Costly postage and ID check makes it difficult to sell to overseas buyers

[gizmoclearance]

today at post office the staff rejected my letter size item and I had to pay $13.70 for a small item only priced at $7. I used to go to the other post office and the staff there had no problem with it and the postage was only $3.5.

he also rejected all my other large letter size item so they cost me  $13.70 each for just regular postage without tracking.

and the staff told me I have to bring the packages to the post office every time so they can check my ID. there is NO OTHER WAY.

this is such an inefficient way to do business. fill out the form every time  and queue at the post office, it's just not worth it.

how do you guys cope with it? i don't think it's possible to ship large volume overseas in this way.

[tall_bearded]

The double whammy of high Australian postal charges coupled with ridiculously low postal prices being paid by overseas sellers who send items to Australia, low prices which are being subsidised by the Australia consumer, and the adverse effect that both are having on Australian sellers ability to compete both locally and internationally, is becoming an increasingly hot  political topic.

So if you want something done, contact your local Member and give them an earful.  Also contact those Senators who are supposedly  servicing the interests of your State and demand, vide Senate Estimates , that Aust Post be directed to answer why they are doing nothing to level the playing field.

[annies_fancy_dress]

If it a softish item, put it under a heavy object (like a wash basket full of clothes) to make it as flattish as possible.

You can also get a letter gauge(big piece of cardboard with slots cut in it) from the post office, to check at home.

[lyndal1838]

Everyone is complaining about the high AP rates.  Has anyone done the exercise of comparing the AP rates with rates from overseas for the same service?

There was recently a seller on the boards commenting on how expensive it was to send a parcel to the UK and wondering what it would cost to send the same item from the UK to Australia.

Just out of curiosity I took the time to do just that...compare the postal rates from both countries.

I was surprised to find that it was actually cheaper to send mail from Australia to the UK.

I have since done the exercise with packages to the USA and Canada and again, AP comes out as the cheapest.

[flashback_deals]

Each time I post overseas and you have to frill out the little green customs form, I always have to show photo ID and they write down D/L and my drivers licence number

[animecat2]

AP clearly stated that the Letter Rates charged for overseas are for Documents only so they have every right to reject it and make it a parcel rate.

[cezm]

I believe letters are supposed to slide easily through the slot rather than having to be pushed through. My PO always drops them through the slot to see if they fit easily.

The international post guide states that written documents can be posted in a street posting box but anything else needs a custom declaration so must be posted over the counter ....

Letters*

• Letters, uninsured, containing written correspondence or

documents only

No customs documentation required. May be lodged in a

Street Posting Box

• Letters, uninsured, containing items valued at no more than $500 CN22 – Green Form (8832667). Must be lodged over the counter.

• Letters, uninsured, containing items valued at over $500 CP72 – Blue Form (8832659). Must be lodged over the counter.

• Letters, insured CP74 – Red Form (8832661). Must be lodged over the counter.

http://auspost.com.au/media/documents/international-post-guide.pdf

As someone else suggested, perhaps have a supply of declarations at home.

Also investigate click and send for (possibly) cheaper rates and tracking to some international destinations.

[2106greencat]

I think it is called 'having the market cornered' - who else can we use? X-(

[flashback_deals]

AP clearly stated that the Letter Rates charged for overseas are for Documents only so they have every right to reject it and make it a parcel rate.

My DVD's always go to the UK as letter rate fine, never had a problem, same as records and a coiple of cassettes and cd's