Oh, so sorry to hear that our pinpals are getting "stiffed". I would hate to think that there are members who are trying to get something for nothing
I think it must be more of a case of neglect. I have never been personally stiffed and my experiences have been pleasant, but I have noticed that most people (including me) do not treat PIF just like a regular trade.
I know I have dragged my feet on occasion (sorry Laura) while trying to get a nice match or just because I was plain lazy to go to the po for one single package.
Selen, do you mean the other Laura? Because I can never recall you dragging your feet!
In any case, communication is the key, and when I play, I do email people if it is going to take me longer than a couple of days to mail.
Also I hear you about going to the PO! My tip is that my favorite thing is shipping online. It does take some setup, you need some sort of scale and a Paypal account, but now I can generate, pay for and print my labels without having to go anywhere. The mail carrier picks them up from my house. Bonus: DC is only 19 cents when you do it this way, and all the info (for tracking etc) is in the system. Have been doing it for years now and LOVE it!
I do think DC was mentioned in the "rules for PIF" (I think there is/should be an exception for international 1st class packages, as DC is not even an option for them, and International Priority is WAY too expensive for most single pin PIF). If you use DC within the US, at least you have a way to look for the pin should it go missing, and it gives the PO something to go on.