We have an electronic scale that we use with our home business. I mailed a book today based on that weight, but I just realized the scale was off by a couple of ounces. Any idea how long it will take to come back to me? What should I do about notifying the person that ordered it? I have until Sunday to mark it mailed, so if it comes back by Saturday, I will be okay.

Anybody else ever done this? How did you handle it? I've been a member of PBS for years and have never made this mistake. I'm so irritated with myself!

Thanks for any advice.

Rhonda

My post office can take a couple of days to return packages. If the reason is insufficient postage, you should be able to just add the remainder and hand it to the clerk at the post office.

If it's media mail, it may be okay, since it rounds up oz to the next lb.  Like if the package weighs under 1lb, you pay the 1lb rate, and then anything between 1-2lbs, you pay the 2lb rate for and so forth.  If your actual rate would have come out to just over a pound however, and you only paid the 1lb rate, it's possible it will be sent back to you or delivered with postage due.  If that's the case, go ahead and contact your receiver and let them know this might happen, and try to work out some way to cover the cost for them.

I bought some $1 stamps recently, but couldn't find them this morning when I wanted to just use stamps on the wrapped book I was mailing (Ugh!)   I only needed $2.02 for 1st class.  So.. I went to the PO.  Longer line than usual (Double Ugh!).  But I'm glad I went.  When the package was weighed it turned out it needed $2.19 in postage.  I don't know how often they check weights, but I would hate to have an insufficient postage problem.

I would just wait it out-- Maybe the book will go through ok-- I have received several book with No postage ! The stamps probably fell off-

I paid for first class, so we'll see. I'll wait and see if it come back by Saturday. Otherwise, I'll go ahead and mark it shipped and notify the requestor of possible delays/problems.

Thanks!