posted on October 27, 2000 10:39:06 AM
Recently, postage prices in Canada have doubled and in some cases tripled for U.S. and International destinations. I recently received this letter.
"As a fellow Cdn dealer I was wondering if you are aware of the horrific new Canada Post rates that have gone into effect for parcel service. I just went to send a figurine to the US and what cost me $13.45 last month is, hold on , $29.70 this month .This is 220% on the old rate and it gets worse!! They have a new "volumetric" approach to parcels. This is where they measure the size of your parcel and up the cost if it is on the light side. My parcel was 1035 grams and nowhere near the maximum size.As you know, you have to protect fragiles like crazy to get them there safely as unlike the USPS they offer no breakage insurance. They ( the government and Canada Post) are extremely edgy. I phoned the Minister's Office in charge of Canada Post and this is no word of a lie, had a call from "Canada Post-Gov't of Canada Liason" in 5 minutes. A totally separate dep't. I believe that NEXT they will ELIMINATE SMALL PARCEL(package) for U.S. and International, as they have done to small parcels in Canada((That is why it is cheaper to send a spoon to Australia than to another province !)) Also I understand they are printing "volumetric sheets" and there is a plan to check postage on parcels as they do on letters. As you know this results in a returned mail or a bill from them . Right now Canada Post is vulnerable with an election on ! I believe with a concerted effort rates could be rolled back. I am compiling a list of Politicians to talk to, email and send letters. If you can do these things ,or even one of these, please do, and I know there is some pressure on these people already. Also if you can send this to any of your fellow dealers or anyone who ships Canada Post to the US or Internationally , please do."
Amber- I have personally written to 70 members of parliament, prime minister etc to complain. I think is all Canadian sellers get together, we can do something about this.
posted on October 27, 2000 11:05:00 AM
"I have personally written to 70 members of parliament, prime minister etc to complain. I think is all Canadian sellers get together, we can do something about this."
Unfortunately, Canada is no different than any other country. Even if we could get a million sellers to write letters, nothing is going to change. The only postive effect that would have is add some more bucks to their coffers in postage that we have to buy (AND pay taxes on!) to write them.
This increase in rates is going to kill of a lot of Canada/USA/Rest of the World trades ...
posted on October 27, 2000 11:41:40 AM
The question I have is wondering if this is going to translate into greatly increased rates going into Canada from the US.
I sympathize very much with you. I have lots of nice items like art deco bronze lamps and clocks that would do well on eBay but...
Rather than fight the system on this one (and turn all my hair grey)...My solution (not saying it should be anyone elses) is too not ship large or very delicate medium sized items. I try to keep everything under 1.5kgs that fits into small packet dimensions that does not require too much bubblewrap.
Hence I sell jewelery, collectible pins, small porcelains, books, paperweights etc...
Our government does not care if we die waiting for cancer treatment, and they most certainly don't care about Internet businesses.
I just sold something to one provincial candidate (and regular eBayer) in Ottawa and presented (tactfully) to him some of the concerns we sellers have about our postal system. You can guess the response!
posted on October 27, 2000 01:48:44 PM
Ya, the increase stinks. The bottom line is that shipping LARGE lightweight items is now out of the question, unless they are worth BIG $$$$. It's still business as usual for me.
BTW - The info you posted with regards to Canada Post not covering breakage, is incorrect.
Canada Post will indeed refund your $$ if the item is damaged in transit, but only if it was due to extreme abuse by the PO.
In other words, if you pack poorly and the item arrives damaged, that's your problem, no theirs. The same holds
true for the USPS. If you file insurance, you best hope the box is pretty much crushed if you want to get
reimbursed. Seems fair enough to me.
Off the Canada Post website......................
Insurance
Insurance is available from Canada Post to provide compensation for the loss or damage of mailable items if the requirements are met.
In Canada, mailable items can be insured except for the following:
a.Publications mail items;
b.Bank notes and coins;
c.Stocks, bonds, coupons, and other securities negotiable by bearer;
d.Lottery tickets;
e.Jewellery;
f.Precious stones and manufactured precious metals;
g.Canceled or uncanceled postage stamps.
It should be noted that insurance can be purchased in conjunction with other products or
In other words, don't ship a case of hollow Ostrich eggs to your uncle in Timbucktoo & then expect Canada Post
to pay for the damage when some of
them arrive broken. I've been through this with the head honchos at Canada Post many times & they are
always more than happy to pay out claims if indeed the item was damaged because of excessive rough handling. EVEN when shipped to the USA.
Truth is, the majority of claims are due to poor packing on the sellers end, and for that Canada Post will not reimburse you. Makes sense to me & the USPS is no different.
As a matter of fact, I got 6 of them today! I must be damn importnat ...