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jt-libra · ‎07-31-2017

I have been taking my parcels to the same Rexall postal outlet for over 10 years. The staff changes often but there is always one experienced person on duty who can answer questions.

Whenever I have a tracked packet or an expedited parcel, I always ask the clerk to scan it -- just to be on the safe side. Occasionally, not often, Canada Post will not scan it that evening and I won't be able to track it until it's reached its destination. Without even asking, the clerks have always given me a receipt and, on a couple of occasions, I was glad I had it since the buyer was questioning whether I had in fact mailed their item. I was able to scan a copy of the shipping label and the acceptance receipt and forward it to them.

Today I took in two expedited parcels for Canadian destinations. I noticed that the person on duty was a young lady who started working there about a week ago. She scanned them in and asked if there was anything else. I politely said ... no receipts today? She told me that I don't get receipts for commercial shipments. I asked if that was a new policy and she said no. I told her I had been getting them for years. Then she said "you must be mistaken. You probably brought in other types of parcels!!! (What does that even mean?) She was so-o-o-o smug but I bit my tongue because there was a line-up behind me. But I did ask if anyone more senior was working and she said no. Then another young girl who I had never seen before (they both were about 17-18) popped her head out, glared at me and said -- what's the problem? I asked whether there was a policy change and she told me to call Canada Post. They weren't about to change the system just to give me a receipt (again .... wha-a-a-a-t?).

God help me .... I wanted to tear a strip off them but I held my tongue. I told them I would let it go for now but I would be back with clarification. They looked at each other and scoffed and the people in line just wanted me to go away.

I called Canada Post and they told me there was no change in policy and that these individuals were likely unfamiliar with the system.

I know that "dinomitesales" often posts on these Boards and she(he?) is a postal outlet manager. Perhaps they can tell me if anything has changed and whether I should still be able to get an acceptance receipt.

Has anyone else run into this?

That was 3 hours ago and I'm still ticked off!!

femmefan1946 · ‎07-31-2017

It is my understanding that outlet employees are paid by the shop not by Canada Post.

The one to complain to, would be the store manager or owner, who is often one of the pharmacists.

BTW, I posted a SnapShip parcel for which I had printed off the label and my PO worker apologized that he couldn't give me a receipt since I didn't actually buy anything.

I told him I had a receipt (printed with the label) and he happily stamped it.

The acceptance turned up on my email a few hours* later.

This was a parcel with a strange address going to AbuDhabi, so I wanted something official. Usually I just dump parcels into the nearest postbox.

*This actually surprised me since I am in Victoria and all our mail goes by ferry to Richmond on the mainland for processing.

hlmacdon · ‎07-31-2017

If the situation repeats itself and you want to be on the safe side simply print a second copy of the shipping label and get them to stamp that with the daily acceptance stamp. I used to do this with small/light packet when I need proof of mailing for the third party insurer I used.

jt-libra · ‎07-31-2017

@femmefan1946 wrote:

It is my understanding that outlet employees are paid by the shop not by Canada Post.

The one to complain to, would be the store manager or owner, who is often one of the pharmacists.

I knew that they were Rexall employees but I called Canada Post to see if they had communicated any changes to the postal outlets. I do intend to speak to the manager when I go in tomorrow. I know these kids don't get paid much and there's a lot to learn working in the postal outlet, but they have to be told by someone that they need to treat customers with courtesy and respect.

I'll bring in a copy of the label from now on, like you and "hlmacdon" suggest. I still want to see those two smug little girls get their knuckles rapped. I know I sound mean but, honestly, if I found out my kids behaved that way at their jobs, I swear I would disown them.

gwrocen · ‎07-31-2017

We have always been getting an acceptance receipt with every tracked parcel we take in

with our own shipping labels. Usually we say "we would like a receipt' just to remind them.

We hand them the parcel, then stand there and watch them scan the parcel and print out the receipt.

They have the ability to print an acceptance receipt without a purchase.

Purchase total is shown as $0.00.

Maybe you have an old receipt you can take in to show them.

If they will not comply with your request for a receipt just ask them

to phone their advisor at Canada Post to find out how to do this.

They have a "help line" and can get through without waiting.

BTW - Have you noticed that every receipt from the Post Office has a link to a survey

you can complete on line to "TELL US HOW WE DID TODAY".

Might be worthwhile filling it out.

jt-libra · ‎07-31-2017

@gwrocen wrote:

We have always been getting an acceptance receipt with every tracked parcel we take in
with our own shipping labels. Usually we say "we would like a receipt' just to remind them.
We hand them the parcel, then stand there and watch them scan the parcel and print out the receipt.

They have the ability to print an acceptance receipt without a purchase.
Purchase total is shown as $0.00.
Maybe you have an old receipt you can take in to show them.

If they will not comply with your request for a receipt just ask them
to phone their advisor at Canada Post to find out how to do this.
They have a "help line" and can get through without waiting.

BTW - Have you noticed that every receipt from the Post Office has a link to a survey
you can complete on line to "TELL US HOW WE DID TODAY".
Might be worthwhile filling it out.

Today was unusual in that there were two newbies working. The two other employees are experienced and I wouldn't need to show proof, but I will keep a receipt in my purse from now on in case I run into them again.

I never noticed the survey actually. It seems that they come with receipts from most stores these days. I used to complete the odd one but they're far too long. They ask the same question about 7 different ways. But they could be useful for complaints. I think I'll dig out my last receipt .......

ypdc_dennis · ‎07-31-2017

Expedited inside Canada I ask for an originate scan, but get no printed receipt if the purchase was made online from Canada Post using EST (and with the recent changes that might now apply to PayPal purchases as well).

Outside Canada I can always get a printed receipt (for either tracked packet or small packet) when asking for an originate scan.

...

My local postal outlet is a well run Shoppers.

-..-

reallynicestamps · ‎08-01-2017

We hand them the parcel, then stand there and watch them scan the parcel and print out the receipt.

My PO worker did scan the label. Maybe that's why the acceptance showed so quickly.

Duh!

I wasn't worried about the reciept since that comes with the label.

momcqueen · ‎08-01-2017

I've very little patience for postal counter employees who don't know how to do their job.

I will say, however, that there is no acceptance scan receipt available for domestic labels printed via Snap Ship. Like domestic printed via EST. Tracked Packet receipts can still be printed on acceptance after a label purchase on either EST or Snap Ship. At least, that has been my consistent experience.

I think acceptance scan receipts should be available no matter the method of purchasing postage. For quality assurance in the handling chain.

rose-dee · ‎08-01-2017

@jt-libra wrote:
I wanted to tear a strip off them but I held my tongue. I told them I would let it go for now but I would be back with clarification.

I don't blame you! What outrageously bad behaviour, not to mention lack of service. I'd certainly follow this up with the store manager pronto. I hate to say it, but "back in my day" as a 17 or 18 year old student working a summer job, I wouldn't dare to speak to an older adult that way.

I think the person who needs the strip removed is the store manager, for lack of management. And a few choice words to Canada Post about their oversight of such outlets. Some of these drugstores seem to consider their Canada Post counter a relatively unimportant ancillary service, more or less equivalent to the lotto counter.

I had to deal with one such suburban drugstore outlet for years when I lived in Victoria -- I was forever "educating" the youngsters at the postal counter. Some were appreciative, some were snarly, almost all were a step away from clueless. I think the deep respect for the post as a sacrosanct and vital service has eroded over the decades.

Things are far better where I live now (in SW Nova Scotia). We have a real little P.O. with wonderful, experienced, efficient (adult) Canada Post employees at the counter who actually know their job.

jt-libra · ‎08-01-2017

@reallynicestamps wrote:
We hand them the parcel, then stand there and watch them scan the parcel and print out the receipt.

My PO worker did scan the label. Maybe that's why the acceptance showed so quickly.
Duh!
I wasn't worried about the reciept since that comes with the label.

It used to be that the bottom half of the label showed the tracking number and little else. Now, of course, half the sheet is comprised of the shipping information and cost.

I got into the habit of requesting the acceptance receipt, under the old PayPal label system, since one of my buyers stated "big deal" when I sent her a photo of the label receipt since that didn't prove I actually sent it. So, on a couple of occasions, I forwarded the label receipt and the acceptance receipt. A lot of aggravation for low-priced items.

Now I print two copies of the label (one for file) and, from now on, I will take that copy to the postal outlet to be date stamped.

jt-libra · ‎08-01-2017

@rose-dee wrote:
@jt-libra wrote:
I wanted to tear a strip off them but I held my tongue. I told them I would let it go for now but I would be back with clarification.

I don't blame you! What outrageously bad behaviour, not to mention lack of service. I'd certainly follow this up with the store manager pronto. I hate to say it, but "back in my day" as a 17 or 18 year old student working a summer job, I wouldn't dare to speak to an older adult that way.

I think the person who needs the strip removed is the store manager, for lack of management. And a few choice words to Canada Post about their oversight of such outlets. Some of these drugstores seem to consider their Canada Post counter a relatively unimportant ancillary service, more or less equivalent to the lotto counter.

I had to deal with one such suburban drugstore outlet for years when I lived in Victoria -- I was forever "educating" the youngsters at the postal counter. Some were appreciative, some were snarly, almost all were a step away from clueless. I think the deep respect for the post as a sacrosanct and vital service has eroded over the decades.

Things are far better where I live now (in SW Nova Scotia). We have a real little P.O. with wonderful, experienced, efficient (adult) Canada Post employees at the counter who actually know their job.

I agree with everything you've said. I have to go there today and I'm going to speak to the manager.

I grew up in a smaller community which had its own Post Office (as well as police department and hospital). I miss the personal touch you always received by people who knew you or recognized you.

reallynicestamps · ‎08-01-2017

I miss the personal touch you always received by people who knew you or recognized you.

Which can go either way.

DD will not enter her town's Post Office, because the senior clerk, or the oldest one anyway, is horrible.

Nasty and bad at the job. Makes up rules on the spot.

Everything goes into the postbox outside.

She's been known to send in her partner if her parcel won't fit.

lady.stark · ‎08-01-2017

@jt-libra wrote:
She scanned them in and asked if there was anything else. I politely said ... no receipts today? She told me that I don't get receipts for commercial shipments.

I always run into this problem when my usual postal clerk is not working. The youngsters don't know how to print the acceptance scan. Only the 2 more experienced ones.

Bringing the other part of the label receipt is actually a really good idea. I think I'll do that from now on. 😉

jt-libra · ‎08-01-2017

Okay ..... clarification

When I walked towards the postal outlet this afternoon, the young girl I spoke to yesterday looked scared to death. The other person behind the counter was the older, more experienced clerk, so I addressed her and asked for clarification.

She said that expedited parcels within Canada do not get an acceptance scan. Receipts are available for Expedited, Tracked Packet and even Small Packet to the U.S. As others have recommended on this thread, she told me to bring in my file copy of the label and it could bed date stamped. I thanked her and said that I was confused by the information I received from the young lady standing next to her who also seemed confused about the process. She looked relieved when I left (my bark is usually worse than my bite).

I think it was mj who said that there are no acceptance receipts for domestic parcels.

momcqueen · ‎08-01-2017

Only with Snap Ship and EST. Of course, now that PayPal has changed and Shippo both connect directly to our Solutions For Small Business accounts, that might mean all EXPEDITED PARCELS aren't acceptance scan printable.

momcqueen · ‎08-01-2017

I should say 'domestic' Expedited Parcels.

zee-chan-jpn-books · ‎08-01-2017

I have had it where they can't print acceptance receipts for my US and international parcels, so they just photocopied my shipping label and then date stamped it. I was cool with that.

jt-libra · ‎08-01-2017

@mjwl2006 wrote:
Only with Snap Ship and EST. Of course, now that PayPal has changed and Shippo both connect directly to our Solutions For Small Business accounts, that might mean all EXPEDITED PARCELS aren't acceptance scan printable.

I believe so, yes.

I told her that she could probably expect a lot more items prepared with Shippo labels, since Snap Ship is no longer offering a discount.

She said they did receive instructions a while back -- that they had to be entered as a Merchant's account, I think she said.