Canceling a sale to Canada because of Postal Strike?

[collectiblenotes]

Over the past two weeks I have had buyers from Canada purchase smaller items, roughly less than $20 each.  Naturally, they select USPS shipping.  When I contacted both of them about the inability to print postage labels and ship USPS because of the strike they suggested I ship FedEx.  I let them know this was not an available option for us (substantially higher shipping costs and no close local drop boxes) and that seemingly the only method was for them to buy through the global shipping program.  I also don't want to have an awaiting shipment for an indefinite amount of time for an item that is less than $20, so I much prefer to just cancel.  Do you think eBay would protect the seller against a negative feedback in this situation or how are you guys handling this similar situation?  Thanks for the input!

[redmodelt]

Pretty sure the strike is over. Go to the USPS website and check for sure. 

[collectiblenotes]

Did not know that, but you seem to be correct.  I guess my next question would be when will eBay allow us to start printing labels for shipment to Canada?  I suppose no one really knows the answer to that.

[lacemaker3]

The Canada Post strike is over, but they are currently clearing out their backlog. Mail and packages were taken to storage areas, and need to be brought back into the workflow, on a first-in-first-out basis. Their latest update was Dec. 18, 2024, and they say:

• "We continue to work through an accumulation of international mail and parcels.
• "The postal system will start accepting new international mail on December 23."

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/corporate-news/news-release...

USPS stopped accepting  mail for Canada on Nov 29, and have not started accepting it again. I see a red banner over the top of all tracking # web pages that says this. You can check this page to see when they start accepting it again. (Probably Dec. 23 or 24, maybe later, depending on how much Canadian mail USPS already has in storage.)

https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/

[lotzofuniquegoodies]

---

@collectiblenotes wrote:

Over the past two weeks I have had buyers from Canada purchase smaller items, roughly less than $20 each.  Naturally, they select USPS shipping.  When I contacted both of them about the inability to print postage labels and ship USPS because of the strike they suggested I ship FedEx.  I let them know this was not an available option for us (substantially higher shipping costs and no close local drop boxes) and that seemingly the only method was for them to buy through the global shipping program.  I also don't want to have an awaiting shipment for an indefinite amount of time for an item that is less than $20, so I much prefer to just cancel.  Do you think eBay would protect the seller against a negative feedback in this situation or how are you guys handling this similar situation?  Thanks for the input!

---

@collectiblenotes 

Canadian seller here. Strike is mostly resolved. They are back to the negotiation table to come to a further mutual agreement/arrangement. Will just take awhile for them to meander their way through the backlog. Dropped off this morning and outgoing bin was empty. Picked up last night. Slowly getting parcels processed that require picking up. It will be a bit of a gong show until they work through the pile.

From a US to Canada perspective USPS would be going through a substantial pile of shipments. Until everything gets somewhat caught up estimates provided by eBay will be just that. Estimates. Pack your patience. 

-Lotzofuniquegoodies

https://www.canadapost-postescanada.ca/cpc/en/our-company/news-and-media/corporate-news/news-release...

[lacemaker3]

USPS issued a new announcement about mail to Canada today ... they hope to be able to accept Canada-bound mail within the next two weeks.

https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/canada-suspension.htm

[sin-n-dex]

---

@collectiblenotes wrote:

Over the past two weeks I have had buyers from Canada purchase smaller items, roughly less than $20 each.  Naturally, they select USPS shipping.  When I contacted both of them about the inability to print postage labels and ship USPS because of the strike they suggested I ship FedEx.  I let them know this was not an available option for us (substantially higher shipping costs and no close local drop boxes) and that seemingly the only method was for them to buy through the global shipping program.  I also don't want to have an awaiting shipment for an indefinite amount of time for an item that is less than $20, so I much prefer to just cancel.  Do you think eBay would protect the seller against a negative feedback in this situation or how are you guys handling this similar situation?  Thanks for the input!

---

If you cancel you will disappoint the buyer, I would ask them if they're willing to wait. One or two late shipments won't hurt your metrics that much.

If you cancel, problem with address (the problem being that USPS is not accepting mail to Canada right now, even though the strike is over and they are just working through backlog).

This is good information, I'm in Canada and want to shop, but I'll wait if USPS is not accepting mail.

C.

[reallynicestamps]

The workers have been ordered back to work and management back to the negotiating table which they abandoned.

That was on the 17th.

https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/a-month-is-a-long-time-canada-post-workers-back-on-job-1.7149223

The problems, partly wages falling behind inflation and more importantly holding the line on part time gig work, remain.

The problem of part time workers is actually left over from the last dispute when management locked the workers out. (The workers had been doing rotating strikes but the mail was moving, slowly. With the lockout the system shut down completely.)

We got mail on Thursday last (two bills, one overdue) and one letter today.

[belethorbutnice]

I had to cancel, showed the buyer screenshots of inability to ship. Asked him to wait. He then asked for a cancellation so I did. He gave me negative feedback and eBay refused to remove it. 😞

[janet9988]

---

@belethorbutnice wrote:

I had to cancel, showed the buyer screenshots of inability to ship. Asked him to wait. He then asked for a cancellation so I did. He gave me negative feedback and eBay refused to remove it. 😞

---

I would have removed ANY shipping to Canada on the listings until this was over.

[theteamsetguy]

@janet9988 ,

If I would have done that I would have out a bunch of sales. All of my buyers were very understanding and allowed me to wait until strike was over. 

Bot 8673509