CP On-line shipping tools/Small Packet US

[catseye*]

I normally just run down to the post office BUT, with all the talk about the online tools I thought I'd look into it further. (Note, I can't use the Desktop version because I'm on a Mac, so need the Online version)

I have a couple of questions.

The majority of my shipping is small packet to the US. In every 10 parcels, approximately 8 would be SP US, 1 Expedited US, and 1 Expedited Canada.

For my Expedited US and Canada, I use my Venture one.

Now, going thru the CP online for small packet, it seems like a lot of work to enter one package. At the end, the price is the same (for SP US). And I still have to go to the post office to drop everything off.

Am I missing something? Ideas?

Lainey

[vesivus]

You are correct. I just recently starting using the online EST tools, and I found the same thing.

Benefits:
- No waiting in line
- no need to fill out that stupid white customs form
- all charges to credit card -- very easy

Drawbacks:
- Type in the customer info instead of writing it on the package
- Need a phone number sometimes... usually have to request it through eBay's info service.

John

[catseye*]

I often do all my packaging at night, then take it to the PO the next day.

Is this still possible with the on-line version, or does everything need to be at the PO the same day?

[llee2]

catseye,

You don't need to drop them off the same day. They can be dropped off anytime. Personally, I find EST more work, so for small packets I just use the counter considering there is no discount for them. I've found that the EST gets me a better price for Expedited and Xpresspost for Canada. Even moreso than the V1 counter rate. So, that's about the only thing I use the EST for.

Lincoln

[mrarmbo]

for 6.00 a week they will come pick up any amount of packages from your doorstep..if you have enough volume they wave that fee as well...i figure it costs 6.00 minimum in time and gas to go to post office and you still have to wait in line sometimes...call up canada post sales line they will arrange it happily

[javax.swing]

If you haven't seen it:

http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=44&thread=100017525

I'm going to call them and see what this is all about.

[javax.swing]

Oh, and I suggest signing up for a commercial account. Read http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=44&thread=100017316 for more details and a sample calculation of the "default" (I guess, I didn't do anything to get it except sign up) PowerSeller CP discount. That'll help offset the rate hike if you're still using V1 to mail parcels.

[catseye*]

Like I said, I seldom get any discount because the majority of my parcels are under 1Kg.

[shoplineca]

mrarmbo
When did they start charging $6 per week?

The charge starts at $16 per week on a sliding scale down to $0 charge if you ship about 20 packaged (Express Post/Expedited? per week.

I can show you my bills from last year. At $16 per week for my slow weeks, I dropped the service.

Malcolm

[mrarmbo]

no idea malcolm...all i know is that is what my sales rep told me..maybe its different depending on where you live..


Richard %0)

[shoplineca]

Richard
Your sales rep is wrong, as are most. Primarily because they are ill-informed.

Mine told me $0 charge in the beginning as well and then after a few months they started charging me.

I attended an eBay seminar where a CP rep was there and talked to the group and he confirmed you pay for pick ups unless you are doing over 100 packages per month (EX and EP) and even then he thought that there was a charge.

I have come to learn that the CP reps are told one thing and the billing department does what the hell they want.

That is why I have accumulated over $2,700 in CP deductions so far with at least $400 of that being pick up charges that I refise to pay.

Malcolm

[mahsauction]

One benefit of using Online tools that hasen't been mentioned is hidden postage with small packets. No dollar amounts are displayed on the packing label. The same applies for Expedited Canada. Unfortuantely Expedited US does display the postage on the label.

[catseye*]

Yeah, it might be worth it just for the 'stealth' postage.

[shoplineca]

With a CP account there is no postage displayed either, only your bill of lading which has no information about the cost.

Malcolm

[ospreylinks]

Again, online shipping tools.... produce no manifest.

Jeff

[javax.swing]

As of this morning after all my updates to Desktop EST, my parcel rates have gone up like they were supposed to, but my Small Packet rates have not.

It does say:

As part of our annual price adjustment for all Canada Post services on January 17, 2005, there will be price and service changes to the following domestic and international Shipping and Delivery Services:

# USA and International Small Packets (counter prices)
# International Air and Surface Parcels (counter prices)

COUNTER PRICES.

I'm going to cross my fingers and hope that my small packet rate doesn't go up.