I've checked the help topics and can't find the answer to this.

I got a deal from a swapper on the Book Bazaar.  I chose 4 books from her shelf and used 1 credit.  Books never arrived and were declared Lost.  Today I received a package from the sender.  The package had been mangled and retaped by the post office with an official notice that it had been damaged in transit. 

The problem is that the package only has one book in it and it is not even one of the four books I requested.  I have received books from this sender before and  do not think she did anything wrong.  I even believe her capable of throwing in an extra book before mailing (which would explain the book I've never heard of before being in the package.)  But, the four books I requested were lost when the package opened.  

Do I change the status of Lost Book to Book Received?  Even though I didn't receive the book I used my credit for?  Even though I didn't even receive one of the other three books I requested?

I'm at a loss as to how to handle this.

Edit to add:

I realize the obvious answer is that I shouldn't worry about doing anything since I didn't get any of my books, but I did receive the Package - so the system might think I received my books!  It might look to PBS like I received my books and didn't say anything!

I hope I'm explaining this so it makes sense to someone :)

I would say this is closest to having received an empty envelope.  (See this Help Doc: I received an empty wrapper--no book inside!)

You'll need to let the sender know what did and didn't arrive, and she can contact the USPS and fill out the form mentioned in the Help Doc.  With an empty envelope, you don't mark anything received, and I'd say this is the same.  The book you ordered for a credit didn't arrive.

Thanks Patty.  I'll do that.

Really really bad time of year for media mail....... 

I had a similar thing happen to me several weeks ago.   All I can say is that this time of year, if you are mailing multiple books, find a BOX and tape it well.  Don't pack multiple books in brown paper or a flimsy envelope.  And if you are mailing ANY books in paper, tons and tons of tape!  And put the receivers address on a post-it note inside every book.

That's great advice Terri - especially the note in every book.  If the sender had done that, I might have my books now! :)

I've been sending my books 1st Class. It's not much more for smaller books. 

Just a follow-up:

I contacted the sender with the information from Patty.  She said she would get right on it.  The funny thing is she didn't add an extra book to the shipment.  So, the book I received - in her package - was not from her!  Really weird!

Carol - maybe the book you got is one that one of us 'lost'.  LOL.  Maybe if you post the title, someone will say, 'yes, that's a book that went lost that I sent)".   Pat

Pat - that's too funny!!  The book is Gods in Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson and it's not something I am even remotely interested in!  I think I will make a separate post for it.  Who knows, might get lucky!

Edit to ask:  What category do you suggest I put this in?  Club Members Thoughts, Questions about PBS?

I send out canvas mailing bags (library mailers they are called), they are secured shut with a plastic tie and the mailing label in a plastic slot on the front of the bag.  the ONLY way for the bag to be opened is for the plastic tie to be cut, they arent easy to bite through (tried this myself) and takes tremendous amout of force to break.  So  a week or so ago I got one of these bags back from the USPS with the plastic tie missing and a note inside from the PO saying it has gotten broken open in transit. I was also told that the only reason why the book was able to be found was due to the libraries stamps inside that matched the name on the mailing bag.

So if one of my bags can be broken open in transit and the book fallen out (meaning the zipper had to be un zipped and the plastic tied totally removed) then paper dont stand a chance no matter what you do.  I think they saw the wrapper, and figured the book looked similar size and put them together. 

Is the book postable?