How much does this foxing reduce the value?

I just received this item from ebay. This is the War & Peace set from Folio Society. No mention of foxing in the ad. Books were listed "as new". No other defects in the books. I have never encountered foxing before but this is definitely foxing. It's pretty bad inside the slipcase. These books were printed in the 90's so they're not all that old. How much does this reduce the value? Should I ask for a partial refund or should I just return it? With tax and shipping this cost me $87 dollars.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/100pd83ErAqWl2UwOP7zHXr4yUVLGPOoz/view?usp=shari...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-_Ba6H-sTxX8556_MhyW67Px1U4CMQ3T/view?usp=shari...
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-iP_NUgMX6R1FScR9R_2F52LSMf4a7GN/view?usp=shari...

>1 RickFlair: I would return it, and be sure to leave a review on the seller's site as well. The seller had to know the books were in substandard condition; you deserve an apology as well, but I suspect that the bother of returning them is going to be unpleasant as well.

You have my sympathy.

ETA: Don't leave the review until you have the refund (it seems obvious to me to do it that way, but better to say it now than later, when it's too late.

I sent the seller a message with the pictures and will wait for the response. I think I will probably return it. I'm hesitating though because this is the only thing wrong with the books and I feel like it's not a huge deal. I certainly don't like it though.
If the seller offers a 25% discount or something would you keep it?

Would I keep it? Probably not, but then, I'd have informed the seller that I was shipping it back, and expected a refund of the original amount. Due to my "kindness" I would not ask to be reimbursed for the return shipping, but merely for what was originally spent.

I might add that I would not necessarily be shipping it until I heard from the seller. The thing is, the seller has not been honest. There's no expectation of him becoming so. I just looked at the photographs you'd put on Google, and the seller had to know that there were issues. I would just take whatever money I could get refunded, and find a copy in better condition.

BTW, that doesn't look like foxing to me; that looks like decay of some kind. In any case, you should keep it away from your other books.

I am no expert but I agree with >4 Lyndatrue: that this is not like foxing I have seen. Are there any marks on the pages or only on the edge?

Whatever it is the book is not “as new”.

>5 abbottthomas: I'm with you on that one after looking at the pics.

this is only on the page edges and inside the slip case
I used a white gum eraser on the page edges and none of the marks came off

Mold?

If it is just mold, would it be easy to clean and restore? The white gum eraser didn't seem to do anything to it.

I've got plenty of books with real foxing, and a LOT of it. Of course, they're old (pre-1900). I suspect your spots are likely the result of pockets of acidic pulp in the boards of the slipcase. But the faint spots on the spine? Who knows? At any rate, if you aren't happy with it, do indeed return it for a full refund.

For me, however, that "defect" isn't a deal-killer. I personally would let the seller know about it, but would not worry about return, refund, discount, etc. What bugs me more is the crappy case binding which allows the text block to sag like it does. Seems to be standard for today's trade books. Sad.

That, however, is me. You're the one who has to be happy with the deal.

Yes, it's a defect. It's not "traditional" foxing, but I don't think it's mold. I've seen it on any number of midcentury books that haven't been stored under ideal conditions; I don't think you can get rid of it. Either way, this is in no way "as new." You're entitled to return them for a refund, but you could also take a discount-I think 25% sounds fair.

I did decide to return it. Thanks everyone.

Good choice Rick. Condition, condition, condition, applies to anything you collect. A dust jacket is 90% of the value of a first edition. If its worth collecting, it should be in the best condiiton possible.
My exception to the rule is when condition relates to the history of the book, such as marginal notes, or even tea stains showing human interaction with the book.
Of course, if its a very rare book, even in poor condition, is becomes an important example to keep.

http://pics.cdn.librarything.com//picsizes/3b/3d/3b3d91c3ba8dc0e63724e6d7767434c...
Regarding book condition:
The thirteenth Century saw the emergence of Bibles small enough for personal use.
A university student would have a Bible copied for his studies.
This image is of a 13th Century Bible with doodling in the margins.
Is it notes? Or boredom from poor lectures? any guesses??