Catchafire

I ordered a vinyl record from a record store in Montreal in January, for delivery to New Zealand. Still not arrived and after a email discussion with the seller, it seems it does take this long to get a parcel out of Canada. "Get back to me after three months" is what it all boiled down to.

So is he yanking my chain or does the post system in Canada really suck?

Piff Poff

It really sucks.

scrubbedexpat091

Canada Post is horrible most of the time, it can take 10 days just to get a parcel from Montreal to Vancouver.

I've only ever sent international to the US and that average is about 10-12 days total with almost the whole time getting out of Canada...

Any tracking available? The time frame for even Canada Post seems a long time, unless its gotten lost or they sent it by boat which is very possible depending on the service used.

magnumpi

My China Ebay stuffs usually take 2-3 months to arrive

BristolUK

I have nothing but good to say about Canada Post. Every single item expected has arrived either on time or before expected delivery date.

I'd expect a delay to be at customs at the receiving end and a google shows tons of results of Canada customs holding things from abroad, so maybe the delay is NZ customs...if it really has been sent.

Perhaps the seller is aware of delays in receiving and assumes such delays go both ways?

bats

It depends on how much he paid.

Catchafire

$16CAD for "standard post"

Thanks for your replies, post from the US/Europe is usually 7-10 days. So don't see the problem being at the NZ end.

Oh well, i'll give them another week or so, then I have to leave feedback via the website (discogs) that I did not receive anything.

Aviator

If it went surface, 8-12 weeks depending on routing. Once it has left Canada, Canadpost have noting to do with it. In all likelihood it was out of Canada in a week and on a boat. If it is going via Aus to direct, all makes a difference.

We can get a package from Aus or the UK by air in under a week.

Atlantic Xpat

Seafreight then to NZ. 3 months doesn't feel unreasonable.

Pizzawheel

$16? Oh boy that's the slow boat to china option.

I just sent a passport renewal off to the UK, and though it was recorded delivery it was just documents- I imagine a vinyl disc would have some protective packaging.

Cost me $30...

caretaker

On a long voyage like that it's a good thing they still have a record player in the wardroom...

scrubbedexpat091

I guess Canada doesn't have the volume of mail, but kind of surprised they still do surface international. The USPS did away with surface international 10 years ago or so.

Slowest option the USPS offers is 6-10 business days for parcels.

First Class mail is available for letters and post cards.

scilly

Canada now only has First Class Mail for letters and postcards, but they still offer slow mail for parcels ........... witness the "Mail By Dates" issued every year for Christmas parcels to different countries.

The time for the UK is usually by the end of October, ie, 2 months before Christmas. That for NZ and Australia is before that.


There are about 3 choices for parcels ............Priority, Xpresspost, and Regular Post.

I guess the latter means by sea.