posted on October 11, 2000 02:51:29 PM
Anywhere near a border crossing?
edited to add:
Right after I wrote that I began to wonder if crossing the border to mail something would be illegal. If so, ignore that suggestion.
[ edited by eventer on Oct 11, 2000 02:52 PM ]
posted on October 11, 2000 03:07:04 PM
Yup, total bummer. No more shipping LARGE lightweight items to the U.S., unless you're making a HUGE profit on them.
Eventer ...... A couple years back there was an eBayer I spoke with who crossed the border once & week & shipped all their items, I have no idea what's involved? For me it would require a 10 hour round trip, so that option's out.
posted on October 11, 2000 03:25:06 PM
Not too far from border, taking 2 items down this Friday that are just too excessive here.
You have to fill out some paperwork forms (getting those from a friend on Thursday) and pay $5 fee for 1 day business permit, but it's still far better than this.
I will still be selling those very large lightweight items, but there will be some mailing delays as I can maybe get across border once every 2 weeks, customers will just have to live with it.
On other items over 1 kilogram, there are still going to be postage increases with this new program, but they are somewhat manageable, basically you have to really conserve on packaging size, including cutting it down to a smaller shape -- get it to an absolute minimum size without risking damage to the item when mailed -- can really make a difference in those extra charges.
For the rest of it, all of my postage quotes are going up slightly, in other words I'm spreading it around, so that I don't have to charge a few people huge increases, as that would likely kill certain items for bids.
Luckily I would say about 80% of my items are under 1 kilogram still, and there weren't any postage increases for that group.
(If I can get a document number for the form required by U.S. customs to get your stuff across the border legally, will post the information here this weekend.)
Sorry to hear about those folks so far from the border, that's a tough one!
posted on October 11, 2000 03:35:25 PM
Minimum Density is calculated by "Cubing" the package, which basically means if you have a large box with a light item in it over the 1kg small package limit, Canada Post will now cube the package to calculate it's minimum density. The rates given below are all for surface mail. Airmail is another story altogher and lots more expensive.
To try to summarize, I believe that packages under 1kg can still be shipped at the small packet rate. Small packet is a box up to maximum size of 90cm x90cm x90cm and weighing between 500kg and 1 grams. Cost would be a flat rate of $6.90. Small packets up to 250 grams cost $2.50 to ship, 250 - 500 grams would ship for $3.90 etc.) 500 - 1kg used to be $6.80 before this new rate came into effect.
Translated, this means that by the old system a box that measures 30cm x 20cm x 25cm and that weighed under 1.5 kg would cost $6.90 to ship to zone1 areas (which are closest to the Canadian border, or $7.75 to zone2 and $8.45 to zone3 (Texas, California, etc.)
Now, with the new cubing calculations, that same box will cost $9.40 to zone1, $10.35 to zone2 and $11.85 to zone3.
Now this is for a relatively small sized box. The price increases dramatically for a larger sized box.
Also, I believe there is an overal postal increase of about 12% on all other shipping rates, but I have not seen an actual annoucement for this.
It's hard to keep up with this, so my numbers may be a bit off, but the gist of it is here.
Canada Post is essentially putting small time sellers out of business. They increase the rates and do nothing to increase their service. Even my grocery store has automatic doors. Most Canada Post offices require you to fight your way through double doors and stairways, with no provisions whatsoever for people who have several boxes to ship. Even the beer store has a roller counter to slide your return boxes along for heaven's sake!
So basically what this windy message means is that if you have a big box that doesn't weigh much, it's going to cost you big bucks to ship it. If you have a big box that weighs a lot, attach a chain to it and your ankle, then jump off the nearest dock!
posted on October 11, 2000 03:54:15 PM
Vogeldanl: Actually I would like to move to Canada but the Canadians have the good sense not to let too many of us move there.
posted on October 11, 2000 04:32:25 PM
Reddeer: Thank you for your kind and generous offer. I could live with furry creatures, snow, cabin fever, black flies, mud season, and even mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds. But a girl has to draw the line somewhere...indoor plumbing is not negotiable. Susan
posted on October 11, 2000 05:10:10 PM
Yes, the killer rates have got me to learning how to package in smaller boxes..but not before testing them.
The other day, I got a small box 6.5" x 6.5" x 6.5" and proceded to wrap a fragile cup and saucer in one layer of large bubble wrap each. I then inserted them into said box , with no packing peanuts as the fit was snug. With hesitation, I took it up to the second storey balconey of our house. Then , with all my might , I threw said box onto the air and down it came , but darn, it landed on the grass. So , I took said box back up to second storey balconey and proceded to heave said box back into the air and this time , my aim was straight and true. Down it came , splat , onto the pavement.
I shook box and nothing , so I brought said box into house and began to open box with all the apprehension of a small boy opening up a Christmas present.
Slowly ... taking the bubble wrap from the cup and saucer my eyes grew wide in amazment!
Nothing...nary a crack or chip!!! They rang true when pinged ! My next tests are to throw it from a vehicle travelling 60 MPH, play football with it and then to sit my 190 lbs. on it. Stay tuned.
posted on October 11, 2000 05:24:35 PM
anishnabeg: Don't forget the elephants. Your package must be able to withstand the Canada Post elephants who practice their ballet moves on parcels marked 'fragile.'
posted on October 11, 2000 05:41:06 PM
We carp about the USPS, but you guys make it sound like a white glove outfit compared to Canada Post.
If you sell to the US, not only do you have to deal with cranky US buyers about the cost, but you have to consider and spend time measuring boxes.
The USPS doesn't call it "density" but it does have combined measurement limits that it rarely enforces. I hope it doesn't get any coaching from Canada Post.
posted on October 11, 2000 06:14:47 PM
I am really sorry to hear of the problems in the Socialist Republic of Canada because it seems like the US and Canadian governments always copy each others worst ideas, if not at the same time.
Sitting on those cups is not such a good idea. I thinks that will be the end of them
if you do.
But I do have a real suggestion.
Foaming in place will give the MAX protection with the least weight for a very small gap.
If you foam in place a one inch gap to the box with a tight plastic wrap over the item so that the foam conforms closely it is safe from compression - impact and most slitting type theft.
They make kits to do it and bulk dispensors, but I would try using those aerosol cans you buy at the hardware for foaming around pipes and gaps in walls and such first to prove out the concept. It sounds like the added expense would be much less than the postage.
[ edited by macandjan on Oct 11, 2000 06:15 PM ]
posted on October 11, 2000 06:34:17 PM
When we pack glass for conservation we use wet acid free paper and layer the object, (paper towels are ok for short periods of time). It looks like paper mache when you get done with it but it creates a hard structure around the object. It weighs very little, doesn't make the object that much larger, and it can be packed as is. You have to really work at damaging whatever is inside of the hardened paper structure too.
The drawbacks are that it can be time consuming to layer the wet paper, you have to soak the object in hot water to soften the paper to get it off, and it makes a mess.
Come to think of it this probably isn't a very good idea. Buyers may go bonkers if they received a parcel that included instructions to soak their new treasure for a hour or so and pull off wet gunky paper. But it works well if you need to store fragile stuff for yourself.
posted on October 11, 2000 07:51:12 PM
What I find amazing is that the business community isn't up in arms over this. Surely this is hitting 'regular' businesses that ship large light items really hard.
Why isn't this front page news?
Reddeer, my sister who ships stuff got notice of the change with the new rate book that took effect Oct 1. She remembers that she had it about a month before it took effect. Still not much notice. And this is a high volume shipper.
posted on October 11, 2000 08:27:50 PM
Er..I thought that they had pretty much made it impossible for you to be "up in arms" up there. Much safer and all that.
