Paperbackswap

FYI - There are some PBS members who will remove BCID labels, stickers and cover stamps, etc. WITHOUT stating any restrictions in their profiles or requests. Some of us have a list of them from old forum discussions where they acknowledged this behavior. If you would like the list, feel free to email me.

There are also lots of wonderful PBS members! I have nothing against PBS!

mellonhead, I'd be interested in this list but I have a question. I don't know how to let someone know that a book is a bookcrossing book before I send it; or, if one of these people's names pops up when they request my book, what do i do? is it possible to deny sending a book to a member? does it get you bad feedback?
thanks!

Liz you can not send a book with no negative feedback as far as I know.

I had the list at one time but it was a hardcopy and it is currently packed up. I will try to find it for you though.

I would like to have this list as well! Thanks!

:ditto:

oops, sorry guys, I didn't think to check back in this thread. I'll send you each a PM with the list I have. I don't know about whether you get negative feedback if you refuse to send a requested book. I would ask support if they could fix that. Shouldn't it be your option?

Paperbackswap has some real neat features. Like my personal favorite Box O Books. This does cost $8 and all the money goes to running the site. Also if you do a Box O Books with someone you can save your credits and still get more than one book sent to you. I did this with someone on the site and I sent them 3 books and they sent me 4. The 4th book was an extra in case one of the books was too damaged. I have since made many friends with that feature.
Your Friend,
Novelwriter

I've sent the list to tribefan, appaloosatb and lizziwhizz. I don't disagree with you novelwriter. A lot of bookcrossers and bookrelay folks use PBS and enjoy it.

Thanks for the list! I'll be sure to check it before accepting requests now.

And I agree, I really like PBS. I've gotten a lot of great wishlist books through it.

me too mellonhead, please

I have one more person to add to that lists

I did not get the list, so if someone could resend, that would be great! Thanks! :kiss:

I'm liking paperbackswap too, but I just turned off my Box-o-books feature because I found that it seemed like people requesting books from me really didn't have a lot I cared about, but I kind of felt obligated to take something since I'd been listed as a box-o-books member. I'd much rather save my credits up for wishlist books, so I won't be renewing the box of books thing. it's a neat idea, it just didn't really work with my style I guess, because I felt bad whenever I said no to a trade because I didn't see anything I wanted.

I also find it interesting, knowing how many bookcrossers are on PBS, that in all this time I've never received a BC book back in trade! Not everyone journals the ones I do send out, but several of them have. And honestly, I guess in my opinion, you really shouldn't get mad at people for taking out the BC labels, because PBS isn't a function of bookcrossing and once they get the book, it's theirs to do with what they want. It seems like otherwise you're putting them under an obligation that they didn't agree to. I know, how hard would it be to just leave the label in there and not worry about it, I agree, but still, I don't think it's fair to blacklist people and refuse to send them a book when they fail to live up to an obligation that they didn't sign up for. Now, if they've proven repeatedly to be a nasty person, that might change my opinion some, and I really can't call myself a heavy hitter on PBS when I haven't reached 100 books either received or sent out yet, so take me with a grain of salt! ;)

I have often PM'd a person requesting a book before I sent it to ask them if it was okay that they had a label in them, and so far no one has canceled because of it, but I guess I could see if they wanted to give it to someone else, but didn't want the label in there, PBS, while made to swap books yes, doesn't require people to keep them circulating once you receive them (for that matter neither does Bookcrossing, it's suggested, but the more forceful "keep them moving" comes from ourselves, not BC), and many people, myself included are probably looking to get books off there to keep in PC. And quite honestly, if I do receive a book from Bookcrossing through Paperbackswap, I just might keep it as PC, because that is why I would have ordered it through there in the first place.

So far I have only ever listed my own books on PBS, since other members at Bookcrossing have expressed unhappiness (sometimes extreme) at the thought of their books being traded that way, although, if I've offered a book up several times, in different ways, and it hasn't been taken, I just might consider listing it there, otherwise it's wild release, or a library release, and I just don't see why it's bad to trade any bookcrossing book on PBS, it's still going to a booklover, it's not like you're selling it, and it just might make another member. I think sometimes we aren't quite getting to the "letting it go" stage that BC tries to promote! ;) I have noticed that my own feelings on what happens to books after they are out of my hands have relaxed quite a bit from when I first started at Bookcrossing.

I'm so not trying to offend people here, so please don't take me that way, and I really don't want to start a war (which I'm a little afraid of, but it's a couple of things I've wanted to say for awhile regarding PBS), just putting my feelings out there for consideration, and maybe presenting another side...

I am member of both sites. This is what I do with my books and I hope this is not too much of a problem for you people and please keep in mind that I don't have too many books. If someone lists their books and I get one with a BCID then I register it. If I don't like one of mine and have read it I do put a BCID if I have any labels. (Btw-how do I still get the free labels that I could print on my printer?) Right now I don't have anything to do my BCID numbers. Maybe I will get nonBCID post its soon.
Your Friend,
Novelwriter

Are these the ones you are talking about novel?

clicky for labels

I think most of us don't have a problem with trading around books this way, I just remember when I first started, and asked some questions of other BC'ers about it, I basically got "don't you dare do that with MY books" from a few of them, I don't honestly remember who, and I really was like, people, lighten up! But it really made me wary of listing anyone else's BC books that I had received onto PBS. I haven't really yet unless I know it was someone that wouldn't mind. But I just got to thinking, darn it, it's just too much work to try and make everyone happy and stay out of trouble! :P

Shauney, the people on the list that is being passed around are the ones who whenever the topic of bookcrossing comes up on PBS are the ones who immediately jump into the conversation with "I hate the whole idea of bookcrossing, and I'll do anything I need to do to spoil your fun, even though the owners of PBS have said that BX books are ok".

So the BX'ers have asked, "well, if you don't like the idea that much can't you put in a condition that says no bookcrossing books because we don't want to offend anyone"

Some of the people will leave the label in but black out the numbers when they send it onto the next PBS person. So I think the problem is, not that people are quietly removing the labels cause really in that case who would know. It's that they are making a point of doing it and then bragging about it.

So, I do have a list of people that I won't send a BX book to not just because they'll unmark my book but because they are mean and gloating. Fortunately I've never had to turn any of them down, I don't think they read the same kinds of books I do.

If anyone has a list, I'd appreciate it being shared with me (candytx@gmail.com). I had one myself, but I deleted it on accident one day and the next day hubby cleaned my computer up and dumped the recycle bin... lol... perhaps we should put them all together on a google spreadsheet? LOL

that's cool, like I said, if they were downright nasty, that would likely change my opinion, which it sounds like they were. Luckily I've not run into any of those people, they must be quite unhappy to take such pleasure in it.

Just want to say that I have sent out PBS books that got journaled by fellow BCers. I always include one of the BC bookmarks in the books I sent out, and ended up being a referral for someone from BM and PBS who signed up as BC members.

But I have never received a BC book fm either site though. Kind of disappointing as that would be the closest thing to a wild catch.

I've gotten a couple of BC books from PBS but I was very late in journalling them because I hadnt realized they were already registered. Now I always check. I also register all of the books I get from PBS so if they weren't BC books before they got to me, they are once they leave me :)

I have split feelings on the people who remove labels. On the one hand, I honestly dont care what someone does with a book after I've sent it off to them, so if they don't feel like journalling them when they recieve the book that's fine with me. I'm more concerned with getting my credit! ;) But at the same time I don't really like the idea of people removing labels and blacking out numbers just for spite.

I liked Candie's idea of maintaining a spreadsheet, so I made a Google spreadsheet for it. I don't want to post the link here but I can send the link to anyone, but I dont have any of the PBS names to add to it. If someone who already has the list would like to fill out the list, PM me with your e-addy and i'll add you as a collaborator.

* PBS RANT *

I have to say that this is by-far the least user-friendly and least organized trading site that I am a member of. What is the deal with having to receive three books before you can change your mailing and email addresses?? I joined the site back in December, 2005...didn't really like the layout so I never really became active. Since then I have moved and upgraded from hotmail to gmail. Now, I want to become more active but I can't request any books because I haven't requested three books at my old address. I sent two requests through the site asking that they please change my mailing address and haven't heard anything back.... now I just realized it is probably because they are sending the responses to my old email address...yes, the one that I can't change until I receive three books at my old address!!!

That is a silly rule isn't it? Do you have a lot of books on your shelf at PBS? If not, is there a way you could delete the old account and re-register and repost your books? :unsure:

I can try to get your message to the PBS staff for you. If you want, email me offline with the details about your old address, your new address (which is probably the one I have in my address book), and your new mailing address. (I think you said your mailing address has changed too, right?

I'm sure with the explanation, I can help you to put things right, so send me that data if you want my help. :kiss:

Hi All,

Would someone please do me the favour of sending me that PBS list, too? With the death of BookRelay, I've gotten more into PBS than before, but I was unaware of the fact there's spiteful BC-haters over there.

Waaaaahhh~ ~ I still miss BookRelay and can't help but still simmer at CR for pulling the plug so unceremoniously and (to me) so heartlessly.

But getting back to PBS: I've gotten a few requests that have stated, "I don't want BookCrossing.com books." Sometimes I feel nice and say, "Okay, no problem!" (and I remove the BCID); other times I'm like "Screw you. Order someone else's book then!"

But I'm with y'all who can't remember those BCers who are against their books being put on PBS and BookMooch and figure, "What the heck." Once a book is no longer in my possession, I feel that I no longer have control over its destiny and whether it's going to be enjoyed by a wild-catch-reader or a BookMooch-one, who cares? The joy is in spreading reading. Period.

Thanks for letting me put in my two cents' worth!

We have a google spreadsheet going -- if you give your email address we can add you to it. If you have a list to share, we'd appreciate it as well :)

Thanks, candie. My e-mail address is:

BruceDaCat@aol.com

I'm sorry: I don't have a list at present because I never thought to stockpile one. But from here on in, I will. This is the first I've heard (that I can remember) of there being such hatred (too strong of a word?) against BC by some PBSers.

Oh, well, they're entitled to their opinions, of course ~ but why be nasty or spiteful? There's enough of that in the world, for sure!

Oh, I just thought of one PBSer whom I refused a book to only yesterday. Would you like me to e-mail you her name or can I mention it here?

Can you send it to me too please? just three @ gmail.com

I had someone request a book yesterday, but their 'conditions' were that it was not an old library book and I was supposed to let them know if there were any tears or rips on it before I sent it. It kinda pissed me off - it sound like like they wanted a perfect book, for selling, I'm guessing. I denied it, stating that it had bookcrossing sticker on it. Oh well.

Okay, Bruce & Three are added

How do you know who it is, before you get to the print label stage?

Click on "PM Member" or whatever in the print label section, it will show you who it is.

Do you guys know if there is a way to list a book but only allow certain people access to request it? I have a few popular books that I want to list on a trading site (preferably PBS) but I would like to let people here request them before anyone else.

Frugalreader has an option like this where you can set up a trade group and then restrict who can request it to members of your trade group. Does anyone know if pbs has something like this? The only workaround that I can think of is offering the books here and asking to be gifted a pbs credit in exchage. Are there any others workarounds that you know of?

Wow, that would be nice! But, no, I don't know of any such thing.

Yup, but it requires a bit of work on your part. You'll need to buddy those people on PBS and look at their wishlist. You can then post the book to their wishlist :) That's the only way that I know of.

Ok... that's good to know! I guess I should start adding you guys to my buddy list then...

Thanks for the info!

Hi everyone-

If any of you people are PBS members (PaperBackSwap) please feel free to add me to your buddies list. I like mystery/suspense/thrillers and I have been know to do a book relay.

Your Friend,
Mel

I tried to add you but it didn't find "novelwriter". What's your name over there?

Ok, the more I'm using pbs, the more I like it. I think it has become my favorite out of the three trading sites (pbs, bookmooch and frugalreader) that I use. I really like the automatic request wishlist feature. Frugalreader has it as well, but you can't put a condition limitation on there and I don't really want books in poor condition.

Anyway, is there a way to find out how many copies of a certain book are listed and really, where in the queue are my listed books?

You can find out how many copies of a certain book are in the system by adding the book to your reminder list. Then go into your reminder list and it will tell you how many copies are in the system.

As far as telling where your book is in the queue the only way to know for sure would be to check the number prior to listing your book. At least as far as I know. :D

I have still never received a list of anti-BCer's over at PBS. I someone would PM me the list that would be wonderful!!!

Tribefan33 @ hotmail. com