I've been offering a 3-for-2 deal.  Within a few hours 2 people PM-ed me requesting the same book as their 3rd book.  Unfortunately I looked at the orders before I checked my PM's and said I would mail both transactions within 2 days.  (I will now check my PM's FIRST.)  I mailed the book to the first person who requested it.  I PM-ed the second person and apologized, explaining what had happened and asking if she could find a different book to replace that book.  I haven't heard from her yet.  (I PM-ed her twice.)  Should I cancel the transaction OR should I mail a 3rd book that is on a similiar topic OR should I do something else?  Thank you for your wonderful advice! Shannon 

First of all, when you PM someone about an order, you should give them a cut-off date.  For example, if I don't hear back from you by 1/27 I will cancel you order until I do receive a reply. 

Second, do NOT send a different book.  Just cancel the order, then PM the person explaining why you are cancelling and apologize.  Tell them to re-order if they decide to choose another book.

And you have obviously learn to check your PMs first :)

When I run a deal, I always ask them to post their choices in the BB thread, as well as PMing me.  Then everyone can see what people are choosing as their freebies and are less likely to choose the same book.  And if they do choose the same book, they can see by the order of the forum posts that someone else chose it first.  More transparent and less controversial that way.

Good luck :)

If you are running a deal, PLEASE DO NOT CANCEL!!! When you do this, the requests for your books get forwarded and scattered out to other senders, and they may be accepted and mailed before the requestor has a chance to cancel the new request. In the worst case, the requestor might not notice this is a new sender and end up harassing that person because she didn't send the freebie that she didn't even know about!

If you PM the requestor and she never responds, the best you can do is just let the request time out. The requests will still get canceled and forwarded, but at least you gave the requestor the maximum possible time to deal with the situation.

Thank you for your help! I don't think either of the books were on a wish list so I doubt they'll get grabbed up by another person.  I'll PM one one time and add a deadline before canceling.  You're a great help!

Shannon 

Please give them until the system date before you cancel the orders. It isn't WL books that are the problem, its the books with lots of copies in the system already. Her requests for those books will be transferred to 2 other people not offering a deal. Many people order books they normally wouldn't spend a full credit on in deals. Let her have as long as possible to get back to you and find another book or cancel the orders herself.

I agree with Melanie. If you cancel those two orders then they will get passed to the first person on the FIFO (first in first out) list for each of those books. In other words, if she doesn't get them from you, the system will automatically re-order them for her from other people.

I think you should mark the book mailed and ask PBS to cancel.  She may not have computer access everyday or have gone on an vacation.  She may not want the book unless she's getting it on a deal.