[Sneaky]

So, a couple weeks ago I sold a '53 Fender Pro amp to someone on Vancouver Island. I packed it up and off to Purolator I went. Figured out shipping rates and told them I wanted it insured. They said they would not insure it unless it was in the original packaging. I had to ship a $2000 amp without insurance! I knew I packed it well and fortunately it arrived safely, but this is retarded. I think UPS has the same policy. With the scammers on Ebay and this kind of BS it is making it almost impossible to sell gear anymore, except locally.

Oh, and yesterday I was shipping a looper thing at Canada Post and they asked if it had a battery in it. Apparently batteries are now classified "dangerous goods" and CP will not carry them.



-Pete

 

[torndownunit]

Does the insurance issue relate to how much you wanted to insure it for? I have had no problem insuring stuff with Canada Post/Purolator lately. But I have also never tried to insure anything for $2000....

 

[bRian]

I shipped a Pro Reverb to Japan about 8 weeks ago and had no problem insuring it through the postal system.

 

[gproud]

I was sending a guitar to the States a couple of years ago, and figured I've give Purolator my business. The woman there told me that I had to open my packaging to show them what it was, and of course after confirming it was a guitar, I'd have to repackage it myself after spending almost an hour packing it up in the first place, and I needed an appraisal to insure it. Keep in mind it was a Korean made Tokai Love Rock, and I was insuring it for $350.00 Canadian. I promptly went to Canada Post and had no issues. The couriers make my blood boil sometimes.

 

[torndownunit]

Canada Post owns Purolator. And when I ship Purolator I just take it to the local post office. They have never asked me to do any of the stuff you guys are mentioning.

 

[gproud]

Canada Post owns Purolator. And when I ship Purolator I just take it to the local post office. They have never asked me to do any of the stuff you guys are mentioning.

I know they're owned by Canada Post, but they're a separate company. They are bound by the baffling laws of Couriers, where CP is CP.

 

[torndownunit]

I wasn't trying to come across as rude or anything. I was just pointing out that I have shipped everything from amps to pedals with them through the Canada Post outlet and never had to do any of the stuff you guys mention in the thread.

 

[gproud]

I wasn't trying to come across as rude or anything. I was just pointing out that I have shipped everything from amps to pedals with them through the Canada Post outlet and never had to do any of the stuff you guys mention in the thread.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to imply you were being rude either. I just wanted to point out that although CP owns Purolator, they're apples and oranges when it comes to shipping stuff. You would think they'd be similar, but in my experience they're not.

Purolator = Typical Courier
CP = Never had a problem

 

[torndownunit]

Do you think there is anything difference using Purolator through a Canada Post outlet over using one of private outlets (like Mail Boxes Etc.) though? I am just trying to figure out why there would be such a difference in procedures in my experiences shipping with them. The largest item I shipped was a $600 amp and I didn't have to show them anything.

 

[dwagar]

I shipped my R9 to the states for some work, by UPS. I packed the crap out of it.
I insured it for $1000, figured that would cover any damage they might cause.
Then the guy tells me that, unless they pack it, it's not covered for damage. WTF.
He said that's insurance in case they lose it. I told him if they 'lose' it, it'll be covered under my house insurance after I call the police and report them for theft.
I left the $1000 insurance on it (cost something like $30), I figured that is a flag to them that they better know where it is.

I guess I can see their point though. I suppose I could have packed up a guitar with a broken headstock, then claimed they broke it in shipping.

For me the best 'insurance' is way over packing, and a tracking number so you can watch it. And a signature required.

 

[gproud]

Do you think there is anything difference using Purolator through a Canada Post outlet over using one of private outlets (like Mail Boxes Etc.) though? I am just trying to figure out why there would be such a difference in procedures in my experiences shipping with them. The largest item I shipped was a $600 amp and I didn't have to show them anything.

That could be the difference. We have a separate Purolator location here. Our CP outlets won't take anything over certain dimensions/weights and tell you to take it to Purolator, or any courier. Interesting that if you don't have a Purolator location that you can courier it through CP without the hassles you get at Purolator.