I went to ship packages this morning and inquired about insurance. I was inquiring because I was replacing a package that never reached it's destination. I learned something that I was not aware of. Although I knew they had raised shipping slightly, a cost I have been absorbing for my customers, they no longer offer insurance on packages!! WHAT??? Seriously?? Oh you can get tracking of course. I asked how much that was. Here is a package with $50 worth of jewelry in it going to Australia. Shipping $5.20, tracking $49.10!!! I say again WHAT??? Not going to happen. This is going to hurt businesses everywhere. So I figured I may as well ask. Package going to Greece, once again $5.20 Tracking $63.36!!! EXCUSE ME???? No way!!! I am shocked!!! So if I wanted to have tracking on a package to a shop overseas that wanted to have a wholesale order, I would not be able to accept it, because the tracking would completely put off anyone buying merchandise! Ridiculous!!!
So unfortunately, I will no longer be able to replace packages that get lost. It is coming out of my pocket and I can not afford to be generous anymore. Another perfect example of the big companies taking advantage of the little guys! No wonder so many businesses never make it past the first year of business! I will try to work things out on an individual basis, but it can no longer just be assumed that these things will come out of my pocket. I am an honest hardworking person. I take your packages to the post office where I know the employees well. They are also honest individuals. The laws are quite strict here on messing with the mail. My packages get to where they are going unless they get lost along the way. There is really nothing I can do after they leave my hands.
I hope you all understand and keep shopping with me. I will do my best to make things work for both sides.
Sincerely Yours
Marie
17 comments:
Wow! That is crazy! I would change my polices to let my customers know what is up and you shouldn't have to eat anything. I have never had a package not turn up eventually. But still, to offer no insurance at all is crazy! Sorry! You are right though, lovely photo!
I am appaled to hear this. I am a jewellery designer as well and to hear this makes me sick. It has happened to me once where the person didnt receive their package (which I replaced for them...) and another time when the person gave me the wrong address to ship...
No insurance sucks, I hate sending something and not ever knowing if it gets there or not! The waiting part drives me nuts!
Check Shipsurance.com. I believe that they also insure packages of Canadian origin. Good luck!
I just wanted to say, I hear your pain. I have stated in my Etsy shops (policy section) that it is my policy that after the packaged is mailed, it is out of my control. It is up to the customer to pay for insurance, or tracking. It is a difficult situation to be in as a small time business person. If a package gets lost-the purchaser can leave negative feedback regarding the fact they never received the item...even if it is not your fault...or you can replace it or refund their purchase at your expense. ---this can get costly. Just be clear to put it in your policy section-then stick to your guns. I have been known to refund a good customer's money,so I didn't lose them, but it is a huge problem! I've lost one English customer because she doesn't want to pay the duty fees on my jewelry, and I refuse to lie about what is in the package. Stink-ola!
Oh, Marie I can add my 'mad' too if that would help!! I need to send large packages and the tracking is just ridiculous - I opt out of it and pray hard they get at destination :) Nationally they are still ok - with the Express post you get tracking and insurance... Internationally - prayers seem to be the answer.
WOW I thought our post in the US was a pain this is even worse what is the point of having tracking higher then the actual product - completely insane!!! It makes international mail almost impossible. so sorry they are killing our businesses and our economy.
i have had a few packages go missing and a few returned to me..but that is a crazy amount to pay for insurance..completely unreasonable
Although I don't sell my jewelry, I've had lots of challenges with Canada Post. My city (Ottawa) seems to be a black hole in terms of delivery - almost every letter or package I mail takes 2x longer than the "service standards". Never mind that they've lost or returned more than a few packages. Agree that we keep paying more for less service.
There's no reason you should be covering shipping. Since it went up for the States, it's not pretty much equal all over and people just need to get used to the higher costs. It means the smaller 'single item' orders will stop and they'll start buying two or three items to make the shipping cost worth it. As for tracking, it's always been insane, it's just a bit more so now >.< You could look into the shipping companies, such as purolator, who do worldwide, and then post a note on your about page concerning shipping/insurance/tracking rates and that they can be available for those who wish to pay for them.
This is going to affect everyone. It is so sad. Some may even start only ordering within their own countries because of the cost. I am mad too!
Yep... one of those makes me a little crazy things. I put a percentage aside every single package I send into the kitty because I can't afford Canada Post insurance on most items.
The shipping classes that provide insurance have very stringent rules and it is always a pain to claim it. I've had to pay to replace about a dozen items (or resend) in 8 years selling online.
Marie, I'm in the states, so we have our own issues, but I've found I'm using priority mail for inside the states, and FedEx for outside. The costs are too prohibitive to use normal US or Priority Mail, it basically has tripled. At least you can track to delivery with Priority or FedEx/UPS.
Marie, I'm in the states, so we have our own issues, but I've found I'm using priority mail for inside the states, and FedEx for outside. The costs are too prohibitive to use normal US or Priority Mail, it basically has tripled. At least you can track to delivery with Priority or FedEx/UPS.
I know how you feel! A $70 plus package I sent to Australia when missing and what could I do?? I always suck up the extra postage to my customers too!
Cilla
www.tellyourgirlfriends.com
That's just crazy...as are the rates...20$ to ship a tiny box to Ohio from Canada...and let's not even go there about missing packages...I've had more than a few go missing....
So what does a gal do when the package goes missing? This is a concern for me. What do you say to someone who has paid you for something but they never get it? I know their credit card or paypal will be on their side and deduct it from me. So, do you give a refund? Just say sorry you paid me but got nothing, dang that mail? Help!
Margie
It is ridiculous, the US has been raising prices too because they can't run the business without being overseen by the government. It's unreal....
Post a Comment