Hello.  I'm new to PBS and I apologise if I'm asking a repeat question.  I have a bunch of books to mail out today and my plan is to go to the post office and have them calculate the postage, but the first four I mailed out I just stamped with the postage listed on the PBS wrapper.  How common is it for the estimates to be too low?  I'm worried that I made a mistake just using the estimate and I hope they arrive to the requestors with no problems.  Should I be concerned?  Is this a significant issue?  Thanks for your help!

I'm paranoid.  Even if I have what I think is the right postage I have them weigh it just to make sure.

People have reported problems with the PBS estimated weights.  It has been my experience that the very small paperbacks (AKA mass market paperbacks) are less than a pound and can be sent first class (the cheapest way when something is less than one pound), regular size paperbacks are between 1-2 pounds, and can be sent media mail for $2.13 and hardbacks are...$2.47  through media mail?  I think?  Generally speaking.  You sort of learn how to guesstimate the longer you do this.  If you are concerned, you should weigh your books before shipping.  As far as the books you  have already sent, I would PM the person, let them know of your concern, and let them know you are willing to reimburse any postage due when the package arrives.  That should take care of any problems.

Scales are cheap and worth their weight in gold for the peace of mind AND for avoiding having to make a trip to the PO!

I never had a problem with the estimated postage until PBS started offering paid postage. Since, I think I have had only one or two labels print correctly. It is consistantly too low by around $ 0.30. It always shows the correct postage on the screen, but then prints the label wrong.

Every single label that I've printed that's first class has underestimated the postage by an ounce. And that's an unwrapped book, not because I've added that much wrapping material.

I have a postal scale and I confirm the weights at the post office.

I just don't trust the estimated postage at all.

I weigh every book I am using the PBS/DC postage. Some have been right on, but a few have been over or under by an ounce or two. I weigh them wrapped.....the wrapping can bump the amount up a little bit.