Shippo incompatible with Canada Post commercial account?

[vip-marketplace]

Hey guys!

So I just went from a small business level 4 saving account with Canada Post to a commercial agreement (level 5).

It's effective since this morning and I noticed I'm getting worst rates than before. My client number didn't change.

Apparently with my level 4 saving account I was getting my level 4 savings + eBay discounted rate. Now with my commercial account I'm only getting level 5 savings without the eBay discount.

I contacted Shippo and was told the following:

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Thanks for reaching back out with that information. Unfortunately, you can't use a commercial Canada Post account to have access to the eBay discounted Canada Post rates (these discounts explain the price discrepancy between the two accounts). We have a quick fix for your 'contract number' error message, which will require you to create a new eBay-only Canada Post account (we will disable your old one). You can go back through the on-boarding workflow to create this Canada Post account so that you can get the eBay discounted rates for your shipments. I'd be glad to disconnect your eBay store so you can go back through the on-boarding flow, so you'll be able to get rates for your shipments with the eBay discounted rates. Would you like me to disconnect your eBay store so you can go back through the on-boarding flow? Once you have set up your new account, you would be able to reconnect your eBay store and continue importing orders into Shippo.

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Does that makes sens?

Thanks!

[momcqueen]

Very interesting. Thank you for sharing that insight. 

[vip-marketplace]

This is so stupid!

I have been looking forward for YEARS to get a commercial account and get good rates with Canada Post.

I finally get it and am being told it's actually WORST no Canada Post small business account (lv1) at all. THAT MAKES NO SENSE!

Why aren't there more information about this available? Am I really the first Canadian eBay seller that got a commercial account with Canada Post??

[momcqueen]

“ Am I really the first Canadian eBay seller that got a commercial account with Canada Post??”

I’m sure not. But you’re the first of which that I’m aware to post their disappointment. Ask happy_pidgeon or Tyler to comment if you are looking for an explanation of the reason this is the case.

[vip-marketplace]

Thanks momcqueen. I'm not too sure how to contact them so I'll just hope they manifest themselves on my thread.

[momcqueen]

Until recently, mere mortals such as you and I were unable to summon the gods but here's what I would suggest: ask @happy_pigeon about it and then also ask Tyler at the Weekly Chat when it opens next week. (Also until recently, we did not have a happy_pidgeon to ask so let's all appreciate now that we do, I know I do.)

I suspect what you will be told is that the additional ebay postage discount through Canada Post is a subsidization that they assign to the small sellers who they think need it most and that if a seller ranks enough sales to warrant a Commercial Account with Canada Post, this is not their target demographic for necessary assistance. But that's just a guess on my part. We shall see the true reason shortly. 

Nonetheless, you raise a valid question. Ask for a reason and ye shall receive an answer, even if it is not an answer necessarily to your liking. 

[happy_pigeon]

I will ask my shipping-related Product Manager... un moment s'il vous plait.

[momcqueen]

Thanks!

[happy_pigeon]

FYI, there's still an active internal discussion going on about this. We're trying to determine (1) Contractually, which tier levels are included in the discount, and (2) the accuracy of the information Shippo provided to the seller. 

I can't say which way it's leaning yet, but I'll update when I have more info.

[vip-marketplace]

Thanks for chipping in the discussion!

I will check back here daily.

Currently, I'm getting my Canada Post commercial discount but lost the eBay discount.

The effect is that I'm getting WORST rate than Canada Post saving level 0 + eBay discount.

It's really frustrating as there should have been warnings not to reach the commercial level.

Shippo escalated my case to their technical team but mentioned I may have TO MAKE A BRAND NEW CANADA POST ACCOUNT AND START ALL OVER!

YES!! You red that right!!

[happy_pigeon]

I've just confirmed that the Canada Post discount is only extended to levels 1 through 4, so what Shippo told you in that respect is correct.

One would imagine that a large-volume commercial seller would see larger discounts through Canada Post's commercial service than through eBay's discount, but based on your experience, it does not seem to be the case. 

It may be more worth your time to explore other carriers to better offset your shipping costs (I see that you offer free shipping on the majority of your items). I can't recall any at the moment without completely butchering the name, but I know there are a couple of services that members around here really seem to like. Can anyone chip in with recommendations?

[vip-marketplace]

I think you must have misunderstood me because you wouldn't be suggesting this is an acceptable situation.

I have had to spend over 15,000$ in shipping costs to reach a commercial level with Canada Post.

What Shippo told me and what you seem to be suggesting as an acceptable solution is that I start a brand new Canada Post account at saving level 0? It will take me 1 year and thousands of dollars to get back to saving level 4.

I do not think I have to lose thousands of dollars because of some arbitrary limitation especially since nowhere it was mentioned not to reach commercial level.

Please, get in touch with your development team, Shippo or Canada Post but something has to be done! Limit my saving level to level 4 for example. But having me start all over because I reached "commercial" (level 5) is absolutely NOT acceptable.

[pjcdn2005]

I wonder if Canada Post requires that you use their EST online tool in order to receive that high of a discount.  The problem with that is that you would have to enter all of the info for each package.

I'm sorry if you already mentioned this but did you try to contact Canada Post?