Beware of Shoppers post office

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maxwell_smart007

maxwell_smart007

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Just an FYI,

Twice now, I've tried to mail a package from the Shoppers Drug Mart Canada Post kiosk.

Both times, they've quoted me upwards of $17 or so for a package about the size of a legal envelope, but about two inches thick...Both times, I've then taken it to the main post office, and paid $6 or less...

Just keep that in mind, as I would hate for anyone to spend too much on shipping just because they think that all postal outlets are the same.

(Now that I think about it, I think that the person quoting me the rate was always wearing a Shoppers uniform rather than a Canada Post uniform, both times, so perhaps they're just not training the staff to run the outlet correctly when the main people aren't there)
 
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All outlets like that are not owned by Canada Post and they are free to add charges as they see fit. I deal with one in a drug store that only charges the Canada Post fees but they are the odd man out with regards to the outlets.

It always pays to check online for pricing before you go, even to the main post office.

Bruce
 
Gofer said:
All outlets like that are not owned by Canada Post and they are free to add charges as they see fit. I deal with one in a drug store that only charges the Canada Post fees but they are the odd man out with regards to the outlets.

It always pays to check online for pricing before you go, even to the main post office.

Bruce
Click to expand...

I never knew that!
 
I use "flat rate" packages up to 1 kg and the rates charged at the Shoppers Drug Mart Postal outlets are "exactly" those stated in the Canada Post pricing sheets. I can't see prices being manipulated by Shoppers. Now dealing with a "stupid" postal clerk within Shoppers' is a different matter. Know in advance what service you want to use and then you will not be 'misled' with pricing variations. I send a lot of packages now and it took a bit of both patience and studying to figure out best shipping options that both favour me and the customers that I ship to.

Get to 'know' the postal clerks and offer them a pen once in a while. You will be pleasantly surprised how helpful they can be to help you maximize your shipping dollar.
 
I specifically asked for the same thing at both places, and asked what other options were available...

I think the clerk at Shoppers was just poorly trained (although I think she was an assistant manager)...but it still would have led to another 10 dollars in cost for me, for no good reason.

Just an FYI for those who think that all postal offices are 'uniform' in prices and service - not the case, always! :smile:
 
From the Canada Post website...

"REMINDER: Pricing at postal outlets

Please note that an email containing misinformation regarding discrepancies in pricing between corporate Canada Post outlets and private postal outlets is currently circulating on the internet. This email is incorrect. Our customer's experience should be the same no matter where he or she chooses to shop.

All of our 6,000 automated post offices, corporate or dealer use the same Retail point-of-sale system software and corporate rating engine. Therefore they all charge the same rate for the same identical service.

Dealers cannot charge a higher rate for a postal service, as the system will not permit it and contractually they would be in default.

Kindly disregard any email, or online posting that you may come across that opposes the facts presented to you in this notification. Any such occurrences should be reported to Canada Post customer service immediately at 1-866-607-6301."

Canada Post - REMINDER: Pricing at postal outlets

Wade
 
I worked for Canada Post for years and I can state that what you pay at one outlet to the next is supposed to be the same. The reason for the outlet post offices is to make it easier for people to do business, and it was to give the businesses a chance to bring in more customers. Plus, it is a way for C P to keep their employee costs lower. What does happen from time to time is an employee of these businessess will quote you a price based on the weight of the package, but they should be charging for is the #1, postage, #2, the size, and #3, the weight all three are taken into consideration when figuring out the cost. Sometimes it can be so confusing that the post masters can't figure it out themselves and have had to call another outlet to get the proper charge. I know this from past experience, and sometimes it was hilarious to see what they would want to try charge a person.
Len
 
I think it all boils down to inexperienced clerks. A dedicated Canada Post employee knows how to quote you the correct rate - a Shoppers clerk, perhaps less so.

I do most of my postal tasks at Shoppers, but every so often I get a really ridiculous rate quoted...when that happens, it's straight to the other post office.
 
I'm charged $17 at the St laurent Mall (Ottawa) to ship to NY, the other way around would be half of that, shipping cost is outrageous here and a big disadvantage for selling
 
I've had a similar experience with shoppers... however it seems the employee that usually works the counter has a pretty good idea of what is going on... every time ive mailed out a package the initial quote for a parcel no larger than a brick (and significantly lighter!) seems to be around $70! it usually takes a few minutes to get it sorted but she does a good job of getting it down to something "more reasonable". our friends down south have it made with their awesome flat rate shipping prices! ;)

--Dave
 
Not just in Canada My wife took a large package to a store that wraps and mails packages. The package was wrapped ready to go she figured it was easier to go there not the post office. She was charged approx. $80 because of the size (40" long 18" wide and 5" deep and I think they added some tape at the joint areas). When I got home and she told me this I was shocked. I went on line and looked up the rate at the USPS web site and their rate was closer to $30. So the store charged basically $50 to handle the package and ship it UPS. It pays to shop around when shipping. Needless to say we will be using the web site for all package shipping. I found out that stores like this can charge what they want.
 
The package size is a big variable and smaller is not always cheaper. I used to fold over a standard envelope to match the size of the pen box and then a postal clerk told me there are extra charges if I went below their standard size limit. Plug some different sizes into the link Mack gave and you will see what I mean.
Another good point is to sign up for the Venture One program. It is free and gets you a 5% discount on most packages. There are also big savings for some Xpresspost rates. I had one pen package drop from $15 to $9 after they scanned my card.
 
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