Card shipping in Canada may Become a Little More Painful in 2009...

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xelloss1012

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CanadaPost is proposing a new "Irregular Oversize" for 2009.

Irregular oversize will be anything that between 10-20mm thick, that are rigid (including toploaders), and/or have a box-like edge. This is mainly to curb slim DVD and CD jewel cases, but can affect cards (in toploaders) in bubblemailers as well.

The price for this new spec is double the normal rate:
Normal (up to 100g): 1.18
Irregular Oversize (up to 100g): 2.36
Normal (100-200g): 1.96
Irregular Oversize (100-200g): 3.92
Normal (200-500g): 2.75
Irregular Oversize (200-500g): 5.50

Also, a base bend test may be applied to test rigidity of the lettermail.

I believe this will only affect domestic lettermail, but I'm going to check after the long weekend into further details on this.
 
Oh, I forgot to note that this will particularly affect anything in a 130pt toploader, screwdowns, and One-Touch holders.

To pass the thickness test, the lettermail must be able to 'slide through' the slot. It cannot drag or be forced through, or it gets upgraded in sizing.
 
They started doing something like that here in the states. Atleast at my local post office the stupid clerk tries to bend the package and says it's too thick all the time, and charges me a different fee. So when I ship in the states I use the auto machine so the retarded postal clerk doesn't try bening the package, even when it says DO NOT BEND on it??? I got into a yelling match with stupid old idiot about 2 months ago.....only one clerk does this so i will let people go infront of me if i have to ship something and go to another clerk.
 
Does this really surprise anyone? It's business and everyone wants your money. Guess we will have to deal with it once the time comes
 
I have noticed a large increase in supplies with Canada post as well, prices on the bubble mailers in particular. I used to be able to get the small manilla bubble mailers for 3.99, then they went up to 4.99, now they are 5.99, and apparently going to be going up again.

I used to be able to absorb the extra cost of getting them there as I was there anyways, but now, will be seeking them out on a regular basis from a bulk place or places like Wallmart and Zellers where I can consistenly get 3/$1.
 
I find it best to reuse mailers that you receive since it's more cost effective and probably better for the environment anyway.

If you need to buy new mailers, I think even the dollar stores also have them in packs of 3/$1.00 or better.

The only things I get at the post office are stamps, prepaid XpressPost mailers, custom stickers, and Fragile stickers.

carmichaelpt, hope your little one gets better.
 
I have only been involved with collecting/trading/buying/selling since about January of this year.

Each (and EVERY) time I go to the post office with bubble mailers [rarely with anything thicker than 130pt] I have to argue with the employees that my mail is not "small packages". They try to charge me about 6$/mailer and everytime I argue that stamps will do just fine. Then they take out that slider thing and try to convince me like that.

I'm sure they can't be any more difficult than they are now! :|
 
The 130pt toploaders are about 7-8mm thick, which automatically puts any lettermail into non-standard/oversize. If the package cannot slide through the 2cm slot, it's automatically considered a parcel.

When sending, you gotta be mindful of the length, width, height (thickness), and the weight.

The info is listed here on CanadaPost's website:
http://www.canadapost.ca/Personal/ProductsServices/Send/LettersDocuments.aspx

Non-standard/oversize is automatically rated at the 'up to the 100g' category at the very minimum.

If you want to be within the standard letter category for 30g or 50g bound for the U.S. or internationally, the width of the package cannot exceed 150mm.
 
About that plastic 'slider' that they have, I'm going to see if I can get one from the main office in my city. Since I already have a basic digital scale, this could make it very easy for me to bypass the post office and just stop dropping all of my mailers directly into the mailbox.

Getting 'Fragile' stickers is handy.
 
VentureOne

xelloss1012 said:
About that plastic 'slider' that they have, I'm going to see if I can get one from the main office in my city. Since I already have a basic digital scale, this could make it very easy for me to bypass the post office and just stop dropping all of my mailers directly into the mailbox.

Getting 'Fragile' stickers is handy.
Click to expand...

Never use one of the post offices in a drug store or some type of retail outlet that is a franchise since they are interested in upselling the product.

Go to a regular Canada Post outlet. If you are not part of the VentureOne program, join. The plastic slider is called a template. I have never had a problem getting the clerk at a regular post office to order one for me if it is not in stock. Last time the cost was under $10.00. They will gladly do it since they are lazy and anything that reduces their workload while generating revenues is a plus.

Dropping your mailings into the mailbox. Why do you wish to overpay and while risking the return of your packages?

When you buy stamps you pay the full GST/PST or HST amount regardless of where you are shippng to in the future.When you ship out of country from the post office you do not pay the taxes. Also when you have the meter stamp it comes with the post office code and will not be returned since the assumpton down the line is that the accepting clerk did the job properly. This is not the case if you ship from a mailbox with stamps. These packages get returned because they get red flagged and the assumption is that the sender is fudging.

BTW shipping via Canada Post since 1971.
 
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When you buy stamps you pay the full GST/PST or HST amount regardless of where you are shippng to in the future.When you ship out of country from the post office you do not pay the taxes. Also when you have the meter stamp it comes with the post office code and will not be returned since the assumpton down the line is that the accepting clerk did the job properly. This is not the case if you ship from a mailbox with stamps. These packages get returned because they get red flagged and the assumption is that the sender is fudging.
Click to expand...

That's not entirely true. I've had metered packages from the PO returned for insufficient postage a couple times. From an actual Canada Post outlet.

Other than those few packages though, I find my mail that is metered and sent from an outlet seems to get to the destination faster.
 
Apparently, someone did not read why I am getting one of the CanadaPost sliders... I also own a digital scale to weigh the mail.

With the plastic slider and digital scale, this should be enough to allow me to go straight to a mailbox.
 
This is what i have been using, they are very slim and since they are almost a white in color they may sneak through. works out about 22.00 for 100 of them. i normally order a few hundred at a time. will hold 5 reg top loaders, and 2 130 point i just fropped off a few with 3 and they barely fit

http://cgi.ebay.ca/000-100-POLY-BUB...photoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

oh and it might say 24 to ship but each time has only been 6 or7.00 to canada from her
Jason
 
Complain

leafschik1967 said:
That's not entirely true. I've had metered packages from the PO returned for insufficient postage a couple times. From an actual Canada Post outlet.

Other than those few packages though, I find my mail that is metered and sent from an outlet seems to get to the destination faster.
Click to expand...

If you have a VentureOne account and kept the receipt you should complain since each package is individually identified as is the clerk who served you.

Also the clerks are lazy. If you go in with a batch of identical mailers - say #4, they will not weigh each one individually, others go by "feel". At the start tell the clerk that the identical mailers contain variable weights.
 
Read and Understood Your Posts

xelloss1012 said:
Apparently, someone did not read why I am getting one of the CanadaPost sliders... I also own a digital scale to weigh the mail.

With the plastic slider and digital scale, this should be enough to allow me to go straight to a mailbox.
Click to expand...

Read and understood your posts. If you want to throw away the VentureOne discount plus pay the GST/PST when you do not have to, be my guest.

Also look forward to your explanation about how the mailbox will provide you with proof of shipping, proof of insurance, make sure that the proper customs declaration is used on out of country shipments, etc.
 
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This is a small repost from my Blog that I write:

"Just a heads up to all you Seller & Traders of Sports Cards & Non Sports Cards that Ship with Bubble Mailer’s.

The best place to buy them in Bulk and I mean bulk in Canada is STAPLE’s. If you buy 500 at a time. This is amount that I buy every six to seven months. They will only cost you around 0.23 cents each. Not bad For $115.00CND + Taxes. Plus if you run a business you can write this off as well. Its well worth it in the long run. Plus you will save a ton of money as well.

Here is the size I buy and the name of the Mailer: (Hilroy 4″x8″ Item #32510)

Hilroy.jpg


This Mailer will hold up to 5 Cards in a Top Loader, or 10 with just 2 Top loaders and the rest Poly sleves cards in a team bag. Price on Shipping via Canada post is $1.96 to the usa and $1.19 in Canada. It will also fit threw CanadaPost sliders. So there is no need to over charge on postage. Pass the saving on to your customers, and get returned customer’s. Which mean more money or trades for you.

So you will still have lots of room to pay for Gas to drive to the post office your time package and so forth if you charge the Following Rates: $2.00S&H To Canada and $2.25 To the USA.

Now the secret is out its up to you want you want to do with it.

Its been working for me for the last 18 Years I am sure it will work for you too as well."

Thanks

Nick
Eliteonline
Elite Collectables
 
Cartophilium said:
Also the clerks are lazy. If you go in with a batch of identical mailers - say #4, they will not weigh each one individually, others go by "feel".
Click to expand...

Kind of a broad brushstroke of a generalism here. The post offices around my area, especially my local one, is extremely diligent and takes the time to ensure the packages are the correct weight & have the correct postage. I wouldn't be so quick to call all CP workers as lazy. Granted, some are... but not all.

I'm curious about the "don't pay tax to packages going out of the country" and will check that locally with my post office. My understanding is that if you use their services, you pay the taxes.
 
Eliteonline said:
The best place to buy them in Bulk and I mean bulk in Canada is STAPLE’s. If you buy 500 at a time. This is amount that I buy every six to seven months. They will only cost you around 0.23 cents each. Not bad For $115.00CND + Taxes. Plus if you run a business you can write this off as well. Its well worth it in the long run. Plus you will save a ton of money as well.

Price on Shipping via Canada post is $1.96 to the usa and $1.19 in Canada.
Click to expand...

Nick,

Correct Postage is $1.92 to the USA, $1.15 inside Canada, unless the rated have changed in the last few weeks.

On bubble mailers, I bought 500 on eBay for $72.95 delivered via Xpresspost. I have the seller's ID saved if anyone wants it.
 

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