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Topic: Shipping books out...question

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Subject: Shipping books out...question
Date Posted: 9/14/2007 3:04 PM ET
Member Since: 1/8/2007
Posts: 12
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Is it a rule that you have to print out the wrapper to ship the book out? I do not have a printer so I have just been shipping out my books in the bubble mailers and writing the addresses on them by hand. I take them to the post office and pay the postage there and I have found that most of the books are cheaper to send first class unless they are heavy. Is what I am doing against the rules?

Rianli avatar
Date Posted: 9/14/2007 3:05 PM ET
Member Since: 12/23/2005
Posts: 1,163
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You can hand write the name and address. That's fine.

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Date Posted: 9/14/2007 3:25 PM ET
Member Since: 3/11/2007
Posts: 56
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Dawn, I do exactly what you're doing on all of mine.  I print the address label and include it as a packing slip.

bookaddicted avatar
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Date Posted: 9/14/2007 5:09 PM ET
Member Since: 11/10/2006
Posts: 3,347
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From the Help Center:

 

Can I hand-write the address to send a book?

Yes.  If you cannot (or do not wish to) print the wrapper, you may hand-write the address on your package. You will need to access the address from the request for the book on your My Account page, just the same way you would begin if you were going to print it; once you are viewing it (either in .pdf format downloaded to your computer, or in a webpage using the backup wrapper link), instead of printing it you can copy it onto your package.  If you choose to hand-write the address to send a book, PBS Delivery Confirmation cannot be used for that shipment.

Here is how to get the address:

  • Click on the request for the book.
  • The Wrapper Settings page will come up.
    • Choose the orientation (layout) of your wrapper
    • Do not click to add Postage or PBS Delivery Confirmation to the wrapper.  You will not be able to use Printable Postage or PBS-DC if you are hand-printing your address (the electronic postage and DC barcode cannot be generated by hand).
    • Scroll down and click .
      • The .pdf file will download to your computer
      • Open it and copy the address from there.
      • If you are unable to download the .pdf wrapper, you should disable your browser's popup blocker (in Firefox, you can select to allow popups from paperbackswap.com)
      • If your browser is set to accept popups from PBS and you are still not able to download, you should try disabling your antivirus/firewall software (or you can simply use the backup wrapper link as below).
      • If you are able to download the .pdf but cannot open it, you should get a new copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader.
    • If the Print Wrapper Now button does not work, click for the backup wrapper.  
      • You will be taken to a printable form of the address on a new webpage
      • You can hand-copy this.

If you choose to hand-write the address on your package:

  • Please include the Request ID# as part of your return address
    • this is not crucial, but it helps us locate the request if you need to communicate with us about it.
  • Be sure to mark your package conspicuously MEDIA MAIL if that is the rate you are using to mail it.
    • If your package weighs less than 6 ounces, it will be less expensive to send First-Class.
drewsmom avatar
Date Posted: 9/15/2007 2:13 PM ET
Member Since: 5/29/2007
Posts: 13,347
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You are welcome to hand write it.  And I have done so in the past, with no problems.

I do understand that you don't have a printer, but, if I have a choice, I like to print out my label so that the PBS symbol is on the front of the package, just as a little extra insurance, maybe my book wont get inspected by the PO if they see I belong to a book club.