Light packet label prints incorrectly.

[beadndangle]

When printing a light packet label the printed label reads air mail small packet.

This causes issues at the post office with over zealous clerks that tell me that my label is not correct and missing the bar code.

There isnt a bar code for light packet and I explain this but then they argue that I am using the wrong label.

I have tried contacting paypal and I end up dealing with a bunch of robots that read lines from a script. I have not been able to get a resolution.

Has anyone else noticed or had problems with the light packet label?

thx

kim

[nan*55]

No never had that problem but air mail small packet also has no bar code.

[cbsalesnb]

I have noticed this, but so far it hasn't caused me any issues.

Sounds like you have a very picky postal clerk who doesn't understand the paypal labels

There are thousands of these labels going out every day and you have the only clerk who puts up a fuss. 🙂

[beadndangle]

Thank-you, at least I am not the only one that has seen this.

Ha, I think she lives to test me daily.... LOL be happy she isnt your clerk.

She actually gets mad when I put stickers and smiley faces on my packages to my customers.

I am thinking of using up every inch on my envelopes with collaged art or using magazine pages to make envelopes just to bug her.

It also bothers her that she can't prove my packages by what I paid because the price doesnt show up. LOL I love that!

I could go on and on, I even have Canada Post Customer service on speed dial.

[nan*55]

Sounds like this gal is unhappy with her job and taking it out on her customers.

[vintagenorth]

I think it has alway said Small Pkt - Air Mail on both the Light Pkt. and Small Pkt labels when printed on PayPal. The only difference used to be a bar code for Small Pkts. Now there is no tracking on Small Pkts. and so no bar code shows. Both labels really look the same now.

Why don't you just drop your items in to the nearest p.o. box, no need to go to the post office if you have already got labels printed through PayPal.

[pocomocomputing]

Never was a bar code on Small Packet or Light Packet in the past 4+ years I have been selling using PayPal labels.

The Light Packet looks the same as a Small Packet except it has O/S and G/F on it it bigger letters. I always assumed that O/S means Over Size in English and G/F means Gross Format in French. That is my guess. Somehow it relates to the Lettermail OverSize for domestic mail from older times.

Since you use PayPal labels, there is nothing for your postal clerk to see or check. Just drop them into the mailbox in the post office through the slot. I have one for letters (2 cm) under the courtesy counter across from the main counter where the clerks are.

Better yet, if you have a corner letterbox that is "safe" to drop letters into (by safe I mean a good neighborhood where the corner mailbox is not a target of vandals who drop garbage in it or overturn it), drop in the box all PayPal packages that fit. Only bring the packages that have barcodes and tracking or do not fit to the post office to get them scanned so you have an acceptance scan.

I may go to the post office once a month at most because my corner box is 2 short blocks away and my packages fit in the box.

[pierrelebel]

"I may go to the post office once a month"

You may not know what you are missing! I go daily, yes every single day. Why? I like flirting with the postal clerks. 🙂

Also, using the dated postal station cancellation device, I cancel by hand every piece of outgoing mail so the buyer can read the exact date the envelope or parcel was sent. In addition, I carefully apply the cancellation device so the stamps on the envelope or parcel are cancelled cleanly and not damaged.  I sell to stamp collectors after all. These postage stamps deserve respect!

Finally, handing the mail directly to the postal clerks is a lot safer than dropping it in a street mail box.  It minimizes handling which may cause damages.

[trikiliki]

Your postal clerk has no right to be "bothered" because the shipping price is not on a PayPal label or mad for anything else you have mentioned. I would call Canada Post and complain. You don't need her giving you a hard time every time you go there to mail your stuff. You also deserve be serviced by someone who actually has accurate knowledge of postal operations. I would be livid if it were me and wouldn't stand for it.

[pocomocomputing]

The advantages of the mailing in the corner box for me

- a nice walk for the exercise and the fresh air (Vancouver BC so not cold in winter, just wet with snow sometimes)

- I usually walk my dog around the blocks for an even longer walk and good time with the dog

- added bonus is that I get to meet different people walking their dogs and some are very good looking ...

- no gas used or wear and tear on the car (Too far to walk to Shoppers Drug Mart with packages 20 minutes walk one way. I did that a couple of times with a large heavy expedited parcel thinking it would be good exercise.  LOL, it took me 1+ hour total time with lineup at the post office and the travel time with a sore arm. Yes, out of shape here.)

- no lineups at the post office to make me wait

- no postal clerks to bother me with checking packages for what they think are mistakes

- no chance to spend extra money for lottery tickets, snacks, etc at the drug store (more savings)

- my corner box is very "safe" as it is on a corner of a busy through street in a residential neighborhood with no school or stores for many blocks. I only saw it turned over once on Christmas Eve in 4+ years. Never any graffiti on it (harder to do with the new postal codes all over the outside).

- To minimize time in the corner box (I try for less than 3 hours), my box posted pickup time is 9 am M-F (actually 10 am) so I drop my packages in at 7 to 9 am while walking the dog. Busy commuter through traffic on the main street keeps the box "safe" since it is in full view of the traffic. I never leave in the corner box overnight or over weekends.

- It seems that the mail picked up in this corner box gets to the sorting center early in the afternoon and gets a head start on the Shoppers Drug Mart where it is picked up at 4-5-6 pm. I get 4-5 days delivery time on Light Packet USA and International very often. I even has Small Packet Air USA get from Vancouver BC to NY state small town in 5 business days last week (based on feedback posted. Even Small Packet Air International get to Europe and Australia quickly. SP Air to Switzerland and Germany sometimes makes it by Friday when put in the corner box on Monday 9 am. Lettermail Oversize takes longer from BC to East Coast (7-10) business days).

[beadndangle]

My nearest post office is 16 miles from my house and so is the box. She has even checked the mail, and put it back in my mailbox with question post notes.(after I leave)

So then it doesnt get mailed until the next time I come in. So now I stand there until she is finished scrutinizing my packages. She thinks she is some kind of queen of the post office.

She does this to lots of people. As I said I can not even begin to tell you the stories.

kim

[beadndangle]

LOL this is one you wouldnt be flirting with not a chance.

[beadndangle]

Yeah I have Customer service on speed dial and I know she has been reprimanded for a couple of things she has done, but she is pretty safe within her union position so she doesnt seem to be concerned.

As I said she does this to lots of people for so many things.

[pierrelebel]

"you wouldnt be flirting with not a chance"

Please do not undersell my abilities.  With my "funny" accent (it is a great excuse!), I often get away with "stuff" most old men would not attempt! 🙂

[beadndangle]

Anyway the point is about this light packet mis wording. I dont know how to get through to ebay or paypal to fix it.

I am tired of dealing with robots.

kim

[pierrelebel]

"a nice walk for the exercise"

It is interesting how different methods are used to achieve the same goals.

My doctor has ordered me to walk every day.  The postal station, located at the regional shopping mall, is too far to walk to but I drive, park far away from the doors, do the postal outlet first, then walk around the mall, every day. 

The doctor is OK with that. Since I started my daily walk at the mall, my blood sugars are down. That is a good thing. I also meet folks while walking around.  That drives Mary crazy!

Luckily, we seldom have a lineup at the postal counter.  And if we do, it is one more chance to start a conversation with a stranger! 🙂

Life is good.

[pocomocomputing]

Anyway the point is about this light packet mis wording. I dont know how to get through to ebay or paypal to fix it.

I am tired of dealing with robots.

kim

As mentioned earlier in my post, PayPal labels for Light Packet has O/S G/F on it in big letters to identify it as Light Packet even though it says Small Packet Air.

If I remember correctly, if you go to the post office and hand them a small package to process as a Light Packet package, they put on a label with O/S G/F on it or the postage label meter does this.

So the postal clerk should be aware of O/S G/F and its meaning on a package.

[rose-dee]

I cancel by hand every piece of outgoing mail so the buyer can read the exact date the envelope or parcel was sent.

Pierre, I know you're into stamps and such, so this isn't relevant for you, but in case anyone who hasn't used the Paypal online labelling yet is wondering, you do get a cancellation date of sorts when you enter the "drop off" date on the final screen.  This date then goes into the eBay system, the buyer gets an automated message saying the parcel has been shipped, a shipping icon appears next to the item on eBay, and the tracking number (for all but Light Packet) appears under the item. 

To 'beadndangle' -- I've used Light/Small Packet online for years, and it's always been as you described, i.e. the top of the printout says "Small Packet", but the bottom confirmation stub says "Light Packet".  I've never understood why either, but it's never caused any problems for me in about 4 years of use.  And, as others have said, it's FAST!

I'm fortunate in living just a couple of kms from a small P.O. in rural Nova Scotia, so I usually drop parcels off there (there aren't many mail boxes around this neck of the woods).  We have an extremely friendly and helpful postal clerk, with whom I'm sure you would enjoy flirting, Pierre, although a charming accent wouldn't get you too far here as a novelty (we're near the French Shore - beacoup de gens qui parlent français). :8}

[pierrelebel]

"you do get a cancellation date of sorts"

I know but the problem is that the date represents the date postage was purchased and in now way confirms when the item was actually shipped. That can only be done by the postal service once it enters the system.

Too many sellers have been known to print the postage upon receipt of payment and ship several days later.

[msmaggie060]

Anyway the point is about this light packet mis wording. I dont know how to get through to ebay or paypal to fix it.

I am tired of dealing with robots.

kim

Kim, nothing to fix. Small pkt. and Light pkt. have both always said Small Pkt. on the labels, and Light pkt. shows on the receipt part that you cut off and keep.

You'll just have to contact Canada Post and/or your post office supervisor and keep complaining.Make sure you tell them that she puts your mail back in your box with notes. That may be considered interfering with the mail.