Aust Post Increase in Prices

[tangleberrys]

Thanks to jlb225oz for sending me this link

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

I have also seen a printout that announces new prepaid satchels as of Monday March 5th. These replace the current red/white prepaid bags and are dearer BUT they do include tracking AND there is a 3kg-5kg bag. I really would like a 500gm -1kg, but no one in Aust Post listens to me.

[straybooksoz]

You can blame eBay for a lot of things, but not satchel prices. That is AP.

[tetrahedron800]

I'm thing about using Fastway for parcels weighing between 500g and 1kg.

Does anyone use them, and are you having good experiences? I'm particularly thinking about scenarios where the recipient is out. Do Fastway tend to leave parcels No safe drop'-style, or do they leave a card?

The Fastway depot is as far as a 10-km drive for people in the Lismore area, a much longer drive than calling at the local post office, and a major issue for non-car-owners. This travel distance factor would be particularly the case in deliveries to surrounding rural areas.

Some more rhetorical questions - When recipients call up, does the phone always get answered? Does the person at the other end sound abrupt or indifferent? When they go to collect does the process take an excessive time? All of these things might put them off re-ordering.

[judy-oz]

tetrahedron800, we have used Fastway for 6+ years and have been reasonably happy with them.

Do Fastway tend to leave parcels No safe drop'-style, or do they leave a card?

Unless the sender gives Authority to Leave ATL, the recipient should be carded and parcel should be returned to the depot. The recipient can then phone the number on the card (usually the local delivery person as far as I know) and arrange for re-delivery.

The rhetorical questions you have asked would be specific to each local delivery depot. We have had no issues with ours, and haven't had any complaints from our customers.

[tetrahedron800]

Hi Judy, thanks for the feedback. It sounds as though Fastway is worth a trial.

[catweazles.treasures]

Hi everyone....I know this is late but I have just started selling again after over a year away and I am appalled that they now have this one cost for parcels up to 500 gms at 6.60.....The only away around it is to try and send things as letters.  I will be selling clothes and books and music and records.  Some of the clothes I can make as a letter I suppose, however what I want to know is how are you surviving selling books.??????

I have some really good second hand books, however they weigh over 500gm so I am up for $11.20 for the postage, before even adding on what I want for the book.........basically it is at least $15 for a second hand book........they just wont sell...........is there any way around this????  I am thinking of giving up before I have even started.....again

[tangleberrys]

Unfortunately, no way around it. You can get an Aust Post contract & postage is slightly cheaper, but not much. We are finding it tough especially as UK sellers seem to be able to post books to us for $2.99 - to say we are not happy at the moment might be an understatement!

[misterforgetfulsbooks]

When you can get just about any title you could think of for $6 - $12 with free post from the UK, you don't stand a chance selling 2nd hand books in Australia after paying the $11 postage

[straybooksoz]

Sell paperbacks or 60s and 70s SF.

They'll usually go as a large letter or, at worst, a 500g Click and Send satchel.

[froot_loopz]

is click and send cheaper?

[judy-oz]

Froot, Click and Send is cheaper than the Aus Post prepaid satchels. Here are their current prices

http://auspost.ebay.com.au/

You have to set up an account, you can buy the C&S satchels either via the Aust Post site or via Auspost on eBay. You have to print out the C&S labels, and you pay online as you go.