eBay Workshop with Canada Post: Friday, May 27, 1-2 PM ET

[carly@ebay.com]

Please join us on Friday May 27 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 and how you use the various services with your eBay business.

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

[laird@ebay.com]

Hi All,

Thanks to Kim for joining us today. We will see you all in a month.

Have a great weekend and hope the "black clouds" fade away in your 'hood Pukmis.

Cheers,
::Laird

[canadapost2]

Thanks very much everyone.

We know we weren't able to get to all your questions today, but we will post answers to the ones we didn't get to next week.

Also, we look forward to coming back in about a month's time for another session board workshop.

Thanks very much for the great questions, and thanks for your business with Canada Post. We really appreciate you giving us the opportunity to serve your delivery needs.

- Kim

[canadapost2]

Hello all,

I'm going to be posting some additional answers to the questions that were asked that I didn't get to during the workshop.

Kim

[canadapost2]

Q. Many of you have been asking for clarification around letterpost to the US – what’s acceptable, how does it work. What customs information is required? Is this standard for all countries?

A. I’ll try and address the many concerns around this subject. Letterpost to the US is to be used for paper only. Any goods must be shipped as a small packet. There was a time when these product were combined, but they are now separate. Communication was done to commercial customers is 2004.We recognize that there is clarification required of the rules surrounding letterpost to the US. New information will been sent out to our retail outlets this month. The online Postal Guide has also been updated, and can be seen at http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pg/manual/d08-e.asp. The hard copy of the Postal Guide will be available towards the end of September 2005.Please see the attached link for required customs documentation - http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pg/manual/b06-e.asp.Each postal administration determines the rules surrounding product specifications.

Thanks to: chick2026supergroovieslaurahowes dnc_ont tobyshitzucabbages.n.kings

[canadapost2]

Q. I have read elsewhere that Canada Post was starting to pay claims based on selling price and not cost (sorry I don't remember where). As it appears that Canada Post will only insure based on cost (which can be hard to prove), is it possible to have a cheaper rate on small packets and expedited without insurance so that we can buy full insurance elsewhere through a 3rd party

A. Small packets and expedited parcel do include $100 coverage as part of the standard product offering. Regular parcel is available without a barcode or coverage within Canada. Our product groups are reviewing these requests to see if a viable product can be created.

Thanks to:phoebescollectables

[canadapost2]

Q. What is the minimum volume required to obtain an Small Packet USA/Intl Agreement/Contract with Canada Post?

A. Minimum volume requirements to received an agreement on small packets is 50,000 units per year.

Thanks to: dnc_ont

[canadapost2]

Q. Does Canada post offer free envelopes/shipping items that the USPS does?

A. No, not at this time. Canada Post ensures that our prices are reflective of the service we provide. We would not want to have to embed the cost of these shipping items in the price we charge our customers.

Thanks to: chick2026

[phoebescollectables]

Hi, seeing as you are back for a short while, can you clarify if insurance is being paid on the cost of the item or the selling price of an item. Thanks

[canadapost2]

Many of you have also had this suggestion.

Q. In lieu of domestic small packet rates many people would applaud the results of increasing the 3rd dimension of Other Letter-mail from 2cm to say 10 cm.

A. The dimensions for lettermail are at the maximum we can process through our mechanized operation. Lettermail prices are based on the fact that we can automate the sortation. Large sized items require handling and are priced accordingly.

Thanks to: cabbages.n.kings quatsinosound, maryo1961, laurahowes

[canadapost2]

Q. I have been dealing with the same retail CP outlet for more than a year and have a V1 card. It seems odd that the staff would not mention anything about the EST service available through CP. Can you provide us with a bit more information on this service i.e. does it save any additional money for the user and briefly, what is it?

A. Absolutely. You can sign up online to EST at https://obc.canadapost.ca/orc/init.do?regType=1 and be able to use it right away. This will give you an additional 3% on top of your 5% that you receive at the counter. Packages and parcels can be shipped via this online application through the comfort of your own home or office. You can ship within Canada, to the US and Internationally and pay be meter or credit card. A label is then produced and you must affix it to your item. The item can then be dropped off at any street letter box or post office.

Thanks to: islandchicks

[canadapost2]

Q. Is there a way to request green CN22s, Small Packet forms, airmail stickers, etc. directly through Canada Post. I like to have the forms filled-out before we go to the post office so as not to hold up the line. But some postal clerks are reluctant to give out supplies, or just refuse to do it.

A. Yes. We do have an online store where you can order supplies such as labels, CN22s etc. You will require a customer number to do so, but this is easily obtained through our VentureOne program. To signup for VentureOne click on https://obc.canadapost.ca/orc/init.do?viewType=0&language=EN&campaignSource=webYou can then signup for your userid and password for the online store right away at https://obc.canadapost.ca/orc/init.do?regType=1.

Thanks to: stellasamoa

[canadapost2]

Q. Hard to find small packet definition on web site.

A. Here’s a link that will help. This is part of our Postal Guide that has information on all of our products.http://www.canadapost.ca/personal/tools/pg/manual/d07-e.asp

Thanks to: chickies_place

[canadapost2]

Q. I have experienced my first lost LARGE package that was to be delivered within Canada using expedited services,(shipping cost of $23 Canadian) and it was scanned in the sorting station close to my buyer. However the person assigned to my trace file is 3 provinces away?? Why would that happen when it would make much more sense for the trace to be done in the sorting station that it was last scanned in?Also I have been told that it will take 2 weeks for a reply to the trace, do you find this reasonable?

A. Here at Canada Post we have 3 call centres that handle claims – Fredericton, Ottawa, and Winnipeg. As for the turnaround time, customer service indicates that it really depends on the expected delivery time of the item – but a usual turnaround time is 3-5 days

Thanks to: zak-o-man

[canadapost2]

Thanks again everyone for all of the great questions. I look forward to coming back in a month.

Kim:-)

[canadapost2]

Hi phoebescollectables,

As for your question regarding if an item is insured at the cost of the item or the selling price for claims purposes....

I verified with our claims department that Canada Post will reimburse the cost of the item only. If an item is not made by the sender, but is a high-value piece, additional coverage may be purchased through other insurers.

Kim

[phoebescollectables]

Hi Kim,

Thanks for the clarification. Although I would have preferred a different answer.