Since I'm living overseas now (APO/FPO) I've put this as my requestor conditions:

"I am associated with the US military and reside outside the USA. Postage to me costs the same as within the USA. Packages sometimes take longer than usual to reach me, but if you use PBS-DC or PBS Printed Postage, you will receive credit for sending the book long before the book reaches me! While most packages weighing less than one pound usually reach me just fine without a customs form, occasionally packages without this form are confiscated and never reach the addressee. Every package weighing over one pound MUST have a customs form, and you must visit the post office to complete a customs form (you can download and fill out the form in advance from www.usps.com if you like). I hope you are willing to support me while I am supporting our country and its military. I would really like to have your book! However, if you do not wish to complete a short customs form and mail your book from the post office, please click "My book does not meet these conditions." This will cancel the request, and your book will stay at the front of the FIFO line."

It was fine at first, I was getting books.  But now I have a rash of cancellations.  Does this RC sound bad or something?  Should I leave it or do something else to it?  Any help would be appreciated.

Rachel, I think it sounds fine. It also actually sounds just like the one I answered yesterday (but not to you). I think that sometimes some people are just going to say no and you have hit a run of them.

I thought this was one of the best written RCs I had seen as it explains that the book may timeout and that's a good reason for using DC. I don't know what else you could add or change.

Please feel free to check my bookshelf (it's a little bare right now sorry) but I would be honored to send you something and not consider it a burden in any way.

susan/vt proud Army mom

I actually didn't write it, but I got it from some one else (for the life of me I can't remember who-sorry!).  But thanks for replying.  I was wondering if maybe it might have been too much.

I had a similar one to APO Germany, and took it to my PO.  He said he didn't think I needed a Customs form, but it didn't cost anything, and it wasn't a big deal to fill out.  I also sent the book first class - cost wasn't that much different, and she got it within a week.

I had no problem with the RCs and I think you have a well written one.  Like a previous poster said, some people just don't want to be bothered. 

I'm really sorry you're having such a problem, and hope that it gets better soon.  Pat

I think it sounds fine.  I would have accepted it last month and would accept it in two months.  Right now I'm on clinics, and I must use printed postage, because I'm always at the barn when the post office is actually open.  I would have to decline if the book was over a pound unless I could convince someone to run the errand for me.  Maybe you've simply hit a bad run with a mixture of people who can't get to the post office and those who decline RCs on principle.  Hopefully the run will end and you will have lots of books on their way to you soon!

Karen

Thanks for all that have replied.  This has helped.  Just a run of bad luck I guess.

My guess with the Holidays just passing people who would have normally accepted probably just didnt' want to deal with going to the PO this busy time of year.

I second Mary's idea.

I have no problem with accepting RCs at all - but there's no way I would have gone to the post office this past month :)

I bet people will start accepting your RCs again now that the holidays are over!

Hi Rachel, I would definitely accept that RC, I don't see a problem with it.  In fact I'm going to buddy you as I think I have a couple of your WL books in my TBR pile.  I always like to check my buddies before I post, so chances are I'll be sending you a book eventually!

Rachel, I just checked your wish list too. I can see you won't be ordering from me. LOL We apparently read very different books.

susan/vt

Rachel your RC is nice, clear and neccessary.  Short of changing customs policy, I don't see anything you could change to get more books over one pound.  You would probably get more people to send books that were under a pound and don't need the form if the language around that was different, however since I don't know if that would actually result in more book getting to you or not, I can't say you should change it.  However, if it's like one in a hundred books under a pound that might get confisicated you might take that part out.  Obviously, if it is something like one in five books or somehow it's seen as a really bad thing to have happen, then leave it the way it is.

I think the holidays, both the post office being nuts, and people's schedules were the problem.

I checked your wishlist to see if I had any of your wishlist books hanging around in my TBR pile.  I think the titles alone would give me nightmares I think, so you aren't likely to get any books from me.  LOL!  (Although, I did read Lies My Teacher Told Me and it's awesome).  I'm trying to figure out how we even got a 46% similarity index.  My old college roommate and you would be much more book compatible. 

I've sent books to APO's and I had to fill out the form even though it wasn't over a pound.  I didn't really mind doing it.  I did ask the clerk if I could take some forms home with me since it is obvious that it would be easier to fill them out at home first.  So I have a stack of the forms here.

I also looked at your WL and although I love sci/fi - I really don't like horror/thriller sci/fi.  Scares me too much.  I already have a hard time sleeping!  LOL!

I think your RC is good but I,too, wonder if the "confiscation" part is really necessary.  I think the part about getting PBS DC and postage getting them their credit is sufficient and won't scare someone off.  They'll never know if the book was confiscated - they get the credit regardless.  In fact I think just telling them that they need to fill out the form is all they have to know and not that they might not have to.  Uncertainty isn't good for getting people to send things. It would make the RC shorter and more positive.  But that's just me.

I hope you get some good books.  I know a lot of people don't want to mess with RC's just because.  But yours isn't about conditions of the books so I'm thinking people aren't accepting because of time constraints (Christmas, etc.) or because they have a blanket policy of not accepting any RC's no matter what they are.  I think a  lot of new people have joined in the last little while and many of them don't know about a lot of things.   So have patience - I'm sure you'll get some takers!

Ruth

Rachel  THANK YOU!

 My DH is military as well and been stuck in Iraq twice, always had to do the custom forms. Not easy with three little ones underfoot so I really understand anyone who can just not manage it. I would not take it personally or think your wrong for asking. It is great of you to be so clear on the matter.

 I hope things pick up for you soon! DH said you might also want to check with MWR, they normally have a free book box for those who want to swap with them!

 Brightest Blessings and Keep Safe.

  Kimmy

thanks for the responses.  I think I will take out the confiscation part.  I go through phases of what books I read.  I read horror right now but I also read cozies and paranormals.  Thanks again!

I think it sounds fine...my only comment is that it is one long paragraph for someone to read.  is it possible to break it up into smaller paragraphs? 

I've sent to APO before and would have no hesitation in doing it again...my only thing is that I hate standing in the PO line and use the APC machine and that doesn't work with the customs form...but I would do it!

I think I have gotten that or someone who copied yours since it was worded well. I like that you basically tell the options and even explain that there's a way to check "no" and everything remains in line. I do admit I'm one of the ones who cancel those, though. I don't use printable postage or DC, and the worry of the book going lost (although this happens to non-APO all the time) was too much for me, especially since the one I got was for a freebie deal. If an RC says I must use DC, I'm going to pass on it.

Hey I just checked, and Rachel's WL has 201 books on it!!! Does that mean we can have more than 200 now? YAY!

* I just checked, and mine is maxed out at 200. Weird!

* ETA: Someone just explained how this happened. I get it now.

It wouldn't have been a problems for me. I haven't ever sent books requiring a customs form.  Not a problem to stop at the PO and it would be an honor for me send something to you......psst check out  my bookshelf!

I thought the site automatically put an RC on for APO and FPO addresses that cover all that?  Just curious.

I'm one of those that would have to take it on an order by order basis.  I don't drive so getting to the PO during business hours is challenging.  I'd have to time to be able to go on a Saturday.  But I'd really want to make the effort because I appreciate those who serve.  :-)

I thought your rc was worded perfectly.  I would have no problem sending you or anyone with that rc a book. 

Cheers to all of the military families, servicemen and women.