What the frack! – Problem getting parcels delivered in Canada

[Calimero]

[Warning!!! Rant – On]

Is it just me or is it increasingly difficult to get figures and other stuff delivered in Canada from abroad? An increasing numbers of parcels seem to be delivered thru courier companies rather than regular mail (like Canada Post) and it leads to all kind of problems… the latest in date, an email from PSC on behalf of UPS telling me that, the later, "can't locate my address", an address which I used for to last 4 years now with no problems at all, receiving parcels from all over the world (but mainly from UK, USA and Canada) some of these parcels previously delivered by… UPS.

One major flaw in the use of courier companies is that although you can always find local agent to send out parcel, most don't have a place where you can actually go and pickup your parcels. Believe it or not, at least two courier companies that sent me parcel lately try to deliver my stuff here in Chicoutimi then failed to do so and sent back the parcels at their closest pickup place which is in Québec city (a 2 hours drive from where I live!!!)... and I don’t even own a car… or a valid driving license for that matters…

Also, I find there's a much greater chance that you'll end up with all kind of additional fees on delivery when the parcels are delivered by couriers…

Am I the only one having this kind of problem lately?

[Rant – Off]

[Johnno]

Well, Canada Post is having troubles all on its own. Estimated no home delivery of mail by 2020. Everyone will have to go to central pick up boxes.

Possibly has something to do with living in a 'smaller' city?

[pixelgeek]

Sounds like the problem is UPS. I never use UPS.

[Watts]

UPS is terrible - I avoid them like the plague. Their surprise brokerage fees are complete BS. 

I live in Toronto and never have any problems with Canada Post, but I assume that is because I'm in a big city. Shipping from the UK via the Royal Mail has been amazing for me I have to say.

Hope your issue gets sorted out soon!

[pixelgeek]

There are a few retailers that I don't order from over a certain amount as it forces them to use UPS. I have literally never had a UPS delivery go through without total screwups.

The company in Canada is run by some of the most inefficient and apparently stupid people I have had the displeasure of dealing with. The horror stories I could tell if they wouldn't get me screaming at my monitor 

[FramFramson]

I avoid UPS at all costs. Living in an apartment building basically guarantees that they'll make me go pick up.

I'm not surprised though. I have a friend in Québec who's been having similar problems as you with the mail lately.

[obsidian3d]

I have always considered UPS to stand for Universally Poor Service.

[Mr. Peabody]

I feel for you bonhomme. C'est typique, c'est triste.

I suppose the postal rates in the UK convinced the Plastic Soldier Co. that courier companies are the way to go. But ultimately the cost will be lost business due to unhappy customers.

Have you been able to look at buying PSC product from within Canada?

[Watts]

If you are looking for PSC products in Canada you can try J&M Miniatures out of Stratford, Ontario: http://j-m-miniatures.myshopify.com/

[grant]

Also Sentry Box in Calgary.

UPS does indeed blow.

But Canada post is about to blow worse. I had a super mailbox for 10yers, I was always getting my neighbours mail, they even left it unlocked one day. They use low pay subcontractors to deliver to the super mail boxes. Lowest cost, worst value.

I just have door to door now, and they are going to take it away! Balls. Wrote everyone I can.

We all should.

[Will Bailie]

I just received my latest delivery from Perry Miniatures - took more than a month to get to me on Vancouver Island.  Two weeks is closer to what I'd experienced before.  When it finally arrived, I noticed it had a stamp from Correos de Costa Rica!  So I'm not certain if I can blame Canada Post this time.

without getting too political, it seems to me that we've been seeing a race to maximise cuts to all services from all government-related service providers across the country, especially since 2 May 2011.  Ok, that is completely political.

[D@rth J@ymZ]

I think it's going to get worse before it's gets better.  That applies to Canada Post, UPS and any other parcel "service" for that matter.  UPS' surprise "Customs Brokerage" fees really grind my gears. 

Canada Post's next day postal outlet pick-up because you didn't answer the door (while you were at work) card is another bone of contention.  Even with online tracking, I've had email notification to say that they tried to deliver the package and I was not home, even though when I got the email I was standing in my living room and had been home all day on a rare weekday off.  When the Canada Post guy arrived, he put the card in my mailbox without ringing or knocking and walked away.  When I opened to door to say "Dude, where's my mail?", he relies that I'll have to pick it up at the outlet tomorrow because he doesn't have time to find it in the back of the truck.  Your tax dollars hard at work. 

That being said, I've ordered from several small overseas companies and have received my minis in 2-3 weeks delivered in a small non-descript box tucked neatly in my mailbox. I guess it just depends on what company is doing the shipping/receiving/delivering.   Typically, my Pulp Figures arrive in less than a week! 

[Kamandi]

I refuse to order from retails who only offer UPS or DHL for exactly the reasons above. Poor service and usually extortionate delivery fees. Postal service, thought poor, seems to come thru eventually without additional fees.

[Calimero]

It all came from a impulse buy (is there any other type of buys in the wargaming world?) when PSC run a small sale thru their web site. In the end the order I made was quite substantial and they probably figured it was a better idea to send it via courier (UPS at this end). But actually it wasn't. It’s been almost a week since PSC warned me about the issues with delivery and I haven’t receive anything yet. I know the problem is UPS and I’ve tried to contact them and explain the situation… which basically change nothing since they seem to be dead set on returning the package to PSC in the UK.

Well, lesson learned. I will not make an other order of that value without first inquiring who they’re going to use as a courier to send the parcel.

As a side note, around 67,000 people live in Chicoutimi so this is not really a "small city" (at least by Canadian standards)

[Mr. Peabody]

That being said, I've ordered from several small overseas companies and have received my minis in 2-3 weeks delivered in a small non-descript box tucked neatly in my mailbox. I guess it just depends on what company is doing the shipping/receiving/delivering.   Typically, my Pulp Figures arrive in less than a week! 

How I love those perfect packages that fit the mailbox... Two or three 1/72 resin vehicles fit like a charm in those little boxes and I have come to count on parcels like these to arrive without hassle in my mailbox.