Mailing a large group of cards from the US to Canada, what's the best way?

[TheGriceBoys]

I have a lot of about 20 cards I am mailing to a guy in Canada. I want to guarantee delivery (tracking number).

The package weighs about 4-5 pounds due to the screwdowns and such.

What's the best way to go? And do I declare the full value? I figure as long as they're trackable I'm golden.

Thanks in advance, advice appreciated.

 

[langway05]

Barrie

Are you mailing to one of the membership or an eBay auction winner?

Cause, if it's for a member then go with Global Priority.

And if it's for a eBay winner, FedEx.

All the best.

Brian

 

[TheGriceBoys]

Barrie

Are you mailing to one of the membership or an eBay auction winner?

Cause, if it's for a member then go with Global Priority.

And if it's for a eBay winner, FedEx.

All the best.

Brian

It's actually an offline deal I made with a guy from EBay Brian.

He seems like a legit guy, 100% feedback, over 1300 transactions, etc, but I just want to be sure.

Why do you say FedEx? Is totally trackable door to door? Insured?

 

[langway05]

Barrie

FedEx doesn't usually gouge ya with a Brokerage fee et al UPS.... It can be a killer at times.

Plus in my experience FedEx is much better to deal with.

Brian

 

[2fnlo]

Expresspost is the only way. And if you lie about the value it will save your buy a headache. However if the mail is damaged it possibly won't be insured for as much being you said it was worthless. Pretty much a catch 22. I like to gamble so I ask that they put the low value to get me a tax cut, and if they package came ruined I think I would know I need to eat that cost.

I guess you gotta trust your buyer.

UPS = the devil.

 

[meatmancgy]

Fedex is essentially bulletproof, although never 100%. From my experience, the USPS Global Priority has always come through to me, but I don't know the cost/insurance/tracking they have. Really it comes down to cost... Fedex is expensive in comparison to USPS products, but when sending high-end cards, it's the only way to go.

 

[quincy]

There's a service from Canada to the US called Expedited Parcel which is trackable, insurable, and perfect for that heavy stuff - I can send a 10 pound parcel for around $20, fully insured. If there's a similar service available from the USPS, that may be the way to go.

There was a time when UPS ground was available to the casual customer and provided outstanding service, but that time is long past.

 

[cjkuehn]

I stopped using FEDex because of the brokerage fees, they
were charging anywhere from $25-$40 on sets I was sending
up, then the people (ebay winners) refused to pay it and fedex
came back on me for it. Besides that, they lost one of the sets
I sent up, and because it was not fully insured, I only got the
base $100 on a $150 set.

I would just got USPS, register it and add full insurance if there
is any chance of a paypal charge back.

c.j.

Barrie

FedEx doesn't usually gouge ya with a Brokerage fee et al UPS.... It can be a killer at times.

Plus in my experience FedEx is much better to deal with.

Brian

 

[meatmancgy]

I stopped using FEDex because of the brokerage fees, they
were charging anywhere from $25-$40 on sets I was sending
up, then the people (ebay winners) refused to pay it and fedex
came back on me for it. Besides that, they lost one of the sets
I sent up, and because it was not fully insured, I only got the
base $100 on a $150 set.

I would just got USPS, register it and add full insurance if there
is any chance of a paypal charge back.

c.j.

My understanding is that Fedex includes their brokerage fees in their shipping costs now, so it's not broken out and charged individually, but the costs are spread across all the shipments.

 

[trekrun]

PM sent.
Norm (trekrun)

 

[suitman19]

Friends from Canada - I am sure we all appreciate your answers, but please take heed, they are incorrect. The postal rules in the US changed as of May, 2007 - and a lot of the things you are stating are no longer valid.


1) Global Priority is now Priority Mail International . As such it carries NO TRACKING, none... no matter what anyone tells you. The green customs forms you see on your package are only tracked to the border and then that is it. You can mail up to 4 pounds in the flat rate envelope to Canada for $9. They can be insured,,, but only up to about $60.

2) Registered Mail - is FULLY TRACKABLE and is kept under lock and key at EVERY mail stop along the way. It is truly the safest method - and I have never heard of a Registered Mail package go missing. I believe that the maximum amount of claims loss is $43 - what a joke for $10.15 in Registered Fees!!

3) Express Mail International - while it is not an Express service ( mailing times to Canada are approximately the same as Priority Mail International - it is FULLY TRACKABLE and it can be insured up to $5,000. Rates are steep - especially as you get up to 4-5 pounds.

4) I have used Fed Ex before and they are the fastest - but pplease note: If you purchase Insurance through Fed Ex - they do not really cover sportscards
and you may wind up with a problem on a high $$ transaction if there is a claim to be made.

Last - but not least - my Canadian friends - is the subject of values put on packages. I do realize that it stinks (insert other word) to have to pay taxes/duties etc on packages when you receive them, and that those fees can sometimes be ridiculously high........BUT........
IT IS YOUR TAX SYSTEM - NOT OURS. We do not have that tax system in place and are not charges duties/taxes on those parcels coming to us. it is not the US Customs service that is opening and/or sending you the bill - it is your Revenue Agents.

If you want a package I send you to be insured - there is no way I can tell the Postal Clerk to insure it .... but then have a value of $10 put on the Customs Form!!!!! That is illegal - and just invites scorn from the government employess (whom need no reason to show their disdain for the public in the first place - LOL)!!!! Please - it is not my fault!! work with your Parliment to fix it - I can't do anything about it.

Hope this clears up some misconceptions - if anyone in the US wants to dispute what I am saying, I am glad to discuss it - but most of this comes straight from the USPS mouth and website ( as tedious as it is to navigate their website).

Also if anyone mailing from the US to Canada wants clues as to how to help speed up their mail times - there are certain things you CAN do to help. I will be glad to discuss these if you so desire in a different thread.

bruce

 

[TanguayFan]

I only use FedEx now, but I am in a different boat because it is practically free for me. I pay less for overnight shipping with FedEx than I do for 4-5 day registered mail with Canada Post.

If I can add any advice to this thread, it is to echo what others have said.....DO NOT use the clowns in brown. UPS charges exorborant brokerage fees for all shipments regardless if there are taxes involved. I believe it is in the neighbourhood of $35 minimum. And, as Bruce said, if you want to ensure you are fully covered, do not falsify the customs documents. As a Canuck, I have accepted the fact that I run the risk of taxes from incoming shipments valued over $20, and will never fault somebody for putting true value on the docs. That being said, don't OVERVALUE your cards either. I've had people put a value of $40 for a card that I paid $2 for and ended up being dinged for taxes that had no business being applied. It's a fine line that you've gotta walk.

Good luck.

 

[meatmancgy]

To note what both US-Bruce and Rob said... my accountant and I talk all the time about our buddies at Revenue Canada. His comments on income tax I think can be paralleled to sum all the cross-border duties discussion: "You make the money, pay the tax"... for duty discussion... "You pay for the card, pay the tax". US-Bruce is right... we choose to live here and until we collectively fight for a change in the system, we must abide by it. It sucks to have to pay the buggers more $$ for a hobby, but tis the world in which we live.

 

[quincy]

Absolutely correct. Odious though they may be, taxes are a fact of life - in fact, in light of the whole Terry Sciavo debacle, taxes seem more certain than death these days. Particularly in Canada.

Like it or not, it's the law. If you've been fortunate and the law has overlooked you, marvellous - but don't take it out on the shipper if your package gets stopped and taxed.