This week is just NOT my week for books.

One was one I've had on my wishlist forEVER. Finally gets offered and auto-requested by me. They take the absolute longest time possible to mark that they can mail and choose the longest time out. Ok, I get that. I do it sometimes too. No problem. Then they print the label on the very last day but never mark it mailed. So either they didn't mail it or they just forgot to mark it mailed. I'll wait and see how that one turns out.

OK, it happens. So today I get home thrilled to see that another book I've really been looking forward to is waiting for me. Except that it got RUINED in the shipping process. Now, of course I marked it received because according to the documents it was wrapped by the rules. But if they'd just wrapped it in the PBS wrapper instead of trying to be fancy with the USPS envelopes, it would have been fine (they printed the wrapper to tape on). Instead, it rattled around inside the envelope, got all mangled, and is just generally a mess.

I guess it's not my week. Maybe the book-gods will be nicer to me next week.

*sigh*

Sarah,

I am sorry it has been such a bad week for you.  I hope that it gets better.  I have been lucky so far (knock on wood) that I have not received a book that was damaged in the mail.  Received a couple that I  had to RWAP, but not due to mailing.  I due use the manila envelopes, but I make sure that there is no room for the book to move and it is wrapped very well in plastic, so I think that gives it extra protection. 

By marking the book as RWAP do you go to the top for the list?  I am still learning how things are done, so I hope that can happen for you.  Hopefully, you can get a replacement soon.

Janette

Janette,

By marking a book RWAP you go back where you were on the wishlist, yes. 

Thanks for the commiseration. ;) 

Not fun, Sarah.  I hope someone else posts the book soon.

I have two books I ordered that are supposedly being sent with PBS-DC. The only thing is it only has one scan on each. I've never had a book come to me with only the "barcod generated" scan and "delivery confirmed" scan. So I'm a little suspicious about them since I received a book sent the same day as one and also further away that already got here without DC. I'm still holding out hope that they're just stuck somewhere that doesn't scan their packages since I figure these two different people wouldn't spend money just to never send the book.

So I can relate in a way.

I'm sorry this happened to you Sarah!  Maybe you've used up your bad book-luck karma for the year ;)  I received a book so badly mangled by a postal machine that it wouldn't have mattered how the book had been wrapped...it was toast. 

Amee, don't give up!  I sent out 6 different multi-book wishlist bundles of books one day last month.  They were all mailed from the PO on the same day, same time, each scanned by the clerk so that I could be charged for the electronic DC.  5 were showing that first *Accepted by PO* scan by the next day, but the 6th never showed any scans at all, even that one.  Those 5 boxes were all received in less than a week.  I pm'd the requestor at that point to reassure her that I had indeed mailed her books and she kindly promised to let me know as soon as the books came in.  Here's the scan from the archive (she received the books within a day or two of my pm):

Request Date: 4/25/2010 3:48 PM ET
Date Accepted: 4/25/2010 4:59 PM ET
Wrapper Printing(s):

• 4/25/2010 5:01 PM ET
• 4/25/2010 11:42 PM ET

Date Mailed: 4/26/2010 1:51 PM ET
Date Received: 5/3/2010 12:11 PM ET
USPS DC#: 420464109102805213907223448059

Delivery Confirmation Events

1. 4/25/2010 11:55 PM ET - Electronic Shipping Info Received - MURRIETA, CA

Long story short, don't give up.  You may still get your books!

I agree, Amee.  I always use PBS-DC.  But they are usually mailed by DH or DS at a blue box and they never get scanned in until they get to the regional distribution center - if then.  I've had a couple never get scanned anywhere - even when they were delivered or reached the delivery PO.  DC is something that works like it's supposed to MOST of the time...not all the time.

Ruth

Thanks guys! I hadn't thought about the blue box or the PO scanner just not working.

I've just always seen at least one en route scan on every DC package so these two have me worried. Sometimes I think it's better for DC not to be used because then I don't feel the need to keep checking on it!

Amee, I got one coming to me the other day that had no scans at all on it...just the 'electronic shipping info received' or whatever...not even the delivery scan was recorded because I marked it received before that scan got uploaded to the PBS system I guess. Remember, this is *delivery* confirmation, nothing more.

I send all my books with PBS DC (use a blue box to mail) and I have noticed much less scanning going on lately, for the past couple of months especially. All my books used to get scanned later the same day at a local distribution center. Now, about half of them aren't getting scanned there, and often there's no scan until close to delivery. I had one that I sent (at the same time as two others) that went four days without a scan, then scanned delivered the day after that.

I hope your luck turns around, Sarah...I must be doing something pleasing to the book goddess, as my wishlist has coughed up 12 books for me over the past few days...so far they are arriving in fine shape.

Cheryl

Please remember that according to the USPS they do not require any DC label be scanned until delivery. With the closing of many PO's, the consolidation of sorting facilities and how much work there is for the sorters to do they really are very busy. If given a choice, when I have a lot of work to do, I am going to do the required work first and do the nice little bonus extra effort work last.

I understand that, BookBinge. I've just never experienced no "en route" scans even with people saying over and over that they're cutting down on them. That's why I'm worried is all. If these two arrive well then I won't worry so much in the future. These are just the first ones to come without the bonus scans.

I am the same way. I feel better "knowing" where they are and that they are coming. I feel the same way about the stuff I send out too. I watch those too. I do a lot of online trading and I have been hearing more and more stories about poor service from the USPS. Ugh. If/when we lose a day of service it's only going to get worse.

I feel for ya. Be it on the computer or in your hands; I hope they show up soon!