This list continues to grow in the "Questions about PBS" forums, compiled here. Thanks to everyone who has submitted great tips! These tips are un-edited - each member brings their own opinion and ideas! TOP TIPS FOR NEW MEMBERS - Save your credits! It can be frustrating when you've spent all of your credits, only to have The Book you've been wanting become available. Then you have to either buy more credits or go without. While buying credits is still cheaper than most used bookstores, it still makes sense to save your credits for the books you'll really want, especially if you know they will be coming up soon (see the next tip).
- Learn to use the wish and reminder lists. When adding books to your wish list, be sure to search unposted books. A lot of times, new books that aren't in stores yet will already be listed in the unposted books. By wishlisting them early, you'll be one of the first to receive it when it becomes available.
- If you have friends who love to read as much as you do, invite them to sign up for the site, and ask that they list you as their referral. With PBS's referral system, you'll "earn" a credit when they post their initial nine books. Also, if they want to request any of your books and they live nearby, you won't need to pay to ship it to them.
- Every now and then, buy a new book. If we all waited for the newest Clive Cussler to be posted on PBS, no one would ever get it. By buying new books, or even used from your local paperback exchange, we can keep the selection on PBS fresh.
- Keep your posted books neat and organized. They should be easy to find when one of your books has been requested, and it will help keep them in better condition
- If you have books that are in good condition but have some small defect - say, writing in the cover or paperback exchange stamps - go ahead and post it. If someone requests the book, send them a personal message first describing the defect and see if they still want it.
- Don't worry if none of your books are being requested. You never know when someone will join who is looking just what you've posted. If you're just interested in clearing out space (or earning credits), consider offering a 2 for 1 to generate interest in your bookshelf.
- Play nice. Follow the rules on what may or may not be posted. When a book is requested from you, be sure to respond and ship it within the time specified. When you receive a book, login and mark it received so the sender can get credit. And as always, be courteous in the forum. PBS is a great service, but it depends on its members to keep it that way.
- Create a profile! This allows you to share a little bit about yourself and lets people look directly at your bookshelf and your wishlist! (You can do it under "Account Settings")
- Consider joining Box o Books! (BOB) A great idea and for $8 a year a real bargain! You will save at least that much a year in postage by sending more than 1 book at a time. Not to mention it helps support this FREE site! (Go to left side of screen and click on Box O Books)
- Be patient..even if you post the 55th book in the system, it will eventually be requested
- Post any book that qualifies!! You'd be amazed what would be requested. I've been surprised on some of the books that have been requested - ones I never thought would go. If you see books at a yard sale or in a mark down bin at a second hand store - pick them up and post them!!! It's very cost affective, and it can help you earn a credit or two!! If someone offers you some crochet pattern books, but you don't crochet, say thank you and snag them!!! There are several of us looking for crochet pattern books and etc..... Always be on the look out for books to post!!!!
- Only wishlist books that you have a credit for, or are willing to purchase a credit for. This speeds up the wait lists, since each person has 48 hours to respond to a wishlisted book before being passed to the next member.
- Spend your credits! Every time you spend a credit, someone else gets a credit that they can spend. The faster the credits circulate, the faster books circulate and the sooner someone will be ordering one of your posted books. When you save up too many credits, you are denying other members the opportunity to trade books. You don't earn interest on credits; there is no advantage to "saving" them. You may buy more (quite cheaply, I think) if you are completely out and a book you really want comes along. Increasing the turnover of PBS credits makes everyone "richer" by decreasing bookshelves and increasing TBR piles.
- Don't forget that this site isn't all about getting new books or clearing your bookshelf. It's about READING. Don't forget to go through your own TBR pile and read something not because it is a wishlist book, but because you love the author. Read for yourself a little each day, and everyone else around you will benefit, especially the recieptant of the the book you finish.
- Be patient when waiting for someone to accept your book request. I know it's hard, and YOU WANT THAT BOOK YESTERDAY! But, you will receive it eventually, and before long you'll have so many books to read, that it won't matter anymore.
- If a book is wayyyyyyy late. Wait. More than once an over due book has come in to me 1 or 2 weeks over. If you rush and order another one, you could have 2................that doesn't work for me.
- Periodlically check your wish list books again. New isbn's get enterred all the time. One book can have 25 people waiting and aother newer version have 4.
- Use the Search option on the forums to find answer(s) to your questions before you post a question. I'd guess that 90% of your questions have already been addressed in the forums.
- Review your bookshelf after you've posted books. IF there is no description from either PBS or another member, take the time to find something on B&N or Amazon and post a description of the book. Many time the title sounds appealing, and then you look for a description, and nothing. I myself then pass on this book.
- To follow previous, check if there is a description of the book from PBS or another member before you type the data from the back cover. I've seen the same paragraph typed again and again by people as they post their book. It's a waste of time and effort I think.
- If your book is small, and your post office is conveniently located, it may be cheaper to mail First Class. Many small paperbacks can be mailed First Class for less postage than standard Media Mail rates. (You can check the weight of the book on Amazon.com for approximate weight.)
- To post a book that does not have a ISBN: on the page where you post books, the one where you type in the ISBN, scroll down and it will show a prompt to post books without a ISBN. You click on this; that screen asks for the title, author, height, width, and thickness of the post, the subject matter, etc.
- Regarding library books, this is right from the FAQ's on this site: "Yes, used library books are ok as long as they are not damaged. Aslong as they have their cover attached, there is no water damage, theyare not excessively worn out and they do not smell then they are fineto post. Remember, this is a used paperback site. Books are notexpected to be in perfect condition. Lots of our members havepurchased used library books for their reading pleasure and to supportthe library. Once they finish reading them, they are ready to sharethem with others."
Wrapping is important! Do NOT tape the wrapper to the book. Try to wrap the book in saran wrap (never press and seal since it leaves a residue), or some other plastic bag type thing. Use two sheets of paper for trade size and hardbacks. The wrapper will not fit those. You can never use too much tape. (use clear packing tape and never scotch tape, it doesn't hold well) In this case more is better. Tape the ends and at put at least on piece from top to bottom, this will keep the wrapper on the book and keep it from falling out of an envelope if you use those. If you joined after mid-January, ASK YOUR TOUR GUIDE! All members who have joined since the volunteer programs started (January, 2006) have been assigned a tour guide from the ranks of our experienced volunteer members. Your tour guide's name is inserted on your 'Buddy List', or you can just 'reply' to the initial personal message (PM) you received when you completed registration. If the book you are sending to someone is heavier or larger than a regular size, paperback DO NOT assume that the estimated postage that prints out on the mailing label is correct. I have found that a number of books have cost more than the base rate. Also if you are ordering a book from someone, especially a series book, check their bookshelf and perhaps there is something else in there you can add to your one book. If so, it saves the sender postage. Put a volunteer on your Buddy List....If you have a question or problem, you won't have to search the forums to find someone to help you. If you're new and have questions, first read the FAQ in the Help Center (on the grey bar at the top of every page. That has the "definitive" answers to many questions. Wrapping is important! Do NOT tape the wrapper to the book I'm big on recycling and have found using the bags that my newspaper comes in very handy. It saves from having to saran wrap it and gets another use out of the bag. If you work in an office, you can use the wrapper in which the copier paper comes in. All the brands I've used are coated on one side, which is great for mailing. I also like to put a piece of cardboard over the cover to prevent damage to the cover during transit. Spine cracking is especially prevalent if the book is thin and putting another cardboard over the cover helps with absorbing impact If you wish to purchase from a certain member's bookshelf (say they are running a book deal), make sure that you use the "Order This Book" link from their bookshelf. If you click on the title of the book (to read reviews and such), and use their "Order This Book" link, you will make use of the First-In-First-Out system and your request will be sent to another member Don't be afraid to ask other member's if they would be willing to do a 2-for-1, 3-for-2, etc. deal. They will most likely say yes! The books are for keeps, books are not on loan and will not be returned to you after the requester is done with them. If that is what you thought this was about, please pull any books you want back from your bookshelf ASAP. Please don't post books that you have just loaned to your friend. Buddy List Tips: First, you have to add people to your buddy list. This can be done by going to their Book list. You'll then see an Add Buddy button. The Buddy List can be accessed from your account page, right hand menu. Once they are there, if you want to give them a "tag", you have to make it first. To do that, you click on "Manage Tags" and that's where you make them. I use tags for swaps I'm in, bookshelves I like a lot, stuff like that. (they are your tags, you just make any that will help you. :-) After you make them, they will be in the pull down menu under TAG ACTIONS. This is where you apply and remove them. Once you have made, or named, the tag/s you click the box next to that person's name. A green check mark will show up. Then you use the pull-down menu to apply the tag of your choice. You can also remove them using this method. You will know it is properly applied because it will show up in red letters under the persons name. If you order an often-posted book with upwards of 100 posted copies (like most books by John Grisham), you might want to go ahead and post it while you are reading it. That way, you can at least move up in the queue to send. Of course, this only applies if you plan to post it into the system later. If there're more than about 10 copies available, you can probably plan on having at least 3 weeks of reading time before getting a request to send, so waiting 3 weeks to post just makes it take 6 weeks before you can get the credit back for the next book. If you intend to read the book immediately, and then ship it on, 5 copies in the system is usually enough to give several weeks delay POST BOOKS. Seems obvious, but what I mean is, even if you don't have 9 books to post, post 1 (then another ...). If someone asks for it you will get a credit. Yes posting 9 IS better, you get 3 bonus credits (and your referer gets one), but it isn't necessary to do 9 at once. Need credits? Check out your local library for book sales, and used book stores for cheap box of books deals. Then list them as 2-for-1 deals in the Book Bazaar (here in the discussion forums) Visibilty = Increased Trades!! If there are specific books you want, of course, have them on your wishlist, But Also if you are interested in serendipitous finds, go check out the 2-for-1 deals in the Book Bazaar. (and 3-for-1, etc) To add a book description to a book that currently does not have one, at the bottom of the page is a link to edit book data. The book description and any other data that is incorrect or missing can be added/changed there. What does TBR stand for? TBR stands for "To Be Read" What is that big red W on my TBR list mean? The W means that this book is currently on someone's wishlist. BUT, don't be a slave to the big red W - it has been many people's experience that they have read those books first, only to find out that the member(s) wishing for them no longer want them. Is there a way to find out how many copies of a book are in the system?Yes. Add the book to your reminder list, then hover over the exclamation point. This will show you how many copies are already available. When ordering a book, click on the order more from member and check out his/her bookshelf. I often find the person who has one book I want has two I want! When lucky enough to get the notice a book from your wishlist is available don't forget to check out that member's bookshelf too. The way I have found to do this is accept the wish list order, then go to where the wished for book is now showing on your page and hit PM (private message). I don't PM the member but I can get to his/her bookshelf from here. Then I can order if I want anything else. While the system doesn't link the order, a smart sender will notice the mailing information is the same. If I can save a member a bit in postage while getting books I want, its a good day! Please read (or at least skim) the Help Center. Especially the sections on what constitutes acceptable conditions for posting books and the how to wrap/mail books. The last thing you want to do is have a problem with your first few transactions if you see a book you're interested show up in New Books posted - go ahead and order! Don't try to come back a few hours later because you won't find it or it will have already been ordered. (boo hoo!) Look at postage rates as MEDIA RATE may be more expensive than FIRST CLASS. Do not forget to add the extra postage for the DELIVERY CONFIRMATION, if you choose to print that for mailing. Others have listed the postage rates but these could be changed at any time so be sure to look up the rates on the USPS web site again. First Class rates should some times be used, as they are cheaper at 6 ounces or less (5.5 ounces is a typical small paperback’s weight). Trade CDs at the SWAPACD site, and then transfer the trade credits to your BOOKSWAP account. It only costs $0.90 (or cheaper) to send out an audio CD that someone wants. Then you have a book credit (effectively)!! Always get the small paperback books listed for trading, when you have any choice. They are much lighter in weight so cost less to mail out. Also make sure you take advantage of local used book stores, as they may be cheaper than the postage-trade costs through this site. After you read a book, use the stars rating system to rate it and write a review. This benefits everyone. BUT, don't give away the whole plot, especially the ending, in your reviews When you give comments on Box of Books, make sure you mark positive it is positive, as you cannot change your vote once it is posted, I found out the hard way......ouch! Go through the club wish list, topic you enjoy and get ideas for your wish list. I found many books I never knew existed and I can't wait to receive them. The fun little "icons" at the bottom of people's messages are called "blinkies." Do a Google search for blinkies and you'll found thousands upon thousands of them. When you see one you like, right-click on it (with a PC; I dunno how Macs work) and select "Save Picture As..." Then save it on your hard drive. Then get into your Settings under My Account and add them to your Signature there by uploading the same files. Or you could find ones you like right here in the forum and steal them using the same method.
PBS Lingo: TBR= to be read BOB = box of books Boxer= a person with a box of books account DH, DW, DD, DS, DP= dear husband, wife, daughter, son, partner SIL, MIL, DIL, FIL BIL= Sister in law or Son in law, Mother in law, Daughter in law, Father in law, brother in law R&R= our wonderful club founders Robert and Richard Mod= a moderator IMHO=in my humble opinion bump= when a thread goes on to the next page but you still want people to see it you type bump in the reply and it will bump it back to the top. This is usually used in the games forum and in the bookbazaar BB=book bazaar PM=personal message SAHM=Stay at home mom LOL= Lots of Laughs KWIM know what I mean FWIW for what its worth
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