At the beginning of the month, I decided to sign up for Box of Books. One of the transactions of 5 books (I think it was 5...not positive), I mailed on July 7. She apparently mailed my books to me on July 16.  Now I know that PBS gives at least a month or more to wait for books to arrive but I have never had a book (in regular PBS transactions) ever take that long with the exception of a book that just plain went missing.  I am saying that so you know that I am aware of the PBS guidelines.  Well, tonight, I decided to check her bookshelf to see if she might be on vacation which would explain her not marking receipt of my box of books...it states at the top of her bookshelf that she is sorry but all her books are gone yet she lists 83 books on her bookshelf??? How could she say that if she has 83 books, first off?  Second, if all her books are gone does that mean what?  Does that include the ones she supposedly sent to me?  See I am getting really worried and confused, aren't I? lol  Anyway, I did send her a polite PM asking if she received my books so I am hoping she'll respond asap...the other thing is that I did use DC and I don't see that either in the transaction.  This is just weird all the way around.  Thanks in advance.

Steph

This one I think you should send to the PBS team. Just give them the name of the other member and say her bookshelf header says her books are gone but she still has a full bookshelf and a pending swap with you.

It sounds like she's a bit confused and they can look at her account and figure out what's going on.

Thanks, Cathy, I will do that.

Here is something else weird...one of the books I sent her is on her bookshelf. She entered it on her bookshelf on July 18 (remember I mailed her books on July 9). She also has NO profile. This is getting weirder and weirder.  I did write to TPTB about this. I don't have a good feeling about it all. :(

Stephanie--

A lot of folks don't have a profile, or choose only to make it visible to buddies; I wouldn't take that, by itself, as a bad sign.

Did you check the DC?  Is it marked received?  Let the PBS team know those details too, if you didn't already, and see what they say.  I hope this all works out.

Cheers,

Catt

Thanks, Catt.  Neither of us used DC.  I remembered that later this evening.  I had a small box that I used for her books and wrapped her books in plastic and then used those puff air bags things to keep them from shifting around. I took the box to the PO and mailed it there.  I have had two large box exchanges, both of which required a trip to the PO  The rest of them were handled using PBS postage and DC.  I did write to TPTB and sent her a PM.  I have not heard from either but I know that management here takes a few days to answer.  I am hoping that she is simply on vacation and will see her email shortly.  Also, I am hoping she realizes that her header is quite confusing when she lists 83 books for request and she says she has no books!  Perhaps she is new and unclear as to what to do too.  I will just wait and see what happens.

Just an update here...I did hear from the boxer who basically told me not to worry (one sentence reply). That was fine.  However yesterday I checked the status to see if she had received my books and at the bottom of the info, it says the member is either suspended or removed (not the right word but can't think of the right one - sorry).  I have this awful feeling that I may not get the books at all now. I hope it is just slow mail because that does happen.  I have been very fortunate as a member here that I have only had one book go "lost" on me in the 2 and half years I have been a member.  So, I am spoiled, I guess. :)  Does anyone know what it means, exactly, if the account is suspended? Is it for a fixed amount of time or does the member have to "do" something to get the account non-suspended?  Just curious is all.

It sounds like PBS shut her down or she closed her account.  If probably said This Account has been suspended or closed.  It happens unfortnately.  I've been lucky and had good boxing experiences.  But the risk of not getting the books I requested is one of the reasons I only do small bob trades 6 books or under.  My BOB account is on hold right now. I usually only turn it on when I have a shelf full of heavily posted books.

Stephanie--

Sometimes those suspensions seem to be temporary, like they're either giving the member a "time out" or trying to get their attention to make contact.  It doesn't necessarily mean it is closed permanently.

Cheers,
Catt

Thanks, Catt and Mary, for your replies. I checked earlier this evening and the member has the same status. Fortunately, for me this was a small bob exchange (6 books).  I have had only one large one and the gal I dealt with was just fabulous to work with. She lived in southern California and got the large box of books I sent via media mail in only 2 days! (I am in northern CA) Other than this one trade with the "suspended" member, the experience of being a boxer has been great. :)