eBay

carly@ebay.com · ‎08-04-2005

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

canadapost2 · ‎08-25-2005

Thanks phoquebooks,

Softcover Books and magazines are acceptable content for letterpost. Hardcover books are not. This will not change on September 19th.

-Kim

fdc.mtl.qc.ca · ‎08-25-2005

I mail collectable First Day Covers inside another envelop to the US often. I often mail the covers with a piece of cardboard to limit bending. Do the machines that canada post use bend the mail when sorting? I would like to make my envelopes as light as possible and would preffer not to use thick cardboard each time.

Thank you.

ferret-mom · ‎08-25-2005

And what about your Tickelopes?

sffan2001 · ‎08-25-2005

CP's Reply:

A. This is largely driven by content and size/weight requirements. As an example, an expensive unframed photograph taken be a famous photographer could quality as letterpost. Even though the item has an associated value, the item is made entirely of paper. As soon as the photograph is framed ,it becomes a good and must be shipped via a USA distribution service

And that is why the rest of us are upset by this round-about, mind-numbing bureaucracy!

canadapost2 · ‎08-25-2005

More info on acceptable items for letterpost. There were some questions about Tickelopes and "embellished cards".

Embellished cards, such as those that use craft materials (foam, googly eyes, fabric, wood) are permitted for movement as Letter-post... We appreciate that there are many novelty cards on store shelves that contain items such as elastic bands, bits of fabric, foam shapes, deflated balloons and toothpicks as part of the greeting. There is no issue in acceptance of these items as "Letter-post", providing such items are attached to a paper item within a completely sealed envelope.

Thanks,

- Kim

recped · ‎08-25-2005

Re #493

So a compact disc in a PAPER sleeve would be acceptable?

"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.

canadapost2 · ‎08-25-2005

There was a question if there was a link to additional info on restrictions for letterpost.

A. Here's a couple that should be helpful
http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pg/manual/b07-e.asp
http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pg/manual/d08-e.asp
http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pg/manual/h01-e.asp

doggydues · ‎08-25-2005

What about an item such as a postcard or paper sticker that is sent with a stiffener of regular cardboard to protect it? Would this be able to travel as Letterpost?

bendertrc · ‎08-25-2005

Frankly, if it fits within the guidlines of weight and size of lettermail, it shouldn't matter WHAT is inside the envelope. First Class Mail is supposed to be personal, so why would Canada Post NEED to know what's inside?

ferret-mom · ‎08-25-2005

Thanks Kim. Perhaps someone can show you a sample of a Tickelope. The foam embellishments are sticking out all four sides, and the envelope is in the middle. Will I have to go out and find a bigger envelope for my Tickelope?

sffan2001 · ‎08-25-2005

And what about a compact disk in a greeting card, or send with a THIN paperback book or magazine? Does the CD now become "paper" since I'm sending it with a book or magazine?

recped · ‎08-25-2005

I'm sorry but the links provided do not mention specific content other than the well known "characteristics of paper"

Please answer my previous question regarding the details of "charcteristics of paper"

"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.

canadapost2 · ‎08-25-2005

There was a question about sports cards: sports cards are acceptable. If they are encased in hard plastic it would not be acceptable, same as a photo is a go, but a photo in a glass frame is not.

Basically pliable paper is a go, hard inflexible content, like hard plastic is not.

- Kim

canadapost2 · ‎08-25-2005

Q.So a compact disc in a PAPER sleeve would be acceptable?

A. No. The content must be paper.

Thanks to recped

recped · ‎08-25-2005

like hard plastic is not

How about "soft" plastic?

"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.

weedsellit4u · ‎08-25-2005

Kim,
How about plasic guitar picks taped to a peice of paper?

Gehres

sffan2001 · ‎08-25-2005

Kim:

You still have not explained why a CD-ROM can go lettermail in Canada, but not outside.

Also, you need to explain why (for example) I can send a 5" x 7" photograph with cardboard to protect it from being bent ... but I can't send a CDROM!

davebarbie · ‎08-25-2005

I would also like to know why there seems to be a lot of inconsistancy in the knowledge of the clerks at different postal outlets. Shouldn't they have the same training? The reason I say this is, if I take an item to an outlet say in a Shoppers Drug Mart the person quotes double or triple what the actual regular Canada Post outlet will tell me. This seems like an unfair practice, especially for those who do not ship things all the time.

I also find irregularities with the staff at the general post office. One clerk is excellent while the others tell me something different each time I come in.

I also agree the Canada Post needs to rethink raising the rates again in January. Seems a bit excessive and unnecessary.

lordtweedie · ‎08-25-2005

I use the U.S. postal service because I find Canada post's regulations onerous. For instance:
1. The USPS doesn't have a silly little plastic letter slot that all lettermail has to pass through.
2. Canada post will not insure letter mai(except at prohibitive rates, i.e. Express post), whereas the USPS will insure all domestic mail.
3. The USPS has an economical rate for books & magazines (Media mail), while Canada post charges the prohibitive letter or parcel rates.

Get with it Canada post.

recped · ‎08-25-2005

I have read the Canada Post specification for machine sortable mail and "other" letterpost.

It would seem to me that most of the "questionable" items DO comply with these specs

Please clarify

"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.