tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post8681806531315635341..comments2024-03-12T13:57:38.337-07:00Comments on Chronically Vintage: The impact of USPS rate hikes from the perspective of an avid online shopperWitchcrafted Lifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-18616778558165289152014-02-12T12:30:45.191-08:002014-02-12T12:30:45.191-08:00Ohhh, that's a bad cyberspace!!! Give Sanne ba...Ohhh, that's a bad cyberspace!!! Give Sanne back her comment! :) <br /><br />Seriously though, I'm sorry that your comment(s) vanished. I've had that happen here and there over the years and know how frustrating it can be. Hopefully in the spirit of Valentine's Day, the interwebz will show you some love and deliver all your comments right away from here on out.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-31137209499508016092014-02-12T08:39:33.418-08:002014-02-12T08:39:33.418-08:00I know I posted a comment to this, but cyberspace ...I know I posted a comment to this, but cyberspace has stolen it.SANNEhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12973437247117000140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-29329162183243290052014-02-09T23:25:31.459-08:002014-02-09T23:25:31.459-08:00Rant away, my dear, rant away, if you'd like. ...Rant away, my dear, rant away, if you'd like. This post was more of one than I typically launch into here on CV, but sometimes, especially when a topic is likely to affect a wide number of my readers, I feel it's worth doing. I too have been taking a gamble and purchasing more and more from Asian shops on eBay in the last year as well. I've had some good experiences and some not so good ones, but no (knock wood) horror stories yet. <br /><br />At present, no, I don't know anyone nearby in Washington State. I have online friends scattered throughout the US, but none close to Canadian border. That would certainly be a great way to potentially go if I did though. Thanks for raising that point, honey.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-58610367397386401542014-02-09T14:50:16.289-08:002014-02-09T14:50:16.289-08:00I am not even going to start with my rant about th...I am not even going to start with my rant about this (in fear I might not stop :P) but I will say when I first went to ship something after the hike I was appalled! They are really shooting themselves in the end, and really on a couple of occasions it has forced me to buy some new items from China that offered free shipping. It took a month to get here but at least it was free. Do you know anyone close by in Washington? You seem to be not too far from the border, I have friends US side that receive some of my packages for me and then I pick it up whenever I can :)Shermyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04675442255981745442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-69463441999155057382014-02-08T19:07:48.667-08:002014-02-08T19:07:48.667-08:00Hear, hear! I am second guessing many more purchas...Hear, hear! I am second guessing many more purchases these days due to the increase in shipping costs. We use several American parcel pickup services and it's only an hour and a half drive to the border from Winnipeg, but only ship there in the summer when the drive can be an enjoyable outing (also stopping at a few rural thrift shops along the way) to pick up goodies from the States. Although it's barely a solution to the issue. Generally, I find myself buying less online these days.<br /><br />Lisa.Lisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09496217916948996526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-41853903834446676412014-02-07T02:26:27.697-08:002014-02-07T02:26:27.697-08:00I can definitely relate to this. Even in Australi...I can definitely relate to this. Even in Australia, shipping costs are getting higher with every passing year. I run an etsy store and I'm finding it so hard to reconcile the amount that I have to charge to cover shipping costs. It just seems so unfair that I have to charge my overseas customers so much to make sure that their goods arrive safely. <br /><br />I've also noticed a change in my own online shopping habits. More and more of my budget is being eaten up with shipping costs, and I feel less inclined to buy smaller, cheaper items when I have to pay almost as much for shipping as I have for the item itself. I feel bad because I like supporting small businesses, but I simply can't afford to pay and arm and a leg for postage.<br /><br />It's very frustrating.Vanessahttp://www.nessbow.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-81966401233464005422014-02-05T22:33:56.044-08:002014-02-05T22:33:56.044-08:00Man, I am bummed on your behalf with this shipping...Man, I am bummed on your behalf with this shipping hike! It's this weird conundrum where on one hand, costs will go up because of the cost of fuel, and in the US our fuel is really underpriced compared to Canada and other countries, but with the Internet, there's ever-increasing awareness of the neat things located physically far away, and the awesome possibilities of small businesses and the Internet linking us up to trade treasures.<br /><br />I wish I could think of a solution for this!Ayahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07066652005631038278noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-49794772517237178352014-02-05T20:03:20.632-08:002014-02-05T20:03:20.632-08:00I'm with you completely there! It pains me tha...I'm with you completely there! It pains me that I've had to scale back on gift giving and participating in swaps because I just can't foot the bill for the massively pricey shipping a lot of the time any more (especially on parcels above a pound or two) - and that includes within our own fine country! It's almost like the postal systems have forgotten that everyday people, not just giant corporations (like Amazon, for example) use their services still!<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-31343099498935688942014-02-05T05:26:44.317-08:002014-02-05T05:26:44.317-08:00Incredibly well said! I agree with you wholeheart...Incredibly well said! I agree with you wholeheartedly. It pains me as well to see the price increases in the postage system, especially in Canada. As you have said, it has always been expensive here, but it is bordering on rediculousness! And as most of my international parcels have been to and from the U.S. of A, this makes me angry. >:(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-14919074362583120522014-02-04T14:27:58.903-08:002014-02-04T14:27:58.903-08:00Very good points one and all. I too worry a lot ab...Very good points one and all. I too worry a lot about the world's economy, both close to home and abroad. Yes, they say we're out of the worst of the (2008) recession, but are we really? So many things have never - and may never - recovered. Prices on most items are over-the-moon high, but wages haven't kept pace with retail inflation one iota, and people struggle daily to make the same budget (or perhaps an even smaller one, if they were laid off, are getting less shifts, etc) they had six-eight years ago cover today's prices. <br /><br />I sense and see evidence of the middle class vanishing at an alarming rate, and wonder if this is how things are, what on earth will the economy look like in 10, 20, 50+ years from now? Will the middle class become a relic of the past, as a return of a handful of super rich people and a majority of poor citizens make up civilization again as it did in many places up until the Renaissance and later the Industrial Revolution? I certainly hope not, but only time will tell.<br /><br />♥ JessicaWitchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-44917404814781901692014-02-04T12:31:12.970-08:002014-02-04T12:31:12.970-08:00I used to offer free shipping in the US and I can ...I used to offer free shipping in the US and I can no longer do that without taking a major hit to my profit. I hate shipping anything to Australia because anything, even as insignificant as a dress or blouse can cost $30+ and takes forever to get there. I also find a lot of items overseas or even across the northern border, but the shipping from Canada to the US is just as bad as the shipping from US to Canada...really!! <br /><br />I know I should feel empathy for my postal service, but I watch how little they work and how incredibly inconvenient they make situations I just lose patience with them. I doubt things will get any better until we're out of this recession which has lasted for far too long. Our national debt is one of the highest and if the politicians don't get their butts in gear it will drastically get worse! I think that is what my true fear is.seannaapprovedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09546047220109216505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-20687842864143212582014-02-03T20:11:15.909-08:002014-02-03T20:11:15.909-08:00New Zealand has always had really high shipping co...New Zealand has always had really high shipping costs shipping out, so the price change really threw me a curve-ball as I was used to shipping prices inwards being cheaper! Here, if I ship out something like two or three pieces of doll clothing, it'll be between $12 and $15 to the USA/Canada/UK/Rest of the world (Australia and the South Pacific is cheaper by a little) - if I wanted that parcel tracked it's $50. It's crazy! The same parcel within the country would be maybe $3 and that includes the bag. While I've never spent much online (tight budgets generally prohibit that!) but now I find it even harder to buy online - I was looking at some vintage patterns for dresses, and I'd expect to pay maybe $6-$8NZD for postage for them (Etsy converts it for me) but more and more frequently I see them with shipping of $10-$15NZD - which is crazy as that's often the same price as the pattern itself, or more! I now try and buy from the UK for things I want, as their shipping to New Zealand is really good, and often a lot less than from the USA, and also faster - I'll usually get things sent Airmail in a week, rather than 10 days like from the USA. But it is sad, as sometimes I'll see something I love (currently oggling a vintage dress on Ebay that's in my size - a rare occurance) which would be an okay price if the shipping wouldn't double it. It's a real shame, as plus sized vintage dresses are a rare find for me! Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054451931750515916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-31758697020056908862014-02-03T17:58:24.137-08:002014-02-03T17:58:24.137-08:00Thank you very much much, my dear. Ouch, ouch and ...Thank you very much much, my dear. Ouch, ouch and triple ouch!!! I've been hit with similar CODs from reproduction (the worst to date has been Freddies of Pinewood, which is a massive shame, because I utterly adore their offerings, but I'm scared to ever order from them again because of the courier that they use) and modern clothing companies alike (the worst offender their so far has been eShakti (which I documented here: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/01/i-want-to-love-you-i-really-do-but.html). Customs charges are one thing, but skyhigh CODs on top of the shipping costs you paid at the time of purchase online, courier brokerage fees, and other hidden expenses can quickly surpass the cost of the item(s) ordered and make one very leery of ordering online from companies who use couriers. <br /><br />Agreed, how on earth can Canada Post think it's right to go from $0.63 (already crazy high) to send a letter within the country to $0.83/$1.00 for a single stamp (and if we're on the subject, how in blazes can they get away with charging more just because a stamp isn't bought in a book). I tell you, when postal systems finally fold (and sadly, I highly suspect they will), with the way things are going this year, I strongly suspect Canada Post will be one of the first in the world on the chopping block.<br /><br />Tons of understanding, <br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-51573647663332159612014-02-03T15:39:27.944-08:002014-02-03T15:39:27.944-08:00Excellent article! And I cannot agree more with ev...Excellent article! And I cannot agree more with every single point. I have found myself cutting my shopping purchases in half this last year since the prices have gone up. And now after having a UPS issues with a recent reproduction company I purchased from the states I'm becoming extremely gun shy even with those companies (I got a COD from UPS for $53 last week, on top of the $27 shipping charges I already spent). I do have the option of getting a box in the states and I'm considering it BUT I have to way the costs on that as well because the states are not in my backyard.<br /><br />I feel for the online stores and what is happening to them, it seems like big corporations/government never think of the little people that will be affected. :(<br /><br />I'm also not looking forward to our insane hike here as well. $1.00 to mail a letter...what??? <br /><br />Online shopping use to be so much fun and now i find myself, passing up on so many items that I would of scoped up in a second in the past. Sigh...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-7749937233685132612014-02-03T14:59:00.453-08:002014-02-03T14:59:00.453-08:00Oh my goodness, yes! That sums up the situation qu...Oh my goodness, yes! That sums up the situation quite often for me as well (shipping costs negating whether or not you're going to buy something more than the cost of the item itself). Both Tony and I think that postal systems in their traditional sense are not long for this world, and sadly, I can't help but feel like (especially with the massive stamp rate hikes and doing away with door-to-door daily mail delivery service in so many areas) Canada Post may be on of the first to go.<br /><br />Though Western Union has long since closed its doors, you can still send a telegraph in Canada. Here's a Canadian company that offers the service: http://www.telegrams.ca<br /><br />Thank you very much for your comment,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-90175212220065113612014-02-03T14:44:08.047-08:002014-02-03T14:44:08.047-08:00I too feel the exact same way. I've all but st...I too feel the exact same way. I've all but stopped buying small, inexpensive items online anymore unless they're part of a larger order with other pieces, too. Being charged more for shipping than the cost of the item just does not sit right with me (unless the total cost of the item and its shipping is still wayyyy below what it's retail/resale value would be). <br /><br />It is deeply sad - and I suspect the problem will only continue to escalate as time goes on, with little in the way of possible solutions/workarounds being put out there yet. <br /><br />Thank you very much for your great comment,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-4594405723611545072014-02-03T14:34:12.038-08:002014-02-03T14:34:12.038-08:00I hear you loud and clear, dear gal - and need to ...I hear you loud and clear, dear gal - and need to do meditative deep breathing right alongside some days. We get hit with customs charges (and, sometimes, brokerage fees when couriers are involved) and have to pay tax on most international purchases $20, and parcels sent as gifts over $60, here in British Columbia, so that too can make a small, seemingly inexpensive item suddenly cost significantly more. It sounds like we're in much the same boat on opposite sides of the Atlantic, and I agree, it has gotten out of hand!<br /><br />Tons of understanding,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-68486229854475078162014-02-03T14:11:27.383-08:002014-02-03T14:11:27.383-08:00Hi Chrissy, very good point, regardless of if one ...Hi Chrissy, very good point, regardless of if one wears vintage or not, if you're not a fan of what your local shops are offering (and/or it's beyond your budget) the web is often your best alternative, but if shipping prices are too steep there, one may suddenly find themselves between a rock and a hard place. I'm sorry that there aren't more children's clothing offerings that you like where you live. In the nearby city of Kelowna (an hour away from us) there's a consignment store that just stocks children's clothing and items. Is there anything like that around where you live? It might be an option if the thrift stores are too picked over or don't have what you're after. <br /><br />Big hugs,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-8649836308233831142014-02-03T13:59:46.696-08:002014-02-03T13:59:46.696-08:00Thank you, honey, yes it is and I do feel better n...Thank you, honey, yes it is and I do feel better now that I've gotten this wee rant out of my system. I don't typically posts things like this (or complain/rant what have you in general), but when I know that something is an issue that is likely to affect a wide number of my readers as well as myself, I sometimes feel compelled to. <br /><br />That's quite alarming regarding how just folding packaging something differently could affect it's shipping rate. I've experienced that here in Canada for years now, too with certain small items (letter mail vs small package, which at a national level is the difference between a couple bucks and about $11-14 for the smallest sized packages). <br /><br />Big hugs,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-10341892492967112052014-02-03T13:47:42.884-08:002014-02-03T13:47:42.884-08:00Hi Lynda, it's really interesting that you rai...Hi Lynda, it's really interesting that you raise that point, as I have been buying more and more from Australia (and not just clothing and accessories, craft supplies, too) in the last year. I just ordered some elastic from Australia to replace that which broke on a 40s tilt hat of mine a few weeks ago and not only was it super cheap to ship, it got here in about a week. I was so impressed. I will definitely continue to turn to Australia more and more as my own country, the US, and UK continue to hike up their rates all the more. <br /><br />Thank you very much for your comment (I hope others see it and opt to buy more from Down Under as well),<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-69107522025376435092014-02-03T13:41:43.584-08:002014-02-03T13:41:43.584-08:00Hi Joanna, great minds! I too have done that befor...Hi Joanna, great minds! I too have done that before, especially with friends who live in Australia and other countries outside of North America (it's mind blowingly scary how much Canada Post charges to send parcels that weigh more than just two tiny pounds outside of Canada or the States. I sent a package to a friend in Australia two or three Christmas ago that weighed a few pounds and was charged almost $200 - and it wasn't express or anything fancy, just regular air mail). <br /><br />I'm really glad, too! Granted, my wardrobe isn't massively bigger and there are always countless items I'd like to add to it, but objectively, I do have most of my bases covered, what I own is in good shape (aka, I don't need to replace many things at the moment), and I'm not going to run out of fun/creative/new outfits to make with what I have already anytime soon. These hikes haven't ceased my online buying entirely, just curtailed it heavily, so there will still be some online purchases coming in now and then, as well as items bought in person (such as the ones on our Calgary trip last September). <br /><br />Agreed! USPS (and Canada Post!) really need to rethink what they're doing. IMO, they're just speeding up their ultimate demise all the more quickly by introducing such drastic rate hikes. <br /><br />Thank you very much for your terrific comment,<br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-39935838101417564252014-02-03T13:35:22.421-08:002014-02-03T13:35:22.421-08:00Thank you very much, honey. By all means, if you&#...Thank you very much, honey. By all means, if you'd like to repost this post on your site, please feel free to do so (just credit it to me and link to Chronically Vintage if you do). <br /><br />I hear you loud and clear when it comes to the even greater appeal that reproduction takes on when some of the leading companies in that field offer flat rate shipping. I've been buying more repro since the rate hikes myself and highly suspect I'll continue to as the years roll on. I love genuine vintage, repro, and vintage appropriate fashions, so this doesn't both me at all, but it would still be nice to have some genuine vintage sources that also offered flat rate shipping.<br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-20744501853462546612014-02-03T13:16:13.845-08:002014-02-03T13:16:13.845-08:00I recently ordered some fabric from the US. Yes it...I recently ordered some fabric from the US. Yes it's a long way but it was the only way to get what I wanted. It's lovely but I won't be doing it again. The shipping was too much and then an additional import tax of £18 on top. This for a parcel no bigger than a large envelope! It was about two weeks ago so this post is pretty timely...I had already forsworn to myself, that I will only order in Europe from here on :(. I am sorry you have the same experience in Canada. How frustrating, especially for little items like brooches and as you so rightly point out these things are not available in every mall. There seems no answer to it except only buy what you absolutely must have, and if you see something on one of your trips, snap it up! X Philippahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05979470577235630724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-74544020827081782882014-02-03T13:05:37.500-08:002014-02-03T13:05:37.500-08:00Thank you very for your comment, dear Juliana. Abs...Thank you very for your comment, dear Juliana. Absolutely! It's not a one way street by any stretch of the imagination. Historically, in the past few years in particular, Canada Post has had some of the highest shipping rates around. In the winter of 2011/2012, I was doing a lot of selling on eBay, and literally would apologize to people when I replied to their comments for combined shipping quotes, because I just felt so bad telling someone how high the shipping prices would be (and I was charging exact shipping to within no more than one dollar - I'd refund any overage beyond that instantly).<br /><br />I know! It's nuts! I can sometimes order the same item and have it shipped for less from the UK or Australia (Australia - all the way on the other side of the world, for goodness sake!) as well. Sounds like some of us Canadians and Americans should get together at the border and hold a vintage sale or swap to help counterbalance the crazy high rates our respective postal systems are imposing on us! <br /><br />♥ Jessica Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3423410690702297063.post-47828529999159165162014-02-03T12:57:02.786-08:002014-02-03T12:57:02.786-08:00Thank you very much for letting me - and all of us...Thank you very much for letting me - and all of us here - know that fact. Your offerings are really on target, as you know, for my audience here. <br /><br />♥ Jessica <br /><br />*PS* <br /><br />If you'd ever like to become a blog sponsor or collaborate in another way, such a product spotlight outfit post, please don't hesitate to get in touch by email.<br />Witchcrafted Lifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02992822472797191121noreply@blogger.com