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Ok, this is a first for me. A PBS member asked for a book on my bookshelf. I printed the pdf and mailed the book from my job using the PBS label. The book was just sent back to me via "return to sender" -- it was mailed first class from my job, not media mail. It would appear that the person is no longer at the address given to PBS, has since re-located out of state, and the forwarding time has expired, per the USPS. Question: do I now spend money to re-send the book to the forwarded address? Is it not the responsibility of the requestor to update their address in the system? I have emailed the PBS member twice but no response. Remember -- since the book was mailed first class, the USPS sent it back. If I had mailed it from the post office media mail the USPS would not have sent the book back. And suggestions would be helpful. Thanks so much! |
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The relevant document from the Help Center: A book I sent was returned to me!The most common causes for a package to be returned to sender:
If the book was returned to you through an error on the requestor's part, you can ask him or her for an extra credit (or money for the postage) to re-send the book, If the book was returned to you through USPS error, you can take it to the PO in the packaging in which it was returned, and explain the situation - that it was returned in error from a current, deliverable address. They can check the address and if it is correct and the book was returned through USPS error, they can send it again "under cover" from Post Office to Post Office, without requiring more postage. If the book was returned to you because you forgot postage or the address was illegible, etc:
What to do if your book is returned to you:If the book has NOT been declared Lost in the Mail yet: you should contact the requestor using the button on the active request on your My Account main page, to let him/her know that the book was returned, and to confirm the address.
To re-send the book:
If you mailed with Printable Postage and you need to generate a new wrapper:
If the book HAS been declared Lost in the Mail: you should contact the requestor to find out what happened to cause the book to be returned (if the reason is not clear) and to make sure that the requestor still wants the book (and that the address is correct) before remailing it. You can use the button on the "lost" transaction in your Transaction Archive (linked from the top of your My Account page) to send a message to the requestor.
Please note: If the requestor still wants the book, and you re-send it, it may be declared Lost in the Mail before it arrives.
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Media Mail is returned to sender but the sender would have to pay postage due to get it back. |
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Yes, if you had used Media Mail the book would have been returned postage due. IIRC from the PBS guidelines posted above, you should pm the requester and ask if there has been a postal error (yes, it is their responsibility to keep their PBS address current). You should also contact PBS admin, include the information what was noted on the returned package and also the transaction number. Then feel free to repost your book and mail to another wisher. Even if you don't hear from TPTB, the information is in their records and counts against the receiver. |
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Here is a link to the above-cited Help Doc A book I sent was returned to me!
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As others have suggested, I would contact the requester to verify their address. If it is correct, you can have the post office resend it at no additional cost since it was their error. If the requester did not have a valid addres, like they had moved and assumed that the post office would forward it, then they need to give you another credit to send the book back out to them. If they requested a book without a valid address, I would let PBS know as it is the requester's responsibility to keep their address current. This has happened to me more than once and it is a very frustrating experience. |
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I have had 2 things returned to me that I sent to PBS members with correct addresses and PO was wrong about their addresses being wrong. Was able to resend both times with PO paying the postage. I would doubt the 'past forwarding order' date possibility as the member would have had to have moved months ago without ever updating their address in their account info. Since this wasn't an automatic fulfillment of a WL book on auto-request, the member is obviously 'active' so in my mind, it's more likely to be a PO error. Last Edited on: 12/21/14 12:17 PM ET - Total times edited: 2 |
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"... I have emailed the PBS member twice but no response..." This is the sticking point. Even if the PO is in error this time, the OP has few options if the requester is not answering messages (which is why PBS requires a response to Problem Swap communications). Without a response, I would not chance mailing the same book to the same address again. With a response and the receiver confirming the address, yes you can mail again. Last Edited on: 12/21/14 2:10 PM ET - Total times edited: 1 |
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Thanks for all the replies and helpful suggestions. I emailed the librarian at PBS and the issue has now been resolved. Happy New Year wishes to all! |
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