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...)

recped · ‎03-24-2005

Why so different?

Have you ever seen or tried to read the CP training manuals?

Ben

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

"What else could I do? I had no trade so I became a peddler" - Lazarus Greenberg 1915
- answering Trolls is voluntary, my policy is not to participate.

catseye* · ‎03-24-2005

I drop my Small Packet (US) in the handiest mailbox (although I have to drop off the Expedited at the PO). Can you use the mailbox with the desktop version??

*JMHO* - to be taken with a grain of salt!

headhoncho99 · ‎03-24-2005

I don't think so, because you have to hand in the manifest. It looks like that's the one downfall of the desktop version.

wrightcomputes · ‎04-01-2005

I fail to see the advantage of signing up for the powerseller discount. In fact, there seems to be a disadvantage. Maybe I misunderstood something, but I had a lengthy chat with Canada Post about it, and I was told that you get a level 2 discount on domestic shipping, BUT you have to meet a quota of 1,200 packages (I have the same level on a 1,000-package quota). You also get a level 1 discount on international PARCELS (not small packets). The requirement to meet the international level 1 is normally 100 packages. I failed to ask what the quota was for those who signed up for the powerseller discount.

If what I was told by Canada Post is accurate, I would have to ship 200 more packages in a year to attain the same discount level I already have (on domestic). The level 1 discount for international I also have.

Furthermore, there seem to be some additional restrictions when compared with having your own business account. One is that you are obligated to use their EST to get the discount (we don't use it), the other (I think) is that you must pay immediately, not billed afterwards.

If you already have a commercial account with Canada Post, it would seem a big mistake to enrol on the powerseller discount. Your current contract will be void, and a new one will be issued instead. You may find you won't like the terms on the new contract.

I don't believe the 30% discount bit.

Commercial Pricing levels for Small Packets exist, but only if you ship 50,000 packages a year. If you're in that bracket, you'd be extremely foolish to sign up for the powerseller discount (which buys you absolutely nothing as far as small packets is concerned).

Maybe I'm all wrong, but as far as I can see, the powerseller discount is just a lot of hoopla about nothing.

If you're considering signing up for it, better give CP a call (1-888-550-6333) and find out what exactly you're signing up for. Otherwise, you may get audited a year from now and be told you owe a ton of money because you didn't meet the quota you committed yourself to.

aabros · ‎04-01-2005

wrightcomputes: "Otherwise, you may get audited a year from now and be told you owe a ton of money because you didn't meet the quota you committed yourself to."

Canada Post will not tell you you "owe" them money... they'll simply tell you that next year, you'll be downgraded to another level. You cannot take full responsability if you did not meet your annual volume target.

wrightcomputes · ‎04-02-2005

That's not what they told me.

If it was that easy, what stops one from forecasting 100,000 small packets/year and enough to get the lowest rates for parcels, domestically and internationally, enjoy the discount for a year, and then just simply be downgraded?

I think maybe they just don't always do it, but I'm sure they have that option. I can't find a copy of my agreement, but I'd be surprised if there isn't something to that effect in it.