New post rates in effect + Devalued U.S Dollar = ARGGGG

[www-labels4less-com]

Small packet air up to $11.40 from $9.90 for 500gr-1kg. I wal already subsidizing my freight by only charging $6.00. This was fine last year with the U.S.$ worth so much more. Now its killing me. I just raised all of my shipping and my BIN prices.

Anyone else feeling the crunch?

[whoscloset]

Jeff,

I don't see the "Small Package US" showing up when I look for a shipping estimate at CP's website. Is this an option that is only available if you use the internet or desktop software. I haven't begun using it yet as I have been very busy, but with those savings I'd get right on it!

Monique

[whoscloset]

mirabiz_inc

Do you let the customers know that they may be charged additional amounts for customs clearance prior to purchase or shipment? If not what sort of reactions have you gotten when they are charged? I'm just wondering whether they are aware it is a possibility (as we are whenever we purchase from the US) or if they go off the deep end.

Monique

[ospreylinks]

I have had no concerns or comments regarding customs clearance.

One thing to note is that under NAFTA, golf equipment is duty free between Canada and the US.

Jeff

[mirakbiz_inc]

I have never received even one comment from any of my customers indicating that they either paid duties, or that the were upset for having to.

I don't think they would anyway, since it's the importer's responsibility to cover them and I clearly say that I'm shipping from Canada

[whoscloset]

Thanks mirakbiz, I'm going to give it a try.

Monique

[amberwoodottawa]

I have only had customers in the UK tell me about the high amounts they were charged for importing my instruments.

Malcolm

[whoscloset]

Malcolm,

Do you use FedEx Ground for your large items too?

Monique

[amberwoodottawa]

Monique
I have heard too many stories from people about their high breakage ratio, unpredictable delivery and pickups and unwillingness to pay claims.

I actually was considering listing upright and baby grand pianos however with eBay's new fee structure it will cost me almost as much to list as it would to ship the piano.

Interesting enough, I used Purolator at Christmas and they delivered overnight to NYC a 10 lb instrument for $23 (no cubic weight etc). which is about 1/2 of what I would have been charged by CP with 5 day delivery.

I am going to try negotiating with Purolator directly as I have been told by my CP rep that I may get better rates negotiating directly with them than the Purolator rates I got negotiating with CP.

Malcolm

[whoscloset]

Malcolm,

I used Purolatore over Christmas and found there rates really good. Then I was told by someone one of their reps over the phone that even though I was creating my shipments based upon weight only, the price would be adjusted once the parcel was in the system and the higher cubic weight would be billed to me.

At the time I was really upset because I assumed I was now going to find my MC charged double the amount I had collected from customers for shippping. I received my MC bill and looked it over and was happily surprised to find they didn't charge me the higher amounts.

The trick with them seems to be to create your shipment on their internet site based only upon weight (don't use the detailed feature). This worked at Christmas when they were very busy but I'm not sure if it would still work.

Have you shipped anything with them since Christmas and were you charged the cubic weight?

Monique

[amberwoodottawa]

Monique
No I havent yet and I really want to get back into selling and shipping guitars as I can more than double my sales with guitars (and they can be fairly profitable as well).

I want to meet with one of their reps first and cut a deal. I think they may be more rofessional than CO as they were a private company before CP bought into them and I dont think CP owns 100% of them.

I'll let you know after I have talked to a senior rep and see what sort of pricing I can get for Canada and the US.

Malcolm

[whoscloset]

Thanks Malcolm, I look forward to seeing how you make out.

Monique

[moltencore]

I just paid only $9.08 CAD to ship Xpresspost a 26cmx26cmx2cm package weighing only 490grams to Whitehorse from Toronto. I thought it was cheap especially since the canadapost.ca web site quoted me about $4 HIGHER (shhh..son't tell them!) but...of course the same package to JAPAN costs only $12.20 by AIR so it's all relative.
cheers, the Molten Core

[ospreylinks]

I have been using the Canada Post Small Packet USA and parcels that use to cost me $9.50 to ship are now going for $3.35. I know that I am giving up tracking, but it is suppose to come with $100. coverage.

Jeff