The Canada Post in London Drugs threatened to call the police on me...

[Reinhart]

So this just happened, and the title is not clickbait but intended as one because I have some questions I'm really hoping people can answer. (PLEASE LOOK AT THE TLDR: AT THE END OF THE POST)


Background:
For as long as I can remember I've used the US Letter Mail Non-standard and Oversize without any issue. It's $2.95 up to 100g and looks like this:

Never an issue until the one near my home (in London Drugs) got a new employee. She usually works nights and everytime I want to send this out she feels up the mailer and says I can only ship via light packet USA ($6.84).
I tell her it's just a card, cardboard and the plastic is protection so the card/photo does not crease to no avail.
I decided to call CP's CS # right there (1-866-607-6301). Person on the phone just read out what was on the site (asks for the size, weight, dimension) and I told her what was in it and she says it's fine to ship as oversized lettermail 2.95 and does not know why this particular worker won't. Upon hearing that the employee says she'll ship it but I bare all responsibility if something happens.

This was what was on the site, not very clear.

source: https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletpost-e.asp

I thought this was resolved but when I went again she says the same thing (she remembers who I am so it's not like she forgot our last conversation and phone call).
This time she phones a CP employee that works at the store (that I've never had an issue with) and after the call she lets me mail it.

Again, I thought this was over. I go today and she does the same thing. This time she calls the London Drugs employee supervisor (no Canada Post employee) who doesn't know anything about mailing. Not having worked at Canada Post he agrees with her.
It's 7PM pacific and closing time. She can't call another CP employee and it's too late for me to call and wait 25min with CP customer service. I'm too confused (based on past dealings) to even be mad or frustrated.
I tell the LD supervisor that I'm trying to understand why I can't mail it out this way, and I want to know because this place is close to my home and it's never happened.

This is where it gets awkward. So before the LD supervisor was called I've had my phone out recording my pre-stamped packages from eBay.
In the past I'd just take picture of the mailers on the Canada Post desk but I find it faster to just record it. I do this with eBay orders for documentation and keeping a track of things. Canada Post employees are all aware of this (I don't hide it).
He notices and immediately tells me to stop recording and says it's illegal. I stop, he then tells me he needs to see me delete the recording or he will call the police. Before I can even comprehend the situation he has his phone out and has entered 911 hovering his thumb over the dial button.

I'm thinking in my head.. I just went to Canada Post to ship out my eBay and trade stuff and this is surreal. Anyways I deleted it, I had no issues with the LD supervisor after that. He told me if I can get Canada Post to email me in writing something can be done.

So with this particular Canada Post employee I got
-confirmation from Canada Post over the phone
-confirmation from her employee (who has let me ship this way numerous time)
now I need a confirmation via email (gee, I hope this one lasts longer than 1 visit)

TLDR: Can I use US Letter Mail Non-standard and Oversize ($2.95) instead of light packet ($6.84) for:
A young guns with toploader, 2-4 base cards as cardboard protection and a team bag.

If anyone has any suggestion or clarification (perhaps I'm wrong and been mislead) on the rules of Canada Post, or even some #s or email I can call other than the CS line, that would greatly be appreciated.

 

[GoLeafsGoEh]

Happened to me at the closest post office after years of no issue but now I just go a little further to a different one or buy the oversize stamps (free chance at a HOFer auto) and 1.20 stamp.

Hopefully this isn't the future pricing!

 

[Reinhart]

Happened to me at the closest post office after years of no issue but now I just go a little further to a different one or buy the oversize stamps (free chance at a HOFer auto) and 1.20 stamp.

Hopefully this isn't the future pricing!

I've only ever used Stamps when it's being shipped within Canada. Unfamiliar (where the worry comes from) with using them for international stuff.

Does anyone else do this? Thanks for the suggestion!

I would definitely just go to the other office to do my mailing if this one was not so close and convenient to my home. 3min walk away vs 15min walk/7min drive.

 

[canucksfreak19]

I've only ever used Stamps when it's being shipped within Canada. Unfamiliar (where the worry comes from) with using them for international stuff.

Does anyone else do this? Thanks for the suggestion!

I would definitely just go to the other office to do my mailing if this one was not so close and convenient to my home. 3min walk away vs 15min walk/7min drive.

The only time I actually use the post office to ship something is if it needs to go ExpressPost/tracked. I buy my $1.80 stamps for Canadian Packages. And then $1.00 stamps to send my $2.95 to the U.S. or $5.95 anywhere else in the world.

 

[pwag31]

I have been told that if there is anything other then paper products in the envelope , then it is supposed to go as a light packet $5.95.

 

[foley2k]

The one near me tried to charge me $15 to ship a usb thumb stick (told him what it was), in a bubble envelope to BC last week. I asked why so expensive? He had "no idea", and then tried to see if it fit in their little gauge thing. It did, he changed it, and I paid a couple of bucks. I didn't have any stamps which is why I went to the post office to mail it. I thought they had changed their pricing.

Avoid that location and try another. Will save you the troubles.
Or do what canucksfreak19 does. It is what I usually do as well, and have not had any issues.

 

[SNobles]

I have been told that if there is anything other then paper products in the envelope , then it is supposed to go as a light packet $5.95.

This was the same thing I was told by the post office near my new home. I shipped the 2.95 way for 10 years at my old post office. So if I have anything going to the USA I take it there since I still go by there twice a week.

Never had the threat of police but I feel your frustration. Just another way Canada Post is hurting the hobby cross border.

 

[Reinhart]

I have been told that if there is anything other then paper products in the envelope , then it is supposed to go as a light packet $5.95.

This is what she told me, but I've never heard this from any other employee, the site itself, and the customer service rep on the phone (although they only have the same information we do).

I'm trying to find a way to contact and find out what the real deal is.

The only time I actually use the post office to ship something is if it needs to go ExpressPost/tracked. I buy my $1.80 stamps for Canadian Packages. And then $1.00 stamps to send my $2.95 to the U.S. or $5.95 anywhere else in the world.

Thank you for the suggestion. I think this is what I will do if I can't find a definitive answer to this.

Do you know whether or not the Post Office worker handles the mail in the PO box? I'm hoping they do not, and it's handled by just the driver and headed straight to a dispatch/sorting facility. And have you shipped thick cup card stock like this without issue?

This was the same thing I was told by the post office near my new home. I shipped the 2.95 way for 10 years at my old post office. So if I have anything going to the USA I take it there since I still go by there twice a week.

Never had the threat of police but I feel your frustration. Just another way Canada Post is hurting the hobby cross border.

That really is frustrating. I wish I can say I'll never go there again but it's 3min away from my house and the other office is 10min away + parking in Vancouver. I hope I get some answers to this. I'm hearing the same story as yours from 3 different people but the website doesn't definitively say, and the customer service agent just reads off the site.

The police thing was weird. I had no ill intent and was calm. Whenever I mail (usually 2x a week) it's 6-8 packages and for my own record-keeping + any issues I like to have pictures/video.

 

[Triple B]

Go somewhere else. I live in Toronto and there's 6 POs right in my area. I go to the one that I have the most ease. There are a few I avoid because the person working the counter knows it all and thinks that they are part owners of Canada Post.

No sense hassling yourself, find another.

 

[Reinhart]

Go somewhere else. I live in Toronto and there's 6 POs right in my area. I go to the one that I have the most ease. There are a few I avoid because the person working the counter knows it all and thinks that they are part owners of Canada Post.

No sense hassling yourself, find another.

Yup, this whole thing is a hassle. If I can't find a answer (site doesn't provide it), then I'll have to go somewhere else. I made this thread seeking answers is because the location is so convenient and I was used to this convenience for a very long time.



On the bright side I hadn't considered stamps + po box for international. There doesn't seem to be anymore risk than the post office so I will try that.

 

[30ranfordfan]

Stamps, Stamps, Stamps.

I often end up "overpaying" and put $3.60 worth of stamps on a package going to the USA... but I have not taken a package like yours to the post office in years, and never had a problem with one.

I go because it's something I need tracking on, or because I want to buy new stamps. That's it.

 

[odjickfan]

I have been told that if there is anything other then paper products in the envelope , then it is supposed to go as a light packet $5.95.

It is clearly indicated in their rules that CDs are accepted. Not really a paper product.

 

[junyab]

I've heard of some Canadians having issues with shipping cards via lettermail. Sports cards aren't exactly postcards, hallmark cards, or 'similar communications", so I understand the issue, but don't agree with it.

If someone has a problem with what I'm sending I'm going to say it's a "flexible magnet or small postcards inside a protection case since they to be alright.

 

[pwag31]

It is clearly indicated in their rules that CDs are accepted. Not really a paper product.

that says within Canada, my post was in reference to mail to the US.

 

[Reinhart]

I've heard of some Canadians having issues with shipping cards via lettermail. Sports cards aren't exactly postcards, hallmark cards, or 'similar communications", so I understand the issue, but don't agree with it.

If someone has a problem with what I'm sending I'm going to say it's a "flexible magnet or small postcards inside a protection case since they to be alright.

In the past, on the rare occasion the only thing they might do is ask what was in it. With this particular employee, even if I give her this answer, or any answer her response after feeling it up was:

"This not paper."
"This not paper, I cannot send."

Me: "Canada Post site says cards, coins etc can be sent, it's not just paper. It's thin enough for that measuring tool you guys use, and the dimensions are good."

Her "I'm not allowed to send."



At the end of the day, she could totally be right. But the discrepancy and lack of info on the website is why I really want a definitive answer. I mean it's sport cards and it's a federal service, there's gotta be a non subjective call

 

[Reinhart]

that says within Canada, my post was in reference to mail to the US.

thought I pasted the USA one

source: https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletpost-e.asp
^
The things that I can see that are of concern:

-goods
-items that do not meet the specifications for U.S.A. and International Letter-post (???)
-The following items are unacceptable when attached to a postcard:
photographs

I also control+f: plastic, and found that they allow polybags in the same link but no other mention

 

[steen101984]

I've had the same issue with a certain PO worker. He's the only one at the 3 PO's i frequent that does this. Like others have said find a mailbox, buy stamps in bulk (1.80 + 1.00 ones) and avoid going in unless its for Tracking.

 

[pwag31]

thought I pasted the USA one

source: https://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGletpost-e.asp
^
The things that I can see that are of concern:

-goods
-items that do not meet the specifications for U.S.A. and International Letter-post (???)
-The following items are unacceptable when attached to a postcard:
photographs

I also control+f: plastic, and found that they allow polybags in the same link but no other mention

I would hazard a guess that the issue has to do with the 2nd sentence of the first paragraph.

" Letter-posts items are composed of paper or other materials with the general characteristics of paper ( ie tickets, photographs, etc) "

So if you are sending your card in a plastic top loader it is not eligible to be sent as letter mail.

I don't agree with it, but that is the reason I was given at 2 different post offices.

 

[Reinhart]

I would hazard a guess that the issue has to do with the 2nd sentence of the first paragraph.

" Letter-posts items are composed of paper or other materials with the general characteristics of paper ( ie tickets, photographs, etc) "

So if you are sending your card in a plastic top loader it is not eligible to be sent as letter mail.

I don't agree with it, but that is the reason I was given at 2 different post offices.

Yup under that interpretation I can see why she's acting this way. Trying to be fair, but it is what it is even if out of 50 employees she's the only one that does this.


May I ask what you do when you ship 1-2 cards to the US or international? I'm still a bit sketched out using regular canada stamps for international mailing, but I guess it's due to unfamiliarity.

edit:

saw this reply, and... I'm back to being really annoyed at all these conflicting words from the employees

 

[pwag31]

Yup under that interpretation I can see why she's acting this way. Trying to be fair, but it is what it is even if out of 50 employees she's the only one that does this.


May I ask what you do when you ship 1-2 cards to the US or international? I'm still a bit sketched out using regular canada stamps for international mailing, but I guess it's due to unfamiliarity.

edit:

saw this reply, and... I'm back to being really annoyed at all these conflicting words from the employees

I mail from a postal outlet instead of the post office. I mail as a letter for $2.95 and try to keep the mailer as thin as possible.