Canada Post new postal rates

[coulect]

Ever since the Canada Post new postal rates came into effect my sales on Ebay have evaporated. I am wondering if any other sellers are experiencing the same problems? Who is going to pay $25.00 for an item when the postage can cost $20.00?
I think the people at Ebay and Paypal 'dropped the ball' when negotiating with Canada Post.
Lewis

[rose-dee]

I have always understood the purpose of these boards is to help other eBay users. 

Thank you Pierre.  Someone needed to say this. 

I come here looking to learn from other sellers' experiences, share news, views, tips and pointers, and sort out issues.  General complaining is probably inevitable too, but I don't appreciate seeing personal sniping. 

I applaud Cumos for having obviously been analytical enough and flexible enough to find a business model that still works for him on eBay.  I for one have tried to adopt this approach of changing the things I can, and making the best of the things I have no power to change. 

He is absolutely right that higher value items present particular shipping issues.  Each seller must weigh the risks against the costs where shipping is concerned and devise an approach he/she feels most comfortable with.  Simply offering buyers the cheapest shipping available isn't, in my view, always the right choice. 

Shipping with tracking may cost the buyer more (and, admittedly, is primarily for the seller's protection), but in my opinion a happy buyer is one who receives his parcel in a reasonable time, and probably also one who can see its progress through the mails if the item is expensive.  There is comfort for both seller and buyer in that.  As you know, my philosophy has been to offer some "subsidy" of the higher shipping costs to my buyers, which levels out the argument I think.   

[toff3]

Pierre,

I stand by my statement, the truth of which is admitted by Cumos in his post # 19:

Small packet air has no insurance  and costs about $35

For a few dollars more, at about $37-$39,  the parcel gets insured with tracking, but is International Parcel Surface.... 

For international shipping insurance was a primary concern

It has nothing to do with my attitude towards Canada Post. It has everything to do with providing the best possible service to the customer.

Tom

[bb_cool_stuff]

It has everything to do with providing the best customer service to the customer.

According to Cuomos's DSRs & Feedback, he is providing excellent customer service to his buyers.

Obviously his Business Model & Shipping Methods are working for him & are really none of your concern.

[toff3]

Rose-dee,

No, the cheapest shipping option is not necessarily the right one but when it's cheaper and faster (by a factor of 2 or 3), would you not agree that it's the preferred option?

If you admit that tracking (actually delivery confirmation) is for the seller's protection, you also have to admit that insurance is as well, which is why eBay does not allow sellers to charge buyers for it.

Tom

[toff3]

According to Cuomos's DSRs & Feedback, he is providing excellent customer service to his buyers

Bb,

Bully for Cumos. My point is he could provide even better service if he weren't so paranoid about protecting himself.

Tom

[rose-dee]

Rose-dee,

No, the cheapest shipping option is not necessarily the right one but when it's cheaper and faster (by a factor of 2 or 3), would you not agree that it's the preferred option?

If you admit that tracking (actually delivery confirmation) is for the seller's protection, you also have to admit that insurance is as well, which is why eBay does not allow sellers to charge buyers for it.

 Tom

I agree with "bb" -- it seems to me that "Cumos" has found a balanced model of conducting business that provides top notch customer service and protects him as well.  What I don't understand is your vehement criticism.  I think we should give credit where credit is due. 

As I said, tracking (and by extension, insurance) are largely for the seller's benefit, but there is also a strong element of customer satisfaction linked with the provision of those services which is reflected in seller FB and status. 

In my view, there is no truly cheap and fast option for overseas shipping of expensive articles (say, over $100 in value) if you want the protection of tracking.  However Tracked Packet to Europe is insanely expensive, never mind Xpresspost.  Surface delivery, on the other hand, is a risk time-wise, so I completely understand "Cumos" desire to include tracking to give his buyers some visible assurance of delivery and himself protection.  This is just good business practice.   

[padmrt]

I do more buying on Ebay that Selling about 90/10%. I use to go to ebay first for everything, now I don't due to shipping costs. I recently wanted to purchase a horn button, 2" wide 1/2" deep. Shipping was as much as 38.00 in some cases. Really?

The insurance is a money grab. It use to be that they guaranteed it would get there. Now we are charged huge amounts in case they fail to provide the initial service we are paying for in the first place.

I have never had a lost package coming from the US yet. I am sure it happens but what is the actual percentage for claims on lost or damages goods? They are making too much money off the insurance.

Sad in one sense. I enjoyed many really good bargains. Difficult to find now when you include the cost to get items here. On the flip side, I am now shopping at home more.

Personally, I think that is the real motivation behind it all. Keeping our money in the country...and that is probably a good  thing in the long run.

PK

[toff3]

Rose-dee,

Vehement criticism? I beg to differ. For vehement criticism, I would refer you to some of my past posts on the subject of Canada Post.

In this case, I have no issue with CP. On the contrary, here we have a case of CP offering a fast service (Small Packet Air) that is cheaper than a (very) slow service (International Parcel Surface). It almost makes one believe in miracles.

You say tracking and insurance are largely for the seller's benefit. Not so. They are entirely for the seller's benefit.

You go on to say

there is no truly cheap and fast option for overseas shipping of expensive articles (say, over $100 in value) if you want the protection of tracking

If by "you" you mean the seller, I agree with you. Also, by "tracking" I believe you mean delivery confirmation. Tracking per se or sensu stricto is not worth a fig. Tracking s.s. is no assurance of ultimate delivery. What counts - for the buyer and for eBay - is delivery of the buyer's purchase into his or her hands in timely fashion. The buyer could (should) not care less how his or her order got there. Remember, according to eBay policy, the customer (buyer) is in the driver's seat at all times - and that's as it should be.

Remember also that tracking/DC is not guaranteed with Int Parcel Sfc.

Finally, I say again, for the last time (if I carry on with this debate I'd just be repeating myself ad nauseam), a seller on eBay can NOT, ever, justify choosing International Parcel Surface over Small Packet Air (except on the express instructions of the buyer).

Tom

[cumos55]

A question for toff3

Currently you have 13 listings on eBay.

If Small packet Air is so critical for International shipping

Why do you use Small Packet ground  for International shipping?

Air delivery to Europe , is about 14 days

Surface mail to Europe is 6 to 7 weeks

and ... How about  surface mail to Australia  at 10 to 12 weeks

You say speed of delivery is very important with air delivery

yet .......you use surface mail...?????

Please explain....

[toff3]

Cumos,

That's an easy one. Canada Post's International air rates for anything weighing more than 250 g are simply too high. As you well know, the discrepancy between air and ground rates approaches and exceeds 100%.

If CP offered me an International air service comparable in price to a ground service (such as Small Packet Air vs. International Parcel Surface), I would choose it in a heartbeat. But, as matters stand, to all intents and purposes I have no choice (subject, of course, to the wishes of my customer). 

Tom

[pierrelebel]

" I have no choice..."

That is the choice you make on how to run your eBay business.

The result is an acceptable 4.8 DSR for shipping time.

Cumos makes different choices how to run his larger eBay business resulting in 5.0 DSR for shipping time.

Those 4.8 and 5.0 DSRs represent how buyers feel on the subject.

We are all free to run our businesses the way we see fit.  It may be time for you to move on and stop criticizing others for the way they run their successful businesses.

Plenty of eBay sellers do need help and assistance in becoming successful, Cumos is not one of them.

[toff3]

Pierre,

My 4.8 for Shipping Time is the result of one of my buyers making the all-too-common mistake of confusing shipping time with transit time. Because I'm a low-volume seller, that one error had a significant impact on my DSRs.

Tom

[cumos55]

This discussion will shortly have 1000 views.... surprising as the number of views has grown rapidly over the last two days....

To those who have come here.... I do hope something has been learned.

and ... to learn ....and ... perhaps .....to be entertained.

My continued input was  to provide some very basic information... and an  effective use of Canada Post.

This is my way of dealing with Canada Post...  with my  broad range of prices, and my weights of inventory...

This is my basic model for selling on eBay....    There is more ... but that is for me to know...

and ....as has been done in previous years,  I will continue to adapt in future years...  and perhaps someday,  maybe never... that brick wall will hit me...

It will always be there...  some day in the future..... or maybe  I just may retire....before I hit that brick wall.

eBay is not perfect,  that I can confirm,   buyers are not perfect, also a reality....  but.........let us know  how to sell,  and continue to learn to sell in this chosen environment.

[mosaicandtilesource]

I use a company wholesale international couriers or wicff ,I sell mosaic tiles and offer Free shipping so you can imagine what kind of rates I get.

[mrschucomonorail]

I am having similar problems in this regard! I just sold a book to Germany. Book sold for 7.99. Shipping was $45.00 USD!!!!

Sold a Record Album to Australia. Album sold for 8.99. Postage was $55.00 USD!!!!!

[toff3]

Mrschuco,

What were the weights of your shipments and what Canada Post service(s) are you referring to?

Tom

[cumos55]

The main problem with the seller in reply 74 is knowing which option to use for shipping within Canada and to the US... and perhaps internationally.

Take a good look at seller's listings...such as

Using Tracked Packet International for shipping to the USA.

Selling breakables does require special packaging.... First package the item in a box about the item,,, and within a larger parcel with a buffer of about 3 inches from the sides of the inner box and the outer box....  I have used newspaper to fill that "buffer space"

[coulect]

Newspaper can be quite heavy.

[cumos55]

When shipping breakables, the size of the final parcel and not the weight of the parcel  defines the cost of postage.

Many times The final parcel would weigh less than 3 kg  while postage would be for weight 6 kg or higher...

Packing with newpaper works well because the inner parcel would not move in transit  and the  breakable was protected very well..

Peanuts shift in transit, while newspaper does not.

I have sent large parcels with large pieces of Chalet glass to New Zealand and nothing broke....I used to strap the item tightly into the inner box...  It would never move,,, even if the parcel  was turned upside down....

Buyer told me  that one in two of Chalet pieces bought broke in transit... mine were 100 % "not-breakable"  because of how I suspended the artglass in its parcel,  and he wanted me to fill up a small container  and ship that to New Zealand... I was too busy doing other things...

They would buy for $50 on eBay, ship to New Zealand for $100  and sell the piece in New Zealand for $300 to $350..

Today that same Chalet glass is selling fopr $150 and more on eBay... not too good for New Zealand buyers.

[coulect]

I have found an insurer who will insure a Canada Post small packet upto $1000.00 for $1.50 per hundred. I have started using this service.