So I have been trying to order a book for about a week, I am moving in a couple weeks and really wanted this book before I left.  We are moving all the way across the country with a baby and needless to say I'll want something to do during our 38 hour trip.  I have requested this book from 4 different people and it keeps timing out. 

I get notifications when someone requests my books....do people turn this off?  If so, why would you turn it off if you don't log into pbs every couple days?  Now I'm not sure I'll be able to get the book in time :(

There's something that doesn't quite add up here ... you say "I have been trying to order a book for about a week" and "I have requested this book from 4 different people and it keeps timing out."

When you request a book, the sender has 5 days to respond to your request and another 7 days to mark it mailed. If a sender doesn't accept the request within 5 days, or doesn't mark it mailed after having accepted, then it will automatically roll over to a new sender. So you couldn't have had 3 senders time out unless you'd requested the book more than 15 days ago.

Also, if you are moving in a couple of weeks, it's too late to be requesting books that will be sent to your old address. Since it can take up to 12 days before the book is marked mailed and since Media Mail is not automatically forwarded, you are running the risk that the book will be returned to sender. If that happens, you still have to mark it received because you would be the one who gave an undeliverable address on the request.

ETA: if you are canceling the request yourself because you think the system didn't timeout correctly, and then reordering the book, your request is just going back to the same person over and over.

Rachel,

Do you have any requester conditions?  If  you do and they do not apply to this book, you might want to consider turning them off.  A lot of people decline requester conditions which maybe why you are on your 4th member. 

Duplicate

I do think you're out of time to get any book before your move. Two weeks just isn't enough time, and they won't forward media mail to your new address. You'd have to get the sender to send it First Class.

I'd just put everything on vacation hold and buy the book somewhere. It'll be one less thing to worry about while you're busy moving. Although if you're going on a road trip, I'd look into audio books as well. They can be a blessing on long road trips.

It has rolled over to 3 different members somehow, whether they cancelled it or not because the request date has changed...I am moving in a little over 2 weeks, but the book isn't heavy so it should be first class anyway.  I have 17 days left here. 

Rachel, to prevent any problems if you do actually get someone to accept the request you need to contact them and make sure they are willing to mail the book first class...you can't just assume that "the book isn't heavy so it should be first class."  With packaging it may be cheaper Media Mail and the sender may choose to mail it that way.  Best to contact your sender to make the arrangements.

They may also let it sit 3 or 4 days before they accept and then take the full 5 days to mail.  I wouldn't try to request any books so close to moving.  If someone sends you a book mediamail and it gets sent back to them postage due they'll probably ask you to give them 2 credits to cover the postage there and back. I would.

If you have no TBR books then I suggest hitting a local UBS or Thrift store if you can't afford a couple of new books.  I move alot for military and I stop ordering books usually 2 months before I move incase a book takes the scenic route.

Although another thing you could try is posting in the book bazaar or genre threads that you are looking for someone who can mail the book right away and first class.

Peeked at your wishlist Rachel . . . I'd send you a book First Class for your trip, but there's only 1 and I don't have it lol!

Best wishes in your new home!

What book are you trying to get?