Sunday, December 09, 2007

A Slightly Sinking Feeling...

I sent a submission packet to a magazine late last month. Their deadline was Dec 7. I sent my submission Priority Mail and requested delivery confirmation. I know that the magazine in question usually sends receipt confirmation pretty quickly, too. And I just realized that I've received neither of these. And it's Dec 9. Hmmm. Must find my postal receipt, but checking back in my blog posts, I know I sent it before Nov 29. Well, as much as it's a drag to get rejected, it would be an even greater drag to never even get in the running because of a postal glitch.

How long does the postal service usually take to deliver the confirmation? I've never paid for that before and don't know what to expect.

edited to add: the confirmation postcard came from the magazine the other day. I just didn't know it because someone else carried in the mail. So, it got there. And now the waiting resumes.

9 comments:

Wendy said...

From my limited experience, the earlier you receive a response, the worse it is. The LATER you receive one, means that they have been considering your design. So, that means, "good luck"!

Molly Bee said...

Lemme guess...your son the magic man made it 'disappear' temporarily! LoL. Glad you found it. My fingers are crossed!

Bezzie said...

Well there you go. Here I was thinking maybe the lucky person who got Chunky's birthday present from Grandma in Alaska instead of him also had your confirmation.

Good luck!

YarnThrower said...

Glad that things worked out in the end, and best wishes on the submission! It would be so cool if you got into the magazine!

Just FYI, when I've requested delivery confirmation, I've been given a slip of paper having a web site and some numbers on it, and I have to go to said web site (package tracking) in order to confirm delivery -- I don't recall getting anything in the mail from the post office...though you may have been told something different...

Have a great day!

Cindy G said...

Glad it made it through. Thinking positive thoughts for the project.
My experience with delivery confirmation is the same as Yarn Thrower's. I think the only time you get something back is if you send registered mail, and that's more for cases where you want legal proof that the recipent has accepted delivery.

MiniLaura said...

Good luck!

And FYI it can take a LONG time to get those delivery confirmation post cards (I'm assuming you're referring to those green post card things that you address to yourself and stick on the back of the letter/package.) I've had it take a couple of weeks to get back to me. It's sort of stressful.

These days, if I really want to insure that a package gets somewhere I use UPS or FedEx ground. It's more expensive than Priority mail but costs also add up if you're doing the registered/return receipt option. (Plus, I don't trust the post office.)

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the submission!

I'll keep my fingers, and my needles, crossed for you.

dale-harriet said...

Elizabeth - oh, I'm perfectly confident; I'll just sit around twiddling me needles until you tell us the magazine's available with YOU in! (I'm told they have good taste, could it have any other outcome? Naw...) Note to self: bring in the mail myself. Kthxby.

Marjorie said...

I hope this isn't too late to help you out. The USPS is not very reliable with delivery confirmation. I've had packages delivered and the local mail carrier simply forgot to scan the delivery confirmation. You can check the USPS online to see where your materials are, but the information is very sketchy.

I seldom use USPS for anything I care about. UPS surface is about as cheap as priority mail+delivery confirmation, and I rarely have problems with it. On the few occasions when I did, the customer service people followed up on the misrouted package and had it delivered the next day. When you check the UPS online tracking, it tells you exactly where your materials are.