I just got a swap and the book was marked EXCELLENT and damage NONE.

The book is a complete mess. It's probably been read by about 7 different people... messy people. I keep my books in pristine condition, but I know that's not always reasonable to expect from someone else. The spine is a creased mess, the pages are all crinkled, the back cover is crumpled and there are juice stains down the pages!

I'm occilating between anger and guilt for the bad rating.

Do you think that 3 stars and a comment that book was no where near excellent condition is an appropriate reaction? Do you think I should've waited until I was left feedback first?

Thanks

Karen

If the condition of the book was as u said then u shouldn't feel guilty for the feedback u left, that's what the feedback is there for.
You could of maybe sent a polite email about the problem before leaving feedback, I just hope u dont get a 3 star comment bk in revenge

Jem x

girlafraid:

I just got a swap and the book was marked EXCELLENT and damage NONE.

The book is a complete mess. It's probably been read by about 7 different people... messy people. I keep my books in pristine condition, but I know that's not always reasonable to expect from someone else. The spine is a creased mess, the pages are all crinkled, the back cover is crumpled and there are juice stains down the pages!

I'm occilating between anger and guilt for the bad rating.

Do you think that 3 stars and a comment that book was no where near excellent condition is an appropriate reaction? Do you think I should've waited until I was left feedback first?

Thanks

Karen

It sounds like the condition of this book fell very far short of "Excellent" so you were certainly justified in leaving 3 stars, and no, you definitely shouldn't have waited until you got feedback first.  The feedback system is completely useless if people don't leave honest feedback, and if you're worried about tit-for-tat comments, then waiting until the other person leaves their comment before you leave your negative comment won't prevent this, as people can edit their feedback for up to 3 months after the swap has been completed.  So you've done the right thing, don't feel guilty about it!  It's entirely possible that the other swapper just reactivated the book from their list and didn't check the condition, in which case they will accept that your criticism is fair. 

On the odd occasion I've had to leave less than perfect feedback, I've sometimes tried to soften the blow slightly by starting my feedback with the words "I really hate leaving less than 5*, but in this instance I'm afraid...." and then explained why.  I'm not sure whether it really does make it any easier to take, but at least no one yet has felt the need to retaliate. 

Thanks guys. I do feel a bit better.

I must admit that maybe I'm so angry because it seems that a lot of the books I get lately are in poor condition.

And you're right. That's what the feedback is there for! I should've been more honest in the past. The meanest I could be before is to put 5 stars and not leave a comment.

The reason I didn't email the swapper first is because looking through their feedback I see a few other comments that books are not as described. So they should know better by now!

girlafraid:

Thanks guys. I do feel a bit better.

I must admit that maybe I'm so angry because it seems that a lot of the books I get lately are in poor condition.

And you're right. That's what the feedback is there for! I should've been more honest in the past. The meanest I could be before is to put 5 stars and not leave a comment.

The reason I didn't email the swapper first is because looking through their feedback I see a few other comments that books are not as described. So they should know better by now!

Quite right, yes they should.  And if every disappointed swapper docked a star for it so that they really started to feel it, they may well learn to describe their books more accurately. 

Quite right, yes they should.  And if every disappointed swapper docked a star for it so that they really started to feel it, they may well learn to describe their books more accurately. 

 

Penny, I'm feeling vindicated now. I'm wondering if I should go back and change feedback on some of my other recenet rubbish swaps?

girlafraid:

Penny, I'm feeling vindicated now. I'm wondering if I should go back and change feedback on some of my other recenet rubbish swaps?

I don't think I'd go that far - I'm not keen on the idea of downgrading feedback once left as who knows where that could stop?  But you certainly shouldn't be afraid of leaving fair but honest feedback in future.

haha

You're right. I was overcome with power. I like you, sensible Penny!

I think you did the right thing dont feel bad hon

girlafraid:

I just got a swap and the book was marked EXCELLENT and damage NONE.

I think you did the right thing too.

I find it really irritating when books marked as anything other than "like new" have damage: none. There's got to be some, and while it may not differ from the description of "excellent" it would be good to say exactly what, to give you a clear idea of the condition.

I think you done the right thing too and if she/he wanted to make it up to you, they could offer another book or yours back...you can always upgrade feedback if you come up with an agreement

And don't forget you can always check swapper's ratings and comments (eg inaccurate descriptions) before you swap, so if someone has been marked down several times, it may be worth avoiding them and choosing someone else to swap with, if you have a choice.

count:

I think you did the right thing too.

I find it really irritating when books marked as anything other than "like new" have damage: none. There's got to be some, and while it may not differ from the description of "excellent" it would be good to say exactly what, to give you a clear idea of the condition.

Thank you! 

I agee! Even worse is when someone has a book marked "like new" and then has damage listed to it. It's not new then! Now I have to go check my books and make sure I haven't done that myself ;). Sometimes I get a book directly from the publisher and the machine that picks the book has slightly damaged it in some way even though it's never been read or never seen a shop bookshelf! (but I usually ask for another!)

Anyone else so particular about book damage? It's just not as interesting to start a new book that's tatty as it is to start one that looks fresh. I'm going to start a new thread and people's thoughts on this now...

I think you've done the right thing. I think people in general are too afraid to dock a star or 2 when the book isn't as described and as long as people keep ignoring the problem then it will just get worse.

You mentioned alterign feedback that you've left for others and I thought I' point out, whilst you can go back and alter your comment, or add a star to any feedback you've already left, you can't remove a star. This is to try to prevent people who want to leave bad feedback as "revenge" going back and deleting stars from swappers who have deserved and been given 5 stars.

Thank you for your message and the replies as that has given me confidence to mark a swap properly. I received a book marked as 'excellent' and damage as 'none' but the bottom of the spine was ripped, the spine was creased,  and both covers were marked. I had a look at the feedback this swapper had already received and one other swap was marked down for the same reason. I don't mind giving the benefit of the doubt to a new swapper, but not when they have had a few swaps already.

Sal.  a.k.a. Froglady