eBay

montrealmaps · ‎09-21-2005

I got 40 or more emails like this. About 80% of the canadian customers complain about the shipping price. 10% refuse to complete the transaction because of that. I think, our lovely Canada Post will prepare another nice surprise shortly; any information about rise of prices in January/February 2006?

The letter:

(...) However the first purchase brought a surprise, although as to principle rather than amount. You yourself state that you are willing to send from Canada to US for 5 USD. Then further away, Worldwide (or international, eg. to Russia, Japan, Australia, etc) for 6 USD. But your fellow citizen, fellow Canadian, to send within Canada you charge ... 7 USD!!!?? I hope it is just a misprint on your invoice or other mistake.(...)

Andrew

jakeeangel · ‎09-21-2005

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for your bid. Please go to the Canada Post website and learn about the outrageous rates and fees and fuel surcharges Canadians are subjected to by the monopoly known as Canada Post. www.canadapost.ca pppbbbbbllllltttt!!

Use much nicer words but you get the drift. 😞 Sucks don't it?

Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

delivery37 · ‎09-21-2005

To the US, we only ship to the border. Then USPS takes over. Within Canada, Canada post has to deliver right to your door.

It is strange to think of it, but that is the way it works. It is cheaper for me to ship to from Winnipeg to anywhere in the US, than to ship the same thing to Calgary. Sure the item will arrive in Calgary faster, and they include tracking. But I have no choice but to pay the greater amount.

jenzaka · ‎09-21-2005

We are all fighting a losing battle here. When I started using USPS as my main shipping method, I adjusted shipping costs accordingly. Now my Canadian customers pay the same as my US customers. That eliminated the angry e-mails about cost BUT now I get the "where's my item" letters from the Canadians....lol.
Joy

zarzuella · ‎09-22-2005

Joy,

Have any of your customers been charged duties and taxes yet?

jenzaka · ‎09-22-2005

Hi:
Not that I know of, but most of my items have a value of less than $20 and about half of my clothing items are used (I write that on the customs slip) I personally have had to pay duty on a few purchases I have made myself but they were higher priced items.
So far I haven't had anyone "complain" to me about it so I am assuming no one has been charged.
We switched to USPS for shipping mainly due to the cost of mailing cosmetic items within Canada. The big shock came when I mailed one blush to Vancouver. We were charged appx. $9 to send it. On the same day we shipped the same item to Japan and were charged $6. That was when I had to re-think the situation. I currently mail cosmetic items back into Canada from the USA, but I am selective about what other items I send back due to the time line and customs. I still try very hard to do what's best for my Canadian buyers (even though about 75% of my business is from the USA)
Joy