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

[phoebescollectables]

Here ya go

http://www.canadapost.ca/eBayAAF/default-e.asp

[axxesswireless]

thanks alot phoebescollectables

[javax.swing]

Ladies and gentlemen, PLEASE learn to use the search feature.

We discuss this constantly on these forums, and all of those threads are still archived on this board...no waiting for answers, nothing.

READ:

http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jspa?messageID=300373191&forumID=44

[javax.swing]

The short summary:

You fill in a form. Takes 5 minutes. You get an account number e-mailed, you download DESKTOP EST and start shipping.

You lose PS status? Nothing happens probably, they won't keep checking.

You can use this for all your shipping, not just eBay.

There is NO VOLUME REQUIREMENT.

The Bronze/Silver discount is ONLY for DOMESTIC PARCEL services and is approx 30% total (much better than V1).

Small Packet, International Expedited, etc...ARE NOT DISCOUNTED. DOMESTIC **ONLY** for Bronze/Silver level.

[javax.swing]

Oh, and does it cost you anything? Of course not. So why not sign up? They won't can you if you don't use it.

[skminus]

Advantages of using EST:

1. Print your postage when you want, not just when the postal outlet is open.

2. My local outlet will let me go to the front of the line-up if I'm dropping off parcels. At Xmas, they let me drop off huge quantities at their back loading dock. Saved me hours of frustration.

3. Stealth postage. You can hide the actual amount of shipping. This really helps, particularly as the fuel surcharge and the GST is never shown in the total on a package, and you have a hard time convincing customers you paid these extra amounts.

[recped]

Stealth postage, for Canadian shipments I want it to display the postage! Otherwise nobody would berlieve how much it does actually cost (unless you're trying to hide a really big handling charge)

Real sellers don't pay GST

Fuel surcharge is included in the postage (I don't use EST but regular postage at the po includes the surcharge)
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[zarzuella]

Real sellers don't pay GST

Not strictly true in this context; we still pay at point of purchase but can claim it back as an ITC. You do, however, need to charge the customer (the end user) and remit the tax to the CCRA.

[hahrete]

I wish the postage costs would show, just to prove I am not gouging shipping. I cannot get it to show up on the small packets, most of the shipping price shows up on over 1kg postage. If I click on the "show postage" it does not work on small packets.

[magicpixiedust]

okay what is this EST thing? I just go on the Canada Post web site and log onto the on line business center - enter my registered name and pasword and then click on electronic shipping tools...and select the on line version..so what is EST? i havent downloaded anything...am i missing sonething here? thanks

[javax.swing]

electronic shipping tools = EST

Comes in online and desktop versions. You choose whichever suits you best.

[honesteds]

:-Dthats funny^ Maybe Canadian Ebayers should petition Canada Post for discount on small packets to U.S. (since it seems everyone is small packeting to the States) SOooo.. who's in?:-)

[magicpixiedust]

i've already spoken to a few reps on the phone asking for this....i agree - if they get bombarded with phone calls addressing the situation maybe something will happen - but i think they know were stuck with Canada Post for small businesses dont bring in the volume required for a larger discount and the competitors may offer better service but almost at an additional 100 increase in shipping - so if Canada Post's belt buckle isnt hurt by the situation in dollar sense, they will do nothing - we would need to no longer use Canada Post for them to feel the crunch and then hopefully actually listen to us!

[javax.swing]

Is it not economical for you guys to switch to FedEx Ground or something? You should be able to negotiate them to give you rates good enough to be < $10 for a 1kg (2.2lb) package.

Not quite as cheap as CP, but at least you get tracking and stuff...

[magicpixiedust]

FED EX...are you serious...i have phoned them and spoke to them in person and to send a light weight pkg from CAN to USA (pkg is under 1kg...more like 500 grams) and they were saying $80.00 so ship...OUTRIGHT RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[recped]

That would be the rate for NEXT DAY delivery BEFORE 9:00AM
"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915

[javax.swing]

Try telling them you want GROUND service. You can't seriously believe that's what their worst service costs...use the online rate calculator to figure it out yourself, then demand x% discount.