topic Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot? in Selling

Has Australia Post lost the plot?

moviemem — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 01:21:09 GMT

I have been having a lot of trouble getting answers to questions about the new pricing structure which starts on Monday.

I just rang the Aust Post Business Line and was told "we cannot discuss the price changes or increases because they may change before Monday". I asked her if this meant that they might be revising the published structure and she said "yes"!!!

I then asked about tracking. The Aust Post website clearly states that "all domestic parcels lodged
through an Australia Post retail outlet will be traceable through our online tracking tool". That is EVERY package that is lodged. I have a contract with Aust Post. My parcels are all in my own packaging and they are collected. I just put a "Postage Paid Australia" stamp on each package. There are no tracking numbers. When I asked the girl how my parcels would be tracked she said she didn't know and I should check the website for updates on Monday!!

My various local Post Offices have said that they have not been properly trained and they are desperately trying to find out answers to their questions before the changes take effect.

The potential problems seem to particularly affect Business Account holders but I wonder how many others are having trouble getting information.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

russanne — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:40:19 GMT

Have just read the new booklet from AP. Postage from 500g to 22kg will be $8.95 within the state and $11.45 interstate plus distance charge per kg or part thereof. I am not sure if that means you have to charge $8.95 plus the distance fee. If this is correct postage is going to be very expensive. Am not sure if this includes tracking or if that will be extra

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

thecatspjs — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 02:52:41 GMT

Has Australia Post lost the plot?

Think they have several poorly coordinated and poorly communicated plots and plans on the go at them moment that have contributed to massive confusion amongst AP staff, contractors and customers. 😞

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

trulyspecialgoodies — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:19:00 GMT

Moviemem I think you've answered your own question:

""all domestic parcels lodged through an Australia Post retail outlet will be traceable"

Since your parcels are collected and not lodged through a retail outlet they won't have tracking - that's the way I interpret it.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

moviemem — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 04:24:51 GMT

Moviemem I think you've answered your own question:

""all domestic parcels lodged through an Australia Post retail outlet will be traceable"

Since your parcels are collected and not lodged through a retail outlet they won't have tracking - that's the way I interpret it.

No, thats apparently not the case. I have just found out that people who Account holders who pre pack and lodge their parcels are supposed to be given labels with tracking numbers on them that they can affix to the packages. Problem is that there seems to be great difficulty in getting the labels.

In any case, all my parcels are collected and processed through an Australia Post retail outlet/delivery center.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

kustomizer99 — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:23:03 GMT

'The Aust Post website clearly states that "all domestic parcels lodged
through an Australia Post retail outlet will be traceable through our online tracking tool". That is EVERY package that is lodged.'

Damn, I hope that's true! I'm getting mighty tired of charging and/or paying $3.20 for registered post on everything I send and receive for the sake of buyer/seller protection.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

nonny_muss — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:03:58 GMT

Simple answer to "Has AP lost the plot?"

Yes. Absolutely.

Their policies and practices vary so much and it is so confusing to figure it all out it's maddening. And as for their prices . . . . Grrrrrrrr.

The worst thing is that we're the suckers who have to grin and bear it. X-(

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

digital*ghost — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 23:22:50 GMT

I have been having a lot of trouble getting answers to questions about the new pricing structure which starts on Monday.

I just rang the Aust Post Business Line and was told "we cannot discuss the price changes or increases because they may change before Monday". I asked her if this meant that they might be revising the published structure and she said "yes"!!!

Apparently, there has been a bigger backlash than AP expected over the new cubing policy for account holders, that - and perhaps other customer feedback - seems to have actually prompted some revision of their plans to change certain pricing, so it looks like some things are still 'undecided'.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

mesonquark — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:28:23 GMT

Just got off the Australia Post help desk and here's a bit of news to those who have not studied the new SOD (Signature On Delivery) service which starts next Monday This "service" replaces the current Registered Post Service.

It will cost you an extra 39% to have the same ie "identical" replacement service for tracking with signature confirmation AND up to $100 in insurance cover.

Right now it costs for example $3.20 for a Registered Label ($2.70 if you buy labels in bulk) to go on an envelope, box or whatever package you make up and you are covered for up to $100 if it goes astray, providing you can show proof of the value of the item you stick in the package.

Well not any more, the new SOD service that replaces the existing Registered Post Service (which included Signature On Delivery already with the first $100 covered by insurance) does NOT give you any insurance cover. You need to pay $1.50 to do that and fill out a separate form as well.

So, instead of costing the $3.20 (or $2.70) that Registered Post did, it will now cost you $4.45 ($2.95 for SOD label plus $1.50 for the insurance) for the privilege of the same service.

We have had some 7 Registered parcels / Registered envelopes vanish in the Australia Post network in the past 12 months, and fortunately we've been covered by the automatic $100 insurance that Registered Post provided.

Well not any more unless we pay the $1.50 in extra cover and fill in the extra form.

Have a think about how it will affect you and your business when you're paying the extra 39% for the same thing. It doesn't cost AP any more, so why should we pay more?

By the way, this analysis excluded the increased postage charges that are a separate issue.

It's time to pass on concerns to the Postal Industry Ombudsman (1300 362 072), otherwise we are going to be the bunnies once again, gouged by another big corporate that basically has a monopoly. It's very similar to eBay with its revised fee structure that will happen in May this year.

Do nothing and nothing will change, we will all pay extra, make less and less and the cycle will continue unabated.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

moviemem — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 00:53:37 GMT

Just got off the Australia Post help desk and here's a bit of news to those who have not studied the new SOD (Signature On Delivery) service which starts next Monday This "service" replaces the current Registered Post Service.

This is correct but the big difference is that ALL parcels will be trackable even if you do not take the SOD service. My understanding is that if you dont take SOD you will be able to trace parcels online but will not be able get a confirmation of delivery. I think most people will be happy enough with the basic trackable service. Thats better than the current system where parcels are only trackable with registered post and even then not completely trackable.

The big problem is that Aust Post staff do not appear to have been properly trained and I am still waiting for information about how I go about adding tracking labels to my packages.

This all starts on Monday. Account holders who spend a great deal of money with Australia Post should have been better informed.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

phorum_junkie* — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:04:12 GMT

I don't really see the problem for items that will fit in 500g and 3kg satchels or B1, 2 and 4 size boxes as it is much cheaper to use click & send. To date there has been nothing about that cost going up.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

mayger_and_mayger — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 03:18:34 GMT

mesonquark wrote

Just curious, how many letters/parcels did you register over that period? I'm guessing/hoping that it's many more than 700 (a 1% loss rate). Given Australia Post's charge of 1.5% for insurance I strongly suspect that it's much cheaper to self-insure and hold back the required 1% (hopefully less) from sales in order to cover losses, but I don't have the volume to be able to determine this. (Australia Post have never lost any of my registered post items).

Does anyone know of a third party provider for postal insurance?

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

moviemem — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:42:39 GMT

I don't really see the problem for items that will fit in 500g and 3kg satchels or B1, 2 and 4 size boxes as it is much cheaper to use click & send. To date there has been nothing about that cost going up.

I dont use satchels. The packages I send are either in mailing tubes or my own packaging. I think there will be a lot of problems on Monday with staff and customers trying to deal with the changes.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

putney32 — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 04:52:07 GMT

Just curious, how many letters/parcels did you register over that period? I'm guessing/hoping that it's many more than 700 (a 1% loss rate). Given Australia Post's charge of 1.5% for insurance I strongly suspect that it's much cheaper to self-insure and hold back the required 1% (hopefully less) from sales in order to cover losses, but I don't have the volume to be able to determine this. (Australia Post have never lost any of my registered post items).

Does anyone know of a third party provider for postal insurance?

when i ran a stamp & coin shop in the 1980s/90s we used a 3rd party for transit insurance, but they required all items they insured to be sent with Registered Post (as it was then), and they covered the insurance up to something like $5,000

so a 3rd party policy is OK but you'll still need Registered Post. 😞

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

gemsweddingsupplies-online — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 06:43:30 GMT

Phorum.. click and send is going up on the 15th..

The 500 gram satchels will be $7.15 apparently (3kg $11.70 etc)

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

havishamandbaggins — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:00:30 GMT

welcome to the Brave New World, where new speak abounds...

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

havishamandbaggins — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:01:22 GMT

satchels will only be that price if you buy them in bulk...outrageous prices all round...

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

davewil1964 — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:08:18 GMT

C&S satchels are between 15 and 25c each, dependant on quantity. Which will not change, although postage costs will.

New speak indeed.

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

lindy3327 — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:09:13 GMT

I asked the post office of the new charges and they directed me to web site but i am having trouble understanding it all does any one one what the basic satchels for Regular and Express will be thanks

Re: Has Australia Post lost the plot?

appletreeaaa — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:13:33 GMT

I notice that a large office supply chain store which has many stores around Australia has a next day delivery parcel delivery service to all of Australia except some of the remote areas where the delivery time is two days , the service includes online parcel tracking and proof of delivery .

In their guide , the delivery prices are listed for example a 2kg bubble mailer with delivery is $12 and a 3kg courier bag with delivery is $12 , a mailing box for 2kg is $12 with delivery .All delivery prices include the outside packaging .

The parcels have to be there by 2am for the next day delivery and can be drop off 7 days a week and the store has extended hours.

The sender needs a photo ID , I am not sure why ?

I not spoken to anyone who has used the service or if the prices sound reasonable as compared to Australia Post where the parcels can be posted at many more local locations .