What's the deal with the "Mail Date" thingie on the page that comes up when you go to print a label? I've experimented with choosing different dates in it, then checking back on the deadline in my account, and I haven't see where it makes any difference.

While we're on the topic, is it just me, or is there not a bewildering number of different dates that show up, for any one book that gets requested? I get dizzy what with the date I choose to mail by, the date from the "Mail Date" selection on the Print Label page, the date that PBS says is my deadline (how come I can't pick my *own* deadline?), the date by which I'm supposed to check that the book's been mailed, or else, and so on. If that's not enough, I usually have three or more books in process (from being requested from me, to being mailed out), at any one time--all of 'em like, one or two days apart--whoa! then the numbers are *really* whirling around like gnats. <laugh> Or am I just easily confused? <laugh>

Well anyway, I'd sure like to hear that I can blow off the "Mail Date" thingie on the Print Label page. Is that the case?

                                                              --Fiona

THe Mail Date thing on the label is so you can print the PBS postage ahead of time.  The post office can be picky about the date on printed postage.  They track their delivery times by that date.  So if you want to print the lable but know you won't be able to mail it for a day or two then you can adjust the date.  People have gotten books back before because they waited to long to  mail the book after printing the postage.  I think it has to be mailed within 48hrs or something.  So many people if they print the labels at night intending to drop it in the blue box the next day-they adjust the printed postage date to make it more accurate.

If you are using stamps or going to the PO the mail date on the label doesn't matter.  You can print it up days before.  It's only when printing postage that you have to worry about that date.  Some people have limited computer accesss. So if they use the printed postage that have to pay attention to the date and adjust it according to when they plan to actually mail the book.

Another thing to consider is that not everyday is a mail day to the USPS.  Holidays and Sundays get in the way - and if you're PO is picky about it they can refuse to send a package that is dated on Sun when you dropped it in the mail and Mon when they got it out to send it.  So I usually make sure that the mail date doesn't fall on a non-mail day since I do leave them in a blue box and not always in time for them to pick it up. 

Also, if you have given the book to someone to mail the book who isn't PBS "oriented" and might put it off for any reason - you might want to pad the date a little just in case so you don't have to re-purchase the credit.  I have to rely on family members (male) who don't really have my books as a priority when they are going to work or to school and put it off until it's convenient in the next 24 hrs or so.  I hate to keep nagging them if they've mailed it since I need to rely on them for it.  I do tell them it is important to get it mailed ASAP because I've marked it mailed (although I udually don't until I've confirmed that they did indeed drop it off).

Ruth

Wow---my ignorance is simply breathtaking. Thank you so much for being patient with me, Mary and Ruthy, and explaining so thoroughly what the Mail Date on the Print Labe form is all about. You'll hardly believe this, those of you who are reading this posting, but not only did I not know how best to choose the mail date, I DID NOT KNOW that the printed labels have a date on them NOR that you  should try to mail the book on that date. It would be hilarious, if it weren't so sad.

I guess it's just dumb luck I haven't had any problems yet, because I've been setting the mail dates on my labels for all kinds of crazy dates that bore no relation whatsoever to when I mailed the book. And I've definitely been printing the labels as much as a week beforehand. What a bunch of snafus I might've gotten into--but I didn't. <whew>   

There's a lesson here. I'm going to write it out  and give it a name, so I'll never forget it:

                 Fiona's Law of Lazy Ignorance

                 If you don't understand something,
                 and it doesn't seem to affect you,
                 it's probably very important.

                                                                       --thanks again,  Fiona

If you aren't paying for PBS postage than the date doesn't matter.  If you are then you  might want to start paying attention before you have a book come back to you.

the date that PBS says is my deadline (how come I can't pick my *own* deadline?)

Fiona, the reason for this is cuz they had to set a standard.  If they let everyone pick their own deadline, a lot fewer books would actually get sent.  LOL  However, there is a way you can extend it and sorta pick your own deadline.  Choose the "I can mail later" button when accepting a request and choose a date that is a few days later.

However, I want you to know that I love your new rule you place above.  It's hilarious!  And so true...so many people should adopt that principle!  :)

I have to say that I use the PBS printable postage and I forget about changing the date on the mailing label about 90% of the time. I print the label and then I notice it's got today's mailing date on there and mutter curses to myself. But...I've never had a problem. Usually I print and send fairly quickly, but not always...sometimes I'll print on a Saturday and don't mail til Tuesday if I happen to be off work on a Monday or something...so far no books have been returned or anything, and they scan through the system okay as they travel to their new homes.I will have to remember to be more careful!

Cheryl, who must be doing something pleasing to placate the fates for now. :-D