I recently started swapping DVDs on the DVDswap site.  For some reason, it wouldn't recognize my address as a valid address.  I check the USPS site they told me to check and it finally went through without the period on the end of St.

my address is 123 Main St.

It said that wasn't any good but 

123 Main St

without the proper punctuation was just fine.  So I set it to that.

TODAY, I got a message from someone trying to send me a book saying that now PBS is saying my address isn't any good.  She is contacting me, as we have swapped many times before to let me know.

I'm going to fix it here without the period on the end, just like the DVD side wanted, but this is silly!  I'm hoping I haven't missed any WL just because they have suddenly decided after 100+ swaps that the address isn't any good.

It's not PBS, it's the USPS changing how they want your address to be formatted. PBS system requires that the addresses are USPS validated so when the USPS changed what they wanted, the PBS system will show it is no longer validated. A pain in the butt for sure, but not PBS's fault.

As Julie says, USPS has wanted people to use that style for several years, but I have a hard time not putting the comma in between the town and State.  They don't want any punctuation marks at all.  Makes it easier for the machines to read it, and if memory serves me right, they'd prefer the ZIP CODE on a separate line.  Pat

The eDC and PBS postage are required to use the validated USPS approved address.  If you are just printing the label, it will go through. 

I don't think that is true Emily, all addresses on PBS have to be validated or they are not accepted. I don't believe you can even get to the screen to pick the option for services with an unvalidated address in the system. The Team recently posted that it is required that all books send through the system have a validated address because it MUST be an option for each and every book to be sent with Credit Assurance.

The USPS must be doing some housecleaning. There has been an increased number of address validation issues lately, long term members with previously validated addresses included.

I've been on the site for years, and when I tried to add a book to my WL tonight, it said something about needing an address on file. I have a PO Box! And I double checked, it's just in there as PO BOX ##, so I don't know of any other way I could format it. 

I'm going to assume it's just a bug and try again tomorrow. 

I remember decades ago that Post Office Box used to be abbreviated as POB.  Then, for some reason, all you ever saw was PO Box.  Kind of unusual for an abbreviation to be lengthened rather than shortened.

But maybe POB is being revived?

Apparently the whole site is asking for the "proper" format.  Sorry folks. 

The PO site says it wants PO BOX  -all caps, no periods.

In case it is helpful, here's a link to the Post Office's address validation database.  You can enter your address and it will display the "proper" way to write out your address (from the USPS' standpoint).  http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp