Hi, I need to mail off one of my books and I am not 100% sure on what date I will be able to get it out because someone needs to pick it up for me being my mailbox does not fit any outgoing mail much bigger than an envelope and I can't drive right now.

When i'm not sure when I can mail a book I like to mark it the latest mail date just to be safe that I don't give a date then not get it out. I usually get it out much sooner than the latest date, but I like the leeway of the farthest date.

My dilema is I remember the last book I mailed I put the date a couple days ahead and when I gave it to mail I noticed that it had the date (one day ahead) on the package. I was wondering if that matters? Say I mark it the latest date and I end up being able to mail it tomorrow. Will it matter if the postage is stamped for a few days in the future? 

I use to have a bulk mail account and I remember them saying it needs to get it out on the date stamped, though they weren't too strick. I'm not sure if it is the same for media mail. I can't imagine them sending me back a package for it being the wrong date but I have seen USPS do crazier things.

I know I can wait to do postage the day I am sending it but I prefer to have it all ready and then just hand it over.

Thanks for any help! :o)

Generally if it's off by a day or two, it'll get through, but members have reported packages being returned to them or refused at the post office for having expired postage (even by one day). 

Ideally you want to make sure the date is correct. You are taking a small chance any time it's wrong.

Jeesh, that just sounds wrong to send something back for the date being off, especially since the money was spent on it. I wonder if it being expired matters more than it being early?!

I'll have to see if I can get an idea of when they'll be here to get it. I would hate to have it returned. The few dollars to send it is a bit too much for me right now. I would hate to have to pay double. 

Thank you for your help!

Some PO's will refuse packages with 'stale' postage.  There's usually a bit of a grace period for blue boxes, b/c staff isn't quite sure when the package was deposited and may have been on the day indicated. 

Can't remember if early is a problem, don't recall having anyone post a problem with mailing early.

Another option if your ride connection is willing, counter clerks can add a 'zero strip' (dated postage sticker with zero postage) to update stale postage.

mailing early is uisually okay i have done that  few times and never had problem  i have done

like if its say a friday but ii'm sure i will orif get to the post office(or my carrier will take it- that weekend i would print the postage for monday

and sometime the package arrives before the date