I recently sent out a book using printable postage, I received my credit and mailed the book.  Saturday I received notice that I had a postage due item at the post office.  When I went there today to pick it up, it was the book I had sent with printable postage.  The requestor of the book had moved and not left a forwarding address.  In order for me to "claim" my book I had to pay $2.38 for the cost of postage for the book to be returned to me.  My question is what now? I tried to contact the original requesting member but have not heard back. Even if I send the book again I will be paying postage a third time.  Any suggestions on how to procede?

Thanks in advance~Erinn

Is their account still active? you can check this by clickin on the blue highlighted part of their name. Although I think it only works if they've set up a profile.  I would give them a week to respond.   Some people have limited computer access.  If you don't hear from them for a week I would report it to PBS.  They most likely won't return the credit but it'll alert them to a possible problem with the account.

you do not have to send them a book again without getting another credit.  Really I would ask them for 2 if they want you send the book again. 1 to pay for the return postage and 1 to cover the new postage. 

If you can't find the info per Mary's suggestion, I'd be tempted to contact TPTB to make sure the addy has been corrected or the account placed on hold.  Auto requests could still be going to the old addy and costing other members additional return postage.  *hugs*

In order for me to "claim" my book I had to pay $2.38 for the cost of postage for the book to be returned to me.

I have never heard of the post office charging you postage for a book that was returned.  I have received several books back and have never had to pay postage to claim the book. 

I think it was due to the books being sent Media Mail which do not have a return to sender option.  Any media mail items that are refused and returned will come postage due.
First class and most other types of postage can be returned without more postage.

 

Media mail that is forwarded or returned always requires extra postage. 

I think it was due to the books being sent Media Mail which do not have a return to sender option.  Any media mail items that are refused and returned will come postage due.
First class and most other types of postage can be returned without more postage.

That's interesting, I have received a Media Mail book back with no required postage.  I guess my PO is a little more forgiving than others.  This is another good reason to send books first class unless the price difference is too great.  I believe the price difference up to 11 ounces isn't much.  Something to keep in mind.

In over 1500 transactions, I've only had one book returned, so it's a pretty unusual occurance!

Here's a link to the Help Center's page for this issue.

I had a box of books that came back to me once with a postage due tag on the top of the box, but the mail carrier just put it in my box. I didn't have to pay the postage to get the pacakage back. Go Mr. Postman!

A couple of months ago, I had a big problem with the mail carrier at my new house (we were in temp housing for about 6 weeks). Apparently, because my name wasn't on the index card in the box, he decided no one lived there with that name any longer and sent it back as unknown addressee. Man I was ticked.

A couple of months ago, I had a big problem with the mail carrier at my new house (we were in temp housing for about 6 weeks). Apparently, because my name wasn't on the index card in the box, he decided no one lived there with that name any longer and sent it back as unknown addressee. Man I was ticked.

It's stories like this that make me so grateful for my postwoman.  She often comes to my door because the books I get usually don't fit in my mailbox.  She is always very gracious about it and usually asks me if I have any outgoing books since some of my boxes don't fit in the mailbox for outgoing mail.  I gave her a $20 tip for the holidays because she is so great.  The other day she finally asked me what my real name was because I have three names on my box.  One is my renter, one is me and one is my on-line name (Kate H).  When I first got a package mailed to "Kate Henry", she actually came to my door to ask if that was me.  I said "yes" and she added the name to the list on my mailbox (which I didn't know was there until she did it).

Thank you for all the helpful information.  I was able to see that her account is still active.  Pardon my stupidity but what  is TPTB? 

Erinn

one is my on-line name (Kate H).  When I first got a package mailed to "Kate Henry", she actually came to my door to ask if that was me.  I said "yes" and she added the name to the list on my mailbox (which I didn't know was there until she did it).

I do hope that Kate H is a legal name for you since it is against the Terms of Use to use anything else to establish an account here.

Erinn -- TPTB = The Powers That Be (not stupid at all -- I'm constantly looking up acronyms in urbandictionary.com)...

TPTB = "the powers that be"

Basically the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of the page

I do hope that Kate H is a legal name for you since it is against the Terms of Use to use anything else to establish an account here.

What difference does it make to you that I use one name for everything I do on the internet and my legal name for other things I do.  I am quite sure I am not the only person who has an account here who does the same.  It is not very smart  to advertise your real name and information on a forum like the internet. 

Thank you, now at least I don't feel as dumb.  I have contacted PBS, we'll see what the results are.

Erinn