Question: I think sellers should note the odor of the book when rating its condition. I'm referring to the smell of mold or mildew, cigarette smoke, and mothballs, etc. I'm not talking about just the normal smell of old paper. But there seems to be no official guidelines, what should be done?

Answer: No book condition-rating guidelines mention odor. I've bought books on eBay which have smelled horrible, yet the seller rated their condition "very good." Now I always ask about odor before purchasing a used book.

Mold and mildew can really bother people. Even though I've never been diagnosed with allergies, one whiff of mold or mildew gives me a headache that can last three days!

Sellers are divided. Half think the odor has nothing to do with the condition rating; others not only consider it in the condition rating, but also mention it in their auction.

Sometimes people who live in damp areas such as New England are exposed to mildew odors so much, they don't notice them anymore. Our noses get used to smells that we are exposed to, and they get desensitized to it. Perhaps the booksellers don