eBay Workshop with Canada Post: Thursday, August 25, 1:00-2:00 PM ET

[carly@ebay.com]

Please join us on Thursday, August 25, from 1-2 PM ET for a workshop with Canada Post. Kim from Canada Post will be here to answer all of your questions about Canada Post letterpost service and what the regulations are for using this type of service.

If you are not able to attend, you can leave your questions here in advance of the workshop and they will be answered during the workshop, and you can come back in and check the answers.

Hope you can join us!

Carly

[elegance_classique]

I shipped using Small package AIR to the U.K. on June 1, 2005.

July 7, I put in a claim with CP for package not received;
July 11, I received a letter informing me that they had started their investigation...

August 18, I phoned asking for developments. I had to leave a message, CS rep. on vacation. I phone another number, was directed to someone else, left another message on that machine.

August 19, a CS rep called to say they would be sending me papers to fill in. I would need copies of all documents. They told me, they don't receive copies by email and no, they can't send me info by fax or get fax of documents. 😞 So snail mail it will be.

Why would it take 5 weeks and 1 phone call for Canada Post to send papers to be filled? Why can't Canada Post accept emails or fax documents to be filled or receive faxed documents. Even the Law accept signatures by fax.

I was also told it could take up to 60 days to track and finish their investigation.... what ever happened to 30 days?

I noticed that Canada Post has no delivery standards for International and from what I can see no performance standards to address a claim. Can we expect Canada Post to develop standards to address complaints?

Shipping from the USA is looking better every day.

[pix_sports]

Does this mean Canada Post will lower there rates for small parcels to the U.S. and worldwide?

There is a large amount of people in Canada who sell on ebay small items that used to constitue as a letter. It's hard to justify sending a DVD or CD in the mail and being charged $5.60 to the U.S. or $6.95 to the rest of the world for something that can fit through a mail slot.

Knowing how much money makes off of ebay business I think it's only fair.

[nickie*nine*doors]

As I have stated in other threads, the "insurance" included on Small Packet is virtually useless. You need to have original receipts showing YOUR cost (not the dollar amount the item is worth, or what it sold for). After months and months of trying to get the claim resolved, you've spent more time than the claim is worth in the first place. Perhaps that's the whole reasoning behind their inability to process claims with any efficiency or consistency --- they hope you'll just give up.

[nickie*nine*doors]

I've noticed that many catalogue (i.e. mail order) companies have migrated their catalogues to CD, including Sears. (The printed ones are still available, just easier and faster to request the CD). Now, I know Sears is a domestic company, but there are many other mail order houses that sell internationally and send their catalogues to other countries. I highly doubt that they will be forced to mail their CD catalogues at the Small Packet rate.

[ciderantiques]

Hello Ferret-mom, re: your message in reply #383. Yes, I was talking about the green customs stickers in message #372. The clerks at the 3 post offices in Ottawa that I go to all say the same thing. No green (to be specific) custom form for International over-sized letters. No form at all. If I have one, they rip it off ! They have never commented on the fact that the item isn't paper. (I realize this is now the issue). I was also told the green customs forms are being phased out (despite the chart that says otherwise). That is why I continue to be of the view that it is a problem when these unidentified envelopes reach the US (the US wants to know what is in the unmarked packet). Instead of solving the over-sized letter issue, Canadapost is pushing us into Small Packet Service.

[nickie*nine*doors]

The US Customs/Security issue just doesn't hold water. There's a much more serious threat from a regular envelope (i.e. letter with paper only), that could contain anthrax or some other biological agent.

[ciderantiques]

You guys put words in my mouth. . . . I never said it was security related. It is a big brother pain in the butt factor. Canada/US relations aren't the best right now, so they want to keep us hoppin'. Another example: we are told the large parcel size boxes must be plain cardboard (no store advertising etc) when they are going to the USA. Now I have to invert my used boxes before I send them, so the plain cardboard is on the outside. This has nothing to do with security either, but we are still told we have to do it (by the USPS to Canadapost to the clerk to me ! ).

[nickie*nine*doors]

You guys put words in my mouth. . . . I never said it was security related

I was not referring to you, ciderantiques. The US Homeland Security thing is something several CP workers have given as the reason behind the lettermail change.

[ferret-mom]

Instead of turning boxes inside out, ciderantiques, why not just wrap them securely in brown paper? That's what I have done on over 1000 parcels, and have never encountered a problem.

As for the US authorities throwing their weight around, if we think we are having problems now, just wait until Canada decides to take a firm(er) stand on the whole softwood lumber issue. It will not be pretty....

[nickie*nine*doors]

US authorities throwing their weight around

US authorities have denied any involvement or knowledge of CP's lettermail requirements.

[ciderantiques]

I ship heavy antique quilts so I will likely continue to invert the boxes. One snag on a vintage quilt and my customers will flip. I think I'd be a nervous wreck using paper only ;). It is a good tip to know though, for some of my other items, thanks.

I agree the stipulations for anything going to the US will continue to more detailed and time consuming, if our "free tade" issues do not improve. There is a trickle down affect and we are at the bottom 😞

Of course the USPS will "deny" any connection.

[ferret-mom]

Okay, so, despite the "enhanced" security measures that have been instituted at their borders, perhaps the US did not set any particular requirements for letter-post entering their country. Fair enough. Why, then, will we now have a double standard, with different requirements for the same type of mail depending on whether or not it is staying in Canada?

If there is a problem with small objects being sent envelopes, why not simply ban them across the board?

[patinage4ever]

Re the above post,,,,if small objects were banned from domestic lettermail the costs would be truly ridiculous since there is no domestic small packet rate!

[diving-adventures]

Canada Post is a monopoly!!!! should its rates not be governed by an independent board ............Just like the Public Utilities board. Small business should push for this . We have an election coming up soon ...

[tobyshitzu]

"Now I have to invert my used boxes before I send them, so the plain cardboard is on the outside. "

This is only for boxes with labels for hazerdous substances, eg alcohol.

[apmtrade]

Hello
Letter Post.
Not only eBayer's and eBay will " go down " for the small items.
Consumers will soon start to send small items as Christmas gift.We will see a strong reaction against CP.

Wait to see what will happen when Canadian exporters realize what CP are doing. Talk to your friends in Export and you will observe a furious reaction.
Their must.. be people able to pin CP for the abuse of monopolistic power.

[ferret-mom]

400!

Couldn't resist...

[misterbeaver]

Well my new policy to stay in business is working so far but i dont know for how long.

Small packet ground /lettermail is shipped via CP. Everything else is shipped from across the border via USPS.

Result: LOTS OF $$$ SAVED!!!

I (heart) USPS.

[mjmcfady]

I agree with tizzytaties Canada Post will lose alot of business. As this does not make it affordable to sell small items. Canada Post is just getting greedy. Isn't it interesting that there has been so many increases lately when we have not seen increases in awhile.
Canada Post will lose 1000 dollars a month from me.

[issmomsells]

I feel Canada Post is doing an honourable thing by letting us suggest things. Although I don't think things will happen overnight, I do hope that CP will enable Canadian Sellers to compete with USPS. All CP has to do is look at the services offered by USPS and attempt to match them. There is no rocket science involved, we are similar countries with similarly shaped services and economies. I lose thousands because I cannot compete with USPS pricing, bottom line. I can't ship something to Germany for USD $9.00 airmail as USPS offers, for me it is CAD $26.40. How can USPS get their parcels to Europe for 60% less money?