I had a book requested from a member in Hawaii (I'm in KY).  It was mailed on June 15 and hasn't been marked received yet.  So it's status at the moment is "lost in mail".

I know things take longer to get to HI from the mainland, but I'm curious as to how long would some of you wait before contacting the recipient?

Thanks!

MaryF

Mary - if you sent it Media Mail it takes about 6 weeks (minimum) to get to Hawaii as they ship by boat (ship). 

If it were me and PBS had officially marked it 'lost in the mail', I'd send a PM saying something like - I'm sorry the book hasn't been received.  I did mail it on June 15, and understand everything comes by ship, so hopefully you'll receive it soon.'  Thanks  Mary

BTW - I live in Kansas and had a book take 6 weeks to get to Oklahoma.  I could have walked there faster, but it did finally show up.  Usually on books to Hawaii, Alaska and the APO/FPO, etc., destinations, I'll do the PBS DC.  That way if it goes officially lost, I still get my credit.  Good luck. Pat

In my experience, books coming to and from Hawaii always "go lost" before arriving. I second the opinion that when mailing to Hawaii, use PBS DC to safeguard your credit, as well as being able to see where it is on its journey.

I too would PM the member assuring them that you mailed it on June 15th and reminding them, nicely to please mark it received in their transaction archive when it does arrive. Good luck!

Thanks, Sally and Pat.  I didn't want to pm the recipient just yet, since it's just a little over a month.

i'll give it another 14 days or so and try it then...

MaryF

The first book I requested came from Hawaii.  It took over 6 weeks to arrive.   Not unusual. 

I'll think about sending books first class when they are going over water.  Or use PBS eDC. 

Emily - I use First Class when going to HI, AK, APO, etc., if the cost isn't outrageous as well as PBS DC.  Had one I sent to the VI, and it was going to cost about $5.00 (hardback) to send 1st class, so I opted for Media Mail, but it still got there within a week. I was surprised.  Pat

Anything less than 13oz I upgrade to 1st class, and more than 13oz gets pbs dc. I find most of my media (sending) is about 5 weeks. I honestly don't pay enough attention to incoming, but can only remember one recently that went lost and had to be marked from the TA.

I figure the few extra cents for 1st class is "peace of mind" money....

I requested a book from someone that came from Hawaii.  It arrived just a couple of days shy of it being declared lost.  I was under the impression that books coming from Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, Guam and the VI are given extra time by the system.

I'm assuming the "lost in mail" status is done after what?  6 weeks? regardless of where it's going.

MaryF

I'm assuming the "lost in mail" status is done after what?  6 weeks? regardless of where it's going.

A book I mailed (from Hawaii to mainland) on 7/12 is scheduled for "system action" on 8/16. In response to prior question regarding "action" date, TPTB sent me this:

The system automatically marks books "lost in the mail" a day or two before the system action date. This is a normal part of the process here. It's done a little in advance of the date in the "don't contact us before..." message because the email notifying the requestor that a book is lost often triggers the book to be marked received if it really has gotten there

I recently received a book mailed from Hawaii.  It was 5 weeks in the mail, and I live on the West Coast.  I have mailed and received books to and from HI, AK, and PR in 3 (ish) weeks, but 5 (ish) seems to be kinda average. 

My recent arrival from Hawaii, I contacted the sender several days before the book was due to go lost.  Assured her the book had not been received yet, I was watching for it, and would mark the book soon as it arrived.  She was well aware of the time issue and wasn't worried.  A polite note to our fellow PBS members in those locations would be appropriate anytime after about 3 1/2 weeks....just so everyone is on the same page.

I've had a book from Hawaii get listed as lost, but fortunately it had DC and I could see it was still in transit.  It arrived within another week.

I'm assuming the "lost in mail" status is done after what?  6 weeks? regardless of where it's going.

More time is allowed for Hawaii, Alaska, and APO/FBOs. From the Help Center: If a book you requested does not arrive by the 26th day (the 35th day if the sender or requestor is outside the contiguous US) after it was marked mailed, it will be declared lost in the mail at PBS

Another thing to take into consideration is that books going to/coming from Hawaii usually take a rest stop at Bell, California.

I just got a book from Alaska in three days.  Took ME longer than that to get back from Alaska!  lol

Im still waiting for some books from Hawaii they were mailed on the 6/27  so hopefully they will be here soon because they will go lost on the 31. Maybe they should make the lost period longer for out of state places?

Why so long to Hawaii? I just sent a hardback to a member in Germany (APO). It only took a week.

Still, who can understand the USPS. When I was stationed in Camp Pendleton, just 80 miles from Los Angles, a first class letter from my aunt usually took over two weeks to get to me. Whereas my mother in Maryland could mail a letter in the afteroon at a rural PO and I would get it the next morning at mail call (3,000 miles away).

Maybe they should make the lost period longer for out of state places?

The site allows 26 days for packages within the contiguous United States, and 35 days when a package is going to Hawaii, Alaska, or any non-contiguous U.S. address -- like Guam, Puerto Rico, and overseas military and diplomatic address.  They still may end up being marked lost before they're received, but at least it's a bit of extra time.

Another thing I have noticed since the person had tracking from the webstie is that the package has been in the same spot ( in SC, I live in NC) for 5 days now.

Jamie - lack of scans doesn't necessarily mean lack of movement. Often times it means the opposite, that the book is moving on its route but not through sorting facilities. If a book sits in a facility for a long time it will usually be scanned repeatedly there.

Melanie you were right they are moving still, backwards though, now they are near Texas

Good news!  The receiver has marked it mailed.

thanks everyone, for your help responses...

MaryF