I have NEVER requested signature option on my CP shipments and they have paid 2 out of 2 claims I have made. My rep in fact told me NOT to request signature option.
All my items are picked up by CP twice per week from my location at no charge. The drivers have been very courteus and n the odd time if my packages arent ready at my pre-described time, the driver will make his rounds and come back an hour or so later.
I can reach my rep at CP with a phone call or an email and always get an immediate response, not within a day but within minutes.
I compared the discounted CP and UPS pricing that I was given by each and found that for my shipments, CP was less expensive.
The only change was when CP started charging me based on cubic weight for 3 months however they are now only charging me based on cubic weight for perhaps 1 out of every 4 items and seem to be preferring to charge me based on actual weight.
When CP first introduced US Expedited, it was unreliable due to USPS, not CP. I had several packages taking over 4 weeks to be delivered however I have recently been receiving positive response from people about the fast economical shipping of my products into the US with Expedited.
I do not love CP. If you read comments I have made on other threads, this is something that has come through very clearly about my position with CP.
I feel that their discounting policies stink and should in fact be investigated. However, I have not shared the same experiences that you have related about CP, in fact quite the opposite.
I find that in terms of service, it breaks down when my goods cross the US border and are turned over to USPS.
CP has done an excellent job for me with all of my Canadian shipments and I am often astounded at how inexpensive I am able to ship some products out on a Friday afternoon from Ottawa and find that they have been delivered to my customer in Calgary on Monday morning.
As I collect shipping costs from my customers, I have never had a customer in Canada, the US or Internationally tell me that my shipping charges were too high and often I have enough built in to what I charge to pay for my packaging materials as well.
As long as i am not out of pocket and the costs are accepted by the customers, my only true concern is that the packages are delivered in time and in good condition and I have have had very few instances where I could say I was not pleased with CPs overall service.
Whatever works best for you, that is what is important. Clearly CP is not the answer for your shipping needs and on the other side of the coin, UPS doesnt stand up to the plate for me.
Malcolm
