Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Woodworking (rec.woodworking) Discussion forum covering all aspects of working with wood. All levels of expertise are encouraged to particiapte. |
Reply |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
On Wed, 23 Feb 2005 17:12:53 -0600, Dave Balderstone wrote:
I refuse to have ANYTHING shipped from the US in Canada by UPS. Quite right. And I also refuse to have anything shipped within Canada by UPS or the other courier services. In my experience (Newfoundland, New Brunswick & the Yukon) Canada Post has never failed to deliver anything on time. But I can tell you a number of horror stories using private couriers. They might be OK in major centres, but not in the smaller centres I have lived in in the past twenty years. -- Luigi Replace "nonet" with "yukonomics" for real email www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/humour.html www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/antifaq.html |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
USPS vs UPS [What's the opposite of Gloat]
Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience.
I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith costing $42.90US and they were about to charge me $21.49US for handling and shipping via UPS. I felt this was excessive (50% of the value of the order) so I asked them to ship it USPS instead. They agreed and said the charge would be $16.25US. I found this still to be expensive but I agreed to the price. I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70 Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. Even without tax considerations, it cost me $16.25US plus $5.00CAN instead of $21.49US. Not much of a saving considering the current exchange rates and a big loss if UPS does not collect tax. Best Regards, Jack Fearnley |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70
Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. You have to pay the taxes anyway regardless of shipper. The $5 service charge is a bargain; UPS brokerage fees would have been many times more than that. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Jack Fearnley wrote in
: Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith snip What did Woodsmith have that you couldn't buy from Lee Valley? Just curious. Patriarch |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Jack Fearnley wrote: Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith costing $42.90US and they were about to charge me $21.49US for handling and shipping via UPS. I felt this was excessive (50% of the value of the order) so I asked them to ship it USPS instead. They agreed and said the charge would be $16.25US. I found this still to be expensive but I agreed to the price. I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70 Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. Even without tax considerations, it cost me $16.25US plus $5.00CAN instead of $21.49US. Not much of a saving considering the current exchange rates and a big loss if UPS does not collect tax. Best Regards, Jack Fearnley It's almost enough to make ya want to move to the US. ray |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
AFAIK, UPS would have screwed you several times over the $5.00 that
CanadaPost charged you for clearing customs. The GST/PST would have been charged in any case, and the initial costs charged by the seller have no bearing on what happens after it leaves their door. The only exception to having the seller pay/charge more for UPS or any courier is, I think, UPS if they ship it expedited or express. In those cases, someone pays more up front, but the brokerage fees are included. Check out here (http://www.ups.com/content/ca/en/shi...clearance.html ) for details on what UPS charges for brokerage. According to that chart, you probably would have been paying $19.00 for brokerage. On top of those fees, you'd be paying the GST/PST/any other customs charges for importing your widgets. FWIW, if a US seller won't ship it USPS, I won't buy it. It takes a little longer, and you still have to pay the tax, but at least UPS or the courier company won't make a ridiculous profit for having the package stamped at the border. I guess, to be fair, I don't know what's involved with being the customs broker. And the UPS fees do tail off when you get to the more expensive side of things, making it less painful. But for the $50 to $500 items I might be ordering, they're a bit ridiculous when USPS/CanadaPost can do it for $5.00. Clint "Jack Fearnley" wrote in message . .. Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith costing $42.90US and they were about to charge me $21.49US for handling and shipping via UPS. I felt this was excessive (50% of the value of the order) so I asked them to ship it USPS instead. They agreed and said the charge would be $16.25US. I found this still to be expensive but I agreed to the price. I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70 Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. Even without tax considerations, it cost me $16.25US plus $5.00CAN instead of $21.49US. Not much of a saving considering the current exchange rates and a big loss if UPS does not collect tax. Best Regards, Jack Fearnley |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Patriarch wrote:
Jack Fearnley wrote in : Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith snip What did Woodsmith have that you couldn't buy from Lee Valley? Just curious. Patriarch Just to satisfy your curiosity I bought the CDROM versions of their shopnotes (three CDROMs for $29.95) and while I was at it I bought the hardware kit for their box joint jig at $12.95. I already checked at my local woodworking store in Montreal (Langevin & Forest, a veritable Aladdin's cave of fine tools and exotic woods) who hold most of the shopnotes for sale but no CDROMs. I suppose I could have bought the hardware from Lee Valley (I just blew $200.00 there last weekend) but it seemed convenient to get it all compatible in one kit. Live & learn, Jack Fearnley |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
Jack Fearnley wrote: Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. [snipperectomy] That is an excellent tip. I consider myself a pretty savvy x-border shopper, but to have things shipped USPS has never occurred to me. *slaps forehead* I have paid upwards CAN$ 100.00 for UPS to clear stuff through customs for me..mostly things under US$1000.00. I changed to a proper broker who charges me CAN$50 per transaction to $5000.00... still expensive on a US100.00 item. USPS seems very reasonable. To have stuff shipped to my "Mailboxes Etc." mailbox is PITA with all the delays at the border these days. When I go to socialize in the US as well as a pick-up, then it is okay...but I seldom know this ahead of time. Thank you, Jack! *tips hat* 0?0 Rob |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
In article , Jack
Fearnley wrote: So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. You bet there would have been. Not only the taxes, but UPS's own special charge for customs brokerage (which is what the $5 charge was for, BTW). I refuse to have ANYTHING shipped from the US in Canada by UPS. djb -- "The thing about saying the wrong words is that A, I don't notice it, and B, sometimes orange water gibbon bucket and plastic." -- Mr. Burrows |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
Jack Fearnley wrote: Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith costing $42.90US and they were about to charge me $21.49US for handling and shipping via UPS. I felt this was excessive (50% of the value of the order) so I asked them to ship it USPS instead. They agreed and said the charge would be $16.25US. I found this still to be expensive but I agreed to the price. I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70 Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. IIRC, UPS 'brokerage fee' (the equivalent to that Canada Post $5 service charge) *starts* at $35. shipped by UPS you would have been out the US$21.49, plus the CAN$3.70, plus the CAN$4.24 *PLUS* (at least) CAN$35. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
Jack Fearnley wrote:
Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith costing $42.90US and they were about to charge me $21.49US for handling and shipping via UPS. I felt this was excessive (50% of the value of the order) so I asked them to ship it USPS instead. They agreed and said the charge would be $16.25US. I found this still to be expensive but I agreed to the price. I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70 Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. Even without tax considerations, it cost me $16.25US plus $5.00CAN instead of $21.49US. Not much of a saving considering the current exchange rates and a big loss if UPS does not collect tax. The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. Best Regards, Jack Fearnley -- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada.
The United States Postal Service does not operate in Canada. Mail shipments into each country are handled by their own respective mail services. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
I have been selling on ebay and via my web site www.vmtw.com for about
5 years. The first package that I sent to Canada went via UPS. The guy refused the package after UPS asked for around $50 brokerage fees/VAT for a $39 item. Every package since then has gone USPS. I can ship a DVD or video for $3.95 by air to Canada and most customers dont pay any additional fees on their end. Scott |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
When I sell stuff on eBay, I refuse to sell to Canadians. Why? because
of a couple of bad experiences! The first one disappeared outright, no reimbursement. The second one were some plans, appearently the mailing tube "somehow" came open and a 1/2" thick of bound plans disappeared, and only the tube and a few sheets of paper arrived. Never got reimbursed for that one either, despite purchasing insurance beforehand and filing a claim later. John |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
I wonder if you could have gotten the cheap "book rate" for this. They
are, after all, electronic books... Jim |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
When I sell stuff on eBay, I refuse to sell to Canadians. Why? because of
a couple of bad experiences! The first one disappeared outright, no reimbursement. The second one were some plans, appearently the mailing tube "somehow" came open and a 1/2" thick of bound plans disappeared, and only the tube and a few sheets of paper arrived. Never got reimbursed for that one either, despite purchasing insurance beforehand and filing a claim later. Who was the carrier? |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
Dave Balderstone wrote:
In article , Jack Fearnley wrote: So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. You bet there would have been. Not only the taxes, but UPS's own special charge for customs brokerage (which is what the $5 charge was for, BTW). I refuse to have ANYTHING shipped from the US in Canada by UPS. I recently had to pay a $40 brokerage charge on a $100 item to UPS. "Worst company ever!" Ken Muldrew (remove all letters after y in the alphabet) |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
USPS in both cases. The paperwork wasn't fun either.
|
#19
|
|||
|
|||
USPS in both cases. The paperwork wasn't fun either.
Bummer. |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
J. Clarke wrote:
Jack Fearnley wrote: Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. I ordered some stuff from Woodsmith costing $42.90US and they were about to charge me $21.49US for handling and shipping via UPS. I felt this was excessive (50% of the value of the order) so I asked them to ship it USPS instead. They agreed and said the charge would be $16.25US. I found this still to be expensive but I agreed to the price. I received the package today with a charge of $12.94CAN. This is $3.70 Federal Sales Tax plus $4.24 Provincial Sales Tax plus --- wait for it --- $5.00 service charge!! So now I have paid $16.25US plus $12.94CAN via the postal service versus $21.49US for UPS. I don't know if there would have been additional charges by UPS (taxes etc). Perhaps someone can enlighten me on that point. Even without tax considerations, it cost me $16.25US plus $5.00CAN instead of $21.49US. Not much of a saving considering the current exchange rates and a big loss if UPS does not collect tax. The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. Best Regards, Jack Fearnley I send mail cross border constantly (mostly small packages) and Canada Post/USPS always gets it there eventually. The only glitch I've found is that when comething is shipped to Canada, the USPS tracking system still thinks that it is at the origin, until it actually gets to the destination. It doesn't seem to know that it is sitting in customs at the border until after it hands off to Canada Post. Other than that, it works for me. |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 21:04:36 -0500, Rob Mitchell
wrote: I send mail cross border constantly (mostly small packages) and Canada Post/USPS always gets it there eventually. The only glitch I've found is that when comething is shipped to Canada, the USPS tracking system still thinks that it is at the origin, until it actually gets to the destination. It doesn't seem to know that it is sitting in customs at the border until after it hands off to Canada Post. The USPS tracking system thinks that a package that I received several weeks ago is still in transit. I'm wondering if they will ever notice. Tim Douglass http://www.DouglassClan.com |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
J. Clarke wrote:
The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. I can do one better. I once mailed a postcard to Slovenia, and they actually got it there. I still don't know where the hell Slovenia is. Score one for the USPS. Their overall average is still pretty dismal though. Strains of why are we funding an incompetent operation to compete with our own private industries in the first place. -- Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621 http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/ http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/ |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
In article , mp wrote:
The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. The United States Postal Service does not operate in Canada. Mail shipments into each country are handled by their own respective mail services. Excuse me, but how do you think it got _to_ where Canada Post could handle it? Canada Post does not operate in the United States. grin |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Silvan writes:
J. Clarke wrote: The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. I can do one better. I once mailed a postcard to Slovenia, and they actually got it there. I still don't know where the hell Slovenia is. Score one for the USPS. Their overall average is still pretty dismal though. Strains of why are we funding an incompetent operation to compete with our own private industries in the first place. How exactly is the USPS taxpayer subsidized these days? According to USPS.com, 1982 was the last year for taxpayer subsidies. The federal government certainly pays for mail delivery, but they have to pay someone to do it. Brian Elfert |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
I have mailed thousands of packages via USPS over the last 5 years, and
have yet to have 1 that was lost or damaged. USPS is an amazing organization and is superior to UPS for package delivery as far as I am concerned. |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 01:55:09 -0500, Silvan
wrote: J. Clarke wrote: The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. I can do one better. I once mailed a postcard to Slovenia, and they actually got it there. I still don't know where the hell Slovenia is. Score one for the USPS. Their overall average is still pretty dismal though. Statistically, the USPS is one of the most reliable delivery services in the world. They lose a far smaller percentage of the items entrusted to them than UPS does, for example. Tim Douglass http://www.DouglassClan.com |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
"tall_corn" writes:
I have mailed thousands of packages via USPS over the last 5 years, and have yet to have 1 that was lost or damaged. USPS is an amazing organization and is superior to UPS for package delivery as far as I am concerned. Unfortunately, my record hasn't been as good. I mailed a $180 circuit board last year via USPS Priority Mail to the maker for upgrade. The maker never got it. I didn't use delivery confirmation, so I don't know if USPS didn't deliver or the guy simply lied about it. The guy is always extremely slow, so several months went by before I called him. I filed a report with USPS but was not suprised to never hear anything. I always use delivery confirmation or insurance now. I only ship maybe 5 packages a year via Priority Mail. Brian Elfert |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
"Tim Douglass" wrote in message ... Statistically, the USPS is one of the most reliable delivery services in the world. They lose a far smaller percentage of the items entrusted to them than UPS does, for example. Very true about the volume Tim, but there is more to reliability than just delivery. My wife just received something for my daughter that was shipped USPS. It was raining on the day that the mailman delivered the item. The mailman put the item in a plastic bag and hung it on the outside of the mailbox, open end up so that it collected the rain. It ruined the contents. My wife went to the PO and sought remedy and was promptly informed, with all of the disinterest that only a postal employee can display, that the PO is only required to deliver the goods, not ensure their condition. Now that is what I consider to be unreliable. Why bother? If it has any value we use UPS or Fed Exp. The Post Office just does not care and you're SOL when they screw your stuff up. But... they delivered, as promised... -- -Mike- |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 15:01:30 -0500, "Mike Marlow"
wrote: "Tim Douglass" wrote in message .. . Statistically, the USPS is one of the most reliable delivery services in the world. They lose a far smaller percentage of the items entrusted to them than UPS does, for example. Very true about the volume Tim, but there is more to reliability than just delivery. My wife just received something for my daughter that was shipped USPS. It was raining on the day that the mailman delivered the item. The mailman put the item in a plastic bag and hung it on the outside of the mailbox, open end up so that it collected the rain. It ruined the contents. My wife went to the PO and sought remedy and was promptly informed, with all of the disinterest that only a postal employee can display, that the PO is only required to deliver the goods, not ensure their condition. Now that is what I consider to be unreliable. Why bother? If it has any value we use UPS or Fed Exp. The Post Office just does not care and you're SOL when they screw your stuff up. But... they delivered, as promised... It varies. Both UPS and FedEx have left things in the weather for me, but the Post Office never has. When I am expecting a package, especially around Christmas when the substitute drivers are working, I check every probable and some rather improbable places where they might leave a package. I've still missed some that have sat for a couple of days. Tim Douglass http://www.DouglassClan.com |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
Mike Marlow wrote:
only required to deliver the goods, not ensure their condition. Now that is what I consider to be unreliable. Why bother? If it has any value we use UPS or Fed Exp. The Post Office just does not care and you're SOL when they screw your stuff up. But... they delivered, as promised... Hafta agree there. I've gotten boxes from FedEx and UPS that had obviously not been coddled, but never anything completely mangled. The USPS OTOH has delivered things mangled almost beyond recognition. They've also pulled the tie it to the mailbox in the rain trick on me, or the jam it in the mailbox leaving the door open to the rain trick. -- Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621 http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/ http://rosegarden.sourceforge.net/tutorial/ |
#31
|
|||
|
|||
In article . com,
jtpr wrote: I wonder if you could have gotten the cheap "book rate" for this. They are, after all, electronic books... Short answer: No. Officially the book rete is 'bound printed matter'. Section M 720 of the DMM. It _could_ qualify for "media rate" (DMM section M 730), maybe. There is a 1 lb minimum for that rate. |
#32
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 08:13:03 +0000, Robert Bonomi wrote:
Excuse me, but how do you think it got _to_ where Canada Post could handle it? Canada Post does not operate in the United States. grin Ackshally, it does. http://www.purolator.com/usa_custome...purolator.html -- Luigi Replace "nonet" with "yukonomics" for real email www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/humour.html www.yukonomics.ca/wooddorking/antifaq.html |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
"Jack Fearnley" wrote in message . .. Perhaps Canadian readers will be interested in my recent experience. [snip] Not much of a saving considering the current exchange rates and a big loss if UPS does not collect tax. The dealings that I have had cross-border by UPS would have been laughable if they hadn't been so expensive. They charge at least $25 as a service charge, plus a percentage of the monies collected, plus tax on the whole shebang. *AND* they don't pay any attention to their own time standards for deliveries, you can't talk to the same person twice when trying to resolve a problem, and the US side of things doesn't seem to have a clue about the Canadian side of things. There are a couple of times I've tried to buy stuff in the US, and when they seller informed me that they only ship by UPS, I have done without. Way fewer headaches. Dave O'Heare oheareATmagmaDOTca |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
"Dave O'Heare" oheareATmagmaDOTca wrote in message
The dealings that I have had cross-border by UPS would have been laughable if they hadn't been so expensive. They charge at least $25 as a service charge, plus a percentage of the monies collected, plus tax on the whole shebang. I agree 100% with you. Only problem is when you buy something, tell them that you want it shipped USPS and then they ship it UPS. A few years back, I bought a used DSL modem from someone on Ebay. Told him I'd pay his asking price as long as he shipped it USPS and put the value as less than $50. The idiot shipped it UPS and put the value at $100. It was held up at the border until I paid duty and UPS brokerage charges. I'd already paid the guy with paypal for it, so I was stuck and had to pay those extra bogus charges if I wanted to get my modem. None of that crap aside from a simple $5 service fee when I use USPS. |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
I agree 100 % . For me I avoid UPS unless it's only service. I purchase
most of my stuff over internet, and the shape of packages from UPS delivery is just nightmare, from open boxes and contents missing to holes kicked in boxes and or crushed boxes just barely holding the contents inside. Unfortunately they just leave packages on front doorstep and run off otherwise I'd refuse the delivery on boxes that have been opened or are in bad shape. Although lately UPS has been delivering my packages to wrong address, maybe that explains boxes opened. SO far they have been 2 for 2 in 2 weeks delivering to wrong address. Don't even let me get started on reporting a complaint or lost package they are friendly but totally useless. tall_corn wrote: I have mailed thousands of packages via USPS over the last 5 years, and have yet to have 1 that was lost or damaged. USPS is an amazing organization and is superior to UPS for package delivery as far as I am concerned. |
#36
|
|||
|
|||
Luigi Zanasi wrote:
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 08:13:03 +0000, Robert Bonomi wrote: Excuse me, but how do you think it got _to_ where Canada Post could handle it? Canada Post does not operate in the United States. grin Ackshally, it does. http://www.purolator.com/usa_custome...purolator.html Huh? When did Purolator Courier become Canada Post? That's like saying that the United States Postal Service operates in Canada and then referencing United Parcel Service site. -- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) |
#37
|
|||
|
|||
Silvan wrote:
J. Clarke wrote: The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. I can do one better. I once mailed a postcard to Slovenia, and they actually got it there. I still don't know where the hell Slovenia is. Score one for the USPS. Their overall average is still pretty dismal though. Strains of why are we funding an incompetent operation to compete with our own private industries in the first place. They seem to have less trouble with Eastern Europe than with the US. I never will forget the Premiere of the Soviet Union with the little schoolgirl who sent a letter to the President of the United States with the correct address only to have it returned to her by the USPS marked "address unknown". Apparently they _were_ able to find Russia to return it to her. -- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) |
#38
|
|||
|
|||
Tim Douglass wrote:
On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 01:55:09 -0500, Silvan wrote: J. Clarke wrote: The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. I can do one better. I once mailed a postcard to Slovenia, and they actually got it there. I still don't know where the hell Slovenia is. Score one for the USPS. Their overall average is still pretty dismal though. Statistically, the USPS is one of the most reliable delivery services in the world. They lose a far smaller percentage of the items entrusted to them than UPS does, for example. The problem with them is not that they lose the items, it's that they lose the destinations. Sent a card to someone I've known for 20 years, living at the same address for 20 years, it came back "address unknown". Funny thing, UPS had no trouble finding the same address within a week of the time that the USPS failed to locate it. And she's still living there years later. Tim Douglass http://www.DouglassClan.com -- --John to email, dial "usenet" and validate (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net) |
#39
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
J. Clarke wrote: Tim Douglass wrote: On Fri, 25 Feb 2005 01:55:09 -0500, Silvan wrote: J. Clarke wrote: The miracle here is that the USPS managed to locate Canada. I can do one better. I once mailed a postcard to Slovenia, and they actually got it there. I still don't know where the hell Slovenia is. Score one for the USPS. Their overall average is still pretty dismal though. Statistically, the USPS is one of the most reliable delivery services in the world. They lose a far smaller percentage of the items entrusted to them than UPS does, for example. The problem with them is not that they lose the items, it's that they lose the destinations. Sent a card to someone I've known for 20 years, living at the same address for 20 years, it came back "address unknown". Funny thing, UPS had no trouble finding the same address within a week of the time that the USPS failed to locate it. And she's still living there years later. On the _other_ hand, many years ago, the U.S. Postal Service used to lose my address, on a *medium-regular* basis. I was in my 1st apartment, and you can imagine the fun, when my mother sends me a note with _her_ travel schedule for a trip, gets backs from said trip, only to find the letter in _her_ mailbox, marked "moved, left no forwarding address". Or, when the monthly checking-account statement from my bank got similarly returned as undeliverable -- "no such address". Now, I was living on this "little" _4-lane_ street, just outside of downtown. There was a dead-end stub of the street in the low 500s, the stretch I was on, started in the mid 600s, and went to the 900s. (where the 4-lane pavement changed direction, and 'migrated' into a different street name) Where the street 'would have been', there was the Freeway, a major diagonal feeder road, etc., and the street didn't take up again until about the 1400 block. Further, there weren't _any_ addresses on the East side of that stretch -- in the 600s, it was the 'back side' of properties that addressed of the west side of the next street east. The entire 700 block was the grounds of an elementary school, that addressed off a cross-street. 800s and up were the back edge a large housing complex, that all addressed of 'internal' streets. Then, on _my_ side of the street, the 800 block was a park, what there was of the 900s didn't have anything addressing on it (both properties addressed from the cross-street). this left 3 buildings in the 700 block, and I think 5 (might have been only 4) old houses in the 600s. Oh yeah, this street is also the boundary-line between ZIP codes. Now, this same _numbered_ (not 'named') street in the adjacent suburb ("_West_ foo", where I lived in the center-city "foo"), is a very upper- scale neighborhood. but the street there _starts_ in the 800s. I *know* that some of the returns were because the mail went to "West Foo", instead of "Foo" -- the 'undeliverable' marking had the zip-code of the PO that did the 'return to sender'. I *finally* found a way to beat the system, however. I started using the ZIP code for the _other_side_of_the_street_. The one where there weren't any addresses. Apparently, this routed it to a different P.O., where they kicked it over to the 'right' one, *but*, by going in the 'back door', it bypassed 'wherever' the intermittent mis-sorting was happening. Of course, getting the 'address changes' in with the various places was an *interesting* task -- call the bank, tell them a 'change of address', "only the ZIP code is changed". Their computer insists that the ZIP code I'm giving them is incorrect. Which *is* accurate. I say "I know that, use it _anyway_." Computers can be *STUBBORN* I think they had to get programmers involved, to change the programming -- to _allow_ manual input to over-ride the programmed look-up. |
#40
|
|||
|
|||
On 2-Mar-2005, "J. Clarke" wrote:
When did Purolator Courier become Canada Post? Canada Post owns Purolator in Canada. Mike |