Today I received the wrapper of a book I requested but no book inside. :( The PO had stamped on the envelope that the wrapper was unsealed and without contents. I read the help documents and they said to mark it with a problem then empty wrapper received. This will not mark the book as received but will send an email to let the sender know that the packaging arrived without the book in it. Then it says for me to wait for it to go "Lost" and I will get my credit back. The problem is I was looking forward to receiving this book as it has been on my wishlist for a few months. When the time arrives for it to go lost, will it go back on my wishlist in my former place as # 1? I hope I don't have to go back to the end of the list as there are 21 wishers at the moment, and besides this is not my fault. 

Yes, you'll go back to your place in the wl line.

Unfortunately, even if you file the "lost contents" report with the PO, there is very little chance of the book finding you.  They do have regional "lost and founds" where contents that have become separated from the package wrappings "wait" to be found.

What they said

Yes, you are returned to your former WL postion (usually #1) after the book goes 'lost' or the transaction is cancelled by sender/TPTB.

You can file a USPS 'lost'  report.  No telling where the contents were lost and the book is unlikely to be found and returned to you...but it does happen once in a great while.

The sender might be able to request the transaction be cancelled early.

Denise: No telling where the contents were lost and the book is unlikely to be found and returned to you...but it does happen once in a great while.

Thanks, Denise and everyone! Guess what! I did receive the book yesterday! It was wrapped in a bubble mailer from the PO Distb. Center in Warrendale PA. :)  They enclosed a message saying that the contents were found loose in the mail and rewrapped at the Pittsburgh Bulk Mail Facility. It was even hand addressed! Wow, I have more faith now in the PO and thanks I'm sure to the sender for putting the paper with my address inside the book. The book itself is in great condition except for the last two pages being soiled a bit. When I post it, I can do that in the Bazaar and just ask for a credit since it is a wishlist book. I originally did what you all said and marked it with a problem being a wrapper without a book. There have been good exchanges between the sender and me. I was so happy to give him the good news tonight by being able to mark it as received so he could get his credit. :)

So yes Denise, you are right, it does happen once in a great while!

Wow! That's amazing. Glad you received your book!

How cool Connie!  Love endings like that!

Years ago I sent a box of books to my dad and didn't think anything more about it.  One day I got a phone call from the PO Lost Mail Facility in St. Paul, and this lovely woman on the line asked me if I'd sent a box of books, etc., and I said yes.  She said somehow  part of the address label had been lost, but they were able to track me down.  I gave her the address, and she said to always (in any packaging) to put an address inside the package, in case it becomes lost, so they can try to get it on to the right person.

Glad to hear that your book arrived. Pat