mail a book media mail to someone (you don't know) just 20 miles away or PM them to see it they'd like to meet at like Starbuck's to pick it up?

This is something that I'm thinking about now because it just so happens that my book is wanted by someone who lives in the town down the road.  If I mail it media mail - it will go to the state capitol and then come back to the county to be delivered.  In any other state I wouldn't be so concerned - but I've had the worst luck getting books from within my state!  Takes longer than anywhere else (except Hawaii).

I'll probably just mail it - but I wondered what others would do?  ;D

Ruth

I did that!! I ordered a book from someone in my own town.  When I received it, I contacted her and we've met up once now and probably will again! 

I found someone whose bookshelf was similar to mine because I thought we'd have something in common and it worked out!

Depends on my schedule for the week, really.

I would look at my schedule and see what worked. I have traded books from work and picked up books fram local (not PBS) people. I do know several local PBS members but we do not seem to have similar interests. Oh, well.

I would probably consider it, especially if it works into the schedule and there was a public place we could meet. One of the longest mail cycles I experienced was from a trader only 13 miles away -- my nearest trade geographically. It was a Media Mail book, so it took about two weeks, but we could have met at a local mall, even if we had to take the local highway from H-E-...

A First Class book from Washington state, or California (I forget which) took only 3 days or so to reach me in suburban Philadelphia.

I would probably just mail it because with gas prices today it would be cheaper for me (I drive a big truck because everyone in my family is over 6 feet tall including me).

Over at SwapaDVD, I made arrangements to pick up 2 DVD sets at the lady's place of business because it was only a few blocks away. She saved on postage, I got my DVDs quickly and the DVDs weren't subjected to rough USPS handling.

i would like to meet up with the person, if my schedule allowed for it, and they were amiable.

if my schedule allowed I would definitely meet up at a public place.  I've done that before with someone and it was neat to meet people face to face!

I would meet the other person. You never know- you could make a new friend in the process!

I have met quite a few members who are local here in Atlanta. One member and I trade books over lunch on a regular basis. I have made a few real nice friends like that. But one member, who lives about 4 blocks from me, ramdomly ordered a book from me and I offered to drop it off on his porch one day on the way to work. He told me he would rather I mail it since he did not want any trouble with his wife!! Yikes buddy, I wasnt gonna ring the bell and start making out with you, I was just gonna leave a book on your door step. I didnt answer his PM even, just mailed the book. It took about a week to get to him.

Assuming I notice where it is going, I'd likely offer local pickup.

If someone offered ME local pickup, I'd probably only do it if it were REALLY convenient. (within about 5 miles and schedule I could meet)

I can't see why not.  I'd do it in a public place.  I wouldn't invite anyone over to my house.  How much is first class?

I'd do it for sure!   I've met a lot of people from online groups and figure a stranger is just a friend not yet made.   We meet strangers everywhere we go - why not from PBS? 

An acquaintance joined after I told her about PBS.  I got the email saying I had a referral credit, so I checked her shelf.  Ordered a book.  Turned out she was just a couple of miles from me, so she delivered it to my house.

Soneone I did not know, I would have done it in a public place.

Personally I wouldn't... But I am very anti-social :)

If someone else suggested it, I'd be open to it, but I would never bring it up.  I actually thought of it recently when I sold something on ebay and had to ship it just a few towns over.  But then common sense kicked in.  Matt, I told myself.  You may be a literary nerd, but you are also a villainous-looking 200 lb. male.  Are you trying to end up in the slammer?  I dropped the idea.

I had a situation similar to that. I mailed a book to a member about 12 miles away. It took over 2 weeks to get there. That member, later, by coincidence, ordered another book from me. I decided to meet him at a local Taco Bell.

I dropped a book off once. The other member lives about a mile from where I work, so I just PM'ed her and said I'd drop it off the next day unles she had an objection. She replied that she'd be at work, but I could leave it on the front step, so I did.

I've mailed two other books that were within 20 miles of home, but just not in the directions that I normally go. I didn't want to take the time to make a special trip.

Well, I considered it seriously.  The requestor is a male just a few years younger than me. So I hesitate just for the reasons mentioned by Cheryl - he might think I'm a man-hunter - or his wife - if there is one - might object and I don't want to cause trouble there for sure!  I went ahead and printed off the label and postage/DC.  But the printer is really low on ink - so I'm not sure the USPS will accept it.  I'll have to see tomorrow. (I hate going to the post office)  Anyway, if it will be accepted by the USPS then I'll PM the guy after I mail it about how close we are and not to expect that to help it arrive any sooner!  LOL!!  ;D

Ruth

I've sent quite a few books to folks who live in the area--a couple were less than 5 miles from me. But I didn't realize that until I printed off the label. I'd most likely be inclined to just send the book and send a PM to the person saying hello, at least until I had 'conversed' with them via PM a few times. I have met some of the local PBSers at a local chapter meeting, but never met anyone specifically just to deliver a book.

Cheryl

I always offer to, but it's never worked out.  I got a book delivered once postmarked from the post office I frequent.  It's near my work and not my house, so the person wouldn't have realized they could have just handed to me.  (I'm only there like 2-3 times a week anyway mailing books.)

This just happened to me.   Last week, just before Labor Day, I had a request for 2 books from someone who lives in another part of the same town as me (Ft Myers, FL).    But, I never get out that way.   Now, I know those books have to take the scenic route, up to Jacksonville, and back.    But, I included an extra book, and mailed them asap. 

Betsy