Canada Post introducing new computer system at Post Offices...and surprise, it doesn't work right

[fergua3]

My PO was closed last Wednesday while Canada Post installed a whole new computer system.  Today was the first day i had to go to the PO with a package (slow month) since then.

Package was for the US.  I had my QR code all filled out and ready to go like i've been doing all year.  The lady at the PO scans the code, it scans propely and.......nothing.  All infor on her computer screen is blank.  After 3 more tries she concluded that it wasn't working and she had to fill in all the info manually.

That took a couple of minutes (big line behind me by this time) and after correcting 2 mistakes she made with the address, she printed the label.  Great almost done.  Nope.

Some of the information she typed in did not get printed on the label.  My name was missing from the return address and part of the zip code was missing.  I had to write the missing info in with a ball point pen .  It all got smeared beyond legibility when she put the label on the package (there are no more plastic envelopes anymore, just a big sticker with all of the information on it.. 

So we had to put white-out over the smudged info and after it dried i re-wrote the info.  Pretty professional stuff.

Surprisingly, there was one good thing about the new system.   My package was small packet,  thus untracked but the UR code was on the receipt now.  No more needing to take pics of the label.

I'm sure all the problems will get sorted out in a few months.  Hope it's before Christmas.  One package took over 20 minutes.

[pjcdn2005]

Isn't that list for labels printed online...not for services at the post office?

[msmaggie060]

My local rural post office that does a LOT of business has not yet got the new computer system and they all have their fingers crossed that they won’t get it in before the holidays! The other little post office where the mail is sorted does have the new computer system in and that survey is a darn nuisance to use. I noticed some customers having to stop and find their reading glasses in order to see the screen. Usually they would just tap their credit card and take their receipt and leave.

[fergua3]

i went to my local PO today and mercifully, their new computer system was working well enough to be able to ship  stuff.  First time since Monday.   However, it has changed a bit.

The lady at the counter still had to input the receiver's address after scanning my QR code because the info on her screen was still blank, but my return address was there now.   When the label printed there was less info missing than before but i still had to write some in with a pen.  And still very slow....again a big line formed behind me while she ploded along.

The UR tracking number for untracked packages is NOT on the receipt now, like it was last week, so i'm back to taking pictures of each  package's label so i can keep a record of it.

Got the survey for the first time.  I couldn't read it so i just tapped 'yes' for every question; i think there were only 2 or 3.  The lady at the PO said 'yes' were the right answers to make her look good.  🙂

This new cumbersome system is here to stay.  I hope speed picks up by Holiday season, otherwise there are going to be some huge lines full of unhappy faces..

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

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@pjcdn2005 wrote:

Isn't that list for labels printed online...not for services at the post office?

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I've always printed my labels from home AND kept a copy for my records to attach to the order copy. Unfortunately not everyone has access to a printer. The depot should be able to provide person mailing a copy for their records but not positive on that.

-Lotz

As a side note, let tagging OP/who message is directed to be your friend. Otherwise the message could be missed.

[byto253]

Do NOT complete the survey.  I don't know if the bug has been worked out but at my outlet it was crashing the system if you double tapped.  Until the bugs are ironed out and the staff is completely comfortable with it I am just keeping it as lean and clean as possible for when I do use the PO.

[fergua3]

wow, it's too late now.  I wonder if my completing the survey caused problems for the people behind me.  As i mentioned, this was the first time i'd seen the survey on this new system.  The few previous times i used the new computer system for shipping, there was no survey offered.

When i'm in on Monday, i'll menion what you said about the survey being buggy to the lady at the PO.  She won't listen to me though, she always just does what she wants.

[fergua3]

the computer system at my local PO wasn't working again today.  4th time in 3 weeks.   The Friday before a long weekend was really bad timing for this to happen.  None of my packages will get shipped until at least Tuesday now.  

Disgraceful service for a major corporation like Canada Post.  Inexcusable.. 

[pjcdn2005]

You can't print labels at home or elsewhere so that you can get the packages mailed today?

Is there only one post office/outlet in your area?  I agree that it is ridiculous that their system is down but if at all possible your buyers should not have to wait an extra 3 days to have their items mailed.

[fergua3]

This week the new computer system at my local PO wasn't working Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.    Fortunately, it's been dead slow this month again, so i didn't have anything to take in those days.  Today was my first trip to the PO and was told they'd been closed all week and this was the first day they were operating.

Sinde this new system was installed mid Sept, it's only worked about half of the time.

[ypdc_dennis]

Different story for me.

My local Shoppers had their system upgraded last Thursday. The sign on the outside door said post office was closed until Friday. I decided to check them out before going to another outlet. Got to the postal area to discover they were already back in business 😄 The trainer/installer was in the process of wrapping things up. Before he left, he was telling the manager it was the quickest upgrade he has done. Praised her for having well trained staff who were not afraid of asking questions.  [ And I agree, she does a good job of managing the postal outlet, and has a pool of staff to work the outlet that know what they are doing and when they don't know they ask/consult. A good workplace. ]

A possible failure point I can see with the new system is the flimsy touch screen that buyers have to use.

I am in the process of adjusting my stamped parcels to have enough space on the parcel for the big label they now use (although the label can be divided into parts to apply, I prefer to have the check in go quickly).

-;-

[byto253]

It is funny that the US label has shrunk a ton, but the Canadian label is bigger now!  

Closing for the day is SOP for the Shopper's outlets.  Kudos for you Manager to get it up and going quick.  A great Postal Manager is a gold!!!!

[dobo5250]

SO I GUESS MY SYSTEM OF GOING TO THE POST OFFICE AND  HAND MAILING THE PARCELS WITH HAND WRITTEN LABELS  IS STILL THE BEST MORE COSTLY BUT NO PROBLEMS WHEN DONE BY HAND BY THE POST OFFICE EMPLOYEE SO FAR 

SHE DID SAY THEY HAVE HAD SOFTWARE ISSUES A LOT OF DAYS  AND THE ONLINE MAILING IS AWFUL

[brettjet38]

[byto253]

Just an update, when the new system first came out, the Ebay app could not scan the QR code tracking number.  That has now been fixed and the app now scans and uploads the tracking number like it did before.