On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:44:06 +0900, Loosecanon wrote:

"Jeßus" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:46:18 +1100, Pete wrote:

snip


Over time this whole situation ought to improve - if only because
slowly but surely I am finding suitable companies willing to send by
Aus Post (after they witness what happens here) and/or learning each
and every quirk of the various courier companies. By then, I'll better
be able to choose *who* to buy from, based on their shipping methods.


As a matter of interest I have noticed in the past few years that mail
can be delayed upto 3 weeks in getting to country Queensland. I sell
seeds and blank plant labels/tags on eBay & Oztion.

Actually, I think I have bought seeds from you
Shoalwater W.A, right?

These are not sent
by parcel post but fit in standard and prepaid envelopes which travel by
air from Perth.

Now I am pretty sure of it...

I figure at worst they would take 3 days to get to
Brisbane and a day or 2 to get to the country areas.

The delay happens mainly every 2 or 3 years so I am assuming that the
smaller areas have mail contractors who put tenders into Australia Post.
My theory is not many reapply hence the delays at these times.

Good point there. I've lived all over the country, almost always rural
places. There has been the odd time that mail delivery was patchy, almost
invariably these places had contractors come and go, so yes, good point...

These courier companies jack up the prices so much on items I can't see
why they can't to be mailed using Australia Post Express or do a deal
with Australia Post in remote areas to deliver items.

Tell me about it. I do try to explain this to some businesses I've dealt
with, along with the fact that I know I'll recieve it within a reasonable
time frame, without endless phone calls chasing said package up, and
without driving all the way to Launceston. Some have come to the party,
most don't... theyve set up their shipping system and have little desire
to alter it, I guess.

Barbara makes no sense because if she has a contract to cart items from
A-B the price is quoted taking all factors into consideration (time &
vehicle upkeep).

This would also be my philospohy if I was in the business. If they can't/
won't honour the contract (which is essentially what it is) - don't
accept the job! It seems simple enough to me! I just couldnt treat people
in that fashion, I'd rather find some other way to make a crust.

Here we have a price already supplied by the courier
company to have it delivered to the door. They should never take on
anything they can't make good on and should quote a price to make the
end couriers efforts at least profitable.

Agreed. And also ensure the intended recipents are aware that a different
company is now handling delivery wouldnt hurt either.

I have had only one hassle using Australia Posts Express Post where a
customer said the 3kg Satchel had not arrived. I filled out a form to
say the item had disappeared supplied the number on the satchel. I
received a letter from AP saying the item had arrived at the Post Office
in that town and the date. The item was sitting in the post office for a
week.

As the customer was not notified by a card in the letterbox or had it
delivered to the home address I thought I would be entitled to a free
3kg Express post satchel. I made a call and was told it arrived at the
port office in good time so they would not honour the guarantee. I was
peeved by this and wrote a letter. I stated how I had mailed the item
etc etc and how I had to waste my time filling in forms. I got a letter
of apology and a free satchel.

Aus Post cop a lot of flack, to be sure. Sometimes for good reason of
course. I have to say though, the odd time I've had damaged items,
they've done the right thing.

You can be unlucky and live in an area with delivery people who, for
example, will just plonk your parcels in plain view of the street. That
sort of thing... which can be a right pain in the arse.
The last time I personally had such a problem was in Eumundi QLD. Quite a
few years ago now, but again a rural area, the 'postie' insisted on
plonking all parcels in the driveways, perfect for the dishonest to pull
over (in complete privacy) and grab your parcels... no need to even get
out of the car to do it!. The then new owners of the local post office
couldnt have cared less, and wouldnt hold any mail for anyone with a
fixed address in town. They were both relatively recent American or
Canadian immigrants as well, just to add a nice touch.

Happy holidays.