Solutions to Books Mooched while waiting for Angel Help

I am so very tried of finding books that I want to wish & watching them go to another as I look for an Angel.

Please do not misunderstand Angel Moochers are wonderful & have mooched many many booksa for me.

But the number of people set to their country only has increased as postage costs rise.

It seems unfait that I see the book first but cannot even hold it for a short time.
Highly wished books are impossible to mooch.

Can a button not be added for short term holds as an Angel is sought ?

All input, suggestions, and solutions are much appreciated

I have emailed John Buckman re this concern & await his reply.

I'm under the impression that the Ask First account option is the de facto solution for the short-time hold. It's very nice when that option is activated, but we can't force every giver to activate it.

Sometimes I have luck directly emailing an Only To My Country member, explaining about the Angels, and asking them to hold the book for a bit while I find one. That does tend to be a better option when the book isn't heavily wishlisted, though, sorry. :(

Gerri, I have a standing arrangement with a gentleman in Isreal where he temporarily changes his country code to US when he sees a book he wants that is set to US only. He then changes his address to mine with (for Ben) after my name. I get the packages, put them up on BM and reserve them for him, smooch his 1 point back and once I have a box full, send them his way. I then recoop my lost point through the Angel Moocher reimbursement fund. I would be happy to do a similar arrangement with you so you could snatch up those books without having to wait for me to do it for you and potentially miss out. I hope my explanation above was clear. I have had wayyyyyy too much sugar this evening. :)

3 that is fiendishly brilliant;)

# 3 you truly are an Angel .