books to prisons
I keep getting these orders and I'm fed up about it because they are always returned and then I have to deal with the buyers. I heard one time that we can't cancel because of "undeliverable address" because Amazon penalizes us somehow. Is this true? What do all of you do?
books to prisons
I keep getting these orders and I'm fed up about it because they are always returned and then I have to deal with the buyers. I heard one time that we can't cancel because of "undeliverable address" because Amazon penalizes us somehow. Is this true? What do all of you do?
40 replies
Seller_MyXY4Myx9zVcR
There is a slight penalty, but "Undeliverable Address" is appropriate.
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Only books shipped from professional bookstores/Walmart/Kmart type places are getting into prison. Nothing from 3rd party sellers.
Seller_07WofIawtwL9i
This latest buyer who is some sort of agent for prisoners I guess is arguing with me about how she's gotten "50" orders from Amazon and small sellers. Whatever! Amazon didn't even give me the full address. That had "cancellation" written all over it and I was a fool to ship it.
Seller_rGcQW1yb6ZWbC
With all due respect, you are incorrect. Many 3P sellers sell and deliver to prisons. I do it all the time without issue. I am a professional book seller, but not a book store. My packaging looks professional, and that is what counts.
Seller_07WofIawtwL9i
Do you mean you have a prominate business logo on your packages? I ship in either a box or bubble mailer. It has the usual address label and I stamp "your Amazon Marketplace Order" on the front. What should I do differently?
Seller_rGcQW1yb6ZWbC
I do not have a logo. I use a Zebra label (4x6) with my store name and home address in the return address. I primarily use bubble mailers, and occasionally, a box.
I don't think you need to do anything differently than what you are doing.
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Well, maybe things are different in other staes. I was a correctional officer in Texas for 5 years, and those were the rules. Barnes & Noble, Walmart, FBA places like that. If the return address was not easily recognized it was returned.
Seller_07WofIawtwL9i
My labels do not have my store name, maybe that is the problem. That should be easily enough remedied.
Seller_07WofIawtwL9i
Maybe that's what my buyer meant about getting packages from small sellers, if the orders actually come through FBA.
Seller_52pUzzgnsLDGs
Be careful.
With this new verification process we all had to struggle through, if you start changing / adding names they'll need to match up throughout your account. I think. Just be careful. I'd be afraid to add anything to an address that went through verification for fear of sending up a red flag for Amazon to deactivate you for a while.
Seller_52pUzzgnsLDGs
People send their relatives packages all the time. Joe Smith's mommy can send him a book if she wants and he gets it. It just has to be softcover.
Seller_4zBzdtgCyS9EI
Not unless you own Walmart, Barnes and Noble or Target. I can't speak for all states, but in Texas it must be a "well known" bookseller. It's a safety issue and all books arriving must have been shipped by a "warehouse". otherwise the easiest way to smuggle stuff into prison would be by selling your own books on Amazon, lace them with fentanyl and have your buddy inside receive them.....it cannot come from an unknown person or "store".
Oh, and it can't be hardcover books. Ever. Or stationary notepads/diaries...
From TDCJ snippets
Newspapers, magazines, and books may be mailed directly to inmates only by the publisher, publication supplier, or bookstore.
Family members or friends may call the unit mailroom or contact MSCP to inquire if a book or magazine is approved.
Stationery may not be sent to inmates through the mail. Stationery items must be purchased through the unit commissary by the inmate,
Seller_52pUzzgnsLDGs
Prisons will only accept paperbacks, so if a hardcover is ordered, cancel it immediately. Often it will be a gift so always message the buyer and let them know they need to reorder a paperback. If your paperbacks are being returned, you need to look at the address more carefully and make any adjustments.
Seller_JEZM0XKCFBgyp
I just ship them using Amazon Shipping. As long as they say Delivered, you're covered. If it gets returned, I don't refund the shipping.
Seller_AUTVpz1Ar1lnD
I have had the same problem over my 9 years selling books on Amazon.
When I get the order for a prison address, or what might be a prison address ( If I have a doubt, I enter the address in a search engine and it will tell me if it is a prison, or a freight forwarder), I email the buyer explaining that the book will be refused ( yes all 3d party sellers will be refused). I then ask them to cancel the order and re-buy it to be sent to them so they can take it on their next visit. This will lead to a customer cancel that doesn't adversely effect your record. About 50% of the time the re-buy and have it sent to their home
Hope this helps.
Charlie
Seller_vwTQr93nzb7gQ
You can do everything perfectly and the book still be refused. Prisons can take away a prisoner's mail privilege at any time for any reason. Pornography can also be refused, and each jail has it's own idea of what's porn.
Seller_w6aLwkKdfu3L0
Jail/Prisons will accept packages from "specific" vetted businesses, however because Amazon is a marketplace users need to have a certain level of understanding that there is a difference between buying from Amazon directly versus buying from a Merchant "Fulfilled by Amazon" or a "Merchant Selling on Amazon". The thought process is contraband is less likely to be coming from an Amazon warehouse that are receiving goods directly from a publisher versus a middleman who can slip contraband in.
Because you're asking people to be competent, this is always going to be an issue until Amazon specifically blocks out locations to merchants or allows merchants to block a street address.
