[karman]

I sold a pair of Chanel glasses on eBay and shipped them on June 5 using surface mail to Australia. Fellow Canadians know how ridiculously expensive Canada Post is, so you'd understand why I chose surface mail. If I charged for XpressPost, I don't think my item would've sold. I already had to dish $15 out of my own pocket in addition to what the buyer paid to cover shipping. Xpresspost would've cost me another $20 or so.

Anyway, the estimated delivery was 4-6 weeks, and tomorrow it'd be 6 weeks exactly. The tracking hasn't changed for almost 5 weeks. So, on Monday, I filed a claim.

Now, I am not sure if they will even approve of my claim because they may claim that the item simply hasn't arrived yet, but I don't think it should take 6 weeks to travel to Australia. I purchased insurance for the amount I received ($200) and I hope this goes through as I'm fearing that the buyer will get impatient and file a Paypal dispute soon. I am communicating with her as much as possible, letting her know that I'm sorry Canada Post is taking so long, and that I am in the process of filing a claim with them.

The package comes with delivery confirmation BUT the mailman was too stupid and didn't add on Signature option although I asked for it twice...which I am extremely scared about. However, if it hasn't been delivered, it doesn't matter, right? If it was in fact delivered, it always shows that it was delivered, although no signature will be available. I'm not too concerned about the buyer claiming she never received the item, just that Canada Post lost the item or something.

Has anyone here filed a claim with Canada Post? If so, what happened and what was the outcome?

All input greatly appreciated!

[stylefly]

Hi Karman,
When you ship by Surface it goes by boat...seriously! So 6 weeks is really not unthinkable considering the sheer distance it's going.
I have shipped a parcel using Surface to Argentina before and same thing, it got lost (now tell me why they can't do delivery confirmation with Air?!?). You simply have to call Canada Post and give them the number they ask for. They will attempt to find the parcel (they did for me) which can take around 14 days. If they find it- they ship it to your recipient. If not, they will simply send you a cheque. It's actually really easy. Let me know if you have any other questions with this

[Nyria]

Hi - the tracking won't change - it isn't updated when you use surface. How did you get $200 in insurance? I thought you could only get $100 with surface?
Anyhoo
I had to file a claim once for a pair of LV shoes ($325) because the buyer said she never recieved them - I used express or expidited - whatever gave me full insurance, tracking etc.
Even though the paperwork showed that it arrived at it's desitination they still gave me my money back because she said she didn't get it.
(which didn't make sense to me because to me USPS lost it - not Canada post - but anyhoo...)
Like Stylefly said call them and they will talk you through what to do and then send you a cheque =)
Let us know how it all works out.

[fantastic_3]

With Xpresspost you must wait 1 month before filing a claim but surface may be a bit more for waiting time. From Experience, when I ship to the westcoast of USA or Hawaii, it does take about 4-6 weeks so your parcel may just be reaching Austrailia soon. Just make sure that the buyer knows that you are keeping track of the parcel and assure her that you will give her a refund if the parcel does not arrive. Canada Post is usually pretty good with issuing refunds, just the waiting time is a pain.

[karman]

Hi guys, thanks for the response.

I read the Canada Post guide thing and it says I can file a claim within 90 days. The package was being sent to Australia by surface, and I was allowed to purchase insurance for it anyway. I think it depends on the country?

I *hope* it is getting there soon...I know it's going by boat and everything but still, 6 weeks is really long. I am never, ever shipping to Australia again unless the buyer is willing to dish out $60 for shipping!!

Thanks again guys and I'll let you know how it turns out! Luckily the buyer is pretty patient...I just hope she doesn't file a Paypal claim during this time.

[Jayne1]

This is what I've been told by the Post Office regarding surface... it goes by plane... not surface, not boat, that's too archaic. Furniture travels by boat but a small parcel goes by plane.

However, it has no priority and it will sit around for the longest time until someone gets around to delivering it.

I once sent a package to Europe (to relatives... and I didn't care how long it took, so I used surface) and she got in 2-3 months. I completely forgot I had sent it! That's how long it took.

So, I think worrying at the 6 week mark may be premature.

Anyway, that's what I was told, it goes by plane, even if it's called surface (unless it's going national within Canada or to the States and then it's by truck.)

Am I wrong?

[karman]

Hmmm you might be right Jayne...low priority might just be the term to describe it. I guess surface mail sounds better than slow, low priority mail.

[karman]

Update: I filed a claim and got a letter back last Monday that I may only file a claim after 60 days of the initial shipping date (which would be August 5th). I received a message from my buyer today though...she FINALLY received the package! PHEW!