I have completed trades and purchases for coins from all over the world now. Israel, Spain, Portugal, France, the US, China and Greece to name a few. The packages always arrive in quick time and in perfect condition. I have completed 2 trades with Canada, and this is where it gets interesting. Both were delayed and opened by customs. One was even opened by customs in Canada AND New Zealand? Is there some weird smuggling thing going on between Canada and New Zealand I don't know about? It seems very odd that both packages from Canada were opened but none of the others were, coincidence? Any thoughts?
From the USA--All of my swaps with Canada have gone VERY slowly (as long as 6 weeks). I have at least 3, maybe as many as 6 with Canada (without going through my records of about 110-120 swaps of both coins and notes).
Side note: for the first time (to my knowledge) outgoing US customs opened my letter (of banknotes to Croatia). The customs agent left his ID card and badge number in the letter for the receiver. The receiver said the customs agent damaged 2 of the UNC notes I sent because I packed them too well.
that's interesting, I have only done a couple of trades with Canada and they, like you said, were very slow by comparison to the US. Its certainly nothing against the collectors from Canada, they have been very friendly and generous, its just the postal system seems a bit off. that's bad about the notes being damaged, bet they didn't accept responsibility for that one!
As a Canadian who sends a lot of mail I can tell you that Canada Post is pretty sad. They're a major reason why I don't do swaps at all.
My mail output is a large part of my entertainment and mad money, which is a small budget as it is. But I like sending mail, so I do it happily. Canada Post is determined to switch me over to e-cards permanently I swear.
The number of my letters that Canada Post has lost, and "lost", is insane. One time I sent a friend in eastern Europe a package, not coin related. It just had some local candies and a chocolate bar in it, and some hand made gifts, and it was under $20 value and it fit into a card envelope. When it arrived overseas it was so mangled that the postal workers there had to call the intended recipient and tell him it was falling apart and warn him it would be resealed. Half the items were missing as well. Not only that it cost about $13 for me to send it due to "being extremely overweight". The damaged happened while in the care of Canada Post, the other postal service was too embarrassed to handle it at all without clarifying that they wouldn't treat mail this way. And in fact they couldn't do anything with it without putting it into a ziplock bag. Three of the four sides of the envelope were torn out and CP had just put an elastic band around one way. When I showed them photos they told me that they weren't responsible for damage of items.
They've lost several other items, even just over the last two years, numerous birthday cards and packages. Even a care package for a long distance friend of mine going through a very hard time. But if you want insurance or tracking the prices are astronomical. I keep the values of my packages low enough to avoid dealing with customs and inconveniencing my giftees, so why when all I'm sending is a chocolate bar would I want to pay $50 to ensure the item arrives safely. I'm already overpaying for that. It costs me $2.50 to send a single piece of paper in an envelope to a friend overseas, and yet somehow I'm the unreasonable one for expecting it to make it there.
Not only that, I've been told straight up to my face on several occasions by CP employees that they wouldn't start wondering if a letter has made it overseas for at least 5 weeks. Five weeks. And even then it's not long enough for them to be concerned.
Their prices are high. Their service is slow, especially compared to almost any other major postal service. And their employees couldn't be less concerned with customer issues and expectations. I don't ask much, just that I can hope that my package makes it. As it is now I feel like I have a 50/50 chance every time I put something in the mail.
I can't imagine how frustrating it must be for someone who sends a lot of mail.
wow and I thought that our postal system was slow and unreliable. Luckily all of my coin packages have gone through ok and vice versa, its just sad its like that. If only they were all like the US postal service which is one of the best I have ever dealt with. it is a shame if this discourages people from dealing with Canada as it sounds like not all of the post goes awry. You would think with the prices we pay they would make getting things there on time and in good condition a priority!
Well, I've been doing a fair bit of swapping and therein making regular visits to the post office ...or rather the postal counter in a rexall or shoppers. Usually, no issues in sending out... people receive pretty quickly within canada and the US or elsewhere. However, the receiving bit has been problematic lately. A couple of recent US letters took a little over 2 weeks. One got the once over at customers because the declared value was over C$20 which means I had to pay duties to receive it.
Else, even if it is slow, it is very safe and I've not had any concerns that I or my swap partner would not receive the package (eventually!).
On the other hand, I was in the UK recently and supposed to receive a tracked letter from Poland ...it did apparently arrive according to tracking at the neighbourhood post office, but my brother who lives there didn't receive it in his mailbox.. still sorting out that mystery!
It has nothing to do with Canada Post, but the $20 customs limit adds another level of tedium to mail.
I have seen a few Canadians on this site who don't swap, and a few who won't swap with Canadians, because all the costs make it out of reach. I don't even blame them.
I haven't noticed any issues with shipping times. My only issue is the cost of international postage from the US to Canada (or anywhere else, really). You can sneak a couple of ounces of coins through in an ordinary envelope for a couple of dollars, but once you get past the point of what can be disguised as a letter the postage cost jumps to $10 minimum for a package.
It's really a shame that there's no middle ground price for small packages.
Quote: "ashlobo"
On the other hand, I was in the UK recently and supposed to receive a tracked letter from Poland ...it did apparently arrive according to tracking at the neighbourhood post office, but my brother who lives there didn't receive it in his mailbox.. still sorting out that mystery!
Your brother should go into the office and pick it up. They probably need his signature.
