Help Please - A parcel for Canada

[melinachristina]

Hi Guys, your suggestions please with how I should handle this without getting a big fat demerit from eBay.

Although the Canada Mail Stike has ended I was informed at my LPO this morning that Customs Canada is not yet receiving international parcels, although they expect to be doing so within the next 7 days or so.

So, I have a parcel here now that I can't dispatch. I've been in contact with the buyer who is quite happy for me to hold on the dispatch, but how do I do this without earning a late dispatch demerit from the eBay Bots?

Looking forward to your help.

As always, thanks 🙂

Melina.

[digital*ghost]

@melina & lyndal - apologies if I caused offence, it wasn't intentional but in retrospect the question was a bit glib. 

There's quite often a disconnect of information between upper management and retail staff, so there's probably a lot of POs around with staff simply advising that there is no mail service to Canada at all, though you'd think they'd want everyone to know with this one since it's a more expensive upgrade. 

PS I have a DHL account and the best rate I can get through them for a 500g parcel going at regular speed (1-2 weeks for delivery still, so not the express courier option) is still more expensive than EMS through Aus Post, particularly after the My Post Business discount. If you know someone who has an account with discounted rates, or even an eParcel account, it might pay to get them to process the label.  EMS takes about 7-10 days usually, though that may fluctuate with Canada's situation. 

[lyndal1838]

No offence here Digi.....I am just very glad I no longer have to pay to send any parcels to the US or Canada....and emails have virtually done away with letters.

One question though....if Canada Post does not deliver the items when they arrive, who does?

I know from personal experience that AP delivers EMS mail when it gets here from India and China.

[digital*ghost]

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@lyndal1838 wrote:

One question though....if Canada Post does not deliver the items when they arrive, who does?

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That I couldn't tell you, as I'm pretty sure Canada Post usually delivers them when they get over there, but the announcement suggests they have temporarily contracted a third party to deliver express / courier packages. That's also probably why it's only feasible for the more expensive services, as well.

I know it does vary from country to country (eg La Poste delivers standard mail, but Chronopost delivers EMS articles when they arrive in France, and they have much stricter requirements than for standard mail, no PO box deliveries etc).

My best guess is if there's a Canadian equivalent of Star Track, or at least a similar courier company that can cover the majority (if not all) of Canada, I expect the parcels will go through them. 

[lyndal1838]

Thanks Digi!

I am so glad I am not a seller, especially a seller who is happy to send overseas.   It is all getting too complicated now.

[melinachristina]

Well, I don’t like making this post, but I promised to advise. I’m feeling pretty darn stoooooopid!!

But , you learn, don’t you 😃.

In all of this, all I had to do was send it Express. AP puts a big EMS sticker on it and away it goes. So, the information I got from AP in the first instance (young counter girl) was wrong.

Once again, thanks to the info in here - issue solved, but I should have cottoned on a lot sooner.

Thanks all, very much 😊.

Melina.

[melinachristina]

Oh Digi, you sweet thing. No offence taken at all. You’ve been very helpful if you look at my last post. Thank you 🙂

Mel.

[collect247]

It wasn't bring ur daughter to work day was it hahaha

[porcelain_dolls_by_me]

The latest mail strike aside we stopped shipping to Canada a couple of years ago - simply not worth the time,effort and aggro due to their pathetic inbound mail scanning times

[melinachristina]

You’re right pdme, we need to go back to the beginning and make some amendments to our current ‘worldwide’ ship-to settings. We’ve just been lucky so far.

Actually, can anyone help me right now with a short list of countries considered to have the propensity for migraine headaches please?

Nothing like the experience and advice of those who have gone before 😊

Thanks,

Melina.

[davewil1964]

For me - anywhere outside of Australia.

I believe - Italy, most of South America, Eastern Europe, Africa (especially Nigeria). Canada. Pretty much anywhere that has corrupt governments or slow Customs/postage services.