I hate UPS / Who is Best Hop supplier to Canada

[Austinhomebrew]

Are the quoted UPS shipping rates on the Austin Homebrew Supplies checkout page, the same rates that will be charged when Canadians have orders shipped via USPS? I was playing around with it and it seems that there is a minumum fee of $16.35 no matter how small the item is (one airlock, or one pack of 60 bottle caps).

Our website is set up for UPS only. The price for shipping is a UPS quote. You can place the order and in the comments section request a quote for USPS.

Forrest

 

[ChickenSoop]

I have bought many things in the USA and shipped by USPS to Canada. Probably 100 USPS shipments/year. No problems, no losses, no busted stuff - always perfect. Just get the USPS First Class Mail International - with tracking number.

Only once did I have a problem - I bought some cologne and it got snagged by customs as it was a 'dangerous' good.

Otherwise, USPS to Canada is perfect, especially for the price/value. Seems they snag you for duty/GST 1 out of 10 times, at random, for a couple bucks. Not an issue.

 

[FlyGuy]

I have bought many things in the USA and shipped by USPS to Canada. Probably 100 USPS shipments/year. No problems, no losses, no busted stuff - always perfect. Just get the USPS First Class Mail International - with tracking number.

Only once did I have a problem - I bought some cologne and it got snagged by customs as it was a 'dangerous' good.

Otherwise, USPS to Canada is perfect, especially for the price/value. Seems they snag you for duty/GST 1 out of 10 times, at random, for a couple bucks. Not an issue.

I have had exactly the same experience, although I haven't been shopping from the south as frequently as you (nor have I been buying American cologne).

OTOH, I *have* had shipping problems with UPS. Most boxes have come to my door all beat up and visibly abused. I have made at least one claim for broken items (not fragile even). I have also had problems with their tracking system in the past. So while USPS is not perfect, my experience has been worse with UPS.

And at least USPS isn't out to cheat me.

 

[ChickenSoop]

If using USPS, just watch out for the liquid yeast. It won't like sitting in your mailbox all day at -50C.

 

[Philip1993]

And at least USPS isn't out to cheat me.

+1

I have bought many things in the USA and shipped by USPS to Canada. ... Just get the USPS First Class Mail International - with tracking number.

I wouldn't recommend against the tracking number, but you should know that it is not trackable for delivery date/status and only marginally trackable in the event of non-delivery. For all intensive purposes, there is no tracking of FCI packages.

 

[FlyGuy]

I wouldn't recommend against the tracking number, but you should know that it is not trackable for delivery date/status and only marginally trackable in the event of non-delivery. For all intensive purposes, there is no tracking of FCI packages.

That's very useful information -- thanks. I didn't realize that.

 

[ChickenSoop]

I find the tracking number useful in showing that the seller has truthfully shipped the item. It's delayed data, but also once it hits Canada, Canada Post picks up the tracking number as well, so you can watch it moving across the country.

Usually the tracking number shows if it is hung up in customs somewhere, which usually happens if you are shipping around a holiday and customs staff is running slow with a skeleton crew.

The tracking number helps out when it's delayed in customs, so you don't panic and think it's been lost when 2 weeks have passed and nothing shows up.

USPS usually takes up to 2 weeks to deliver to Canada, maybe pushes up to 3 weeks around holidays.

 

[Philip1993]

I find the tracking number useful in showing that the seller has truthfully shipped the item. It's delayed data, but also once it hits Canada, Canada Post picks up the tracking number as well, so you can watch it moving across the country.

Usually the tracking number shows if it is hung up in customs somewhere, which usually happens if you are shipping around a holiday and customs staff is running slow with a skeleton crew.

The tracking number helps out when it's delayed in customs, so you don't panic and think it's been lost when 2 weeks have passed and nothing shows up.

100% of the packages I ship FCI to canada are untrackable. USPS merely reports ~"Data received from shipper" (indicating I uploaded the number) and nothing more. Either you guys have a system that we don't, or I need you to educate me on tracking via USPS. And I'm not being an a**hole, I'm serious. Plz teach me how.

Here's an example of what I see:
Label/Receipt Number: LJ04 xxx xxxxU S
Status: Acceptance
Your item was accepted at 2:52 PM on January 6, 2009 in FAYETTEVILLE, GA 30214. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

That was almost two weeks ago.

USPS usually takes up to 2 weeks to deliver to Canada, maybe pushes up to 3 weeks around holidays.

That's about what we see. 10 days for SE -> NE. Two weeks for SE -> NW. Add a week for holidays.

 

[ChickenSoop]

pldoolittle

Sorry, i am only the receiver, but all I know is that they ship USPS First Class Mail International, - ask for a tracking number that can be tracked. This is the e-Bay standard. Pretty well every Ebay seller ships to Canada this way.

When the seller emails me the tracking number, USPS shows the package moving across the USA, and finally the handoff to Canada Customs. After that, Canada Post will track this USPS number - it's international. It works every time, but I think you need to ask for the tracking number and ensure it is trackable. It might cost an extra buck.

FYI - this same service works with any country. I can watch mail deliveries come in from China/Thailand/anywhere and see when it hits Canada Customs. It's not exact, but close enough to know you have something coming.

 

[ChickenSoop]

Also - if you are the sender, you can request a signature on delivery - this ensures the package was delivered and keeps everyone honest.

I'd pay extra for the detailed tracking and a signature and everyone is happy with a securely delivered parcel. Insurance is optional, but I never saw a need for it yet. Maybe a seller might see this issue more often.

 

[Philip1993]

I don't ask for anything, I ship online and one is automatically generate for every shipment. Works great for Priority, not for FCI. Are you certain they aren't shipping Priority Mail international?

Just so you'll know I'm not nuts I've attached these SERPs

First Class Mail International mail has a standard delivery of 6 to 10 postal business days, but it is not a guaranteed delivery service. Without a definitive tracking system affixed to the service we are not able to tell you where the item is within the mail stream or when it will be delivered. Registered Mail does not provide a tracking service online. It does not track the item as it moves through the mail stream, but scans it at point of acceptance and point of delivery. - http://faq.usps.com/eCustomer/iq/usps/request.do?create=kb:USPSFAQ&view()=c{002d81c0-57e2-11dc-51b6-000000000000}

http://reviews.ebay.com/Why-not-pro...Mail-International_W0QQugidZ10000000006274365
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080821143247AANq2ji

 

[ChickenSoop]

maybe, I am not certain.

 

[FlyGuy]

Probably. Most of the stuff I have purchased from the US has come USPS Priority Mail International. I get tracking numbers, too.

 

[SPLASTiK]

Looks like NikoBrew is interested in helping out the Canadians: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f16/ww...ops-wort-chillers-co2-tanks-93713/index9.html

I feel your guys pain about UPS. The stupid packages come on the same airplane as USPS here yet a 2 pound (errr .9 kg) package from UPS costs over $30 to ship and from USPS around $4!