Another reason we have given up on Canada Post

[snoopwiz]

Hi all. A month or so ago, we posted that we have left Canada Post and now use Fed-Ex for our shipping. Besides the much more inexpensive rates (with our negotiated discount as opposed to the measly 5% Venture Discount from CP), the REAL tracking system, and the dependable shipping times, CP has just given us one more reason to break all ties.

Our last CP shipment was a Small Packet Air to California from here in Toronto. We shipped on Feb 17, item received yesterday (March 14) 25 days? To California? Is it just me or is something terribly wrong with this?

A phone call to CP brought the usual "its not a guaranteed service time sir" Well, CP, we may only spend $400-600 a month on shipping but, we our GUARANTEE to you CP is, you will not be seeing a nickel of it until you have shown us that you have turned things around and get more in tune with small business needs. Buh-Bye

[cello10]

Hi Snoopwiz,

Do you use Fed Ex to the US? Is it cost effective?...I ship primarily small packet and am wondering if that is viable via fed ex...would love to get your input.

Thanks in advance,
Marcello

[long_hitter]

I would like to hear about that too, I use Small Packet AIr too Is FedEx ground competitive to that?

[whoscloset]

I use UPS and have negotiated substantial volume discounts. The couriers are more than competitive to the U.S. for all items over 1 kg if you have the volume to negotiate a discount. Under that weight, they are not so competitive, but the service more than makes up for it.

[scouttech-outfitters]

Will Fed Ex and UPS pick up free without a promised # of parcels?

I've been considered transferring my Commercial Expedited and Canada Post Express USA shipments to UPS because their 3 day GUARANTEED is the same price as Commercial Exp USA (5-8 days and definatly not guaranteed) and cheaper that Can Post Express which is 4-5 days)

The only reason I havnt taken the time to switch yet is because Canada Post picks up from my home for free 🙂

[jakeeangel]

Are you sure the CP pick up is free? It's my understanding that they charge for it.

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[snoopwiz]

Having just recently started using Fed-Ex, we are paying a measly $6.00 a week for daily pick up. Thats whether you need them once or 5 times a weeek. Hopefully, once our "probation" period ends with Fed-Ex, they will drop those charges however, the $'s we are saving on the larger shipments we make, more than makes up for that. We will still use CP for our under 1 kg business which is a tiny percentage point or two of our business. Right now, the couriers just cant compete in that category. If speed is your only concern, then courier is the way to go but be prepared, even with a discount, to still pay a chunk more than CP small packet rates.

[whoscloset]

I used to have daily pick-up from UPS and it cost me a minor charge along the lines of $6.00 per week. I switched to "call for pick-up" and now I'm not charged anything.

[javax.swing]

The problem with UPS for me is that their counter rates are so high compared to FedEx to begin with - i.e. you need a much bigger discount with UPS to compensate for this. It makes negotiating a discount difficult for someone that sends out relatively few, but large and heavy packages.

[bad_manors]

Seeing that Whoscloset is using FedEx for their larger fragile rather excellent stuff leads me to believe that FedEx has upgraded their hiring from a pulse and opposable thumbs to people that care how they handle stuff.

[rschafer]

I also have something to add about CP. I use to send items by small packet, which has $100.00 insurance included. Well they have lost a few of them and I tried to file a claim. Here is what I have been told.... You must wait 75 days to file a claim for a small packet, then phone the claims dept. and they will send out forms within 2 weeks. Then you must fill them in, include receipts and mail back to them. They will then start the claim and you should have your money in 60 to 90 days. So I have to wait for almost 6 months to get the insurance on this item. I have switched to express post now because you can file a claim after 15 business days.

[recped]

I have switched to express post now because you can file a claim after 15 business days.

But you still have to go through all the same "tactics" when you file the claim.
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[ligori]

I had a too much hard time during the Holiday season with Canada post that I'm now using ups for every shipment. The delivery time for North America has been of 2-5business days depending the buyer location. You got a free $100 coverage as well.
I gonna try to negociate their rates though as they are quite expensive.

[cartoonsinabox]

I see alot of sellers having problems with Canada Post. We have been using another company that ships international (USA, Europe and rest of the world) with very good shipping rates. Its called SPRING and they have special rates with UPS and USPS(please note that you have to ship at least 30 parcels a week) and alot faster then Canada Post and cheaper.

If anyone is ever interested please email me and and I will email you there toll free telephone. Trust me they are alot faster then Canada Post and less expensive then there SMALL PACKET SERVICE (read our Feedback on client satisfaction/ exemple: shipping to UK delay about 4 to 7 business days service AIR MAIL).
Frederic

[marcopoloca]

Anyone uses Purolator and has opened an account with them?

[whoscloset]

I had a Purolator rep come in to quote pricing, but they couldn't touch the rates UPS was offering with my discount.

[vesivus]

I've contacted almost every courier company, and nobody can touch Canada Post's rates, and DHL isn't even opening up any accounts for business (they haven't for almost a year now)! Wow.

I'm interested in SPRING -- I've never heard of them before?

John

[whoscloset]

John,

By law, no one is allowed to touch Canada Post's rates for basic service within Canada. All the courier's should be able to beat their prices on U.S. shipments on items over 1 kg, however.

[wholesale_beautyproducts4u]

I have negotiated an excellent rate with Purolator I started shipping aound 100 packages a week so they actually sent me my own computer and label printer. They actually set me up with a piost office in my store and ethy pcik up everyday. It is about 60% cheaper than CP rates to the us and is 2-5 days ground. My rates to ontario are cheaper as well but out west Cp is still a bit cheaper.. by 1 or 2 dollars.