented. Yes, she's a newbie, but I'd still give negative feedback in this situation if it isn't resolved positively.

I'm with Heather on this one. I would email her, explaining what went wrong and what should have happened. Depending on her response, I would judge what my feedback would be.

This kind of situation has become a huge pet peeve with bookmooch. I find sometimes that even when I ask to confirm a specific edition, that does not always occur. In those situations, I feel like I've done my due diligence and negative (or neutral) feedback is deserved. I have however, become very wary of specific editions and have found that when I require them I usually look elsewhere.

I've emailed the sender about the book & about the fact that it is the wrong edition.

I checked her inventory & it turns out that she had two copies of the same book listed, one the 2004 edition & one the 1990 edition with condition notes listing it as a former library book. It looks as if she grabbed the wrong book...

but I still need the newer edition.

and I haven't heard anything in reply yet. I will give her a little more time.

just heard from her... she's mailing the other one out to me!!

Yay! Good to hear that it's been resolved so well.

Nicely done.

Some newbies need a little extra explanation, but are much more likley to stick around if people are kind and allow them to correct any mistakes.

So I mooched a book on November 4th. The moocher wrote to me that she's been sick and just looked for the book and couldn't find it.

No problem. I've listed books that I thought I had and didn't. I'll easily be able to mooch it from someone else.

My question is - is it better for her to cancel the mooch or me to cancel the mooch? I've never really understood which is better for my stats.

Generally, if I can't find a book, I figure it's my responsibility to cancel the mooch.

I agree with 176. Owner's fault.

Hooray for that newbie that sent skittles the book. I've had two recent engagements were newbie signed up and immediatley went inactive, after accepting my request. if i new who your newbie was I would smooch her a point for encouragement.

#178: I plan on smooching her a point when I get the book. She just doesn't know it yet.... unless she's on this forum, which I don't think she is.... yet.

Random rant-
I don't know how someone who has been using the site successfully for over a year has no idea how to search for someone w/o using their e-mail- and that they don't realize they don't have to search for them to reserve the book for them- since they have their Userid.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 18, 2009, 8:33am.

Mac, just feel sorry for those of us who aren't as intelligent & perfect as you are..... it is so hard for us peons to attain your level of competence.

ok, some of us just have bad days & mind freezes... I guess you could call them senior moments... senior high moments.

Ummm... ouch. :(

I'm sorry if I offended you- or anyone. That was not my intention.

Play nice you two.

skittles, this is a rant thread, after all. Now if you were ranting that Bookmooch has things that are hard to find? :)

again, I need to remember that humor & sarcasm are extremely difficult to portray online.... Mac, I was lightly joking with you...

I've had brain freezes where I have a normal word on the tip of my tongue, but "blast it" I can't remember what that word is or which similar word will do...

that also goes along with trying to remember how to find something.... or someone... or somewhere...

When I get frustrated at someone's mistakes, I remember mine... it helps.

Such as, right now, I'm waiting on a book. At the time I originally mooched it, the only copy was in Canada & the person was 'ask first'. Well, just after I mooched it (with permission) the person had an "under 10 pound" life changing event and hasn't been able to get to the post office. I'm being patient & understanding of priorities.... so I'm waiting. Her account is officially "on vacation" but she's communicated with me, so I'm ok with it. And I understand the priorities that go along with an "under 10 pound life changing event"....

and so I wait.

besides, I have a TBR mountain to keep me occupied.

*Tentatively sticks head out from bunker*
At the risk of needing major therapy- I agree things can be hard to find- but this person knew how to search for people she was just refusing to search for them by anything other than their e-mail address- and basically refused to send the book to them unless I gave her the address to search by. Now I know for a fact that on the search page it says: " Member name or email address:" so it seemed to me that someone who knew how to search would have read this and would know about the search by name thing.

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 18, 2009, 10:12am.

Mac, please get out from behind the bunker... come out & rant....

But it's so nice and quiet down there...good place to nap. ;)

if it is a nice place to read, I may join you there!

Let other people rant.. I want to read!!

Re: message 178: I have been running into the same problem...and I'm also seeing a lot of people whose profiles read something like "Due to finances/family issues/medical problems/I'm a student - I'm having a lot of problems mailing out books so if you are in a hurry please mooch from someone else". Some of the messages are downright belligerent. It's frustrating when a person has a large inventory that includes books I would like to mooch but puts up so many barriers that I would not consider mooching from them. (I've also noticed that a lot of these people have mooched way more books as they have sent out.) Then there's the ones who have a lot of rejected mooches because of "reserving" the books for family members/friends or "sorry, I can't find it" or whatever. Really annoying. I was looking at a book I wanted to mooch this morning but could not find one person among the 7 or 8 people listed that I would feel comfortable mooching from, for the reasons above. I've already got two mooches pending from newbies who have both pulled a disappearing act.

My view is that if these people have so many problems preventing them from sending out books, they should remove their inventory and profile. It feels like "bait and switch" to me. I'm considering leaving BM because it's so irritating.

>189
Removing the books will remove also some of the points so I suspect that this is the reason for everyone keeping the inventories in such cases...

#189 I'm with you! I'm getting pretty annoyed with status messages that say there's a wait (I'm usually pretty ok with a wait) and then, once you mooch the wait time is doubled - or even worse you're in some wait time limbo, where you don't know if or when you are ever getting the book.

I mooched one the other day with a wait time of ... I think a month, Mooched it and the acceptance said 2 months, then a few days later the account is on vacation. Talk about bait and switch!

I'm starting to feel all negative feedback on excessive delays. I'm usually very chill about waiting time, but sheesh, if you REALLY can't send for 2 months, put yourself on vacation BEFORE people mooch from you! Media mail is $2.38, if you really can't afford that - go on vacation for a while!!

You basically just quoted my status message- (ok, it's more like Due to being a poor student with medical problems I can only send every 2-4 weeks) (depending on the week that media mail charge/s seem more or less doable.) but I am still actively sending books out. My Mooch ratio is: 0.61:1 which I think is pretty good. (Especially since some of those are Angel Mooches I haven't listed yet.)

And many times I will send books out a lot sooner than 2 weeks, but there will be times it is longer- this is why I have this status message I don't want anyone to be given a nasty surprise if I was delaying shipments instead of telling upfront. And in my mooch acceptance I always say if you need the book sooner to let me know and I will try to send it out.

I suppose my point is if they are sending books out however slowly, it isn't like they are leaving their inventories up with the message "DON'T MOOCH- just want to use up points before I go fishing" Then I would have an issue.

I can agree on how annoying it is to find a book you want and have all the members inactive, or their comments to be totally in the red. I hope you can find someone you are comfortable mooching from- but don't discount all of us "I'm a slow shipper due to illness/poverty" BM-ers. :)

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 18, 2009, 1:16pm.

I agree, Macophile. There are two reasons why I don't just put my slow-shipping self on vacation.

1. Even though most of my giveaway books live with my parents and can't be sent right away, I have books here that *are*, and I want them available in case they're wanted.

2. As a general rule, I mail domestic packages pretty quickly, but I sometimes have to delay more than I'd like so I can afford my international mailings as well.

I wish I could mail everything right away as soon as it's requested, but that isn't realistic for my situation. I think there are a lot of factors to take into account when mooching, and the time it takes the user to ship is only one of them.

My post office could not find Argentina today. Strange how I can find a rate online without a problem...

#189-193 - But you guys aren't the problem. You guys always answer your e-mails and do your best. It's the people who just @&*k off and leave us wondering what's going on that are the problem. Just another example of how communication is e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. Wish all the people who couldn't mail for one reason or another were as fair-minded as Mac & Cello (sorry, I just can't get myself to type in the full names. Wish I could just use C. & K.!).

Michelle

>194 Argentina is a pretty big country to miss . . .

lol. It's those Canadian postal clerks.

I have no unreserved inventory right now due to said life-changing events. I add books occasionally after pre-arrangement with specific people, and am whittling the piles down...

Now here's a nice question. I sent a book to the Philippines back in July. Owner has now been inactive for months. I've sent books to the country and that particular person before, and I know it takes a while (months sometimes) to get there. I sent a reminder a while ago, and I do have the force-receive button available... :/

>#189: Some of the messages are downright belligerent

My bio says "get your own damn books". Too much?

But Andrew, you say it in such a *loving* way... *winkwink*

Mr Andrew... you are just toooooooo .....

but I like you anyway....
.
.
you make me smile...
.
.
.
most of the time...

198: infinite
I'd 'force-receive' it - that member is no longer active IMO at all, in any way from my experience...

195: It's the people who just @&*k off and leave us wondering.. - have I negatively impacted on you??!! :))

Zpráva editována jejím autorem, lis 18, 2009, 11:23pm.

Oh, gee!!

We're over 200 posts... :(

it is time for this thread to say "Good Night, Gracie!!"

New thread is:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/77389

GOOD NIGHT, GRACIE!!