Canada Post Expedited Service Now Averaging 18-20 Days To US??

[snoopwiz]

Ever since early December, a vast majority of our shipments via Canada Post Expedited Service has been taking, on average, 18-20 days to the U.S. We are shipping from Toronto and it doesn't seem to matter if its going to New York, Florida, California or points in between. I can understand the holiday season back-log adding a few days however, phoning the Post Office for an explanation only seems to bring me a "it's not a guaranteed delivery time of 7-8 business days, thats just an estimate". When i asked why over 99% of all our packages to the US over the previous 2 years would arrive within the alloted 7-8 biz days, I was told that, I'm sorry, I really don't know and is there anything else I can help you with?"
Looking forward to hearing from others in similar (or not) situations with CP expedited service.

[ciderantiques]

Yes, I agree, "Expedited" is a very misleading term. Even more misleading that I knew apparently ! It seems Canadapost has come up with a unique term for "fast" surface mail and the USPS isn't buying it. I guess I will try to keep those parcels under 1 kilo and use Airmail Small Packet.

[magisterrex]

Canada Post's service has been abysmal lately. Simply awful. Lost packages, charging money for a returned package, demanding my first-born before issuing a refund...

It's like this year's price increase was accompanied by a memo from the top to lower the service.

If any courier service gives me a decent rate, it's "bye-bye" for CP.

[snoopwiz]

Hello again. Since my original post, we have migrated all our "larger" packages to Fed-Ex. A typical package we may ship would be 24 x 24 x 15 and weigh 25 lbs. Canada Post Expedited Service to California would be $75.67 which includes the oh so generous 5% Venture Discount. The same parcel via Fed-Ex ground service is $42.92 (our discount included) The delivery times for this service from CP is 8-9 business days, from Fed-Ex is 7 business days. The tracking system, unlike Canada Post's pseudo-system, literally walks you through every step, outlining where the package is, when it got there, when it left, and so on for each scan location. CP's would tell us when it was dropped off at our local CP Office, when it left the main sorting plant (in our case, Mississauga) and that was it. The next post to their tracking system would usually be a day (or 2) AFTER it was delivered. Woo-Hoo. The downside of Fed-Ex, for us anyways is, much more paperwork and we still find it a fair bit cheaper to ship the ocassional small packet (under 1 kg) via Canada Post. So, as it stands for now, Fed-Ex has won 80% of our business and hopefully, in time, will do something about their under 1 kg category rates and will have all our business. We phoned Canada Post this past Friday to explain why and what we have done, using the above-mentioned typical box size/weight as an example. Their response to us sounded something like this, ah, err, um, well. Pretty much what we had expected. As long as Fed-Ex keeps their service level as they have shown over the past month, they will have won our business.

[yangsterksi]

Hey i'd like to share this gem of a story about the lovely CP expedited parcel within Canada. I ordered a couple of packages off bestbuy website and they shipped out 2 orders with 2 tracking numbers (why they didn't put it in one box to save shipping...that's another story). So the packages were both shipped out on a Monday from the Ontario factory out to Vancouver. The smaller package arrived on the Thursday. But it was delivered to the wrong house. More on this later. The second package arrived on Friday...to the wrong house again. How did i know they went to the wrong house might you ask? I recieved a phone call from the individual who's house they just dropped the package off to. All the while if you were to track the tracking # on the CP website it shows it landed in Vancouver then the next line said "sucessfully delivered to recievers address" So this leaves me scrathing my head pretty hard. What good is the tracking of expedited parcel to begin with. The only person comfirming that the package was delivered is the driver. If it wasn't for a good samertian act I wouldn't have known about the whole fiasco.



As for the second package that's an even more bizarre story. I didn't get any phone call about that one. It just showed up in front of my door wrapped in a garbage bag and there was a pile of graffiti all over the box.



The whole thing just makes me shake my head. When I called up CP customer service to figure out what happened they told me the driver was new. Hah so this new driver confused Blenheim St with West 29th Ave.



So I think the whole moral of the story is if you want to prove that a package you sent or recieved got to where it was supposed to go you need to pay for the signature option. My little rant and story on the subpar service I have recieved from CP. I just thank God they haven't lost any of the packages I've sent out.

[antoine-watteau]

Hi, today was the last day for me with Canadapost. Expresspost to Italy (should take 5-8 days), has still not arrived after 4 weeks ! Small-Pakages to the US and Europe: lost, damaged and/or arrive after 7 weeks. Expedided or whatever they call that expensive slow-parcel takes around 3 to 4 weeks from Eastern Canada to the US. Jesus, what's going on here ? I have shipped from the US directly (cleared through customs myself) and shipped a regular parcel for US$ 6.80 ! The same parcel (Expedided) from Canada was CAN$ 23.57 or whatever. They should raise the prices more, seems to be a "low profit".....

So I switched to Fedex. But that does not seem to be a solution !

You need a customs broker for each Fedex-Ground parcel over 200.- $ (yes, twohundred) value, the charge for that is around 70.-$. And all or more of the profit is gone.....
Fedex-Express is too expensive.....

I have just enough with Canadapost and now it did not even start with Fedex and it's difficult as well.

It would not surprise me if we all pay around 100.- $ for a parcel to the US, plus Customs or Broker fees of another 200.- $ in the near future.

So how do you guys ship ?

[snoopwiz]

We were well aware of the need to use a customs broker for items $200+ from here to the USA. There is an option though. Inquire about a 3rd party parcel insurer. There are lots of threads with excellent info in the U.S.PS Discussion Board regarding this subject. Perhaps you can still ship via Fed-Ex showing a value of $199 and insure it for a few bucks with one of the many 3rd party insurers. We are only just starting to look into that. As 90% of our items are priced between $50-175, its not a huge concern for us YET. We do have 2 listing for $1000+ items (ending tonight) and have clearly stated in the TOS that brokerage, duty and taxes, if imposed, are the sole responsibility of the high bidder. Always a good idea to cover thy backside in that way. Will post again when we dig up some concrete ideas.

[snoopwiz]

This name seems to come up a lot in the U.S Power Sellers Discussion Board. Perhaps worth checking out? http://www.dsiinsurance.com/

[stittsville11]

I have experienced all these same problems with Expedited Shipping since December. It is an embarrassement for Canada Post and a gigantic hassle for me. I try to prewarn customers about the extended delivery time but people are justifiably unhappy about the length of time it is taking expedited parcels to arrive. I have one from January 4 that has still not arrived. Filing a trace or even calling a CP customer service rep is a big waste of time. Another parcel arrived smashed to smithereens and the demands CP placed upon me and the purchaser for refund were absolutely impossible.

I have used small packet airmail with better results but am concerned that there is no tracking number. Doesn't this leave you swinging in the breeze should a complaint be filed via Paypal?

Finally, I have a small packet international surface package to Hong Kong that has been in the pipe 4 weeks. I warned the customer up front that delivery could take up to ten weeks. He freaked after 3, filed a complaint of non-receipt via Paypal. The Gods must have been smiling on me because I had been given a tracking number for this SP parcel by CP. I provided that number to Paypal and still the investigation continues because Paypal says their system can't confirm that tracking number even though the CP site provides full information for the package.

Rant mode off. I am VERY frustrated with Canada Post and crappy service. It is causing me endless headaches. I ship items withing 24 hours of purchase but Canada Post makes me look like a slow shipper. Arrgghhh.

[ciderantiques]

Hi Stittsville. I no longer provide the option of sending overseas parcels by surface mail. I state that in my auctions, and again on my ME Page. It does indeed take 8 to 10 weeks and is too stressful for all concerned. It just isn't worth the hassle. I would sweat this one out and never use International Surface mail again.

I'm still using those airmail stickers on expedited parcels. I have asked the clerk and I asked the manager at my local post office and was told it is OK.

Who am I to argue? They do arrive in less than 10 days.

That's my two cents worth.

[recped]

in the USA 8.10 gets you up to 70 LBS ANYWHERE in the USA in 2 Days FLAT. See the problem here??

OK I'm willing to be corrected but the only problem I see is an inability to use the USPS shipping calculator.

Please tell me what type of mail service allows you to ship 70lbs for $8.20 ANYWHERE within the USA.
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[lina-mallows]

1dealsavers- I am not certain that "nothing but contradictory stories" is a correct observation fro this thread. Apparently everyone is in agreement that Expedited Parcel Service is NOT would it should be.

I would never consider FedEx to the US- brokerage charges are obscene for certain higher values of items. As for UPS- don't go there!

When considering what it costs to ship from points within the US, to the US by USPS- we don't live in the US. And we have no intention, or ability to run our items over the border for posting.

Yes, there are some savings to be had by using USPS- though getting items to the US incurs an additional cost. HOWEVER, Canada is not the US, and at some point you have accept the reality that living in Canada, means using Canadian facilities, to bring about Canadian solutions.

If shipping is to expensive to the US using Canada Post, than consider the alternatives.

If the alternatives aren't viable, look to selling other items that are more conducive to reasonable shipping rates.

To quote the musing of a dear colleague, now passed- "If it doesn't fit in a standard #10 business envelope- DON'T SELL IT !!!".

In hindsight, Michael may have really hit the nail on the head!

[designofthetime]

Hi,

I have been selling on ebay for 7 years now, and I have been truly disgusted with Canada Post for the last couple of years now. With their huge increase 2 years ago last January, then these continual hikes each January, last summer adding on the fuel surcharge and then this last hike on January 16th. The last couple of hikes are making it extremely expensive to ship anything that is over 1 kilo. I now advise my U.S. clients who purchase items over 1 kilo, that they can use Expresspost (which is 1 week delivery), which thank goodness for the most part this service actually is. I then advise them there is GROUND Service (I don't call it Expedited, as this is a ludicrous term, I don't know who came up with that one at Canada Post)to which I add, this method can take over 2 weeks and to the Western states, as I am in Quebec, I state that it can be 3 weeks and more often than not it is. I also let them know that Canada Post does not insure for damage only for loss. Surprisingly, most of my clients go for the Expresspost service in the case of fragile items (which is mainly what I sell on ebay). But, I really do feel that we will definitely be losing clientele due to these increases. I had recently sold a decanter which cost $16.00 to ship expedited to California...she was not happy with it so she sent it back and the cost was only $10.40 by airmail here within 1 week. Then there is the postage out west in Canada from here, which again I cannot figure out, how can it cost more to ship a small package from here to Alberta or B.C. than to California? Who at Canada Post makes the decisions on what to charge, certainly not anybody who is sending packages!!! Anyway, I don't know what we can do as a whole, but I do know that there are a lot of Canadian ebayers who I am sure are not happy with Canada Post and I don't know if anyone has ever thought of coming up with some sort of group petition to outline the problems we are facing. Somebody at Canada Post at the top of the chain has to be forced to look at these issues and come up with something that makes sense...if this keeps up within another couple of years selling on ebay won't be viable due to there continual ridiculous increases...they are making huge profit.

MJ

[mhnclearance2005]

EXPEDITED IS A JOKE! I offer my customers a flexible and wide variety of shipping options. Because Most of my sales are products which are best shipped in cardboard tubes this forces me to use only Xpresspost or Expedited. I do not know why expedited even exists? Afterall, the tracking # only tells you 2 things; when the parcel was accepted at the post office and when the parcel arrived at the destination (IT NEVER TELLS YOU OR THE CUSTOMERS ANYTHING IN BETWEEN--Like UPS for example). And because of this and the now common 3-4 weeks delivery period I get customer emails about HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE or WHEN WAS IT SENT on a daily basis--love my customers, but the repetition of this is nauseating!

My recommendation is for Canada Post to be more flexible in on DIMENSIONS for parcel. If AIR Parcel allowed cardboard tubes to be shipped it would make my life sooooo much easier!

And as for the OVER 1 KILO packages, well forget about CanadaPost--they are way over priced! Send Canada Post a message by using an alternative like UPS. They do not deserve our business on heavier packages! I recently shipped a UPS 1+kilo for about 19.00 to the USA--guess what, it took less than a week and was about 18+ DOLLARS less than CanadaPost.

[recped]

For mailing poster tubes to the USA why are you not using Small Packet?

They do not deserve our business on heavier packages! I recently shipped a UPS 1+kilo for about 19.00 to the USA--guess what, it took less than a week and was about 18+ DOLLARS less than CanadaPost.

Something wrong with your calculations on this one, no way is ANY 1 - 1.5kg package to the USA $37.00 via CP.

Despite persistant claims in this thread THERE IS NO TRACKING for Expedited...it's DELIVERY confirmation ONLY (and CP don't claim anything else).

My Expedited NEVER take more than a week (Toronto to California).

I don't call it Expedited, as this is a ludicrous term

You may think it's ludicrous but it's a very common term used on the freight business and it ALWAYS means a second level (non priority) method of shipping.

I'm not a huge fan of CP in fact I've recently switched to exclusive use of USPS but please keep a least a little reality in your bitching and moaning.
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[lina-mallows]

While having nothing to do with delivery times- I do have an issue with the NEWER rules for Expedited Parcel.

We used to ship our coffee mugs in a 6" x 6" x 6" cube.

the NEWEST rules require that we mail in a 9" x 6" x 6" box.

As USPS regulations require that at least ONE side have a MINIMUM dimension of 8.5".

For the first few months we actually stuck on a small chocolate truffle box- with a note that read as follows:
This additional box has been applied to meet with the USPS postal regulations, requiring that the minimum dimension, on one side- for EXPEDITED PARCEL service, be no less than 241 mm.
We believe that being required to use a far larger box than necessary is wasteful. This is our solution to obtain the level of service (EXPEDITED PARCEL) we require.
We are sorry for any delay this may have caused.



This is one of those situation, where fortunately we squeak in at under a kilo, but we are forced to use more, and totally wasted packing material to meet this requirement.

Has anyone else run into similar situations where a larger box/package is required to meet the specifications of a specified class of mail?

[wsboyd]

I've just started to offer 'Surface' ( 2 to 8 weeks) or 'by Sea' (2 to 8 Months), & not mentioning ' Expedited '.

[recped]

the NEWEST rules require that we mail in a 9" x 6" x 6" box.

As USPS regulations require that at least ONE side have a MINIMUM dimension of 8.5".

The wacky part of this is that USPS does not have ANY minimum size restrictions except for envelopes and postcards for any class of mail including mail to Canada.
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[lina-mallows]

http://www.canadapost.ca/offerings/expedited_parcel_comm/us/about_specifications-e.asp


As the above website shows:
The minimum size for Expedited packages is 120mm x 140mm x 5mm


Regardless of what USPS thinks- CANADA POST definitely has minimum size requirements for Expedited Parcel.


I am uncertain where "recped" received their information regarding USPS policy.

There are absolutely minimum size requirements, imposed by USPS, for parcels within the US.

GOTO: http://www.usps.com/businessmail101/mailcharacteristics/parcels.htm


Machinable Parcels


"Machinable" parcels fit through the Postal Service’s automated parcel sorting machines. They must measure:


At least 3 inches high x 6 inches long x ¼ inch thick, and at least 6 ounces.
No more than 17 inches high x 34 inches long x 17 inches thick, and no more than 35 pounds (25 pounds for books or other printed matter).


Nonmachinable Parcels


Nonmachinable parcels have at least one dimension (including weight) that exceeds the limits for a machinable parcel. Other parcels are nonmachinable based on content, weight, or other physical characteristics.


Nonmachinable parcels are more difficult and costly for the Postal Service to process and deliver. To cover those extra costs, there is a surcharge for nonmachinable parcels.

--------------------------------------------------------

So, now understanding that the USPS DOES have minimum parcel size requirements- WHY ARE CANADA POST'S MINIMUM SIZE REQUIREMENTS LARGER THAN THE USPS REQUIRES ??????

Inquireing minds want to know.

[robomower]

I stopped selling on ebay just before Christmas 2005 and had noticed that the emails were starting to pour in about delivery delays but blamed it on the Christmas mailing rush. I then have taken a break from selling and am alarmed to see here that the deliveries have jumped to 3 and 4 weeks for Expedited as that is the service I use almost elusively.

Where is Ebay in this discussion?
Surely Ebay has a lot more clout than all of us combined to turn a few screws and push the right buttons on this problem with CP on our behalf!

Ebay Canada, where the hell are you? Get on it!
Look at the ridiculous responses and run-arounds your sellers are getting from Canada Post. What the hell happened on Jan. 1st. 2006 that just stopped the smooth 6 to 10 day deliveries to the US?

Ebay sales added a huge buck to CP over the last few years which they dearly need because their letter mail has fallen over a cliff with emails, online banking, electronic funds transfers etc.

Lack of insurance responsibilities by CP is a real issue when the US postal service provides it. On the other hand I understand CP's position, some packages are so poorly wrapped, I wouldn't try to carry them across the room without falling apart! But all they have to do is refuse to accept or insure poorly wrapped parcels.

I have provided my buyers with insurance options for about 4 years now by collecting $1.50/$100 value of sale and keep this in a separate account for damage reimbursement. It has worked out real well so far. It seems to run about break even.
I tell you, it makes you package the piece as best as you can and keeps me from buying for resale a number of things that should never be shipped except in the manufacturers original packaging.

Anyhow, for what it's worth, my decision to start reselling again is on HOLD until I sort out a solution for this newly developed shipping problem with CP and I don't believe FedEx or UPS are a better solution. Just have a feeling they are a whole bunch more paper work.
The online CP billing and labelling system works just fine for me. No standing in line at the post office or hanging around the house, waiting for parcel pickups.

Lets get this damn thing fixed ebay!!!!!!

[trmalo]

Hi- Don't know if anyones has already informed you or not but the so-called "tracking" number that comes with expedited shipping is only good while the item is in CANADA- the USPS do not track it- so it is basically useless- it is a misleading service which Canada Post treats worse than lower weight ground mail that costs 4 bucks. Expedited is the EXACT SAME SERVICE but as soon as it goes over 1 KG ( i think) they change the name of the IDENTICAL SERVICE - no real tracking, etc and charge you double and call it "Expedited" like you are getting a fancier service- you are not- it usually takes the same if not LONGER than ground - in actuality they should be quoting 18-45 business days to arrive- not the 10 or 11. I had a order placed in the first week of November for a christmas present in Texas. It had to be sent "Expedited" because if the weight- small packet was not an option . The parcel finally arrived in the SECOND week of JANUARY- how much of their negligence can they blame on customs? They do not and rarely will admit fault of any kind. I had another one today get returned becasue the POSTAL CLERK- not me- put the worng weight on it- it was shipped 1 month ago and they are just sending it back now- they don't care- they are getting worse- not better. I am going to UPS- enough is enough!