Hi - What is proper protocol?  I sent some books out and paid USPS delivery confirmation.  Out of the several books I sent out - one still wasn't marked delivered - so I went and checked the delivery status.  It shows that the book was delivered on July 18th.   It is an apartment building, but I have seen the person post [yesterday and I think today] it could be she is on holiday.  Do I wait until it is marked lost, let her know that DC is showing delivered - so if she hasn't rec'd it I can call USPS?  It was a deal and I actually didn't have one of the ones she was looking for but she took another book.  While at the Library sale I saw the book  she originally wanted  I got it and PM'd her if she was still interested I have it - no obligation.  Since she had originally asked for this author/title in an earlier post-I thought I would let her know.  No big deal I could always post it if she wasn't interested.  No response.   I PM'd her Sat evening but didn't htink of checking the DC.    I thought maybe she wanted to wait until she rec'd the books I sent before replying.  Some guidance would be appreciated - Thanks

Books are sometimes marked "received" in the postal system when they arrive at the final post office, not the member's home, so it is possible she has not truly received the book yet.  It is also possible it was misdelivered, etc.

Since you did not use PBS DC, PBS can't help you.  The Help Center advises: "As the sender, you should call 800-ASK-USPS or go to http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MLNtRcvd.aspx (the Postal Inspection Service's website) and input the information online there . This will help USPS try to recover your book if it truly has been lost in the mail."

Good luck.

--Catt

OK dumb question why are you buying DC through the post office when it costs more and doesn't guarantee your credit?

Also it was only scanned 2 days ago.  It may have just been scanned at her local PO and not delivered yet. I have one that was scanned on Fri and I still don't have it but I had 3 other books in my mail box today. 

The DC also doesn't guarantee that it was delivered to the right address. 

Some people don't have computer access everyday as well.

Thanks for the comments

Thanks Elizabeth - I didn't realize that USPS marked items received if they weren't actually delivered to the destination. I haven't used the post office in years -everything is payed online or automatic payments, email etc.  All my shipping has been done through UPS or FEDex (DHL before they tanked) so delivery was only recorded upon delivery.  I would like to find out if it is really lost or delivered to the wrong address before I embark on that (probably) fruitless adventure.

Mary - not  a dumb question -  at the time I didn't have my latest credit card associated with Paypal and due to circumstances it wasn't going to happen before I was required to send the books. So I opted for USPS DC which I almost choked when it was 80 cents, but gut said get DC - I was sending several book.  All the books up to that point I didn't use DC and it never bothered me -maybe I was reading too many posts.  With my work schedule being changed almost by the day I do not feel confident an event won't arise where I can't get to the PO before I am required to mark the book mailed - even 5/7 days.  So I started using PBS postage and DC and leaving in my mailbox or dropping it in the blue box in the PO parking lot which I can do on my way to work.  

The person is online - she posted today on a couple of threads.  I understand  DC doesn't guarantee it be delivered to the right address, but what I didn't know or understand is the USPS marked items delivered at the post office and not the final destination -which probably explains alot!  Thanks for taking the time to reply. -jubead

I have been away from my home for 5 weeks.  That doesn't mean I haven't been able to get online.   Just thought you might like to know that being online does not mean you aren't on vacation.

Just thought you might like to know that being online does not mean you aren't on vacation.

Yes I agree - that is why I mentioned in my original post "it could be she is on holiday".  I am also not stupid and realize you can be online and not be at home.  Maybe I wasn't clear in my original post and I apologize if I confused anyone, but I when I referred to her being online it was in regards to a PM about the book she originally was looking for in the BB. Not my offer but her post that she was looking for a particular book.  Long story short - I did not have both books she was looking for but she opted for the other book I had of the same author and I offered 2/1(no complaints - it is what it is).  I will add the only reason I offered was that I see her post regularly.

I was at a library sale and I actually found (wasn't looking for it and I stunned myself that I remembered) the original book she requested.  I sent a PM that if interested I would offer it as a deal (since I did on the other book and it wasn't a negative experience).  No obligation/hard feelings if no - I can always post it to my bookshelf[- I was just keeping her in mind.  Anyway she has been online w/o response to the PM and I would have at least expected a "not interested" response, thanks but go away response - but that is just me.  The book rec'd question -I will repeat I didn't know how the post office worked. 

This isn't a VENT, I am not upset or angry -  It was totally on me - I thought I was doing something nice for someone as I would appreciate someone doing for me.  I also learned other things  that I didn't expect to learn from this experience and thread - since I learned something I welcome the experience. 
-jubead

Hi - just to let everyone one know that the member saw this post and sent me a PM.  It was a misunderstanding on both sides and from now on I will follow my gut and not worry so much about the posts I have read on how much you shouldn't PM members.  Elizabeth and Mary -thank you for your informative replies -they were very much appreciated. -jubead