topic Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes... in Selling

Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

ryans-mum — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 04:16:21 GMT

I learnt today that Australia Post is no longer offering the $6.60 prepaid post satchel for 500g and probably the same for the 1kg satchel. It is now Parcel Post Plus satchels with a tracking number for $7.20 for 500g. I did not look for the other prices at the time but would estimate that these will go up about the same. They said some Post Offices may still have stock of the $6.60 satchels but they will not be restocking them.

Wish I had known this prior to listing items...

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

***super_nova*** — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 06:51:12 GMT

Why not order some Click&Send satchels and then you will also get tracking = PP protection, and save on postage

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

dylan11235813 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:11:10 GMT

They sold out of the old type at my local post office about 3 months ago. Registered post has gone up recently as well (about 20 cents I think) Also 500g express post satchels seem more expensive.

The click and send is still $6.20 for 500g with tracking I believe, but to save < $1 it isn't worth the hassle IMO.to print off and buy the bags. Ink is expensive as well.

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

koalablue12 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:22:16 GMT

You should have my printer Dylan, it is really economical on ink - it only works when it feels like it! ggrrr :^O

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

digital*ghost — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:28:10 GMT

Click & Send saves me just shy of $3 per 500gm satchel (I print the labels in greyscale on the fastest setting, and my ink cartridge has printed hundreds of labels and is still going...)

I worked out the savings based on the following (which I posted in another thread recently) and is based on the 500gm satchel prices. There are other C&S services (non-eBay branded satchels / boxes) where some of this information and pricing won't apply).

The pre-paid satchels can be bought in bulk, with the best discount at 100 satchels or more in one purchase, making the cheapest you can get them $6.48 each. They have a tracking number, but that's tracking only and generally, to qualify for PayPal seller protection, you have to register them at additional cost (standard cost $3.20, minimum $2.70 if purchased in bulk). That makes them cost a minimum of $9.18 and maximum of $10.40 to be equivalent to the Click & Send signature on delivery service.

C&S signature on delivery will cost $7.20 for the service ($6.20 basic service plus $1 for optional signature on delivery), plus satchel and label printing costs (that's around 20c, give or take depending on the quantity of satchels purcased and ink costs), so even at a total of say $7.50, that makes a difference of between $1.68 at the cheapest satchel / registered cost, and $2.90 if standard prices for those are paid.

Both of these options qualify for up to $100 compensation and provide the documentation required for PayPal's seller protection - the one advantage a normal satchel + registered has is that you can insure the contents for an amount above $100, which you can't do with an eBay satchel.

If not using Signature on Delivery, the savings will vary depending on which service you compare it to, as it doesn't quite equate to registered, but as it qualifies for Seller Protection it's better than the standard pre-paid satchels.

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

fred_fred_2004 — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 08:35:33 GMT

For what it's worth,

I couldn't dream of going back to the old satchels, C&S with signature, has stream lined the whole process and given me and my clients protection at a very reasonable cost,

I use it for all items that dont go as a letter

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

the3coopers — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:49:12 GMT

I learnt today that Australia Post is no longer offering the $6.60 prepaid post satchel for 500g and probably the same for the 1kg satchel. It is now Parcel Post Plus satchels with a tracking number for $7.20 for 500g.

HUH? The $6.60 price for a 500g prepaid satchel was changed 6 MONTHS AGO (in March 2012)

June 2010 = $6.00

Feb 2011 = $6.00

Apr 2011 = $6.30

July 2011 = $6.60

Feb 2012 = $6.60

Mar 2012 = $7.20

The product is identical, and the tracking is useless. There is no 1KG satchel.

As others have said,for eBay everyone should be using Click And Send, as it's about 10% cheaper and has full integration with eBay plus "Paypal coverage" as well.

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

the3coopers — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 09:55:00 GMT

Wish I had known this prior to listing items...

Bookmark these 2 pages:

http://auspost.com.au/products-and-services/post-guides.html

- scroll down and find "Post Charges Booklet (MS11)"

http://auspost.com.au/about-us/price-changes.html

- this page always announces the new charges ahead of time.

ALSO, A HINT - if you use Calculated Postage rather than Fixed, then all your listings will automatically be updated when the Australia Post charges increase. Just choose Calculated, then choose "500g Prepaid Satchel" - today it will quote $7.20, but after the next increase it will just automatically increase accordingly. Much safer than "Fixed Postage" prices and revising all your listings each time.

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

sexy*harley*chick — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 22:04:04 GMT

LOL i think the heads up is for you OP, we all knew about it a few weeks before it actually happened. I tell my PO of the changes coming lol

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

dylan11235813 — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 06:30:15 GMT

I learnt today that Australia Post is no longer offering the $6.60 prepaid post satchel for 500g and probably the same for the 1kg satchel. It is now Parcel Post Plus satchels with a tracking number for $7.20 for 500g.

They can still be purchased from the Aus Post website....

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

phorum_junkie* — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 11:14:51 GMT

Ink may be expensive but I bought a mono laser printer for under forty bucks in Officeworks specifically for printing my C&S labels and it has paid for it's self several times over already. In toner save mode I will be able to print thousands of labels before I have to replace the toner cartridge.

Even if it cost the same as a red satchel it would be worth it for the Paypal seller protection. Since I started using the ebay satchels, posted over the counbter, I haven't had a single buyer say their item has not arrived or even query where it is.

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

the3coopers — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 14:23:49 GMT

They can still be purchased from the Aus Post website....

Ummm... NOPE 😉

http://shop.auspost.com.au/parcelpost/sku/0590190

Re: Heads up on Parcel Post changes...

flashback_deals — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 15:06:09 GMT

I do all my printing in colour, I can get the inks cheap on eBay.

The compatible ones (not brand ones) are cheaper and the manufacturer cant void you warranty either if you use a cheaper compatible ink cartridge