Hi,

Does the wrapper fit the larger softcover books if it is printed out on legal sized paper (of which I have none at the moment) because it sure doesn't when printed on 8/1/2 by 11. You can make it fit but you have to mess with it, and that's kind of a pain. Printer paper seems kind of flimsy to be mailing something in anyway.

Also, since I'vegotten no answer from anyone on the live help list yet..........I got a request, then a cancel, then a request for the same book. Does this happen a lot. Because it's annoying. Can I just write to the person and ask if they want the book or not?

thanks,

June

I've started using a piece of cardstock as the underlayer & taping it straight to the plastic bag layer (since there is a bit of a gap, and that seems to work. No one has complained so far. But the ones I get with 2 sheets of regular paper do just fine. Just make sure you don't tape it straight to the book, that destroys the cover. Sometimes I use one sheet one way and the second sheet across it, covering up the gap that way.

But now that I've gotten around 50 books so far, I have a lot of mailers to re-use. And the big envelopes the schools send out their magazines in are pretty tough also.

Thanks,

That's pretty much what I figured. I'm sitting here making one fit into the wrapper now but it's not worth the trouble. And I already have requests for three books total.  I made it fit but if it was any thicker it wouldn't have made it. Of course all the ones I posted are the larger books and not mass market. :0

What kind of wrappers/mailers do you use? I'm assuming they have something I can buy in "bulk" at Staples or someplace like that. I'll check it out. But I'd appreciate any suggestions.

thanks

June

You can wrap a trade size in regular 81/2 x11 if you use 3 sheets.  Just tape the extra sheet to the info sheet *long sides together* and that will completely wrap the book.  After that I generally just wrap the label page around it and secure the whole thing with packing tape.  If you're not using ultra cheap paper, this should be sufficient to get the book where it's going.

Sometimes I use 3 sheets kinda of over lapped, if the trade size paperback is a bit stiff. If it isnt I sometimes stick a bit of cardboard in the package to make it more rigid. I find that saving a paper grocery bag to wrap these in is a good idea. I also reuse any packaging that seems reusable from books I receive from PBS. Larger books take a bit more creativity to wrap them securely. Lots of tape, no matter what wrapping is often the key to the books arriving safely.

As for your book being ordered and cancelled and ordered again, if you check your Transaction Archive on your Main Account page, you can see if the same or a different member has ordered the book. Also check on your Main Account page for this book order. The deadline for accepting and mailing the book will appear there. You may have to scroll down a bit to see it.

Also when you joined you were assigned a Tour Guide, who will be glad to assist you with getting aquainted with PBS. You can see their welcome PM to you by clicking on the Personal Messages tab on your Main Account page. Or feel free to contact me with any questions. Most Tour Guides are very willing to help.

You may also want to check out the Help Center, there is lots of great info in there, compiled by the folks that know PBS the best, the creators.

Welcome to PBS June. I hope you enjoy your membership here as much as I do mine.

Cheryl

thanks catspaw, should have thought of that myself!!   

JM

Thanks, I looked on the transaction page and only saw the requested, canceled, requested book only listed once. I wrote to the person and asked.

I supposed once you get the hang of wrapping the books and you do a few, it's not a big deal.

I didn't realize that person who wrote to me was my 'personal' guide. I figured it was a letter that went out to everyone with my name inserted.

thanks

JM

Everyone who joins gets a Tour Guide, an actual person who volunteers here to help with questions and navigating the site. Some members use their Tour Guide, some like this forum better, some use the New Member Questions Live Chat. Whichever works for you. Seems like you got a lot of great answers here, I am glad that you posted so you could get your book mailed and start getting some credits.

Cheryl

I like using the tyvek envelopes you can get for free out of the FedEx drop boxes.

I've bought several rolls of 'patterned' brown paper from the dollar store. I lay the book on it, make sure I have enough room for the edges, then cut a strip. I can wrap 2 or 3 books per strip and it lasts a long while, too :)

You can also buy poly bags from ebay (so a poly bag search there) and there are various sizes. I got 100 10x12 ones for my larger things for less than 15 bucks. And they are water proof too.

:)

The main thing when wrapping books is to ensure the wrapper is never just 1 layer thick (it doesn't hold up) and to use plenty of tape.

As for other wrappers, I use poly bags I buy from an eBay supplies recommended to me by another PBS member: http://stores.ebay.com/VALUEMAILERS   I usually buy in 2 sizes, one for mass markets, one for trade.

I've never (knock on wood) had a book marked damaged or had anyone complain about my packaging, and I've sent out over 400 books. :-)

Cheers,

Catt

If you watch Walgreen's flyers they generally have a special on bubble wrappers, I think 3/1.00, about every 6 weeks.  I try to stock up there.  Also, those bubble wrappers in which books will be mailed to you can be saved and reused as long as they are in good shape.  The exception is a Priority Mail envelope or box.  It is against the regulations to reuse these for anything.  Wal-Mart also sells bubble wrappers for a reasonable price.  I have to say though, that I rarely have to buy them, I usually have saved enough that I can reuse them.  To wrap the book in some form of plastic before wrapping it, I use the plastic wrapper that my newspaper comes in on wet mornings.

I buy a roll of brown postal wrap at the dollar store.  Lasts for a long time and I can cut it to any size I want to to wrap books in.

I keep some bubble mailers on hand for hardcovers but I generally don't have many of those.

I wonder if FedEX considers using their envelopes for mail other than fedex thievery just as the PO considers using (AND REUSING, believe it or not) Priority envelopes thievery?

I use wallpaper for paperbacks and recycled or new bubble mailers for hardcovers.  The wallpaper shop next to my office gives me a great deal on discontinued rolls.... and the packages are pretty, LOL.

I wonder if FedEX considers using their envelopes for mail other than fedex thievery just as the PO considers using (AND REUSING, believe it or not) Priority envelopes thievery?

No. They don't. I asked my local FedEx employees.

Now I want to order a book from Jo L. so I can get a pretty wallpaper wrapped package :)

Sam's Club has bubble mailers in all sizes - I get the 8 1/2 x 11 which fits just about every book.  They are 25 for 6.44!!  That is about 25 cents per envelope!  They are perfect for trade paperbacks and all but the biggest hardcovers.

One box has lasted me almost a year because whenever I receive a book in a mailer, I open it carefully then re-use it. 

For mass market paperbacks, I have a pack of those cheap 6x9 clasp manilla envelopes.  I put the book in plastic before I send it, then re-inforce the edges with tape, and it's perfect.  (Unless it's a very thick MMP) 

If I am desperate, I'll wrap in brown paper.  But I hate wrapping. 

I picked up 2 different sizes from Sam's club and they do work out to be about $0.25.  If it is a smaller book (mmpb size) then I will wrap in plastic wrap and then the wrapper from here (2 sheets).  I have it down to a science and it doesn't take long.

I also reuse the mailers used to send me books.  and to think I used to always throw them away!

If anyone gets a bubble mailer with a hummingbird stamped on the back, it came from me!  Yes, I admit I'm strange.  But I stamp all my mailers, new or recycled, before I send them out.  I'm trying to figure out how long before I get one back.  So far, it's been four months without a sighting......

I'm such a dork :)

I bought a hugh roll of bubble wrap from Sams that is perforated to 12" X 12" squares.  It wraps around a paperback with only shaving a little off the ends.  Then I cut up brown paper grocery bags to wrap them in if they are too big for the printer paper.  I usually can get enough for 3-4 books per bag.

I haven't thought of the rolls of brown paper.  I'll have to check it out.  Thanks for the tip.

Now I want to order a book from Jo L. so I can get a pretty wallpaper wrapped package :)

LOL, Beth... feel free to order as many as you want!  :)