eBay

javax.swing · ‎01-19-2005

There seems to be tons of discussion going on in a number of threads regarding shipping discounts.

My question to everyone is that if you're not already getting a good discount, why have you *NOT* signed up for the PS discount with CP yet?

In this post:
http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=44&thread=100017316&message=100406005#100406005
I showed a sample of my PS discount rate versus the V1 rate...my discount equates to 30% off Venture One for that calculation, and 33.5% off counter rate.

Canada Post also introduced Commercial Pricing levels for Small Packet. They hiked the rates for COUNTER SALES, but left the rates the same for those of us with contracts...effectively, commercial customers get Small Packet discounts now too.

And finally, this takes ZERO work, ZERO negotiation. You go to the PowerSeller homepage, click the link, fill out the form. CP secure e-mails you your information in a few days, and you're off to the races.

Looking back, I don't know why I didn't register earlier, so I'm asking why so many people are on the fence about this?

Maybe we can dedicate this thread to dealing with the PS discount and any related questions.

(If you want me to post more sample shipping quotes, please post package info and postal code and I'll pull up a few more...)

muminlaw · ‎01-19-2005

The main reason that I haven't is because I can see no advantage in my situation. Virtually all of my items go out by lettermail, mostly under 100 grams. If anyone knows of a discount available for letter mail, whether domestic or international, I'd sign up in a flash!

Perhaps if I start selling bulk lots, I'll look at it again but even that wouldn't be anything bigger than small packet.

Glenda

Glenda

rd1000 · ‎01-19-2005

After I signed up I went through the nightmare of entering a parcel in, and when I was done the price was slightly higher than the counter rate.

Maybe it has changed. I will give it another try.

Rob

transtraders · ‎01-20-2005

I singed up, and can now use the EST, just very confused about the EST.

How does the postage labels get applied to my parcels? Do I print them and apply them? or do I drop all the parcels off at a counter with a manifest and they apply them??

If I apply them, do I need an electronic scale in order to get the weights exact? or does that matter??

Can the labels be printed on plain paper? Can they be applied to the parcels by taping them on or do i need to buy adhesive stickers to be printed on?

Sorry for all the questions, just seems like I have hit a roadblock and can't find the answers.

19tigger73 · ‎01-20-2005

javax,

do you mean registering and using electronic shipping tools?

I registered yesterday, but haven't used EST yet...By simply using this, would I get the discount you are talking about?

Or do I have to also register somewhere else?

I myself am interested...I just need things spelled out for me (very thick in the head here!)

thanks, tigger.

19tigger73 · ‎01-20-2005

I'm also kind of curious (and confused)...

With EST, we enter in the packages measurements, weight, etc.?

What if we do so and there is an error with the weight or measurement? Does the package get sent back? Or the CP fix the problem and charge you accordingly?

tigger

javax.swing · ‎01-20-2005

Self-quote:

"You go to the PowerSeller homepage, click the link, fill out the form. CP secure e-mails you your information in a few days, and you're off to the races."

You need to sign up for a *CONTRACT*, not simply to use EST to get the discount.

As for accuracy, it's probably in your best interest to be as accurate as possible, but if you're close it probably doesn't matter. I've been +/- 5lbs with FedEx Ground and they haven't cared.

javax.swing · ‎01-20-2005

EST has thoroughly been discussed here:
http://forums.ebay.ca/thread.jsp?forum=9&thread=100016351

"How does the postage labels get applied to my parcels? Do I print them and apply them? or do I drop all the parcels off at a counter with a manifest and they apply them??"

"Can the labels be printed on plain paper? Can they be applied to the parcels by taping them on or do i need to buy adhesive stickers to be printed on?"

Let's deal with that first. You print the label on regular paper, fold it in half and then put it into an adhesive pouch (labelope) that you put on the package. These are available *FREE* from Canada Post, as are a number of other items in the Supplies store they have online. You'll see the link to it when you log into OBC.

"If I apply them, do I need an electronic scale in order to get the weights exact? or does that matter??"

Naturally, you need a scale. They aren't that expensive, and the difference between the PS discount and counter rates will quickly make up the expense. Plus, it's a good thing to have anyways.

javax.swing · ‎01-20-2005

I should mention that if you have a thermal printer, you can print thermal labels as well for your packages. Of course, Canada Post gives you thermal labels for free too. 🙂

dragons_horde · ‎01-20-2005

I am just in the process of signing up (thanks javax!)

I don't see the free labelop envelopes that you mentioned. Will those become free once my account is approved or am I missing something? Do you have an item number for them?

Now I just have to wait the dang "5-7 business days" for an e-mail from CP to get this thing going.....

javax.swing · ‎01-20-2005

I believe that a price is shown for them when you browse, but when you add them to your cart, they adjust to $0.00...this is the case with a number of items...you can also scoop up free fragile, overweight, and airmail stickers as well as the poly powerseller bags (search ebay) to ship in (I started another thread about these...shouldn't be too hard to find). Free is free. 🙂

javax.swing · ‎01-20-2005

Here's the direct link to sign up:

http://pages.ca.ebay.com/services/buyandsell/canadapost.html

ellingtons · ‎01-20-2005

Just wondering...on the sign up page, under accounts payable it asks for PST exemption number. This is where you put your vendor permit number right? It also asks for GST exemption - check 'yes' to not be charged gst? So then when using this service you never pay any taxes, just the actual shipping costs? Brain lag this morning...

whoscloset · ‎01-20-2005

I haven't signed up because I made a deal with UPS. They are shipping for much less, pick-up at my door and items arrive in the US in less than 1/2 the time.

Monique

Monique

vesivus · ‎01-20-2005

Just signed up -- now to see if it makes a difference... 😛

John

javax.swing · ‎01-20-2005

Monique out of sheer interest, could you pull up the rate you're getting for UPS for comparison to what Malcolm and I posted in the other thread? The details are:

The following table shows the rate(s) for a parcel of 36.00cm x 36.00cm x 12.00cm weighing 1.3000Kg
From postal code M3C2E0 to postal code N1R1G2

Thanks.

transtraders · ‎01-21-2005

Ok, I got my Contract Number, but when I try to sign in with that # it says it does not match my customer #. **baffle**

My Customer # currently is my Venture 1 #.

Very confused.

javax.swing · ‎01-21-2005

It takes a bit of time to activate itself...try again later tomorrow. Your customer number stays your Venture 1 number.

javax.swing · ‎01-21-2005

In CP speak, the discount for Bronze and Silver PSses is Level 2 for Canada, and Level 1 for USA (same as V1 I believe). To get Commercial Pricing for Small Packet, you have to mail 50,000 units a year. Lovely.

javax.swing · ‎01-21-2005

Based on 14 sample calculations for differnet postal codes across Canada, here's what I've come up with.

The average PowerSeller discount including automation discount on these was 21.28%.

To match this, you'd have to have a FedEx Ground account giving you a 41.93% discount off published rates, or a UPS Ground account giving a 67.96% discount (on average in both situations).