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Topic: Book was marked as received, but it was mailed back

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carolinachapa avatar
Subject: Book was marked as received, but it was mailed back
Date Posted: 2/20/2012 4:51 PM ET
Member Since: 11/24/2008
Posts: 182
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I posted A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway, it was requested, I mailed it off. About a week and a half later it was marked as recieved and I got my credit. Then about two weeks later it was returned in the mail. It was evidant that the package had been opened. I PM'ed the person I had mailed it to, to see what the deal was...if they had maybe hit Book Recieved by accident and if they wanted me to mail it back. That was about two weeks ago. I have yet to hear back from the person.

Then not too long ago it hit me that maybe the person thought the books that they request have to be returned. Their profile was pretty bare, so I assumed they were a new member. 

What should I do?

FlouncePony avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 2/20/2012 5:14 PM ET
Member Since: 12/31/2009
Posts: 3,995
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There's nothing you need to do. You mailed, they received. You emailed, no response. If the person really did think the books here are just "borrowed" then that's the perils of not learning how a site works before you dive in. I don't think you should be paying postage on a book twice because of someone else's mistake.



Last Edited on: 2/20/12 5:15 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
JonnieAngel avatar
Friend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 2/20/2012 9:02 PM ET
Member Since: 10/26/2008
Posts: 9,884
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But I would PM them and then tell them that the books aren't borrowed.  Was the package marked "return to sender" or did they put it in a new package?

fangrrl avatar
Member of the Month medal
Date Posted: 2/20/2012 10:29 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
Posts: 14,177
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Now there's one I haven't heard before.  Yes, is it your original wrapper or did the other member re-wrap and return?

It's understandable that you feel like you should do something to make sure the requester receives the book they wanted, but at this point there seems very little you can do other than pm and point them to the site guidelines.  On the main Help Documents page, under How PBS Works, click on Do We Have To Send The Books Back?

  • How does PBS work?
  • Do we have to send the books back?
    close_2.gif

    No.

    Once you receive a book from PBS, it is yours. You can repost it here for another member to request, keep it, or give it away. Similarly, any book you send out to another PBS member is gone from you forever--and earns you a credit to order a book you haven't read!

Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 2/21/2012 8:36 AM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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I bet I know what happened: they ordered the book from FIFO: 1st person forgets to mark it mailed so it rolls over to 2nd person which is you.  Requestor receives book that 1st person sent but marks it received under their main account page.  Well that transaction is for the book you are sending.  So then your copy shows up, they open it and realize it's the book they just received. So they close it up and put return to sender thinking they've been sent a 2nd copy by mistake.  As the sender who marked the book mailed on time, you are the one who rightfully deserves a credit.

Of course that doesnt' explain why they haven't answered your PM. 

carolinachapa avatar
Date Posted: 2/22/2012 11:31 AM ET
Member Since: 11/24/2008
Posts: 182
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It was returned in its original package. And he still has yet to reply to my PM.

Mary, that sounds like a good explination.

farazon avatar
Standard Member medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 2/23/2012 10:34 PM ET
Member Since: 12/10/2009
Posts: 3,122
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LOL, I think MsRight is correct (as usual). That would be the logical explanation.