Since the USPS is sending a much higher volume of mail, and media mail might tend to get lost more often now, are you finding that there are fewer people asking for books in December than other times of the year?

I can't answer since I wasn't around last year (just joined in June I think).  But I mailed 2 books on Friday and they arrived on Monday.  Another one I mailed on Sat arrived on Tuesday.  Now while those arrived very quickly, another book took about 1 1/2 weeks.

I think it really does just depend.

My books are getting through rather quickly right now and I have had a higher than normal amount of requests in the last few weeks.

I'm actually ordering about 3x the usual amount of books, so that I can give some as Christmas gifts.

I don't think ordering slows down, as Jennie says, it's actually somewhat better, but it is definitely going to be slower. It should start slowing down considerably, just as all mail will because of the extra amounts. But, media mail will slow down even more because it is the last to go on the trucks and the trucks are just gonna get full quicker because there's more mail out there.

But, I don't think I had anything go past the estimated 26 days, last year. It's just the rest of the year we get used to 1-2 wks. Start acclimating yourself to thinking that you books will come in 3-4 weeks during the next month and all will be fine! :)

I had one go missing just now -- I saw the email show up in my folder

I've started mailing everything first class.  It costs about the same as media mail and in some instances is even less.    Carol Ann

Another reason for a drop in book requests may be due to the fact that not everyone likes to get a book as a gift  <gasp> People have other obligations at this time of year.

Leslie you joined in May. The date was 05/10/07.

I've gotten 10 orders this week and last week so it doesn't seem slower to me.  But then I post a lot of WL books.  But still on Mon I sent out 3 books that were on my shelf for a while.  The 2 books I have waiting to mail now are both WL though. I expect that I'll probably only be sending out WL books for a while. Unless people do some used book shopping for Christmas. 

May, June...I was just lazy and didn't want to go look it up

Its on your posts ^ up there and in >that direction :D

I seem to remember last year at this time several people posted that it was taking much, much longer for books to reach their destinations.  Of course some popped in stating things were either faster or no different.  :::shrug:::  I think it depends which post offices the books decide they will stop by and see.

I've been getting books in faster lately. I got a book today that was mailed the 26th from California. From Cali to WI in 3 days is super fast.

I can't blame the holidays. It's NaNoWriMo that has eaten my November! If it's not on my WL, it didn't get ordered this month.

45,138 words and counting!

I never send  my books using media mail. I always use first class because it is often cheaper or only a few cents more. I always do my shipping right through the post office, never print it out on the computer because I dont have a printer.

Its on your posts ^ up there and in >that direction :D

well now I feel like a dork!  LOL

Last year I had a crazy number of WL books come up in December!  Way out of proportion from normal!  I was guessing maybe people were finding things to clear out as they rooted about for holiday things and cleaned up the house. 

As for mailing times -- the last couple weeks have been very inconsistent.  Some things are moving super fast, others super slow.  There's really no telling!

I just cleaned out some book shelves and posted over 100 books, so I'm getting a lot of activity right now.  I think I posted close to 20 WL books today.  I've also gotten the books I've requested pretty quickly in the last month or so - 2-3 days in a lot of instances.

BTW - per my sig line - 3 for 2 credits this weekend on my shelf.

I know that some of us tend to put our shelves on hold over the Holidays. I was going to do that last week, but then decided that I will just not post any new books to my shelf till after the New Year. If any of my WL books come up, I will be making an offer of covering the difference between Media Mail and First Class if the person would be willing to send them that way. I don't forsee any WL books popping up soon, so not a huge worry.

I know, using DC would cover me if any of my books are lost on their way to the requester. While that is true, I prefer to wait, in which there is a greater chance that the person will actually receive the book.

I mailed a book a month ago, and it went missing. But most are arriving an average of about 10 days now.

Carol Ann, how much is the first class costing you? I would imagine it depends on the size of the book. I was under the impression that  once you reached a certain weight (6 or 8 oz.) it jumps to over $3. Is that true?

Rose

First class is only costing me about .04 cents more than Media Mail on books under one pound.

First Class 7 oz is $2.15, 8 oz is $.2.32, so it's definitely smart to use FCM if under 8 oz. to get books delivered quicker.

I don't stop ordering at the holidays, but I just had two go missing, and one soon to be it looks like, and one was even mailed in my state, lol.  Has to be the holiday mail rush, and the one from my state, CT, probably got waylaid in the Springfield BMC if sent media mail.  That's another good reason to use First-Class if it's cheaper or the same, avoids being routed to a bulk mail center and from possible delays/loss due to postal inspections of media mail.  Could also be media mail being put aside for later delivery when it reaches our local PO's too, as I'll get nothing, then maybe 5 or 6 all in one day.

Marcy, there is no way that FCM could only be $0.04 more than MM for all books under 1 lb.  once you go above 7 oz it becomes more than $0.04 as Pam mentioned above.

that said, I do whatever is cheaper and *knock on wood* haven't had any problems with shipments taking too long.

I'll have to check next time I'm there, but I know that the difference is less than .10 between the Media and First Class. The PO guy and I joke about it every time. Maybe he's charging me wrong, but I know what I've been paying.