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Topic: Should I PM?

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upst8nygirl avatar
Subject: Should I PM?
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 3:59 PM ET
Member Since: 10/21/2009
Posts: 127
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Is it acceptable for me to PM a member I mailed a book to to see if it was received? The time limit is not up but all of the books I mailed at the same time were received last week so I'm getting nervous. It was mailed out on 10/22 and was only going to a bordering state. Would it be perceived as rude? Do I just sit tight?

 

Thanks!!

rockmom66 avatar
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:07 PM ET
Member Since: 12/30/2007
Posts: 1,739
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 Wait for the time limit to expire.  PBS will email the requestor to ask if the book as shown up yet.  Just sit tight.

Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:10 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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I've had books take nearly a month to make a 6hr trip.  I wouldn't do anything until right before it's going to lost-like the day before.  They will start getting reminders from PBS to mark the book received.

bup avatar
Rick B. (bup) - ,
Friend of PBS-Gold medal
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:11 PM ET
Member Since: 11/2/2007
Posts: 2,625
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Besides the possibilities that the post office could have been slow with that one package, there's also the possibility the requestor hasn't been home, or logged on. All those things are fine.


The 'P' in PBS stands for patience.

royaltech avatar
Member of the Month medalBook Cover Image Approver medalBook Data Coordinator medalFriend of PBS-Gold medal
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:12 PM ET
Member Since: 11/14/2005
Posts: 6,421
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Books going to addresses within the same state can still  take up to the full 4 wks, and as we get closer to the holidays, you will find more and more books taking 2-3 wks easily. Since this book went a different route than the others, you have no idea how many stations it may have been held up at compared to the other books.

Media Mail is the last loaded on the trucks, and never goes by airplane, it's always ground. Hence the reason for the suggested waiting period of one month.

As for you PM'ng the reciver, believe me, as a book goes lost, PBS nearly hounds them to make sure they haven't received it and failed to mark it. I know, I just had one go lost, and if the sender had PM'd me, it would have been just one last straw!! I can't believe that they PM me about every 3-4 days I believe. I'm sure I got at least 5 emails from them, so no, I highly recommend you do NOT PM them.

First, it isn't even close to getting late in mailing. Two wks is just barely a minimum in LOTS of cases. So, for the sake of the receiver, let the PBS system do its' job and don't send any PMs until the book goes completely lost.

upst8nygirl avatar
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:17 PM ET
Member Since: 10/21/2009
Posts: 127
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Thanks all, I will sit tight. I need to be more patient (even if it kills me) =)

CozSnShine avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Double Diamond medalPBS Cruise Attendee medalPBS Blog Contributor medal
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:33 PM ET
Member Since: 2/5/2007
Posts: 30,834
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We certainly get the opportunity to practice patience often on this site!!

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sarap avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 11/5/2009 4:33 PM ET
Member Since: 1/17/2009
Posts: 12,214
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I always PM, but I wait until 3-4 days before it is going to go lost.

In the 4 cases where I have done this, it turned out that all 4 had received the books, but "forgot" to mark them received, for various reasons. So, I feel it is valuable to PM, but not until just before the time limit.

I set my email filter to filter out all the PBS mail, else it would drive me crazy, so I don't get all those reminder emails, and I assume other peopole do the same thing. That's why I PM ... if they log in, they will see my message. PBS doesn't PM, they only send an email.

3pete avatar
Date Posted: 11/7/2009 1:29 PM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2009
Posts: 227
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I sent a PM once because a book I sent was about to go lost.  The person responded with, "Oh, I ordered it for a friend.  I am sure she got it."  She marked it received  immediately.  I was glad I did send the PM as I think she would have forgotten about it despite the reminder emails she was getting from PBS.    It was worth it as I would be out a book and postage.   I find that a little motivating.

I had one on its way to me go lost.  I sent the person a note and she responded with an explanation that sounded like, "I didn't send it".  So, I moved on an ordered another copy as I was pretty confident the first book sent to me was never going to make it.

PM's for MIA books have been helpful to me.  So, I may be in the minority when I think if its friendly, close or after the lost date, its fine.  Don't expect anything but, if it makes you feel better - why not.

gingerkitty avatar
Standard Member medal
Date Posted: 11/7/2009 1:57 PM ET
Member Since: 4/25/2007
Posts: 12,636
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I always wait until it's within a few days of going lost to PM also.

I have a book I sent out for a game on Oct 9.  I have DC on it and last scan is Oct 14th in CA.  It still hasn't made it down the road an hour or so to its destination.  Sometimes it just takes time.

Generic Profile avatar
Member of the Month medalFriend of PBS-Silver medal
Date Posted: 11/7/2009 2:47 PM ET
Member Since: 8/23/2007
Posts: 26,510
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I think  that's the last book too.  And you were one of the 1st to mail.