I requested a book that is going to go "lost in the mail" in five days. I wanted to PM the sender and make sure that the book has been mailed (i.e. really will be lost), but I'm having trouble finding a polite way to ask.

I understand that life happens, sometimes a requested book may be overlooked or mailed late, and that's fine. I just don't want to re-order the book if this one is really on the way.

How can I word my message so it doesn't sound like I am accusing the person of not mailing, or mailing late?

This close to the lost date Stephanie, any nice inquirey.  I recently sent one along the lines of...The book has not arrived yet, was there an unexpected mailing delay or do you live in one of the severe weather areas that could account for delayed mail?  I'm watching the mail closely and will mark the book as soon as it arrives.

Remember to pm from the book transaction page so correspondence is attached to the transaction JIC there's a problem later.

ETA - remember PBS guidelines recommend waiting two weeks before reordering...and there are benefits to waiting, including that rule about receiving two books and not having to give credit for the first one.

Hi,

I see that "title of book" is about to get marked lost in the mail by PBS. I just wanted to let you know that I have not received it yet, but if it arrives I will make sure to mark it received from my Transaction Archive. Also, I wanted to ask if you remember any mailing delays with the book? I would appreciate an answer in any case.

Thanks so much!

"Where is my Effin book!"

Kidding...of course.

-RD

When I do this, I ask them to check to see if it might be on the floor under the seat of their car and relate the story of that once happening to me.  I've done this about 5 times and no one has had a problem with it.  Usually the book shows up in a couple of days with a postmark of the day I PM'ed them.  Several times I have received a response...."that darn husband, he did it again.  He takes them to work to mail and they end up sitting on his messy desk", or something like that. 

Rob, my thoughts exactly!  LOL  However, the OP did say "polite".

I don't PM.  If they really mailed it and were concerned about it, they'd probably PM me just before or when it went lost.  The only time I PM'd was when there was DC tracking that showed a delivery it had infact not been delivered to my house.  Otherwise I just wait a few wks, If it's WL then I put the book on hold for awhile.  If it's not WL then I wait to reorder until I feel it just won't show up.

But I've only had 3 or 4 go lost on me.  None of them ever showed up.  And none of the senders ever PM'd me to inquire about them.  So I just assumed they either didn't mail them afterall or they just accept the fact that the occasional book will go lost.

I would send something like what Sara P said. It lets them know the book is about to go lost. Sort of brings it back to mind without saying anything that implies the reason you are asking is because you are wondering if they mailed it. JMHO

I have sent ones like Sara P also. When I book is about to go lost I PM them to let them know that I am actively looking for it, just so they won't think I forgot to mark it rec'd.  I figure that opens the door for them to tell me if the mailing was delayed or anything.

LOL Rob.

I like it Sara, and envy your lovely writing skills!

i have sent a pm when I get the email from pbs. 

i only put the part about I got the PBS notice but I haven't received it yet, but I will be sure to mark received when I do. 

I don't say anything about suggestions on what they should do. that is the part I think people can start getting offended about, even if you try to be very polite.

I think I will go with something along the lines of Sara's post, although Rob's is certainly concise (just kidding Rob!)

Ronda - I will follow your advice and wait until the book has actually been marked lost before PM'ing the sender.

Thanks for all the replies!