Has Australia Post lost the plot?

[moviemem]

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.

[phorum_junkie*]

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.

[mayger_and_mayger]

mesonquark wrote

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.

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?

[moviemem]

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.

[putney32]

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.  😞

[gemsweddingsupplies-online]

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

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

[havishamandbaggins]

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

[havishamandbaggins]

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

[davewil1964]

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

New speak indeed.

[lindy3327]

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

[appletreeaaa]

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 .