If folks use DC (but not necessarily printable postage), do they get their credit for marking mailed immediately or are they waiting for the receiver to mark it received to get the credit? I'm going on a longish vaca and will have my mail held (15 days)...and there are 8 books on their way to me, but none will "go lost" before I get home. Wondering if I should send the following PM to the senders to let them know I'll be out of pocket (LOTS of WLs coming available - I wouldn't have done this to myself otherwise!)...What do y'all think?

"HI! You are sending me a book and I just wanted to let you know I'm going on vacation on Thursday - knowing the postal system, the book you sent may or may not be here. This is just a heads up since I'll be out of pocket from the 16th til the 27th, that if I haven't 'received' the book in the system, I will take care of it on the 28th or so...If you're waiting on the credit to order something, let me know? Happy trading!"

If they used PBS DC, then they get their credit as soon as the USPS scans the DC which could be anywhere along the book's route.

I wouldn't PM people about your vacation.  Since nothing will be declared lost in the mail before you return, the senders will get their credit when you return home and have a chance to inspect the books.  I recently went away for a week and didn't inform anyone who had a book in the mail to me about it.  All books were waiting for me upon my return and I marked them received then.

MICHELLE- I think it would be wonderful if you PM'd the people who have books in the mail to you. Especially if they haven't used PBS postage and gotten instant credit. I know I would really appreciate it!

I always worry when my books aren't marked rec'd after a day or two from being delivered.  I use delivery confirmation, just not through PBS, so I'll know a book is at it's destination, but I haven't gotten credit for it.

Whatever you decide, hope you have a wonderful vacation :)

I don't think it's necessary. You'll be marking your books received when you return home, prior to going lost.

But when I went away for three weeks, I put my account on vacation hold, some WL books on Auto-request, and added an RC which stated something along the lines of: 

Hello. This is an auto-request for a WL book on vacation hold. I won't be around to mark books received,  but someone will be accepting packages. If you need your credit before <date I returned> please consider using PBS-DC or PBS postage. Otherwise, please decline this request. Thank you.

I did get two WL offers, and both senders used PBS-DC. Maybe just a coincidence?

Hmmm...all the requests have already been marked mailed, so they are on their way and I know some (if not all) will be here before I leave on Thursday - the USPS has been eating its wheaties & drinking red bull lately! All my media mail packages have taken less than 10 days to get here or get there in the last month or so! I guess I'll wait til Wednesday - and all of them show the green-check-mark, so they've all rec'd their credits... I'll keep in mind the suggestion about RC's for WL items for next trip (but it's been 5 years since I've been out of town for more than 3 days!). THANKS!

MIchelle, even though I use PBS/DC I get antsy when the book isn't marked received.  I think I'd appreciate your PM.

I think that's a nice idea for anyone taking an extended vacation.  In these times you're fortunate to be going on a vacation!  Have a happy.

Michelle-

I got a PM from another member who has a book on the way from me (she'll be away next week when the book arrives.)  Even though I used DC, I thought it was a really thoughtful gesture, & I told her so...

I did this when I went on a two week vacation last year - both members that I PM'd responded and said they really appreciated the heads up.

I just had one site for 2 weeks after the delivery scan because the receiver was gone on vacation and didn't mark it mailed until I prompted her.  I definitely would have appreciated a PM. Sending a book with DC only gives a sender an opportunity to wonder if a book got mis-delivered. Some people only worry about their credit and could care less after that. I want the book to get where it is going. 

Just an interesting side note - I've noticed that when I put my Bookshelf on hold because of an injury - I put the information on having been injured and would return by a certain  date if all went well.  When the bookshelf page viewed by the public came up it showed the account was on hold and the blue header with my note still showed - so you could use that just in case anyone comes looking.

Ruth