PRO/CONS TO CANADA POST POWER SELLER DISCOUNT PROGRAM

[magicpixiedust]

Hi Everyone:-), I would like to ask anyone who is currently using the Canada Post Power Seller discount on shipping to let me know of the pros and cons to this service?:|. I phoned Canada Post today and they are sending me a pkg via mail. I know i have to do all my labels myself at home and pkg, I now need to buy a weigh scale...ANY ideas as where to get the right weigh scale? ALSO, what happens if I loose my "power seller" status for a month or two and then regain it again...does this mean, Canada Post and ebay cut me off from the shipping discount? I find it difficult to maintain the status continuously, especially in the summer, this time i usually restock inventory and many buyers are travelling that selling is really slow...thanks

[recped]

ANY ideas as where to get the right weigh scale?

Search on eBay, 'postal scale', pick one suitable for the type of packages you send (ie: 3kg / 5kg / 10kg).

If you know how to sell I would hope you would know how to buy the right one at the right price from the right seller.

what happens if I loose my "power seller" status for a month or two

I doubt anyone at CP cares, if you have a reasonable volume you can probably get the same discount without the powerseller 'program'. Small sellers likely get a bigger discount throught the program then they otherwise would.

The only real disadvantage...

No discount for lettermail or small packets (98% or my shipping.......)

Ben
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[magicpixiedust]

hi Ben, the representative on the phone said "small packets" qualify for the discount...i ship 95 percent small packet....

[recped]

You can get a discount on small packets if you send a minimum of 50,000 per year.

Unless they changed the rules VERY recently.
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[magicpixiedust]

you know i wish they would tell me this...then this discount is really useless to me for the majority of my pkgs go small packet for they weigh anywhere from 250-500 grams. I only use expedited when buyers buy in bulk and it then weighs over 1 kg...X-(

[tobyshitzu]

The power seller thing for bronze/silver is domestic parcels only. No discount on small packet, no discount on anything to USA at all. Ebay pinks have been hinting "something* is in the works with CP + UPS for Canadian ebayers in the new year (not holding my breath for anything of signifigance- is this related to the "XPRS" promo requiring offerring xpress from CP or UPS??). Once you have the contract number entered in your CP account you'll still have it when you lose your power seller status ( I assume at some point they probably review that but I had it for months without qualifying for power seller). Granted, I ship so little that qualifes for the discount now it wouldn't matter much to lose it anyway.

I bought a cheap little no name Chinese scale from ebayer softfieldtech, nothing fancy, only to 13 lbs, but it is right on with the weight. Same no name 9 volt battery that came with it still going after over a year.

[magicpixiedust]

thank you for your response and valued info tobyshitzu...they didn't mention to me that it is only for domestic...so im really out of luck here for i ship 95% under 1 kg and 95% is to the USA...so where can you get a good deal on shipping rates in my circumstances???

recped...what s/h do you use?

[magicpixiedust]

so what if i ship all my products which weigh 250-750 g expedited with the 30% discount via CP and ebay program? This way they have tracking....Does anyone know the cost it would be? I know when i ship over 1 kg its around $13.00....

[tobyshitzu]

The discount is only within Canada, so there isn't much to decide on. If your item can't go letter you'll likely be using expedited. Your items within Canada will vary huge from $4 something to a nearby postal code to double that coast to coast. The "30%" is overstating the discount. From PS page:

-------
You are entitled to discounts when you ship anywhere in Canada using Xpresspost, Regular Parcel, Expedited Parcel, or Priority Courier. After signing up with Canada Post as an eBay PowerSeller, you will receive discounts starting at 10% off counter rates.**

**Discount only available when purchasing shipping online through Canada Post's Electronic Shipping Tools. Some restrictions may apply. Actual discounts will vary depend on weight of the item, distance shipped and service standard used. No discounts apply to options such as Signature, Delivery Confirmation or Insurance.
---------
If you ship within Canada it will save you a small amount. It will not alter anyone's business plan or make items that aren't viable to ship without the ps discount make sense to sell. Far larger discounts are available directly from CP for those with the volume to qualify.

[magicpixiedust]

the volume required for 30% is 1000 packages a year directly through CP,i dont ship 1000 a year, more like 600 and to the USA mostly so im now bummed!!!! and fuming at the new prices that will take effect with CP in Jan...i phoned UPS but no returned call yet, i have heard its not likely that they will have better rates on pkg at 250-700 grams...so whats a person to do?

[thesurplusshack]

Hi everyone.

Well, I just signed up for the PS program and here's what it said on the sign up page....

Welcome eBay PowerSellers,

Canada Post is pleased to offer eBay PowerSellers discounts on all parcel shipments to the USA, Internationally, and within Canada.

Purchases must be made using Canada Post’s Electronic Shipping Tools which automates the preparation and management of your Canada Post orders. Electronic Shipping Tools is a free, fast and flexible way to print labels and prepare your Manifests – all online.

To sign up for this outstanding offer, simply complete the form below. Within 7 business days you will receive a secure email with all the information you need to start shipping using your special PowerSeller discount.

[magicpixiedust]

i read that too, yet other power sellers are saying the discount is only for shipments using expedited and xpresspost and within Canada?????im confused?????:|

[tobyshitzu]

Gold level ($10,000/month) and higher get a discount on expedited and xpresspost outside of Canada. Unlwss something is changing theer is no discount outside of Canada for the rest of us.

[tobyshitzu]

Everyone gets the 5% venture 1 and 3% automation discount for using the online tools on expedited and xpresspost to USA/Intl

[1dealsavers]

So after all this exchange - CP is useless really unless you are walmart or someone selling 1000s of packages a year - which 99% are not - nice going CP!!

The US sellers have it MADE - flat rate all the way for 7.70 up to 70 LBS in TWO DAYS!

When will Canada post WAKE UP???

[1dealsavers]

the 5% on venture is a joke - then they nail you will fule surcharges to wipe out the 5% - all a joke.

[magicpixiedust]

5% is a joke, i agree, and now im told the extra 3% is only when using expedited or xpresspost....most of my packages are 250-750 grams, so there's no discount here for me for i send small packet and this does not qualify...i am very frustrated. With costs going up, what am i to do for shipping??? CP is taking huge chunks out of my profits and i cant increase shipping anymore then i have....i tried phoning before Christmas UPS and they have yet to call me back to give me info on shipping charges if i use them?

[wsboyd]

Hi,

What's the Link to the Power Seller Mail Discount, please ?


I just joined Venture1 & was wondering if there is any difference betwixt the two ?

[magicpixiedust]

I phoned Canada Post and they transferred me to a representative who handled the power seller discount - but i dont use it - they provide no discount on small packet air to USA which is most of my shipments - only a percentage off shipping using expedited or xpresspost within Canada and you have to do all the work on line
not worth it for an added 3%

[axxesswireless]

can someone please tell me where i can find this canadapost powerseller program thing?
i've searched the canadapost website and can't find it anywhere.
can someone give me a link or something?
thanks.