Non-delivered mail due to shop name causing theft

[missionpawsible]

Hi,

I haven't opened my shop because I am stuck with Canada Post issues. I have read that the non-delivered rate is increasing. Likely theft in the delivery process, but maybe other causes.

My original name has the word "Bijoux" in it, which I believe ppl involved in delivering know this means jewelry. So I changed the name thinking this will help, still not happy about that. I want a business name that I am proud of.

Most of my sales will be to the US from Canada. Canada Post pulled their $100 auto insurance. So I will have to buy external insurance which is about $500 a year, oh great. And the costs are not feasible to get tracking or signature. If anyone knows different, please tell me.

My product can fit through the slot of doom, in a box and bubble envelope, less than 2 ounces on average.

I just don't know what to do. Any ideas?

[cindylouwho2]

I operate under my real name so that is all that is on the return address. I have not registered a business name so I can't use on on my correspondence - you may want to look into the legalities in your jurisdiction.

I have only lost or had stolen maybe 1 out of 200 orders over 5 years, That is not too bad.

you can insure light packet through InsurePost for $1.50 per $100 to the US. I just charge a bit more for each shipment & save the extra to cover the inevitable losses - it is much cheaper than regular insurance. We call it "self insurance" Tracking isn't very useful; just insure instead.

Stuff will get lost/broken - that is part of doing business. Don't let it paralyze you

[Former_Member]

Why does your shopname have to be on the outside? I'm in the UK so mybe it's different here, but I have my actual name and address on my parcels as "return to sender" info.

I wouldn't want a shop name on the outside of any parcel I was receiving anyway, I've had a surprise gift spoiled in that way.

[Former_Member]

just come back to add I do understand your concern about theft - I didn't mean to sound so grumpy!

I had a parcel go astray myself recently, within the UK. I choose not to pay the extra for signed-for with the knowledge that means I can only claim up to £20 (whereas the actual cost was £25)

I'd have to rethink that if it happened more than once in a few years though.

[cindylouwho2]

Unfortunately I could not find the general Canadian links for business names that I wanted, but I do believe you are not allowed to put a shop name/business name as a return address unless you have registered the business name - that is separate from getting a business licence, btw, so just having your licence does not cover it. Business name registration differs from province to province, I believe.

Many people operate/file taxes under their own names & therefore it is not legal to use an Etsy shop name like "cindylouwho2" on their return address. That's why we use our own names.

[TigersandDragons]

" I have read that the non-delivered rate is increasing."
Where have you read this? Have you had parcels go missing?

I have a registered business name but I only put my or my partner's personal name on all our parcels. Some of my Canadian suppliers who are large businesses also put a personal name on all their shipments.

Your business name and branding can be on your packaging INSIDE the envelope, instead of outside, where it will bring attention.

Make sure you package your items so it isn't obvious that there's jewellery inside. I use strips of corrugated cardboard inside a bubble envelope. When I have used small jewellery boxes, I wedged styrofoam the same thickness on either side of the box, so if someone was holding my envelope it was not obviously a tiny jewellery box.

When you are writing the customs form, don't use the word "jewellery". Write "fashion accessory". We usually write "metal ornament" or "steel ornament".

How expensive is your jewellery?
Either use 3rd party insurance like Insure Post or "self insure" which is adding a small amount to your shipping cost for each item. This is money that you save to pay out the rare missing parcel. Add 50cent to $2, whatever you believe you will need in X number of transactions to cover the rare occurrence of shipments not arriving.

So far I have only had to replace one order (it was two items). There was an exchange/return that did not come back from Afghanistan, so that was a loss.

Recently I did have a customer in Germany whose order was very late. At week 8 I had sent a replacement, 2 weeks later he received the original order. When he received the 2nd shipment (at 5 weeks), he paid me for it.
A few times the customer gave me the wrong address or I wrote it wrong, those orders all came back return to sender. Of course if something is delivered to the wrong address, it may not come back, again that is rare.

Yes there are some dishonest buyers out there, and problems with the postal system, theft and misdelivery can occur. But these should be rare if you do follow these tips to minimize your risk. Unfortunately tracking is not worth paying for unless you are shipping expensive items.

There are sellers that drive across the border on a regular basis to ship by USPS, because delivery confirmation is inexpensive and shipping is fast. This has the added cost of time, gas, a commercial fee for crossing the border, and renting a US mailbox (for the return address on the shipments). Only worth it if you have a high enough volume of orders and the time to do it.

[TigersandDragons]

Cindy and Heather, this thread is now grouped with the highlighted threads. Was that intentional? Should it be?

[cindylouwho2]

I've unpinned it; thanks for noticing that! Might have been me on my phone

[Former_Member]

tigers you are so on-the-ball, thank you

[Decadence2Jewelry]

I've sent thousands of packages out and maybe 1-2 go missing a year...
I self-insure.

How expensive is your jewellery? Are we talking diamonds and platinum? Then it would make sense to ship with the best shipping and insure it (and your buyer needs to pay for that) but if you're selling mid-price to low price, add a dollar or 2 to your prices and use that if you need to replace anything.

[missionpawsible]

Hi ,
Thank you for your responses. First, it looks like I was given misinformation from the CP rep I spoke with. She said it was very expensive to insure. Cindy you said "insure light packet through InsurePost for $1.50 per $100 to the US". I'm guessing it's the same in Cda, I am going to go to an actual CP office, sit down with all the info I have from "Jacquie" and nail this down.

I never realized I shouldn't be using the name on the outside without the company registered. I assumed (*@#!) using the Venture card I would use the biz name.

You have all taught me, regardless of how much I have read, go sit down and get it direct.

My jewelry is not diamonds, etc, it would be 25-150 range. My only drawback is that my jewelry is mostly OOAK, literally. I buy a lot of my components from artisans on etsy. So, I don't mind replacing a few orders, I may just have to put specific wording in my terms.

You've helped me greatly. I was stuck. I think I will feel better going back to my original name or at least one that reflects that my jewelry is mostly wire wrapped.

I love the support with etsy, and my plan all along was for an online business, I really don't want to do the shows for various reasons.

Cheers,
Tee

[cindylouwho2]

Insurepost is not connected to CP - it is a private company:
http://www.insurepost.com/rates.asp

You can't insure oversized lettermail within Canada, but everything else is covered. Just make sure you read the rules carefully & understand what proof you will need before you use it. I know someone who got a $400 claim for a lost package to Australia, so it does work.

There is an index of topics from the CP thread:
https://www.etsy.com/teams/7654/etsy-international/discuss/6779956/page/173?post_id=172936852
look up private insurance & Insurepost on there for more info.

[TigersandDragons]

The CP rep was correct when she stated that shipping with insurance is expensive through Canada Post.

I only self insure now. You may want to do self insuring for lower value shipments, and register and pay for insurance (using Insure Post) on higher value shipments, or in the shipments you are unsure of, countries you are concerned about.

[cindylouwho2]

I self insure everything under $100, unless there is a reason to feel worried about the shipment. I have never lost a shipment I paid for outside insurance on, though!