quickdraw29
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posted on December 17, 2000 10:07:56 AM new
I shipped a 6 pound package airmail to Canada for appr. $9.00, which is right. Yesterday I shipped a two pound package to Canada for $15. What figures? He origionally put a postage sticker for $4.67, stamped small packet airmail, then went back looking at the rates really confused. He ended putting it Global Priority Mail which has the same ship time as small packet airmail, but costs $10 more. I asked him why I'm paying so much and he just shrugged his shoulders. I should have taken back the package, but my stress reduction sessions have made me less confrontational (lol). I'm calling visa and disputing the charges unless they refund my difference. I guess this is just a heads up to other sellers.
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Wedgewood
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posted on December 17, 2000 10:29:30 AM new
quickdraw29: Would you please clarify your message a bit.
Who is "he" and why were the rates changed?
I am curious, as I am Canadian and am often amazed at the discrepancies in shipping costs from the US. The last two items I received (they were small pieces, under 2 pounds and less that 6" x 8" in size) had shipping costs of $16 and $18 respectively. Similar packages in the past cost anywhere from $4 - $6 at most.
I have stopped buying on eBay because of this, as our dollar exchange rate is so high right now that $16 US postage is costing me about $24 Canadian - which is way to high for my pocket book.
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reddeer
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posted on December 17, 2000 10:39:34 AM new
I would think most sellers shipping from the USA, would realize that when shipping Internationally via "Global Priority Mail", it's going to be far more expensive than Small Packet Air?
Wedgewood ..... Have you tried doing searches off of the eBay Canada site?
http://pages.ca.ebay.com/index.html
[ edited by reddeer on Dec 17, 2000 10:41 AM ]
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borgt
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posted on December 17, 2000 12:37:40 PM new
I always check the USPS site for international shipments. That way I can accurately quote a shipping/handling price to the customer, AND know what I should be paying when I get to the post office. There are several occasions that I've educated new clerks about international book rates available to many countries. (it's pretty sad when i know more about the rates than they do!)
I do charge a VERY small handling fee (usually under $1) for international sales, since I have to stand in line at the PO for them. Domestic items I print my owm postage and drop them on the dock.
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chasd7
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posted on December 17, 2000 12:46:12 PM new
Search it out print it out and be ready to do battle with the clerk.
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jlb444
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posted on December 17, 2000 01:43:24 PM new
Was your 2 pound box bigger? Once a box goes over a very small size, say bigger than a shoe box international packages are no longer considered "small packet". The then go by another rate which is a lot higher. I one time had to go back home and repack a box overseas because the post guy told me if I could get it about an inch smaller it could go "small packet"
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outoftheblue
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posted on December 17, 2000 03:13:35 PM new
Wedgewood
"The last two items I received (they were small pieces, under 2 pounds and less that 6" x 8" in size) had shipping costs of $16 and $18 respectively."
I don't see where the confusion is. A 2 pound package to Canada should cost:
Small Packets - Airmail: $5.60
Tack on $1.00 for handling and you should pay $6.60 max...
Even Parcel Post - Airmail for larger packages should only be: $12.61
You were gouged pretty bad on those two items. You can check out the rates your self using the international rate calculator on the USPS web site. http://ircalc.usps.gov/
[ edited by outoftheblue on Dec 17, 2000 03:15 PM ]
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quickdraw29
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posted on December 18, 2000 12:12:35 AM new
Wedgewood, "he" refers to the government mob clerk at the post office. He changed the rates because he was confused, as I spent ten minutes waiting for him to figure out the rate.
The reason you're paying over $15 sometimes for packages from the U.S. is because you're getting it Global Priority, which is another term for "scam" devised by the government mob. The small packet airmail has the same ship time and costs 1/3 less. Tell your seller to ship it small packet airmail and you'll save lots of money.
Reddeer, this is the first time I noticed the difference. Usually the clerk will ask "Airmail?" and I say yes. I always thought Airmail and Global were the same. (they are exept for the cost).
jib444, the box was small. My other 6 pound package was at least 3x bigger and cost $6 less to ship.
\"It's lonely at the top, but you eat better.
\"
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cix
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posted on December 18, 2000 01:07:50 AM new
Now wait a minute hear. Something is not right. I too ship items to Canada all the time and I just noticed a sharp increase in cost myself.
I went to the PO and went to ship an item to Canada that weighed 1 pound and 8.2 ounces in a box measuring 4" X 4" X 6".
Needless to say I was upset when the clerk told me it was $12.61 Parcel Post !!!!!
It was the cheapest way to send it and I had to pay the extra out of my pocket !!!
I am not sure what is going on, but I will have to stop selling to Canada now. I plan on stating it in my auctions now.
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albertaradical
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posted on December 18, 2000 01:38:33 AM new
I am based in Canada and ship to US and across Canada regularly. I had the post office tell me that their computers are designed to give you the most expensive rate for the shipment unless you demand, yes demand, that the package go by a lower, more appropriate rate. They are not trained to help you save money, only to get the maximum revenue for the Post Office. In Canada we get a brochure with the various rates and you have to show them the category you want to ship in. Sometimes you have to show them two or three times!! Most are not rocket scientists!!
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jozi
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posted on December 18, 2000 05:52:54 AM new
I am in Canada and have been coming across this a lot with US sellers. They are coming back to me with quotes of 13$ to $20 shipping prices for very small items... It's very irritating because I KNOW that it could be much less!
I have to ask them for the measurements and package weight and then I look it up on the USPS website and then I email the buyer with the shipping info (usually small packet airmail...) and they are usually very surprised that their package qualifies as small packet. I think that there is this preconceived notion that a "small packet" is a package no bigger than a sardine can.
I also don't mind paying a bit more if the seller has to use purchased packing supplies, especially if it means that I can receive something for about $4 postage rather than $14!
However, I just had one seller insist that her shipping charge HAD to be correct because it's what the post office quoted her... Argh! From now on, when I send my email to the seller at the end of the auction, letting them know that I am in Canada, I will ask if they can send my package via the small packet airmail rate.
Jozi
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kudzurose
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posted on December 18, 2000 06:48:48 AM new
Everyone who posted that you should look it up yourself at the postal webe site, PRINT IT OUT and TAKE IT WITH YOU is right on the money! It is amazing how little some postal clerks know about the rates and services.
One clerk who was overcharging me recently for a package to Canada informed me that "small packet" meant something like a box about 4" square! A supervisor had to correct her before I was quoted the right amount.
If you just assume the postal clerk is right and you are wrong, it will cost you $$$.
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jozi
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posted on December 18, 2000 07:37:15 AM new
Just to expand on what kudzurose said...
The dimensions for small packet (to Canada anyways...) are that they must not exceed 36 inches combined total (width + length + depth) and the length must not be any more than 24 inches.
Small packet does not mean wallet-sized.
Jozi
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canvid13
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posted on December 18, 2000 08:09:28 AM new
If doctors performed the way that a lot of sellers perform there'd be a lot of dead people around!!
I find that most sellers in the US are very lazy. They won't ship internationally because it means filling out a little bit of paperwork.
I sell a third of my items Internationally. I even charge a fee into my S&H fee to cover the time of filling out the paperwork and I have a lot of happy customers.
DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Why would you run a mail-order company without knowing the rates or how to get them??
A little professionalism can go a loooong way towards success!!
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cdnbooks
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posted on December 18, 2000 08:53:36 AM new
Jozi
I always suggest that they use small packet airmail (which starting in January is simply letter airmail) when I respond to an EOA email with my Canada address. Assuming it is an appropriately sized item.
If I have asked to bid on a US only item, I also estimate the shipping and give the seller the link to the USPS international rate calculator. I do this on the assumption that they ship internationally very infrequently.
Bill
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reddeer
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posted on December 18, 2000 09:34:41 AM new
A little professionalism can go a loooong way towards success!!
LMAO! Now that's funny!
What's that old saying about the pot calling the kettle black? Hmmmmmm.
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on December 18, 2000 10:00:26 AM new
A little professionalism can go a loooong way towards success!!
Not only that, it can keep you from becoming suspended, too. 
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reddeer
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posted on December 18, 2000 01:32:37 PM new
Eggzactly.
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cix
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posted on December 18, 2000 05:11:44 PM new
FOLLOW UP :
If you look up you will see my previous post about how the Post Office got me on shipping to Canada (under 2 pound item for over $12 bucks).
WELL,
I went to the post office today with a very large box (actually a 15" computer monitor box, which if you are familiar with these boxes it is quite large). Anyway, this box weighed 8 pounds and was very big.
The same clerk that charged me $12.00 for a box under 2 pounds 4" X 4" X 6 ", quoted me $16 for this 8 pound box over 2' squared !!
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE ???
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jthorner
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posted on December 18, 2000 11:51:05 PM new
The clerk doesn't know what they are doing. Isn't that obvious ?
As far as the "lazy us sellers" comment: Shipping internationally consumes 10x more time than a domestic shipment for those of us in the USA who use a postage meter, and for small sales it simply is not worth the trouble.
Don't even get me started about the international customer who want me to go find a Western Union office to receive mailgram payment!
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cdnbooks
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posted on December 19, 2000 05:10:00 AM new
....there was probably a Western Union counter at your local grocery store. There is at mine. And even eBay sellers have to take time to eat.
Bill
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labbie1
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posted on December 19, 2000 06:03:18 AM new
After eating some postage to Canada, I now wrap the item and have the PO weigh it at small packet surface and airmail rate. It seems to differ significantly from the internet calculator at the USPS site--sometimes by quite a bit.
Perhaps the USPS internet site is based on a median amount and not the actual amount based on the sender's address. Or perhaps changes happen so fast in currency difference that it isn't corrected on the USPS site.
I haven't figured it out, but it nearly ALWAYS differs--and never in my favor!
*************
Fill hungry tummys this Holiday Season with the NFL and Chunky Soup: http://www.chunky.com/click_cans.cfm
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angelstruck
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posted on December 20, 2000 06:36:57 AM new
I am so glad someone posted this topic.Being a new seller I decided to give international shipping a try myself. My first customers were from Canada England and Isreal. I packed up their stuff took it to the PO and had it weighed. Was quoted a shipping price.. Went home gave shipping price to buyers.. Of course buyers had a fit so I checked it on the USPS website sure enough buyer was right. So when Payment comes and I take it to PO to send clerk gives me yet another different price.. Of course more than what the website said it would cost. The end result is I ended up eating alot of shipping and 2 of my packages never arrived. So I stoppped sending International...It was soooo Frustrating.
Example the package to England pre quote 12.40.... website 4.54 actual ship 13.00
It never arrived.
Angel
Go sell crazy someplace else... Were all stocked up here
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cdnbooks
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posted on December 20, 2000 06:39:39 AM new
I am absolutely amazed at what Americans put up with when it comes to Post Offices, Banks and ballot counting.
Bill
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belalug3
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posted on December 20, 2000 07:38:39 AM new
I do agree that since International mail usually requires standing in a Post Office line (mine average 20 minutes) and additional paperwork, adding a small handling charge ($2 or $3) is not a horrible act. Recently I tried to ship an LP (record) by surface mail to Holland. The postal clerk INSISTED it would cost the same, $8, to send by small packet air or surface mail. What was I going to do, argue with her in front of 20 people in line? So I plunked down the $8 for the package, ate the $3, and walked away with my head down. What would you have done differently?
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mrpotatoheadd
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posted on December 20, 2000 07:47:36 AM new
What would you have done differently?
I would bring a printout from the USPS online calculator showing the rates. If the clerk did not agree, I'd ask to see a supervisor. And I wouldn't let the fact that there were 20 people in line get in the way of paying the proper amount to send the item.
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kudzurose
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posted on December 20, 2000 08:39:25 AM new
I agree with mrpotatohead. You would be doing those people standing in line a favor if you got a supervisor involved so the clerk could learn a little more about his/her job. Might save someone else some money in the future.
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pickersangel
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posted on December 20, 2000 08:59:13 AM new
One possible source of different shipping costs that I haven't seen mentioned is registered/insured vs. straight small parcel shipping. I've sent to Canada, and had no problem shipping at the rates quoted on the USPS site. However, I squirm a bit at sending things with no proof of shipment, which is what I inevitably end up doing because the person refuses to pay for registered mail, since you can't insure to Canada on small packet airmail for less than an arm and a leg.
always pickersangel everywhere
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cdnbooks
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posted on December 21, 2000 05:53:35 AM new
pickersangel
(Something I face heading in the opposite direction on almost every sale.)
When I buy from an American seller who wants me to insure a small item I confirm via email that I will accept the risk of loss in the mail. Insured parcel post or registered small packet is just too expensive. I like to get items via small packet air if they are small enough.
Another option would be to look at u-pic.
Bill
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labbie1
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posted on December 21, 2000 06:10:28 AM new
Does U-Pic insure internationally?
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