artsnflies
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posted on October 30, 2000 12:18:39 PM
A Canadian winner of one of our auctions was sent thier item on 10/19/00 via US Postal Global Priority mail. They were offered insurance and declined.
Today we received an email from the winner saying they haven't received it. The package hasn't been returned to us (yet) so it's somewhere in limbo.
What can we do about it? Without delivery conf there's no way for us to track it. Likewise, no way to be sure the buyer isn't try to pull a fast one.
There have been discussions about shipping to Canada before here. Any tips would be appreciated.
Thanks!
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abingdoncomputers
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posted on October 30, 2000 12:22:18 PM
I don't think there are any problems associated with shipping to Canada (lost packages) that we don't also have with shipping to the USA. I ship to Canada often and have never had a package lost. I wish I could help but I don't think there is much that you can do. Maybe someone else can offer more assistance.
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reddeer
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posted on October 30, 2000 12:26:25 PM
I live in Canada, and first off, read this thread.
http://www.auctionwatch.com/mesg/read.html?num=2&thread=269728
For some unknown reason the mail from certain parts of the U.S. have been moving VERY slowly lately?
I once had payment sent via USPS Global Priority mail that took 30 days to get from OH to Western Canada.
Tell your Canuck customer to sit back & relax, it may be awhile.
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VeryModern
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posted on October 30, 2000 12:28:04 PM
I would buy time. Tell them that you are very sorry the package has been delayed, reassure them that you did send it and suggest they continue to be patient. Odds are excellent that it shows up one place or the other - very few parcels go missing permanently. It is unfortunate, but it really isn't your fault.
FWIW we have had packages lost for as long as 9 weeks but every single one (over 1500) has shown up eventually.
Good luck.
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beaversmall
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posted on October 30, 2000 01:28:42 PM
You had to have filled out a customs form. At the bottom of the form it says "Notice to senders : Copy 4 of this customs declaration is filed at the post office for 30 days from the date of mailing". Contact your post office & see if they will give a copy, then contact customs to see if it has cleared. At least you will be able to prove you sent it. Also the post offices have these neat new computer systems, that actually print a receipt that shows destination + zip code along with the date & time I shipped it. It does not matter if a buyer wants insurance or not, I always request a printed receipt from the post office. The old receipts only showed the amount to ship it, no destination or zip, if you shipped 10 orders that weighed different it took you hours trying to figure it out. All I can say is start getting those printed receipts & keep it on hand until you hear from the buyer they received the package.
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RB
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posted on October 30, 2000 01:48:49 PM
Whoa Lightning!
Before you start checking with the post office or agitating your customer by having them check, remember that Canada Customs has a habit of snooping. If you didn't fill out the customs form, if you ticked off "gift", or if you declared a false value for the item, Customs will hold it until they are ready to release it. Seeing as how you mailed it only a few (working) days ago, you should tell your buyer to relax.
Obviously, your buyer has little experience with Canada/USA/Canada shipments if they are harassing you so soon after mailing.
Good luck 
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kasue
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posted on October 30, 2000 01:49:17 PM
Beaversmall, how would one go about contacting customs?
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beaversmall
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posted on October 30, 2000 02:06:25 PM
kasue : Local airport has customs department.
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Zazzie
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posted on October 30, 2000 02:26:20 PM
It's only been 10 days---just cause you paid for Global Priority---that won't mean it will arrive quickly.
Tell buyer to sit tight and blame customs
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eventer
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posted on October 30, 2000 02:30:49 PM
I frequently send items to Canada (and have 1 large, living item I'd like to send there permanently) and even w/Global Priority, it can take more time than it would in the US. Some areas of Canada just have slower service than others.
I would advise them to give it a bit longer. Once it leaves the hands of the USPS, they can't really "guarantee" when it will be delivered.
Start worrying after another week or so.
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kasue
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posted on October 30, 2000 02:38:00 PM
The Canadian buyers I have worked with tell me not to insure it. The reason they give is that our postal insurance is no good once it passes over into Canada anyway. If I buy insurance anyway, and the package doesn't arrive, does the post office pay off? I don't really understand this. Can someone clear this up?
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runaroundsue
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posted on October 30, 2000 03:07:59 PM
Kasue,
1. Tell your Canadian buyers insurance does work in Canada. I have submitted a claim on a broken shipment, and the US insurance did cover it from Here (I am in Canada). The seller needs to fax or send the slip to the recipient, who takes the box to the Post Office, and gets re-imbursed.
2. Ten days is well within the realm of delivery time...often parcels coming from the US can take up to 21 days, so advise him to hold on...I have the same problem as a seller reassuring my US customers that their package is not lost, just late. We are a different country, and when Customs gets involved (which it usually does when packages come into the country over $25.00 value), it holds things up a day or two while they type up their duty taxes to stick on the shipment.
This time of year, things tend to slow down as well, as the "civilians" start sending out their holiday packages.
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RB
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posted on October 30, 2000 03:31:56 PM
eventer ... not wishing to start "another" war here, but remember that a package going from the USA to Canada spends 1/2 of it's journey in the care of the USPS. Don't be so quick to blame Canada Post
Now, Canada Customs on the other hand ....
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artsnflies
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posted on October 30, 2000 05:28:01 PM
Thanks everyone for your comments. We're pretty sure it's on it's way safely and will justtake some time. We haven't shipped much to Canada so we weren't sure and the buyer was emailing us for info.
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/artsnflies/
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eventer
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posted on October 30, 2000 06:05:47 PM
RB,
No "war" starting here..unless you WANT to be taken over by the U.S. & get those postal fees back under control. 
The only reason I mentioned this was because it's my CANADIAN customer's who complain about their own postal system & the slowness. I feel their pain. 
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cdnbooks
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posted on October 30, 2000 08:10:12 PM
eventer
"(and have 1 large, living item I'd like to send there permanently)"
That lady causing you trouble again. Hard to believe.
Bill
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RB
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posted on October 30, 2000 08:15:56 PM
eventer ... I think your Canadian customers are probably complaining about the rates and the lastest increase. I also think it is fairly common knowledge that Canada Post is one of the most efficient mail delivery systems in the world ...
As I said earlier, as soon as Customs enters the picture, things go downhill.
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eventer
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posted on October 30, 2000 08:35:12 PM
Bill,
If we didn't have an extradition treaty, I'd have left her there last summer.
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