reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:05:04 AM
RB ..... The clerks have been measuring all parcel post items [excluding Small Packet] for a few months now. They cringe when they see me hauling in a garbage bag full every other day. Such is life.
I guess the last few months was just a warm up for what was yet to come?
I post a "fixed" shipping cost to anywhere in North America in my auctions so this is really going to through a screw into things for me. It's pretty hard to try & justify that an item that used to cost $6 U.S., will now cost $11.00 U.S., especially when U.S. sellers are only charging $4-5 U.S.
Canada Post sucks.
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anishnabeg
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:16:07 AM
I have invited Canada Post to participate in this discussion. Maybe they can shed some light on the topic, if they do show up.
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:22:21 AM
Well, that should be good for a laugh or two.
I'm sure they'll have some sort of reasonable explanation as to why we were all forced to bend over & grab our ankles.
Not that I expect anyone at Canada Post to have the stones to post here ............
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:38:39 AM
Just got back the post office... and have the new rate card in hand. Have to sit down and compair.
Reason I didn't notice any changes eariler was due to the fact that my rates have not changed at all.
"The bottom line is that most items shipped via Parcel Post wil now cost you twice as much as they did just last week."
Nope. Nothing I ship, from cd's videos or magazines have changed, from what I see anyhow. Will look things over when I find that old chart!!!! (smile)
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:42:05 AM
"The only good news for me is that I do have a home postage machine from Pitney Bowes, so no standing in lines come Christmas."
Which means you pay 7% GST on all postage.
If you took the mail going outside the US to the post office, and the bill is over $5... no GST is charged.
Really adds up over time.
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:46:47 AM
And while we're on the subject of Canada Post, here's my recent experience with XpressPost USA.
I shipped an item via XpressPost USA on the morning of Sept 8th.
Via Air Mail the cost would have been approx $16 Can. Via XpressPost USA I forgot to calculate in the min dens & came up with a cost of $26.50 [it was a pottery cookie jar].
The "actual" cost with minimum density applied came to $53.50.
As if that wasn't bad enough ........
The CJ entered the US on the 12th, arrived in CT on the morning of 16th, and was delivered to my customer on the 18th.
Although the Canada Post rep was quick to point out that it appeared that the USPS was at fault for the late shipment, I was also just as quick to point out that for $53.50 the shipping time should have been sliced in half.
I also told her I would never use that service again, and that I expected a full refund ASAP.
She agreed, and the check arrived last week.
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 09:48:57 AM
Nope. Nothing I ship, from cd's videos or magazines have changed, from what I see anyhow.]
Umm, gee, wouldn't those items be shipped via
Small packet???
Try sending them via Parcel Post then come back & tell us how nothng has changed.
ubb boo boo
[ edited by reddeer on Oct 3, 2000 09:49 AM ]
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jozi
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:02:58 AM
RB- I know! So we usually go in through the other crossing, just beyond St Stephen's. I forget what it's called though, but it's never as busy as the main entrance. My hubby is from that area but we live about an hour's drive away, in Saint John.
You ever been down this way?
Jozi
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zeenza
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:16:07 AM
Looks like a great opportunity for a small business venture. Border 'runs'.com
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:23:14 AM
"Try sending them via Parcel Post then come back & tell us how nothng has changed. "
There is no such thing as "parcel post" to the US.
Looking at the new Postal Prices list from Canada Post.
Letters.
Oversize Letters.
Letter Packages.
Small Packets.
Packets.
Not sure what "parcel post" is.
Why would I change the way I ship things for the last tens years... small packets is the business I do, and there has been no change.
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runaroundsue
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:25:06 AM
Well,
spent the morning re-packaging and assessing shipments to go out.
I've weighed and packaged up a few items, and you do have to be careful!
I have amended a few auctions as well to reflect the new shipping costs...I'll have to wait and see if anyone will even place a bid now.
I am at least taking great pleasure in making my boxes as heavy as they are big...no sense paying for air. (Wonder how wet sand would work as an insulating material)
Secretly hoping to give as many postal workers hernias as I can before Christmas 
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:33:48 AM
Runaround .... LOL
Celebrityskin ..... My bad. OK, make that "packet post" " if it makes you feel better.
NO increase to Small Packet items was mentioned from the get go. I guess you missed that? If nothing has changed for you personally, then wunnerful, but for many of us that use Packet Post, it's going to make one hell of a HUGE difference.
BTW - As far as I know Canada Post has used the term Parcel Post since the 1960's, and still use that term for Parcels to the US. Packet Post sounds like something a Frenchman came up with?
Maybe Packet is the new PC term?
[ edited by reddeer on Oct 3, 2000 10:38 AM ]
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:44:39 AM
Yup, must be a new PC bilingual term?
Other than Small Packet there's no mention of "Packet" on the Canada Post website?
Postal Rates to the U.S.A.
Letter Post and Postcards
Small Packets
Registered Mail
Courier & Parcel Services
Xpresspost-USA
Purolator International
Air Parcel
Surface Parcel
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 10:58:56 AM
reddeer:
Basically I was reacting to the overraction of some of the previous posts... screaming " I have 150 auctions ending and they all have the wrong postage charge!!"
Some people, like me are not affected!
Packet... you maybe right about the PC thing!! Haha. Don't see parcel anywhere on the new October 2000 listing!
The new sheet I have states that "packets" which seem to be the largest item must be sent by Registered mail... have you found that?
There are no prices listed for US Packets.. just says to consult the counter or the Canada Post Guide.
Canada Post... trying to keep us in the Dark!
Good luck
[ edited by celebrityskin on Oct 3, 2000 11:02 AM ]
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:24:37 AM
Celeb .... Ok, I see your point. Of course, not *everyone* is affected. Those that sell small lightweight items won't be affected .... yet.
I take great pride in my "safe packing" skills & always insure that the item has a 3-4 inches or more of newspaper around the bubble wrapped item.
In some cases this was the only reason my item arrived in one piece. The USPS is
not known for their "safe handling" of parcels. One customer had her item
arrive & said it looked like her postie ran over it with his truck. It was a
glass item & she said she was in tears when it arrived as she felt is was a for
sure gonner. Much to her surprise it was still OK & she said had it not been
for my incredible packing job it never would have survived in one piece.
It was a very unique item that she said had taken her years to find.
Now Canada Post has us all behind the 8 ball. Either we cram it into the smallest box humanly possible, or we pay an outrageous shipping fee.
I am so angry I could spit!!!!!
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:26:58 AM
BTW - The new sheet I have states that "packets" which seem to be the largest item must be sent by Registered mail... have you found that?
I would assume that means "Small Packet" as Parcel Post items [over 1 KG] have never been able to be sent as Registered Mail, to the U.S.
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:29:44 AM
reddeer:
I hear you. Good luck. I guess Canada post wants to get the size down, with no real concern for the weight. Weird to me that is for sure!!
Depending on who is at the counter, I often get my smaller items, ie: cds and the like sent oversize letter. Goes airmail for $2.35... and not $2.50 surface.
This forum is great for information, and thanks for your posts.
All the best.
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:32:25 AM
Celeb .... Same to you.
If I've come across sounding a bit harsh today, it's cuz Canada Post pizzed in my cornflakes!
[ edited by reddeer on Oct 3, 2000 11:33 AM ]
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:34:56 AM
reddeer:
Actually no.
Small packets (which I use) and then the next level is called "Packets" ... or your parcel post.
Packets (must be sent by registered mail)
Maximum size: 2m (lenght plus width plus thickness) Greatest dimension less than 600mm)
Minimum: 140mm x 90mm x 0.18.
I have to practise up on my metric!! haha.
Will try and find out more at the post office tomorrow.
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:36:54 AM
reddeer:
When it comes to Canada Post... and out of pocket expenses.. you are allowed to be harsh!! (smile)
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:39:23 AM
Hmmmm. Well if I wasn't confused before, I am now. I shipped out several "Packets/Parcel Post" whatever, yesterday, all were charged for Minimum Density, and none of them were shipped via Registered Mail. To the best of my knowledge, only Small Packet items can be shipped via Registered Mail?
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:41:02 AM
I'm tempted to call Canada Post, but calling today might not be a good idea. 
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Zazzie
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:42:54 AM
Celebrityskin--if you are a registered business you get the GST refunded to you anyways if it is a business expense.
I've got a huge box of books going to Scotland in a few days---hope I charged them enough.
Oh yah--Hiya folks...how was your summer???
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pptrade
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:50:58 AM
to Red-deer, Hi Neil, here is Canada Post's number in Ottawa,( I think) 1-800-260-7678 and push all those buttons, maybe you can make more sense out of what they told me, than I can. Thank heavens for this board.
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:53:23 AM
Hi Joyce! I have the number, but trust me, today is not a good day for me to call.
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celebrityskin
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:55:44 AM
Zazzie:
"if you are a registered business"
Now I wonder what percentage of us are "registered!!"
Hmmmm....
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Zazzie
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posted on October 3, 2000 11:59:39 AM
Some are
and the likely hood of someone who has a Pitney Bowes mailing machine---is that they are....
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reddeer
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posted on October 3, 2000 12:00:11 PM
I am. Hi Zazzie!
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Zazzie
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posted on October 3, 2000 12:01:13 PM
What about people with Commercial Accounts with Canada Post?
Have they been given instructions on measuring and dividing to figure out the density??
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cimfra
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posted on October 3, 2000 12:47:19 PM
Zazzie The density (or cubing as they used to call it) rule was already there in my July 1998 Distribution Services Guide given to me by the Commercial rep from Canada Post.
Minimum rate is the one for volume (in cubic cm) divided by 6000, as said earlier.
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