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Topic: How long do you wait to mark a book not received?

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Subject: How long do you wait to mark a book not received?
Date Posted: 12/22/2012 4:49 PM ET
Member Since: 7/20/2012
Posts: 38
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I requested a book, it was ordered from Hawaii. Date mailed says 12/11. Does PBS mark it lost if you never receive it? I know it may take longer. Just curious thanks.

Last Edited on: 12/22/12 4:50 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Pat O. (PatinCO) - ,
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Date Posted: 12/22/2012 5:04 PM ET
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Yes, PBS will mark it lost after the obligatory length of time they have set for lost books.  If you go to your 'BOOKS ENROUTE TO ME'  there should be something like this in the middle of the information for that book:    

USPS estimates arrival before 1/13/2013
Date of system action: 1/14/2013 12:00 AM ET
Please do not contact us before this date.
 
 
They'll send you message telling you that the book has gone lost and then (unless it's a WLed book) will put it on your Reminder List.  They recommend you wait a while (can't remember the exact length of time - a week or so) before you reorder in case it shows up.  HTH.  Pat

NewRuth avatar
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Date Posted: 12/22/2012 8:16 PM ET
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If I recall correctly, they allow a little extra time for books from Hawii and Alaska, but yes, they do mark them lost in the mail.

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Date Posted: 12/22/2012 8:22 PM ET
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You are just 11 days from the mailing date, so you have a ways to go before the book will be marked lost. The system marks books lost on the 26th day if they are coming from the continental US and 35 days from military addresses and non-continental US addresses.

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Date Posted: 12/22/2012 9:32 PM ET
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After a book goes "lost" we can still mark it received in the Transaction Archive. When it goes "lost" the credit is returned. Once we mark it received, the credit is taken.
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Date Posted: 12/23/2012 12:00 PM ET
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I just wamted to add that I have never gotten a book from Hawaii that doesn't first go lost...Media Mail comes by boat and it really takes a long time, but they always arrive, just usually after the lost date. As Emily noted, just mark it received in your Transaction Archive. And the system might automatically request a new one for you, but odds are you will end up with two books so resist the urge to request another.

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Date Posted: 12/23/2012 12:15 PM ET
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This help doc has good info:

If you are sending or receiving a book from outside the contiguous United States



Last Edited on: 12/23/12 12:17 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Date Posted: 12/25/2012 12:39 AM ET
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I live on the West Coast, and books from Hawaii (or Alaska) can go either way.  Some arrive quickly, and others near or just past the lost date before they arrive.  No worries for the requestor tho, the system handles everything for you and will mark the book lost on a specific date. 

If the book is close to the 'lost' date, it can be helpful to pm the sender and let them know you have not received the book, are still watching, and will mark it received soon as it's delivered. 

Remember, after a book goes lost the FIFO system will return the book to your wishlist.  You will want to quickly put it on hold for two weeks (IIRC) so another copy is not immediatly requested for you., this allows an enroute book a few more days to arrive.  If you follow this PBS guideline and a second book is ordered and received, you do not have to give credit for the first book.  If you do not allow the buffer period and receive two books, the requestor is obligated to mark both received (ie two credits).