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Topic: Returned to Sender/Verified Address

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Subject: Returned to Sender/Verified Address
Date Posted: 8/7/2011 1:12 PM ET
Member Since: 2/17/2009
Posts: 9
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I ordered a book that was returned to the sender (sender said that it was labeled "Not deliverable as addressed") - she contacted me and asked me to verify my address, which I did. I am not new to pbs and have received probably 100 books at this address. After I sent her back a pm with my address, she did not send out the book again but let it go to "lost in mail" status. Is this allowed?

momof3jkids avatar
Date Posted: 8/7/2011 1:50 PM ET
Member Since: 10/30/2009
Posts: 962
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If I received a book back because it was undeliverable, I would not resend it.  It would cost me more money to ship it back out.  If it was confirmed the address was correct, I would contact the PO and ask why it was not deliverable.

Per the help docs:

You are not obligated to re-send the book to the requestor if this happened due to a problem with the requestor's address. If the book was not damaged when it came back to you, and you do not want to re-send the book to the previous requestor, you can simply repost it. 

Incorrect Address. Caused by

  • transcription errors if you hand-wrote the address
  • the requestor mistyping his/her address in his/her account
  • USPS error 

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 and explain the situation; 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" without requiring more postage.

So yes...it is allowed for her to let it go lost.

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Cathy A. (Cathy) - ,
Date Posted: 8/7/2011 1:53 PM ET
Member Since: 12/27/2005
Posts: 4,240
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Last Edited on: 8/7/11 1:53 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
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Date Posted: 8/7/2011 2:08 PM ET
Member Since: 3/4/2007
Posts: 4,598
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Allison, I had a similar issue back in May. I ordered a book from a member and she claims it was returned as 'no such address'.  Having been a member here for 4 years and receiving over 400 books, it made me wonder.  I confirmed that my address was indeed correct in the system and asked if she had handwritten the address or printed it out.  I suggested that if she'd printed the label, that she could take it to the post office have them remail it at no additional cost, since the mistake would have been the post office's.  She never answered the question about printing or handwriting the label, but said that she'd mail it out again the next day.  That's the last I ever heard from her and the book never did show up. 

sabrina78 avatar
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Date Posted: 8/7/2011 6:09 PM ET
Member Since: 8/5/2009
Posts: 8,077
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I've had that happen as well -- a book to me got returned to the sender as undeliverable, and I had received several books at that address. She verified it with me, took it back to the PO, and they sent it on to me. Turns out we had a rogue fill-in mail carrier for awhile.

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Date Posted: 8/7/2011 8:42 PM ET
Member Since: 4/25/2007
Posts: 12,600
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If the book's addressed correctly already and was returned in error, all the sender needs to do is take it back to the PO and let them know that and they should resend it again at no additional charge.  No one would be out an extra credit or extra postage money.  That's what the sender should do.  They can let it go lost in the mail though and they have their book and you'll get your credit back and be returned to the WL in the #1 position (if it was a WL book).

melanied avatar
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Date Posted: 8/7/2011 11:20 PM ET
Member Since: 8/16/2007
Posts: 15,234
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All she had to do is take it back and have them resend it without paying postage again if it was USPS error, but if she didn't there really isn't anything the site can do about it and if she didn't want to risk it running into the same problem that's probably her choice.