I took about 20-30 envelopes the last two times to the post office with the pbs postage labels and for some reason only about 5 out of each bunch got scanned when they were leaving.  Does anyone know why the post office would only mark some of them leaving the post office that I sent them from and not all?  I have had two sets of books go missing with these labels but of course they were two that weren't scanned so I didn't get credits for the books.  The hard part is that in our post office they have one of the mail carts that they would use to unload the mail trucks in the lobby so if people have postage on packages they can leave them in that.

Theresa

If the PO is scanning manually, versus the automated way as the parcel goes along a conveyor belt, it sounds like they might be missing some or doing it randomly. The packages should get scanned at some point, even if further along the way. Some of mine are scanned half a dozen or more times as they travel. You should get credit for PBS postage as soon as you mark them mailed in the system, though, actually before they are scanned.  But even if you don't get instant credit, you should get the credits when the books are marked received.

per a conversation with my rural postmaster, she says some media mail will get scanned if she has the time but some toward the end of day won't get scanned but go out in pick up to then be scanned at the sorting station, if not there then somewhere along the line.  with USPS issues right now; the USPS web page may not even show scanned items for days after mailing and further on their delivery route to destination. It's been going on since June here in East TX with Houston our only sorting station over 100 miles away. a few books have taken a month to arrive at their final destination, even if only 2 states away from me. 

want to mail a hardcover and it weighs 1.2 lbs according to amazon.  PBS label is showing $3.45 which I thought was 2lbs or more.    What gives??

If it weighs more than 16 ounces you pay for the next pound too. 18 ounces would go at the two pound rate as the package does not weigh a pound. It will weigh more than 18 ounces once you add in the packaging materials. It might be 19-20 ounces by the time you get it on your scale.

The media mail postal rates changed. It used to be an increase at every two pounds. Now it goes up every additional pound. So when you used to be able to ship a couple of paperbacks or a hardcover for the lowest rate, now you can't be sure that will be the case.

Also, when using PBS postage be aware that the weight is a guestimate. This can get really off if there is a book where PBS doesn't have a weight for a book. If you see a higher than expected cost,  weigh the wrapped package on a postal or food scale.  Check to see if the weight agrees with what PBS is showing on the print label page. If it doesn't, you can manually edit the weight when printing PBS postage to show the correct weight. The cost will adjust to reflect the edited weight.

If you are mailing one thiin PB (childrens or otherwise) you can save $ by mailing it in a flat envelope. I slip the book in a plastic bag and then in flat envelope 5x8" or 9x12" and take it to the post office. If it is flexible and thin and light weight, it can go first class large envelope for under $2.00 usually. It does not include tracking, but you will get your credit when the receiver marks it received.