Canada Postal strike affecting anyone ?

[Thinkpad Lover]

I got an email from a forum member in Canada who wanted to buy some memory from me. A small item, so I thought I could ship it using First Class Mail International, which seems pretty cheap for small packets to Canada: http://www.usps.com/prices/first-class- ... ces.htm#cz

I have almost no experience shipping internationally except APO/FPO so I thought I would stick with First Class or Priority Mail international, USPS services I'm familiar with here at home. Then I read this at the USPS website: "By now you may have heard that the Canada Post has gone on a nationwide strike. Effective on Sunday, 6/19/2011, the USPS will not accept any First-Class Mail International, Priority Mail International, or Express Mail International to Canada. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you."

"Due to the expectation by Canada Post officials that the strike by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers will last until at least sometime next week, the U.S. Postal Service will suspend accepting mail destined to Canada on Saturday, June 18, 2011, 11:59 p.m. CDT — with the exception of Global Express Guaranteed shipments.

As a convenience to USPS customers and to minimize service disruptions, the USPS arranged to accept mail destined for Canada as long as possible. The USPS will continue to closely monitor the strike situation. Once Canada Post resumes operations, post offices will again accept mail for Canada and resume processing any Canadian-destined mail currently held in the USPS network.

To avoid service disruptions or delays — regardless of the duration of the strike at Canada Post — U.S. Postal Service customers can continue to send letters and packages via the Postal Service's Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service. GXG is a premium, date-certain international shipping option with international transportation and delivery by FedEx Express. GXG is available online at http://www.usps.com and at thousands of participating retail locations throughout the United States.

Additional information and updates regarding acceptance and movement of international mail is available at http://www.usps.com/communications/news ... pdates.htm.

I don't know what Global Express Guaranteed is, but I'm guessing it wouldn't be cost-effective to ship a small packet of memory. Probably cost too much for buyer and seller. Anyone have experience shipping with GXG?

Any other sellers out there lost a few sales or had shipments delayed because of the Canada post strike? Seems the Canadian government is intervening as we speak to bring about an end to the strike. From reading a few articles online it seems like a big joke. Most Canadians are not too concerned in this day of online bill payment, communication and alternative shipping services.

BTW, the Forum member in Canada said he'd be glad to wait until the strike is over and is still interested in the memory

Daniel.

[ajkula66]

I've got a machine sitting in the box addressed to a forum member in Canada...

GXG is handled by FedEx which is likely to charge customs/brokerage fees for anything that goes through them.

Proceed at your own peril...my customer has agreed to wait until the strike is over...yours might do the same.

Communication is the key word here.

Good luck.

[Thinkpad Lover]

Strike over. Buyer in Canada got his shipment safely

Daniel.

[Bibin]

Not really thinkpads, but I have a few Famicom cartridges stuck in Canada :/

[twillis449]

Back to work legislation was passed by the Canadian Parliament this evening, so the strikers should be back to work early next week.

[Thinkpad Lover]

Back to work legislation was passed by the Canadian Parliament this evening, so the strikers should be back to work early next week.

Great! Glad to hear that And glad to hear officially from one of you Canadians

Daniel.