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?
0 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_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.
Seller_DSxBUdi9ka6fy
I ship it. If it comes back, I refund, less 20% restocking fee. If the buyer has an issue, I explain to them that it is their responsibility to know what is acceptable and what is not acceptable, not mine.
Seller_4K7eqIN4GuF2E
You can books into Federal prisons with the following restrictions:
The package has to be clearly marked "Soft Cover Publication As Authorized By BOP Rules."
The return address must also be a recognized commercial book seller or a law office.
Prohibited publications (nudity, lock picking, ways to escape, etc.) are obviously not allowed.
Publications can be rejected based on the mail room officer's mood of the day.
Seller_m9WpsO3iGzpuW
I've shipped to prisons for 7 years without issue. But I ship myself, so the return address is my corporation. Shipping with AMZ as the return address gets the book sent back. But a private corporation has no problem.
