eBay

fine-eclectic · ‎08-08-2013

i am wondering if anyone has noticed a change in the 'performance' of Small Packet since the change to remove the insurance and pass it over to their 'economical' Tracked Packet? The reason i ask is that Small Packet was my most popular international shipping method for some time with hundreds of packages sent without any real incident (perhaps one or two relatively late deliveries) and only one non-delivery which really didn't count (hurricane Sandy caused a delay and it was returned after 3 months). Now i admit it could be a simple coincidence but since the switch i have had a three late/non deliveries. i also noticed that the bar code seems to confuse the agents in that they are not sure if they are supposed to scan it or not. One said the code was only needed if it had to be returned to sender and an on-line rep said they couldn't tell me at all what the bar code was for since it was not trackable anyway. tm.

inuk_the_polar_bear · ‎08-08-2013

Coincidence. Any change brings an adaptation period. I do not know what the bar code is for. Took a parcel in and they tried scanning it. It does not scan. I did not ask anything so the person did not have to make up an answer.

All I know is, my parcels are going through faster since I started printing my own postage.

aztecmcuprototyping · ‎08-08-2013

The bar code is there so that you can't simply re-print the label and split a large order into 2 or 3 envelopes to save money.

I have not noticed that there is any appreciable decrease in service. It is summer time and postal workers are taking their 4 weeks holidays. That usually slows thinngs down a bit this time of year.

king_of_kings_1970 · ‎08-08-2013

You are correct. It is a now a low end shipping option and they are increasing shipping time on it. I would stay away from this type of shipping as now it seems like it has a greater risk of being lost and you are not covered. Is it worth it?

inuk_the_polar_bear · ‎08-08-2013

Well, King, you are wrong. It is not handled by CP. It has always been handled by USPS. My shipping times have shortened, nothing goes missing, it is cost effective.

fine-eclectic · ‎08-08-2013

Inuk

It is only handled by USPS if it goes to the US and you will notice that in it's listing template eBay differentiates between Small Packet USA and Small Packet International. i should have been more specific because i meant International.

inuk_the_polar_bear · ‎08-08-2013

CP still does not handle much at all. Sorting plant to the airplane and gone. When I lived in Winnipeg I was 15 kliks from the sorting plant, at the airport. CP had control of the parcel for a whole whackin' 15 kilometres.

paisley_daze · ‎08-09-2013

Still using small packet for USA and it's performing well for me. Good delivery times and good feedback.

fine-eclectic · ‎08-09-2013

Thanks folks.

Seems things are ok with others so it must have been just an odd coincidence for me.. good to know things are still working well.

inuk_the_polar_bear · ‎08-09-2013

My theory, and this as scatter-hairbrained as they come, is that a printed label goes through faster because it is easier to read by the machines. I have further come to believe that printing through Paypal there is a record, somewhere, that allows the parcel to get through US Customs faster.

The label and CN22 are in the correct, exact, format for being processed.

I also just noticed, the sqaure readable squiggle thingee on the label.

Lettermail is declining and parcels are increasing. If you are the post office, where do you put your resources? I want to believe that they are working on parcel enhancements and the new small packet label is showing them.

I believe I will go and have a beer now.

reallynicestamps · ‎08-10-2013

It's called a QR box or label.

They can be read by smart phones. The phone is then taken to a website. Cool technology.

I'm involved with a science fiction convention and we decided the QR box would be a Good Thing. It took all of one minute to set up using a committee members smart phone. We started putting it on all our literature at the next redesign that week.

I was posting a flyer on a community bulletin board that Saturday when a middle aged guy came along, said "Oh, SF" and clicked his phone on the QR box. I have been in love with the technology ever since.

(Met him at the con, he had bought a membership online and was toting around a half dozen books he had bought in the dealer room.)

rose-dee · ‎08-10-2013

@reallynicestamps wrote:
It's called a QR box or label.
They can be read by smart phones. The phone is then taken to a website. Cool technology.

Oh, you're WAY ahead of me! I'm beginning to feel old when I read this -- I don't even own a smart phone, although I did have some inkling about what those interesting-looking printed areas are for. Does everybody have a smart phone now? I presume it must cost a fortune for the service that runs them. I have trouble enough dealing with my 10 year old cell phone and sufficient resentment over paying the $12.00/month bill for it.

I kind of like the "little squiggly thingee" nomenclature. Cute.

It's a quarter to two (a.m., that is) here in Atlantic time, a stormy rainy night, time to shut off the computer. I can't keep up with you folks who are several time zones east of here. Love to keep chatting, but must go...

lady.stark · ‎08-10-2013

@rose-dee wrote:
Does everybody have a smart phone now?

Nope. I'm so tired of seing people looking at their phone instead of looking at the person they are talking to. I don't want to become obsessed like they are! LOL!

femmefan1946 · ‎08-10-2013

Gave DH a Blackberry 10 for his 66th birthday (yes, he is my toyboy). So far we have managed to find George Takei on Facebook and make one phone call. We forgot what the phone number is.

And it is costing us $50 a month.

sigh.

I am not ready for the 21st century.

Fortunately, I work and play with a bunch of youngsters (ie under 50) who keep showing me stuff. Today at a science fiction convention organizing meeting I was shown how a smart phone could be used to take payments that would be transferred to our bank account the next day at a cost of 2.75% (about the same as PP) and our customer/new member would get an emailed confirmation of payment. Something called square.com/ca. If anyone is doing trade shows or flea markets, it could be worth looking into. There is a little machine they send you free when you sign up.

I'm still waiting for my transporter and my phaser.

Never fly anything with a Comarissen Thirty Eight engine. It'll drop right outta the sky. -- Kaywinnet Lee Frye.

fine-eclectic · ‎08-16-2013

No cell/smart phone for me either (yet). They can be great useful devices, but like most technology, IMO, grossly abused. i.e. do we cell towers and wifi everywhere so we can text over the dining table?

inuk_the_polar_bear · ‎08-16-2013

The closest I have come to using any cel phone, ever, was when Mrs Igloo dialed it and held it up to my ear. That was back in Feb and I am still traumatized. I feel that at 57, life is passing me by. I get folks in their 70s looking at me with "Get with the programme, dude".

I used to think that printing a borading pass at home was kewl. Now? They are encouraging you to use yer "mobile device". Clerks react with horror "What is this thing PAPER?!?". I am treated like a terrorist because I do not have a squiggly on my do-dad. I do not even have a do-dad!

bb_cool_stuff · ‎08-16-2013

I guess we are in the minority Inuk. Many sellers find them very helpful, me not so much.

My contact expired last fall & i have not missed it at all.

Still receive a message & letter bi-weekly from Rogers requesting that i renew another contract.

We still receive Inter-Departmental mail in regards to "Cell Phones Must Be Turned Off in the Facility."

Does not seem to be an issue in our department, but other departments report Verbal & Written Warnings plus Suspensions Without Pay in regards to Cell Phone Use.

No Union Protection there.