eBay

futuretech_liquidations · ‎06-27-2006

Just wanted to share with those Powersellers that are not aware that the current PowerSeller Program offered by CanadaPOST is being TERMINATED as of Sept 2006.

CanadaPOST is sending out letters to all current members and for High Volume Sellers they will be contacted by their assigned sales reps.

So stock up on Polybag mailers between now and Sept. since they will not be offering them anymore for free.

Remember, you can order max 50 bags at a time, but you can enter mutiple orders of 50.

magicpixiedust · ‎07-19-2006

By the way, what are these POLYBAGS? I have yet to order any? What are they for? Why are they so popular? Are they envelopes with bubblewrap? thanks;-)

javax.swing · ‎07-19-2006

You don't get any special discounted rates...you get the same ones a newbie eBayer gets just by registering an account.

javax.swing · ‎07-19-2006

And with polybags being free, order some and find out.

Samples are included in the uber super duper "Canada Post eBay shipping kit"

jifficos · ‎07-19-2006

First the restrictions on sending lettermail and now this... I don't think Canada Post is even trying to keeping good relations with us.

Even though we all may not send as much as bigger companies but there are plenty of us and I think that should count for more than it does. We should feel pissed.

javax.swing · ‎07-20-2006

This is the *BEST EVER*:

Update: Canada Post's Discontinuation of its Shipping Discounts program
In order to devote more of their energy and time to making eBay’s Online Shipping solution an even greater tool for eBay sellers, Canada Post has decided to discontinue the Shipping Discounts program for Canadian PowerSellers after September 30, 2006. You will be receiving a letter from Canada Post in the next week, explaining your shipping discount alternatives after September 30.

As if they devote SO MUCH time and energy to administering our accounts. ahahahahahahahahahaahhaahahahahahah

olematelot · ‎07-20-2006

For my own curiosity I went through the ebay shipping process stopping short of printing the label to see what it would cost vs my power seller account. To ship via ebay was more expensive by almost $2.00. It's pretty easy to see why CP has done what they have, more $$$$$ for them and less for us.

tobyshitzu · ‎07-20-2006

I think the money that was invovled in our discount is now going to fund the comission ebay receives from postage printed through paypal...

javax.swing · ‎07-22-2006

My shipping DISCOUNT alternative is to pay MORE. erm...

I'm investigating other options. Never again with Canada Post. Both of their contact numbers on their website give a busy signal and I spent half an hour just trying to find the department to open an account...never did find it.

skminus · ‎07-25-2006

OK, I have just sent an email to Trudy at Canadapost about this. I suggest all of us should do the same. You are welcome to cut and paste all of mine, or bits of it, or craft your own email. The thing is - let's do it!

This was the email we complained to last year, when it seemed we were not going to get the rebates they originally offered, remember? Here it is:

trudy.trudeau@canadapost.ca

Here's my email: Subject is 'Discontinuation of eBay Powerseller discounts.

Dear Trudy,

"After careful evaluation of the program and its benefit to the eBay community, we believe this decision will allow us to focus on making eBay's online shipping solution an even greater tool for eBay sellers."

Re: letter from Canadapost dated July 11, 2006, quoted above:

Whoever wrote that either doesn't think much about what he's writing, or doesn't think much of us as Powersellers. We are not stupid! So, in answer to the condescending letter you wrote to me, I have a few questions of my own.

Tell me how exactly does this make a greater tool for eBay sellers?

Taking away an up to 18% discount within Canada, and replacing it with a commonly available 8% one does not benefit me - it benefits YOU.

Tell me about your 'careful evaluation.'

Was it something like this? "Oops, powersellers are paying less! Got to stop that, might eat into our profit."

Tell me about your focus on making online shipping better.

Will there be tracking on small parcels outside of Canada?

Will your ludicrous insurance policy be scrapped in favour of a sensible one that pays out on the eBay price paid by the buyer, not the price the seller paid for the article?

Will there be more than $100.00 insurance allowed on small packets?

Will you finally cease trying to charge us more for mailing an envelope that contains something else than paper? It's not legal, no matter what you call it. You learned that last summer - don't mess with that again.

Will you stop charging us GST on shipping outside of Canada? Who care if it's under $5.00? Again, a strange arbitrary rule which would not stand up in court.

Will you charge us a fair exchange rate if we do use Paypal shipping?

Will we actually get a receipt?

Can we insure the parcel in US dollars?

I, along with my Powerseller colleagues await with interest to hear your response.

Yours truly,

XXX XXX

skminus · ‎07-25-2006

Just got an automated reply back:

Please be advised that I will be out of the office Friday July 14th returning Monday July 31st. If you require assistance please call 1-800-267-7651 and have your account number available. If your matter is urgent, please contact Elaine Reynolds at the same number.
Thanks.
****************************************************
Veuillez noter que je serais hors du bureau à partir du 14 juillet et de retour le 31 juillet. Si vous désirez de l'assistance veuillez composer le 1-800-267-7651. Si vos besoins sont immédiats contactez Elaine Reynolds au même numéro.
Merci.

So, let's fill up her mailbox with our reactions to the announcement, so that next Monday she will have some serious protests to show her bosses.

tobyshitzu · ‎07-25-2006

Well, I'd at least leave out the GST bit, nothing to do with Canada post. That was put in when Mulroney introduced the GST, and is the domain of CRA. Nothing CP could do if they wanted to. It will be irreleavnt within months anyway, as the only small packet (USA 250gm surface) still below $5 will likely be above in Jan so it won't be an issue

Also the paypal exchange rate is paypal, nothing to do with CP.

skminus · ‎07-25-2006

OK Toby, I see your point. I was steaming when I wrote that email, so I let fly with all my complaints.

My point is to hopefully get others to send an email to Canadapost, better worded than mine, to make them see we are MAD!

Do you remember the on-line discussion with Canadapost in May, 2005? Here is the answer, from Canadapost itself, that their own rules prohibit differences in shipping prices depending on content. I am going to quote that in my next email to Trudy, in reference to the 'light packet' charges they tried to introduce recently. They backed off, but they will try again. We must keep them at bay.

canadapost2 (1 ) View Listings | Report 27-05-05 13:16 EDT 76 of 155
This one was about media mail in the US:

Q; Will CPC ever offer Media Mail?

A; Media mail differentiates rates for content. Items with a “media” content, e.g. CDs, cassettes, etc. , get a preferred rate. Canada Post rates are determined by the size and weight of the item, as this is what actually drives the delivery cost. This is fair, and is standard industry practice in a very competitive market. We don’t intend to offer content-based rates.