I have had my account on hold for a while so maybe this is something new... I have just called up the labels to send 6 books to 4 different people. ALL of them only listed the recipient's first name (only) and address on the mailing label. Is this something new? I am a little hesitant to mail these out with only first names on the packages.

I would be hesitant too. When I was at the post office the other day they told a woman that they could not accept her package if she didn't use a full name on the return address (she had only written her initials). I would be worried that the post office wouldn't send it. I would also be worried that it would have a harder time reaching its destination and I would end up out a credit and a book. Maybe it's a glitch? I would send a message to your tour guide about this.

The simplest way to avoid this being a problem is to use PBS delivery confirmation or printable postage.  Then you are assured that you will get your credit no matter what.

I'm sorry, but a concern over a valid address is one that should be addressed, and not by "Go spend more money and hook up a printer and waste paper".

The addresses need to be correct no matter how you choose to address the package.

I have never had any problems with just using a first name or initials.... 

I dont think the postman looks at that anyway, just the address.

Sounds like a glitch.  I'd use the "contact us" link at the bottom of the page to send a message to the PBS team about this.  I'd also PM the members you're sending to and ask for their last names and explain what happened when you printed the labels.

Have you gone in and tried to print them again?  Maybe the whole name will show up this time.

Is it possible that these people have become 'paranoid' over some recent posts in the forums and have changed their "IDs" to only reflect their first names?      Pat

I agree that it's probably a glitch.  I just printed off labels for four different people, and all had first and last names.

You should use the Contact the PBS Team in the Help Center to see if this is a glitch.  Your name is one piece of PBS information you can't change without going through the PBS Team.  They should be able to give you a definitive answer.

I did contact PBS and haven't heard from them yet, but it does appear to be a glitch though. I just clicked to bring up new address labels and all four members now have last names :) I know using DC could have avoided this (my concern), but I have just mailed out 16 books in the past 2 days. I use DC every once in a while, but for this many books it is just too expensive.

glad to hear that it might have just been a glitch.  it happens!

All my labels printed out gibberish the other day.  I didn't notice until I was wrapping them. The names and everything were correct but the address-which were in hyroglyphics.

Good for you that you noticed before you mailed the books.  The recipients would probably be concerned. :-p  Or amused.

When I hand write addresses, I rarely put my first name, usually the last name and address.  I've also sent stuff out to people with out the surname, my best friend in Kansas is Dawn Marie, I rarely use her last name when mailing, and often I send cards, to the "Smith Family" with out a hitch. 

My husband belongs to a National Motorcycle club, often we get mail addressed to or from with just a nickname, like Sneezy, grumpy or tomato Pat.  ;-) 

I wouldn't recomend it, but I am thinking as long as the address is clear it would go through.

The post office reads addresses from the bottom line up.  If the address is correct, in theory they shouldn't actually need a name.  I certainly get enough mail addressed to : the postal customer at. . .

Frequently for a return address, I only use my street address and zip code.  No name, city, or state.  If there's a problem, that really is enough info to get the mail returned to me.