eBay

sylviebee · ‎10-12-2015

Is Express Post actually a fast service within Canada?

It sounds like it should be, but sometimes names don't pan out.

rose-dee · ‎10-12-2015

I've always found Xpresspost to be faster within Canada than Expedited. The on-time guarantee means that if it doesn't arrive within the stated delivery window, you can file a claim with CP and get your money back. However, I have had CP add a day to the original delivery estimate during transit -- that was rather annoying, as I was then stuck with their "new" estimate for guarantee purposes.

Here's the comparison table: https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/pages/parcelscon/default.page

For some reason I don't understand, CP doesn't include Expedited in these pricing tables, although it is definitely available within Canada through Paypal labelling.

Click on the heading "Xpresspost" at the top of the table for more information, and do read the fine print. Delivery guarantees will vary widely depending on where the parcel is shipped from and where it is going. The best service is within or between major centres of course.

In any event, I've always found Xpresspost will beat out Expedited by at least 2 or 3 days, if really fast and on-time delivery is worthwhile (or necessary), and if you can stomach the price. For larger, heavier items, it can be rather shocking. So unless my buyer is in a terrible rush, and the item is worth more than about $250, I prefer Expedited.

pocomocomputing · ‎10-12-2015

Expedited Canada is a business service only available to business customers (Venture One card, PayPal, etc.). Regular Parcel is a non-business service. So Canada Post seems to hide Expedited Parcel Canada from many web pages if the page is consumer orientated.

Expedited Parcel USA despite its similar name is a business and non-business product.

Here is a Canada Post web page similar to rose-dee page but it has more business options in the comaprioson table.

https://www.canadapost.ca/web/en/pages/send/default.page

I understand Expedited Parcel is a ground service within Canada and to the USA. I would have to assume because it is faster, Xpresspost Canada, USA and International is an Air service which allows it to be faster.

femmefan1946 · ‎10-12-2015

The destination would also make a difference.

While city to city wouldn't be a problem, isolated and even rural destinations can be expected to take longer.

I use the presence of a '0' in the first three keystrokes as an indication of isolation.

T0P 1B0 Fort Chipewayan AB

Y0B 0B1 Old Crow YK

X0A 0G0 Eureka NU

sylviebee · ‎10-12-2015

Thank you. It's for an item coming to me that i want in a hurry and shipping is free.

Express sounds good.

amcdc79 · ‎10-13-2015

Free Express Post shipping, such a deal.

It is quite fast, just remember CP does not count the day it was sent in their numbers.

Yes, it is always good to keep an eye out for those nasty o's, as I sent some video games to an RCMP gentleman in Nunavut, that no matter how I sent them, the time was the same. The last stage was by dog sled, so Express Post was the same as all the other choices.

ricarmic · ‎10-13-2015

amc makes a good point.

A couple times my PM has advised me that there was no difference between expedited and expresspost delivery times, even to larger centres sometimes.

I'm no expert but I believe it depends on what sorting stations it goes through..... a personal example, I'm "Londonish" and I was sending boxes to in-city North Bay - expresspost/expedited were the same delivery times.....

rose-dee · ‎10-13-2015

@pocomocomputing wrote:

I understand Expedited Parcel is a ground service within Canada and to the USA. I would have to assume because it is faster, Xpresspost Canada, USA and International is an Air service which allows it to be faster.

I'm not sure this is the case. Whenever I send an Expedited USA parcel, it appears to go straight from the Halifax airport to Montreal, then on to JFK Airport in New York, all within 2 days. From there, it rarely takes more than 2 days to get delivered anywhere in the U.S.

I do know, of course that the initial leg, from my little town on the west coast of Nova Scotia, to as far as Halifax, can only be done by ground. This usually accounts for one more day. There are 2 pickups here a day, and I've noticed that if I get an Expedited parcel into the early morning pickup here, it is regularly received at the U.S. destination within 5 days. For my particular location here, that's often only 2 days slower than Xpresspost (which costs a fortune).

I don't know for certain about Expedited service in Canada, but I had the impression that once a parcel gets to Halifax, it goes by air to Montreal, then by air to the next major destination. Otherwise I can't imagine how they could get an Expedited parcel from here to B.C. within 5 days (which I often experience), including the trucked leg from here to Halifax and any sorting, without using air service in between.

Here's an example of the trip a recent Expedited USA parcel took -- and this is quite typical. The parcel was delivered to the buyer on Saturday, October 10th, so it took exactly 5 days. Unfortunately for us Canadian sellers, I think U.S. buyers are rarely impressed by this speed and efficiency of delivery across borders, but it impresses me! I think they just expect that what they're used to from one state to another within the U.S. should also apply to parcels from Canada.

2015/10/08	03:44	USJFKA,USA	Item has arrived in foreign country
	00:01	USJFKA,	International shipment has arrived in a foreign country
2015/10/07	14:17	VILLE ST-LAURENT, QC	International item being forwarded to destination country
	05:10	MONTREAL, QC	Item processed
2015/10/06	02:53	HALIFAX, NS	Item processed
2015/10/05	08:09	CLEMENTSPORT, NS	Item accepted at the Post Office

pocomocomputing · ‎10-13-2015

@rose-dee I checked the Canada Post site and Expedited Parcel Canada is stated to be a ground service but no where does it state that Expedited Parcel USA is a ground service. So it must be an Air service. I was confusing the similar names of the services.

ricarmic · ‎10-13-2015

Pocomo: my PM is making me put "Airmail" stickers on all my US expedited boxes now, so that supports your belief......

sylviebee · ‎10-13-2015

With Expresspost it's possible to get a C.O.D. option for $5 in Canada (not sure about the U.S.), and in my case that worked out well.

femmefan1946 · ‎10-14-2015

Airmail stickers are always worthwhile, whether it goes by air or truck.

I believe the buyer feels that we took a little more trouble with the 'airmail' package and perhaps the postal workers move it a little faster from time to time too.

But I also believe there are fairies at the bottom of my garden.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd-zP15hBbQ