eBay

dinomitesales · ‎02-15-2025

Here's an interesting tidbit of info that was sent to post offices on Feb 14. I've posted the relevant text below:

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Solutions for Small Business™ (SfSB) reduced rates on Expedited Parcel and Tracked Packet USA starting February 17

From February 17 to April 27, 2025, Canada Post Solutions for SfSB customers without a commercial parcel agreement may be eligible to receive an exclusive new discount.

What you need to know

Expedited Parcel Discount:
- Lightweight (for items under 500g) – discount of up to a 70% saving off counter rates where customers may see shipments as low as $3.50.
- 10% to 20% off some current shipping rates when shipping an item that is up to 5kg.

Tracked Packet USA Discount:
- Up to 46% discount for Tracked Packet USA (Valid until June 25, 2025).

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A few notes from me:

The first line says "customers without a commercial parcel agreement may be eligible to receive an exclusive new discount". I don't know why they chose to use the word "may" - there is no clarification on why anyone would be excluded from the promotion. I would expect anyone reading this would be eligible for the discount provided you have a SfSB account.
Obviously the highest discounts (they call out $3.50) are going to be for very light items shipping within your own city or local area, but even still this could theoretically be cheaper than Lettermail... definitely seems like it should be cheaper than Expedited Lite (and good up to 500g).
It's not clear if this is going to be available for labels purchased online, although I can't imagine why it wouldn't; whether or not it will be available to external shipping label platforms like eBay Labels is also unclear - we'll have to wait to see what eBay shows on Monday. This could be a "SnapShip only" promotion, or it could just be baked into Canada Post's API in which case the discounts should also show on eBay.
The "up to 46% discount for Tracked Packet USA" isn't all that relevant to us, as I'm fairly certain the eBay negotiated Tracked Packet rates we get through eBay Labels is greater than 46%. For example, the "counter rate" of a Tracked Packet under 100g is $13.80 - 46% off of that would be $7.45, but eBay Labels is giving it to us for $6.35 (not factoring in fuel surcharge, of course).
Unclear if this stacks with the current 10% off promotion for postage purchased at the post office counter, currently in effect until the end of February.

dinomitesales · ‎04-11-2025

Correct, for all intents and purposes Expedited Lite is the same as Expedited Parcel, so if the Expedited Parcel rate is lower (as is the case with this promotion) then it will show the lower price on Expedited Lite as well.

lotzofuniquegoodies · ‎04-11-2025

@dinomitesales wrote:
Correct, for all intents and purposes Expedited Lite is the same as Expedited Parcel, so if the Expedited Parcel rate is lower (as is the case with this promotion) then it will show the lower price on Expedited Lite as well.

@dinomitesales

In theory a seller could offer both in a case where they are selling multiple up to 200 gram items. System "should" default to the standard expedited as soon as you went over the limit. For a single item I just offer lite. Less confusion.