World’s largest mailbox, in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Dec ‘09.

Canadians get a deal when mailing a first-class letter at $0.54 + GST. The rate is fair and the service fine. But that seems to be where fairness ends at Canada Post. All other rates are horrendous rip-offs. I’m amazed that there hasn’t been an huge outcry from Tofino to Resolute Bay to Pelee Island to Telegraph Hill.

So often, while in that inevitable line-up at Canada Post, I’ve seen people mailing the smallest parcel domestically and paying out $8.00 – $12.00. Quite often the postage is exceeds the value of what you’re mailing! Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.

Even worse, the Canada Post customer service person usually will offer you a list of options: next day, 3-5 days, whatever. These are all costlier than the lowest available. The customer often will, without really thinking, agree to some higher rate with the prospect of faster service.

Speedier delivery, which the customer rarely needs, is not assured in spite of the surcharge. If only the customer would just stop to consider the options. For the lowest rate, his/her parcel will get there fast (often within 1 or 2 days in a range of 800 – 1000 km, regardless of a threat from Canada Post of “7 to 10 business days”, etc. And anyway … what’s the big problem with 7 – 10 business days 99.99% of the time?

So look, good people, you’re getting hosed at the cheapest rate to begin. Don’t let them pick your pocket and make you look like a total ninny. And 99.99% of the time — don’t go for the added “insurance” they love to get you to buy.

You get an automatic $100 insurance coverage when you ship cheapest, regardless. Something else to consider: you add a whack of extra insurance and your parcel gets lost or damaged (this almost never happens — having shipped books to thousands to readers around the world, I know this to be true). Good luck trying to settle a claim with Canada Post. Getting to first base would mean finding someone to talk to on the telephone about your claim. Fat chance of that ever happening, right! Yes, there’s a lot to think about when mailing the least little parcel within Canada. Main thing is, start putting the squeeze on Canada Post for a change — turn the tables. Ship cheapest and be sure even to complain like hell about that.

This brings me to the next beef … mailing to the USA. Canada Post USA rates now are so horrendous that a small Canadian business such as CANAV Books can pretty well write off the American market. I used to be able to mail a book, say to Texas, at some half-affordable rate. Today, to mail one copy of any of CANAV’s titles across the border the cheapest cost is anywhere from $20 to $30. Do you think the reader will go for this? Well, people have their limits, so nearly all of the USA business lovingly built up by CANAV since 1981 has disappeared. My diehard customers will still get their books, but only when they are on a trip to Vancouver, Toronto, etc., where they can drop into Aviation World or some such outlet featuring CANAV.

Meanwhile, in the USA the folks in Washington have some respect for small businesses, publishers included. They realize the importance of this huge sector in their economy. They prefer to nurture rather than crush it. (Listen up, Stephen Harper — you used to champion the small businessman, remember? Probably not, eh.) Today, I received in the mail an aviation book ordered from Arizona. This was charged at the 1 kg rate (approx) and the postage was $4.03 — a fair and civilized rate. For me to send the same book back to Arizona, thanks to our beloved Public Enemy No.1 Canada Post the cost would be between $12.65 and $13.95 plus fuel surcharge. Talk about your world-class cash grab and what a disgrace!

As for mailing anywhere across the pond or the bigpond, you can forget about that if you’re trying to sell your small-business product. CANAV has almost no overseas customers left (it now costs about $85.00 to mail by boat one set of Air Transport in Canada to some destination like Australia). The surface rates are so high that even my former EU customers (the EU — where the price of everything’s sky high) are horrified. A couple of Dutchmen have even gone ballistic, chewing me out personally, as if I was the one setting the rates, instead of the mafia (oh well, they’d never have been able to get through to Canada Post to lodge a complaint, so may as well blast the publisher).

Good citizens that they all are, it is ever so hard for Canadians to complain … just ain’t gonna happen. What we are best at is muttering under our breath, but never really standing up and demanding a revolution. We’re just happy getting screwed by the government, I guess, so bring on the HST. What not, eh … tax us a ton more, we love it.

Well, failing all else, think about “The Great Canada Post Rip-Off” next time you’re at the postal counter. But don’t let them screw you completely … take the lowest rate available with no add-ons. Try it, you’ll like it!

Bell Canada: A Laugh a Minute

After nearly 30 years with Bell, CANAV Books recently switched to a rival telephone service. This was easily done, but then came the reality of it.

Last week Bell sent CANAV a little “customer appreciation” note — a $316.05 bill to disconnect the old line. No kidding … to exercise its right to do business elsewhere, CANAV gets mugged by Bell. Well, nothing to do but pay up, right (you can be sure if you dillydallied, Bell soon would have its enforcers at you door).

So CANAV coughed up and so far so good with Vonage. Suddenly, however, here’s Bell back on your doorstep. CANAV receives the sweetest card in the mail from one Peter Kerr — “Vice-President, Marketing, Small Business Market, Bell”. Peter’s got an idea:

“Dear Larry Milberry … Your business means a lot to us and we’re sorry to see you go … we’re still thinking about you. Nothing would please us more than the chance to earn back your business …”

Can you believe this? “Ma Bell” mugs a loyal old customer, then comes straight back in sack cloth and ashes, begging to be taken back in! Well, fat chance, eh! But let’s say CANAV did fall for this con. What likely would be on the first invoice from Bell? Right on …  a $316.05 “re-connect service fee”. Aren’t they just the finest Canadians down at Bell?

Fantastic!  What do I get?

Oh.

A list of Canada Post’s holiday mailing dates.

Really?  Isn’t that always free?  Yep.

Hey!  Can I get a free gift box when I buy 12 cans of soda?

Graphic design secret: Remember to use odd numbers of each leaf

There’s still time to send off a couple of handwritten letters before the Christmas rush.  Not that you don’t have enough on your plate already, especially with that green and red Godzilla of holidays looming dark on the horizon (*), but the effect of a few heartfelt words and some pencil crayons can be just as magical for the sender as for the recipient. Of course, it’s also handy that leaves are a whole lot easier to draw (not to mention show up a lot better) than snowflakes.

Click here for time saving tips for writing and sending your own handwritten letters.

(*)Note: Do I sound a little jaded? You try staying festive (or even fully conscious!) after stocking hundreds of toxic, rubbery plastic ornaments at a Michaels Arts & Craft Store – one fateful October! And don’t even get me started on the Cinnamon scented pinecones that will haunt me till, till… oh the humanity!

Canada Post: An Environmental Good Guy

While sending through the post office may not be the best for the environment, given the travel by truck and plane that the mail goes through, which contributes to CO2 gases. It was nice to see today that Canada Post has an environmental eye on their ExpressPost envelopes.

When sending off something today, I saw that the envelope was not only 100 percent made of recycled materials, but it was no-acid, and Canada Post had researched the environmental impact of the envelope to ensure that it was zero impact. I looked a bit further and found some of the following good things Canada Post has done:

1. Since 2008, Canada Post has rated the environmental friendliness of envelope manufacturers to make sure they meet their over 60 criteria for being eco-friendly.
2. Since 2002, the emissions of Canada Post buildings have been reduced by four percent.
3. Canada Post has one of the largest transportation fleets in the country, with more than 7,000 vehicles burning 23 million liters of fuel per year. Canada Post has committed to purchasing vehicles that are more fuel efficient, which will replace their vans between 2010 and 2015. They have also committed to purchasing hybrid vehicles.
4. In 2008, Canada Post diverted 65 percent of their waste from the landfill.
5. In 2009, Canada Post had 5,500 trees planted in Canada through Tree Canada
6. Since 1996, employees of Canada Post have logged more than 1.3 million pollution-free kilometers by walking, biking and roller-blading to work.
7. Canada Post offers the epost solution, which is online free mail delivery of bills, statements, pay advices, notices and other important communications between companies and consumers.

It is these little things that we are all seeing that show things may be getting better. Companies are jumping on the eco-bandwagon, and that is a good thing for everyone.

Congrats to Canada Post for being focused on the environment.

Continuing along the track of inconveniencing customers for seemingly no reason, I recently sent out about 130 packages through Canada Post’s courier service. Each package contained a one page letter and a copy of a guidebook I had written. Almost all of the packages were successfully delivered, except for one. I received a notice that there was a letter waiting for me at my local post office. I went to pick it up and lo and behold, one of my packages had not made it to its destination. This is not an abnormal occurence when sending that many packages, but what was strange about this one was that it had been rejected due to damage and the guidebook that was originally sent in the envelope was missing.

The package had cost me $10 to send and the guidebook about $6 to print, so not a big deal financially. I figured I would ask them to try and find the guidebook somewhere in the Canada Post machine and go along my merry way. When I went to take the returned envelope off of the counter, the clerk said “um, sir, you will need to pay $10 to take the envelope.” Of course, I was shocked at the comment. “What do you mean I need to pay $10 to take the envelope?” He went on to explain that I needed to pay the fee for having the envelope shipped back to me, even though it never got delivered to its destination and they had lost the contents of the envelope. His advice, call the customer service department and get all of my money back. Just to summarize, I was now out a total of $26 and all I had to show for it was an empty, undelivered envelope and a lost piece of my intellectual property.

I called customer service almost a week ago and am still waiting for their judgment as they “review” my case. Are you kidding me? Review my case….what is to review? They did not deliver my package, which I paid for. They lost the contents of the package, which was mine. And they charged me to pick up an empty envelope. What is to reivew? Why does the clerk at the Post Office not have the authority to make this right and refund my money and find the book?

Think about a similar situation in your organization, a service that you provide is not fulfilled for a customer, and review how it would be handled. If it is anything like the above, you will not have customers for long.

Morning Romance

Walking to work. On the path ahead is a small fawn. It doesn’t move as I approach; only looks at me curiously. I’m close enough to reach out my hand, inches from its muzzle. It sniffs my hands curiously. After a wonderfully mezmerizing few moments, I tear myself away and walk on.  As I walk,  I turn around to wave good-bye.  I’m startled to see the fawn right behind me.

I stop. It stops.

“Go back into the woods,” I whisper softly. It just stands there looking at me with those fawn eyes.

I turn and walk briskly onwards. And there’s the fawn, trotting next to me, looking up at me. Those eyes. Those irresistible eyes. I stop and think….nah…Bazel will never let me bring it home.

Then, while I’m thinking, the fawn tucks his face under my arm and nuzzles my jacket.  I grit my teeth.  I know I have to be tough.

I yell and wave my arms frantically. The fawn gallops away into the woods. I sigh.

Noon Romance

I’m running the trail at lunchtime and pass a Canada Post truck parked awkwardly in a secluded area. Strange noises are coming from within. “It couldn’t be,” I tell myself with a shake of the head. I keep going.

Half an hour later, on the way back, the truck is still there. I see a man and a woman, both in disheveled Postal uniforms emerging from the back of the truck. They are carrying mail sacks. They are flushed and happy looking. I smile at them. (But make a mental note to handle my mail with gloves for the next few days)

Evening Romance

Waiting at the bus stop. A forty-something public servant-type man is standing next to me murmuring into a cell phone. His voice is is filled with love and reassurance.

“Hey, you got the herpes, so what? Don’t worry, so do I.”

I step a little farther away from him.

Canada Post is our national postal service, and like many other bloggers, I’ll be writing about how much I LOVE them!  I’m just wondering how many people knew I lived in the great white north (a.k.a. Canada)?

I’ve never sent anything larger than a letter with Canada Post in my life because they are mighty expensive to ship with.  This is probably why you don’t see that many Canadian eBayers, and why Canadian exporters are at a disadvantage.  Take a look at the screenshot after the break.  The same package was EMS’d from Japan for ¥2,200.

It costs $150 to ship the package back to its country of origin using Canada Post’s EMS equivalent!  Why would I want to ship a package to Japan you ask?  Remember how I said I’ve canceled MegaHouse’s Queen’s Blade Airi from my pre-order list?  It was sort of a last minute thing, and apparently HLJ didn’t receive my request and proceeded to charge my account for her.  They told me I could return her if I wished, and that’s why I inquired about how much it would be to ship her back to Japan.  I’ll talk about that in another post; but as you might’ve guessed, I didn’t ship her back in the end for obvious reasons.

Hmm…lets pay $150 to ship her back so I can get $70 refunded to me. ^^;;  They do have cheaper alternatives, but HLJ specified that the package must be sent via registered air mail, so my options are limited to the ones you see here.

Sure, there are other couriers like FedEx, UPS, DHL, and Purolator.  But all of them charge more than Canada Post!  Yeah, can you believe that?  I’m pretty sure they can charge us less since they are more efficient than our crown corp, but why would they want to do that when they can charge more?  It’s just like everything else in Canada; why give consumers a lower price when they are willing (more like forced) to pay the higher one.  It’s not like we have a choice, right?

I understand that Canada is a big country that doesn’t have enough people to support any of its infrastructures.  It’s pretty much a given that crown owned entities will operate at a deficit.  But they can definitely be more efficient in how they deliver the mail to us and lower the cost a little bit…most of us use electronic mail nowadays anyways.  In case you’re wondering how they deliver the mail, they do it by foot, from door-to-door.  Yes, by foot, from door-to-door.  That’s how efficient they are (and why things are so expensive).  They should consider installing community mail boxes where we go to one central location in the neighbourhood to get the mail instead of wasting so much money sending the mailman to our houses.

How is your country’s postal service?

And I stand by my argument. Last night, my Jeff and I had an argument, more like a debate, but he started it! He came out with this statement that taking History in High school is a useless subject. I actually stood up from the couch, raised my arm strait up, pointed my finger ceiling-ward and loudly declared, “I beg to differ!!”

This guy doesn’t know me I guess. I have an English degree from Carleton University with a minor inMedia Studies, and an Honours degree from Western in…..drumroll please…….HISTORY!  Hellloo!!!!

His side of the debate was that studying History only gets you another credit to satisfy requirements to graduate high school. It has no real value in a job whatsoever, “It’s not reality, it’s the past”. Etc.

My side of the debate was to point out some careers such as Museum Curator (gee, I hope that person actually knows something about history!!!), Researchers, Lawyers, Politicians, Businesses (need to know the value of a property or it’s significance to a community), Architect (obvious), GENEOLOGY (when searching for relatives, is it helpful to know something about the end of French nobility, or the birth of the Church of England, etc. The potato famine in Ireland???) And my personal favorite career, WRITER. Hello!!!!!!

Which one of us has pursued writing? Not only that, but I happen to love reading books about history. When I was in Grade 7 my Pop and I read the entire Pierre Burton series about the War of 1812, and other titles of his. When Jeff said studying history has no place in day to day living, I said, “Don’t tell Pierre Burton that.” Geez, he might give up writing his historical novels! And what about Winston Churchill? Did he not write some of the most important documents of our century? 

Just to wrap up my mini-rant, here is an illustration provided by Tony Brown, curtisy of Canada Post archives, who wrote an article on the War of 1812, in October of 1998. (Reprinted with permission from Canada Post, 4 October, 1998.)

The following excerpt is from Brown’s conclusion:

“The War of 1812 was of enormous significance to Canada. Had the United States been successful in their endeavour it is likely that Canada would not have evolved as a separate country.”

I just realized I hadn’t posted the story of the Canada Post Studebaker Stamp Banner. So here goes…

In 1993-4 Canada Post issued a Studebaker Stamp featuring a yellow 1950 Starlight coupe (Owned by Vern Spencer at the time). Around the same time, I discovered that the downtown Vancouver Post Office had 18ft x 12ft banners featuring the Studebaker stamp. I went in and asked what would happen to the banners when they were done with them, I left my card, and didn’t think about it any more. This past June I got a phone call from Jim Bain, Manager – Employee Communications, Pacific Region, Canada Post. He asked if I was still interested in the banners. I said of course. He asked what I intended to do with them. I said there are three Studebaker Chapters in BC and it would be nice if each chapter could have one. He got an okey from Ottawa to dispose of the banners. This past week I got another call from Jim saying that all three banners were down. I picked them up with my Wagonaire.

I contacted the Vancouver Island Chapter and Mark Hayden was coming to Vancouver. He came by and picked up the one for his chapter. We drove out to Hells Gate to pass the other one onto Lynn Fletcher of the Southern Interior Chapter.

I would like to thank Jim Bain and Canada Post for these fine banners.

My (t)rusty Wagonaire loaded with three banners at Canada Post, downtown Vancouver

Geez that's a big banner. Where are we gonna hang it?

The project in Griffintown has begun in earnest with the start of the demolition of the old Canada Post processing plant.
It is a 760 million dollar guestimate which means this baby will probably go over a billion. Do you get the feeling that the Tremblay administration just HAD to have a billion dollar residential project in the city? Scary stuff, considering the enormous costs of infrastructure repair and renewal desperately needed across the island, let alone the Metros and Trolleys and Trams, Oh My! situation.

Here is the web site, Les Bessins. And here is a critique of the project. Personally, I am once again questioning the wisdom of allowing one project to define a whole area, being, of course, one of the weirdos who prefers to see the city grow in a more organic manner.
Took a walk around the site the other day.
Parking lot getting overgrown.


But I did see various people suntanning and picnicking and just stretching out.

Demolition has begun.




I was a regular bike path user along the canal from 1981-1995 and most of the changes have been fairly positive over all. One of the things I always loved about this site was how incredibly unobtrusive the plant was – it had a very clean and efficient look to it. The views of downtown from along that stretch are gorgeous. But all that will change as the new project calls for a bunch of blocks that look to be at least 6 floors high with some much taller buildings included. Bye Bye View.

We expect everyone has received the notice in their post box regarding the new Post Office policy barring entry to animals, effective today. Apparently there have been complaints from customers. It is mentioned that this is a new “national” policy but it seems the prompt for change came from some people locally.

Canada Post understands that there has been a long tradition of allowing pets into our facility in Wolfville. In fact, employees have kept “treats”on hand for them. This practice however, has not met with the approval of all customers.

They then add the blah, blah, blah about what is normal in other municipalities and the assurance that exceptions will be made for service animals. We wonder – did other municipalities get a notice about the introduction of this new “national” policy?

We find it sad. Another blow to the individuality and distinction of our small town. We remember when Home Hardware allowed dogs and kept treats for them too. Someone complained and that was the end of it. As someone there explained at the time “They could sue.”

One by one the small things that make our town different and lovable disappear. Attempts to replace these natural, home grown customs, with artificially introduced “themes” like slo food won’t cut it we think. Like alien, introduced species they just won’t fit in.

And it won’t even help those customers who complain. We predict the dog owners will tie their animals up outside by the steps where they will be unsupervised and not under the control control of their owners. The uncomfortable customers will still have to pass them, whether allergic, nervous  or not.

Sometimes it’s hard to find words to completely describe certain accomplishments. One such recent accomplishment is the publication of my OGDC basketball game photo in the Canada Post magazine: COLLECTION CANADA 2009. The press run for this bilingual edition (English and French) is 30,000 and distributed only via the Canada Post online store (October 2009). From start to end, the exchange of emails and notification of payment took a little over 2 months—seeing the finished result made the wait worthwhile. Can’t wait to receive a copy of the tear sheet in snail mail. Stay tuned for my photo feature in the September issue of Singapore Airlines SilverKris magazine: Brunei Darussalam: 5 Must Dos

Previously published photographs include:
Malua Wildlife Habitat | Asian Geographic | Diamond Weekly & Asia Market Review
Asia Inc Magazine | Borneo Insider’s Guide (BIG) Magazine

Canadians have always had a passion for athletics. Over the past century, that passion has led to the creation of some of the world’s most popular and innovative sports – each of which is, in its own way, as uniquely Canadian as it is universally admired ….

Two Peach Baskets and a Soccer Ball On December 21, 1891, a Canadian physical education teacher by the name of James Naismith hung two empty peach baskets at opposite ends of his gym at the YMCA International Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts. He then posted a list of 13 basic rules, which called for two teams of nine players each to attempt to toss a soccer ball into the opposing team’s basket. The rest, as they say, is history. Today, Dr. Naismith’s “basketball” is a veritable global phenomenon – and one of the most widely played and enjoyed sports in the world. — Canada Post

I ordered a Mac Book Pro from Apple Canada and had it shipped to my home address here in Edmonton, Alberta. All well and good. This morning, their website said

So I thought … cool, I’ll rearrange my day, hang around the house and by lunchtime It’ll be here.

Around 11am, I’m sitting on the computer typing away when I hear what sounds like one of their (rather distinctive) trucks coming. I get out of my chair, head to the open door, only to see said truck whiz by at around 40 km/h.

I dismiss it as an unrelated truck – they have many deliveries to do every day – and get on with my day.

At 12:30, I decide to see what their online status is, after reading forums saying Purolator drivers sometimes skip stops to keep on schedule.

Hang on – is that 10:50AM? This morning? Around the time that Purolator truck drove straight by without so much as looking?

Sure seems that way.

It doesn’t usually take just one sour experience with a company to turn me into a raving lunatic against them, but this is thoroughly unprofessional, unacceptable and downright annoying.

It’s not the only Apple Shop purchase I’ve seen this happen to. Many internet forums are dripping with anti-Purolator wrath at similar treatment, including supposed phone calls that never happened!

If you agree that Purolator sucks, write a comment here and I’ll show this to Apple when I finally receive my products, in an (probably vain) attempt to get them to reconsider their courier company or at least offer a choice.

Being back in my home town has reminded me why I grew up hating the states.  For one thing it’s just part of the social ‘joking’ culture of northern rural towns and there is a lot of bitterness at the American companies that clearly take advantage of Canada and it’s resources.  The water, the hydro, and lumber it is pretty offensive that it’s cheaper to buy BC lumber in the US and ship it back to Bc that to just buy it in Bc due to some fancy fan-dangling that the companies have done.. not to mention the how  they raised and illegal tariff on lumber bankrupted all the companies bought them out and by the time the courts had ruled and ordered them to pay back damages.. they were just paying Damages back to themselves as they had bought everyone out.  There is good business and dirty business… that’s down right dirty.

Not say I’m back to my old hating ways, just that I have a little more insight as to why I hated the USA so much before, and why so many people and countries still do.

And on to why the USA doesn’t suck and back to the Title.

Amazon.com, which is the US page is just full of awesome they answer you quickly they almost always have the lowest prices even if you have to pay for shipping, they ship to you almost guarantee-ably faster than the ‘estimated shipping time’ and your stuff always arrives at the beginning of the projected arrival period and usually even before that.  So if  something takes a little longer every now and again, you’re not too irritated about it.  Also if you use free shipping (aka you bought a bunch of crap from them) they do their best to ship it to you reasonably quickly instead of saying “you didn’t pay a ton for shipping so fuck you we don’t care.”

Now what online selling company would ever do such a stupid thing you ask?  Why Amazon.ca!  Turns out the Canadian counterpart is full of suck. I ordered 3 books on the 22nd of June.. and they have still not left the facility.  The original estimated arrival date was the 10th… it is now July 12th  and still nothing.  They didn’t send me any notification or explanation as to why the shipment was delayed, I only knew anything was up because I wondered where it was and logged in.

I got quite irritated and emailed them about it and I got a canned reply.  Welcome to pissed off land!  Giving me a Canned form letter is tantamount to a f$%k off we don’t care about your business.  Seriously??   When you’re in direct competition with www.chapters.indigo.ca???

Now I must give them some credit they did attempt at one point in the message to clarify why the shipping had been delayed, but honestly that only served to provide me with more reasons to consider them incompetent.  Even though it is listed as in stock ‘Your items have not yet shipped because we are waiting to obtain “Monsters and Magical Sticks: There is No Such Thing as Hypnosis (Paperback)” from our suppliers.’

Well then it’s not in fucking stock then is it???

This little gem was most charming ‘We expect to ship this order by the date currently listed in Your Account: July 09, 2009.’ Well that’s just awesome, you have  time machine in your office? Or no access to a Calendar?  As I wrote my email to them on the evening of July 11th and they replied the morning of July 12th.  Most interesting.

Then they finish it all up with MORONIC instructions on how to either pay them more money to be incompetent OR cancel my order.   Thanks .. I know how to do that way to be an ass, three gold stars for you.

Meanwhile all the things I have ordered from Amazon.com… WHICH I ordered at the same time or even later have all shipped and arrived at their destinations.  Needless to say I’m a little pissed.

You know, I was just annoyed when I wrote to them yesterday but they’re reply pushed me right into cranky land.

so I wrote back! Bitching them out for their terrible customer service, hey at least I’m having fun right?  I gleefully await their reply (honestly I think it’s one of the only reasons I haven’t cancelled the order I’m curious as to what they will do and say).

Oh look at that, while I was saving this post they wrote back, nice and prompt with gasp… what’s this solutions?  Perhaps my comment that I didn’t mind if they couldn’t get their heads out of their asses as it would provide me with fun blog and youtube material didn’t sound so hot?  That or someone though “hey let’s not piss customers off so badly that they tell everyone how much we suck, and lose lots of money’.

They said “I apologize, but we are still waiting to obtain “Monsters and Magical Sticks: There is No Such Thing as Hypnosis”. We have ordered this item from another supplier, and are still waiting to obtain copies.

However, since your other items are in stock I have authorized a partial shipment for your order at no additional charge. This will ensure you get those items as soon as possible.”

Excellent.  While I’m happy with the final result, I’m not pleased that I had to write TWICE to have the issue resolved and suggest resolutions myself.   If someone, somewhere hadn’t had their finger up their ass they would have noticed hang on..this books is NOT in stock and we’re making this customer wait ages for their order.

What could they have done differently?  Well what would have left a completely different taste in my mouth (and any other customer) would have been an email from Amazon.ca (WHEN the delay first became apparent) saying something along the lines of  ‘gosh we’re sorry our supplier has failed to provide us with one of your books, we’ll send the others immediately to avoid further delay at no extra charge and send the delayed item as soon as it arrives at our facility. ‘

Not a difficult thing to do, and while it might cost a couple of dollars you now have a customer that is glowing with pleasure and will loyally buy from you without even comparison shopping elsewhere.

The problem has been resolved to my satisfaction, BUT I remember working in customer service and it was our job to make sure any possible disatisfactions were taken care of BEFORE the customer got angry not after. If they had taken a little time to resolve it before I noticed I would be warm and fuzzy full of love for Amazon.ca.  Writing a gushy post about how great they are. <– yes I actually do that too

And while there are many happy customers… I’m not the first person to object, See:

• Free super saver shipping is a scam. Sure you can get free shipping on orders over what 40$ but they add 3-5 days shipping delay on top of the normal 3-5 days. You can wait up to two weeks or more to order an item in stock…god forbid if its not in stock.I ordered a DVD and a CD on Jan 5, 2007. Both items are in stock. I chose the free shipping option since the order was $45 or so. I will expect delivery between Jan 18-22, 2007. Now is it just me, or is that outrageous? I wrote a letter to Amazon dot com and explained my dis-satisfaction they said, oh you should get your stuff by the 18th. Well it didnt show today. Thats two weeks already. Not impressed.
• Today I get an email that “the following item from your order is not currently available for purchase. This item has been canceled from your order. If your credit card was charged, a refund has been processed.” First, it is very lousy service to sell someone something and then figure out you don’t have it to sell a few weeks later [read his blog]

ooh I have a short attention span I’m bored now.. must forrage for some lunch

you know what, it costs $0.57 to mail across canada

i rmb it use to be $0.47 everywhere in canada. the post office sure knows how to jack the prices up

piece.lemur – innw

On many occasions I have written about how businesses need to adopt social media tools within the workplace to help facilitate connections between their employees.  Well, this week we did just that by introducing “The super-fun make a commercial and win an awesome prize employee video contest“.

The objective of the contest is to market our products and services to our employees so they are more aware of what we have to offer Canadians. Canada Post has great products like epost, Picture Postage, Xpresspost and smartmoves. Some are more well-known than others, but they’re all worth bragging about.  The contest is all about being creative and having fun in this great age where it’s easy to make and post videos, and use social media to share it!

Employees will be uploading their video entries into the YouTube contest channel where the world can comment, vote, or post video responses. Entries will be received until September 30, 2009 and the submissions will be judged using the following criteria: originality and creativity, brand appeal and awareness. The finalists’ videos will be posted to YouTube on October 12, 2009 where the general public and employees will be able to rate their favorites.  All finalists’ will get a Panasonic HD video camera and the grand prize winners (chosen by the general public and employees) will win a trip to the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games.

YouTube is only one of the social media platforms that will be used during contest.  Twitter and Facebook will be used to spread the word virally to as many people as possible.  A contest page has been setup on Facebook for people to become fans and to receive real-time updates from YouTube.  Twitter will be used to transmit the updates from YouTube into Facebook.  Because we have automated the process of publishing updates the contest will utilize two social media platforms at the same time thus increasing the viral factor.  Spreading the contest virally is a great way to “personalize our brand” and is a great strategy to get the word out about our products or services. This contest has the potential to drive a massive amount of traffic and awareness to the four products being advertised in this campaign.

It is uncertain how this will all play out with our employees but I’m excited that they’ll be able to participate in something that could actually make a difference and at the same time have fun doing it!  

Please take a moment to watch our introductory video to the contest and leave a comment to tell me what you think.

Your probably asking yourself “how can I follow the contest on YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter?”

Here are the links:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/yourownvideo

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Your-Own-Video/90582651503

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/yourownvideo

Alright.

So its really simple really…REALLY…

If you pay through Paypal, the address is shown, and you ship to the address linked to the account.

IT IS SIMPLE.

Yet this is what happened.

He mistook the the ‘5′ in the postal code to be an ‘S’

AND

He made a mistake in writing out ‘LOO’ instead of ‘FORD’ in the street name.

The first one I could have KINDA OF understood…but the LOO?!

WTF!

I normally don’t swear a lot…but I’ve been imitating a pirate or a parrot trained by a pirate the past 24 hours.

I sent him an email, and basically there was no recognition on his side that he made a mistake. This guy is supposed to be one of the top in this industry section. And yet, his customer service is QUITE rude. He answers in this ridiculous size 18 font, which makes me question his personality seeing as he bluntly states/answers my issues. His email pisses me off.

IF YOU HAVE USED USPS with insurance, and if there is any information you can provide me I would greatly appreciate it. I’m not too informed in that section. All I know right now is that I am pissed that he has refused to accept that he screwed up, and is blaming Canada Post instead.

Granted Canada Post is quite incompatent in this issue right now, but HAD the guy written the address correctly Canada Post wouldn’t have screwed up! Seriously. So instead of shouldering responsiblity, he tells me to deal with Canada Post instead.

Excuse me, but if it really were my problem, perhaps I would deal with it, but everything provided on my end was accurate, so WTF is up with his reply?

No apology for the issue anywhere.

I know that at the end of the week, if I can’t find the package, I need my money back, and thus have to file a complaint with Paypal, the BBB, and the Mail Fraud centres in Canada. Cause this is just ridiculous.

Not sure really what I’m going to do about this.

All this for one of the best watches in the field.

Yes…a watch. And before you WTF me about it, the bro needs it cause of what he is training in. He has so far broken 3 watches while he was there. Ridiculous if you ask me. Nearly pays off for the one I was SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE. Frig.

Lets start with the happy.

I love my Ecotools!

I know that there is a group of people out there who do not like Ecotools (for whatever reason), but thankfully I am not one of them (Previously posted Haul)

I bought them from Toma@The MakeupMix Shop

Ecotools RECYCLED Aluminim Retractable Kabuki

(Can’t find the picture with the Buki Open :T I’ll repost a pic when I can.)

First off this baby is awesome. Awesome because I can tote it around. Which means that I can finally do some decent touch ups, during the day, when I’m running about Toronto!

Second, Blu3 @Watercoloursky asked how it compared to the EDM Buki’s.
I personally found that the Flat Top Brush was softer than the Long Handle Kabuki, but that could have been just me. And in terms of softness I would say that it is in between the FTB and the LHK, leaning more to the FTB side. It distributes the powder quite nicely, it may take a while to dry (ps it bled a little during the wash) but it is totally worth it because it doesn’t stink

What I do have to mention is…if you are just looking for a regular Kabuki, I would totally say buy a 6 or 12 piece kit from EDM and get theirs. Cause if you aren’t going to use it while travelling, there really is no point, other than keeping your brush head clean from dust and debris etc. Though apparently, after reading some posts, EDM will be releasing a retractable kabuki soon?? It was part of their Golden Ticket thing (…if you don’t know what that is, check out the forum, cause I haven’t really understood what it is, other than the fact that people are randomly chosen and get to test out new products that are not released yet.)

Still, I have to say that the softest brush I have EVER touched is so far The Body Shops New Nature’s Mineral™ Foundation Brush. At $26CND it isn’t cheap, but apparently they have a promo right now where you get the brush for 50% off if you buy their mineral foundation. Not too bad seeing as I pretty much stood there for a good minute or two, swipping that damned thing across the back of my hand. Yes it was probably touched by a billion people, seeing as this was the Eaton Centre, but my gosh it was ridiculously soft! Maybe one day I will look into owning it… :X

Ecotools BAMBOO 6 Mini Brushes

These mini brushes are great when it comes to doing my eye makeup. They don’t seem to absorb all the product, while at the same time grabbing onto enough of it do it doesn’t end up anywhere I don’t want it to. Control and Ease. I like that because they are small (the bristles/heads) I can clean them, and they are ready to go in a few hours~ So I can be as neurotic as I want about washing them

I only wish that they were a tad flatter, then I could put one in the ELF compact and tote them around with me, cause I am not a fan of the one that comes with the compact. Maybe I will just shave it down myself…Hmm…DIY? lol

Ecotools BAMBOO Angled Eyeliner Brush

Here’s Nikki @AskMeWhats Post on the same brush. This post is what probably planted the seed to me owning this brush! (I’m Thankful:D)

Anyway I was at first a tad worried that it would be too thick (the bristles) because someone on Soompi mentioned that it was too thick for her, and hard for her to create thin lines. If that is really the case, I may have gotten a ‘dud’ cause this baby creates liner that are “Oh So Fine~!” lol It defnitely allows me to create thinner lines than the pink Talon from Coast Scents, or the Black Angled Liner from Coastal Scents. I find myself making a thicker line because it was too fine the first time around (me and my monolids prefer a slightly thicker line, though not too thick). Again though the bristles are packed together, these are pretty good in terms of drying time, and I had no shedding (I think).

I really had a great experience with Ecotools, and hope that they continue to release some more goodies for all us addicts to buy

Now of the Canada Post part of this post.

My brother bought something. Something that was quite pricey. Something equivalent to a Speedy (which is why I am so pissed). It was going to be shipped to me first, which I would then reship to my brother who is now stationed in New Brunswick with some other stuff.

Except it was apparently delivered and signed for…yesterday…in the afternoon.

Now why might that be a problem?

First off my dad never signed for anything.

Second I was helping out my mom for the day.

Third the signature that appears on the Canada Post website is CLEARLY not mine.

Fourth…I don’t have the package.

WTF! We have been having issues with this package since I posted about it on Twitter. Apparently they had attempted to deliver it, though I say NO notice on my door saying that they had tried to deliver. My brother then had to call USPS (it was shipped from the States) who then said it wasn’t their problem despite it being their EMI, and told us to go bug Canada Post (according to my brother the woman was quite the rude attitudy individiual, I am thankful that I didn’t get her when I was on the phone, otherwise she would have gotten it. Note, I have no patience for rudeness and lack of tact).

He called Canada Post, verified the address and the signer (that being me, to sign for the package) and was told that it should arrive on Friday.

He messages me and tells me that it was supposedly delivered, and I should check. I looked around the house, and found nothing.

Today I got home, and I find a new message from him.

“Apparently someone signed for it therefore it has been delivered.”

And now, I am packageless beause I cannot call Canada Post on a weekend. I don’t know who this fradulant ass is, who claims to be me, and has used a pretty ugly signature claiming to be me (I’m hoping that seeing as I have signed a few things electronically for CP, that they will see the problem in the signature, and thus help me in the case).

And so I am left to wonder.

They can CLEARLY see how much the package is worth, and yet they just drop it off at a house, without any clear proof that the individual is the supposed recipient of the package…and just leave? I know I can’t expect them to tell the recipeient to go to their wallet and show some ID, but COME ON PEOPLE! One of my friends suggested I go talk to my neighbours, but in all my years of buying online (within Canada), I have NEVER had a package dropped off at my neighbours houses, and even if it had, they would promptly give me the package as they are awesome people.

So yes, I’m in a tad bit of a panic.

Yes I know that the individual who sold the product is legit, seeing as he cannot acquire these goods that my brother bought, unless he was legit (apparently its somewhat hard to get it cause our Gov keeps a record? Some crap like that.) Haha…I make it sound so cool. But WHEN I get it, I’ll post pics, and show you…it isn’t all that. Its an…accessory…which he was extremely excited about.

Also, just as a side note. A few things in my life have been and will be changing soon. None of it really seems like it will be our benefit…at least not for a very long time (I predict about 2+ years). During this time my family will go through a lot of strain…and I just want to say…if you pray…pray for us, or if you don’t, wish us some goodwill…

Thanks for reading, I always appreciate it

PS Juan, I think I did what you asked before about emailing…I hope that it works…if it doesn’t…um…sorry! I tried really!

PPS did you like my ‘MINI’ post?? lol esh…once I get started I just don’t know how to stop…

It leaves a nasty, foul taste in my mouth, much like I imagine the dirty oil from the tar sands would leave.  Just how far will corporate giant Enbridge go to promote it’s Northern Gateway pipeline project? 

How about an “educational package that is targeted to school children”?  This, direct from the mouth of Colin Kinsley, ex-mayor of Prince George and the new face of Enbridge in northern BC. It doesn’t get any lower that that, if you ask me, unless you look at how Enbridge employs stealth marketing and big corporate $$$  to push their glossy PR propaganda  on the residents and businesses of northern communities – all under the guise of a grassroots initiative .

You might wonder why coastal and metro Vancouver residents should even care about a pipeline going across northern BC, but the potential risks from this project will have a massive impact on all of us. Imagine oil supertankers going up and down the coast. Imagine if even one develops a leak, even a small one. Oil tanker traffic has not been allowed along the BC coast for years, but Gordon Campbell and the BC Liberals plan to change all of that, and more. This pipeline has received much support from our current  Liberal administration, as part of the Asia Pacific Gateway plans.( One wonders how the environment minister, Barry Penner, lives with himself at night. Guess it comes with being a lawyer)

 Inform yourself now, to prevent a nasty surprise down the road. Need I say… Exxon Valdez?

  From the Prince George Citizen, staff writer Gordon Hoekstra ( the link for this column is now working)

PIPELINE PROPAGANDA- Gordon Hoekstra, Citizen Staff

Enbridge is footing the bill for a northern advocacy group to generate community support for its proposed $4.5-billion project .The recently-formed Northern Gateway Alliance which is advocating support for Enbridge’s $4.5 billion pipeline through northern B.C. is the brainchild of Enbridge and is being bankrolled by the company, The Citizen has learned.
The Alliance was rolled out earlier this month during the North Central Municipal Association’s annual convention as a community coalition in support of the Enbridge project. It has also been billed as a “grassroots” group designed to create a voice for the North. Community leaders who have signed on include Prince George mayor Dan Rogers, Mackenzie mayor Stephanie Killam and Kitimat mayor Joanne Monaghan.
The recent announcement made no mention of Calgary-based Enbridge’s involvement.
But it is not the communities that are paying the bills, setting up the website or organizing the group’s activities. It is Enbridge.
In fact, the chair of the Northern Gateway Alliance, former Prince George mayor Colin Kinsley, is on Enbridge’s payroll.
Neither Enbridge nor Kinsley deny that Enbridge is bankrolling the Alliance, and that the community group was the company’s idea.
“It’s what Enbridge engaged me to do,” says Kinsley.
But the North American pipeline giant denies they are engaging in “astroturfing” — a term that describes companies that fund or create seemingly grassroots organizations to give their cause legitimacy.
Enbridge spokesperson Steve Greenaway said that characterization is unfair. “I’m not willing to accept that we are somehow trying to do this from the top down. We have gone to community after community after community to explain the details of our project and we will continue to do that,” he said.

Asked if the company was being dishonest in spearheading the creation of a so-called grassroots organization, Greenaway said no.
“I don’t think it’s fair to say that we’re putting words in anyone’s mouth. Those people are coming forward voluntarily and allowing, you know, allowing, quotes to be placed on our website,” said Greenaway. (The quotes from mayors like Rogers and Killam are posted on the Alliance website).
“I think it’s important that all voices are heard in this debate, and I think in terms of, you know, support we have provided through compensating a chair who is going to assemble a board of community leaders across the pipeline, to characterize compensating him for part-time work, as somehow, is anything untoward about that, is unfair,” said Greenaway.
He would not say how much Enbridge is spending on the creation and support of the Alliance, but did acknowledge that Kinsley was being paid by the company, which was also offering administrative support to the Alliance effort.
Kinsley acknowledges it could be argued the Alliance is not a grassroots organization if Enbridge has hired him to create it, but said that somebody has to lead it. “It’s a great deal of work, and an immense amount of travel.”
Kinsley also argues that the intent of the Alliance is to support the pipeline project proceeding to the regulatory review where questions can be asked by northerners. (Only once has the National Energy Board, one of the project’s reviewing agencies, rejected a major project, the Sumas 2 energy plant near the B.C.-Washington border).
“We want to make sure this thing isn’t stopped in its tracks,” says Kinsley.
But the former mayor’s enthusiasm for the project is hard to hide.
He defends the merits of the project by rolling out stock Enbridge arguments, pointing to a focused economic regional impact, lauding a trust Enbridge plans to create for community projects, maintaining there is no oil tanker moratorium on the coast off Kitimat and calling the federal government review process robust. “It’s probably the most sophisticated approach to a major project such as this, that’s ever been undertaken,” he says.
Kinsley makes a similar pitch on the Alliance’s website.
“This will be an outstanding project and it will have economic benefits that are untold for northern B.C. and Alberta, for both aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities,” he says in a short video on the site.
Kinsley plans to take this message to Rotary Clubs, chambers of commerce, town councils and regional districts, as well as construction and contractor associations. Also in the works is an educational package targeted at school children.
He’s also encouraging supporters to sign up on the Alliance’s website.
So far, under 200 supporters have signed up.
Even a casual inspection of the Alliance and the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline’s websites show startling similarities.
The design of both websites is similar, including the type faces, the muted green colour scheme and the positive messages on the project.
Identical messages cycling on both sites proclaim: Enbridge is a Canadian company that has been safely building, operating and maintaining pipelines for 55 years; Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created to support the construction and operation of the Northern Gateway pipeline, benefiting workers in northern B.C. and Alberta.
There are about 20 messages.
The logos on both sites are also very similar with an identical stylized green leaf.
There’s also a direct link from the Alliance website to the Northern Gateway Pipeline website.
There’s little doubt that Enbridge’s effort to create the alliance is aimed directly at environmental groups who do not support the project.
Kinsley argues that environmental groups are not local groups and are funded by U.S. foundations. Greenaway offers a similar argument.
An environmental group that is based in the North, the Terrace-based North West Watch, is dismayed by Enbridge’s recent tactics in creating the alliance.
North West Watch representative Julia Hill noted she just recently learned of the term “astroturfing” to describe this type of activity.
According to SourceWatch, a project of the Madison, Wisc.-based Center for Media and Democracy, “astroturfing” refers to apparently grassroots-based citizen groups or coalitions that are primarily conceived, created and/or funded by corporations, industry trade associations, political interests or public relations firms.
Texas Sen. Lloyd Bentsen, a longtime Washington and Wall Street insider, is credited with coining the term.
There are numerous examples of the practice in the U.S. including its use to block health-care reform and to oppose restrictions on smoking in public places.
Closer to home, the B.C. Forestry Alliance was created as a citizens’ group in the early ’90s to improve the image of the forest sector, where it faced criticism from environmental groups on logging in the southwest of B.C. The group was funded by the forest industry whose members also sat on its board.
North West Watch recently applauded Terrace mayor Dave Pernarowski for pulling out of the Northern Gateway Alliance. Pernarowski had objected to the wording on the alliance’s site that indicated unqualified support for the pipeline project.
North West Watch and Friends of Wild Salmon are calling for an independent public inquiry into the pipeline project similar to one held in the late ’70s.
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council chief David Luggi is not surprised by Enbridge’s tactics. “I think Enbridge is using (Kinsley) as a pivotal PR point,” observed Luggi. “It’s a PR (public relations) machine firing up on all cylinders.”
The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council has been calling for a separate government-funded, First Nations-led review process to assess major projects in their traditional territory.
In 2006, First Nations, which included the tribal council, had requested $2.4 million from the federal government to spearhead their own review of Enbridge’s proposed pipeline. Later that year, the tribal council filed a federal court challenge of the federal government’s decision to send Enbridge’s proposed pipeline to a review panel. The tribal council wanted the court to overturn the creation of the panel because they said they were not consulted.
Rogers, the Prince George mayor, who has signed up with the alliance, says he is under no illusion that the group is a creation of Enbridge.
“I think that everyone understands that is participating is that it’s being driven by Enbridge. No surprises there,” says Rogers. “It’s PR strategy.”
Nevertheless, Rogers is comfortable being associated with the alliance, saying Enbridge is looking at signing up those that believe there may be benefits because there will be those that are adamantly opposed.
Rogers says he is supportive of the project moving to the review stage.
“I’m not afraid as the mayor of B.C.’s northern capitol to reiterate, as the largest centre in the northern region, there are some economic benefits that could flow to our community,” he said. “We want a stake in those discussions and to participate in those discussion as it unfolds.”
Rogers said the city has not put any money into the alliance.
——————-

For more information and background on this project - some of which you will not see on the Enbridge project site –  check out my recent blog posts HERE and HERE.

( and since you are here, scroll down a wee bit and read how one suit took 16 days to get from Surrey to Prince George – travelling to Montreal and Edmonton along the way)

Normally it takes no longer than 3 or 4 days for mail to get from my home in Surrey, to my dad’s home in Prince George. It’s arrived in as little as two, and the longest might by 5 day, tops.

But I received the shock of my life recently when my dad called to tell me he finally received  ” The Suit” - 16 days after I sadly mailed it back to him so he could wear it to the funeral of a friend who died in tragic quadding accident.

I never called to check with my dad before I left for some time off, because I just assumed he had received it in time. By all rights, that parcel should have been in Prince George by the end of the week I mailed it- no later that May 29th. Not hearing from him, I assumed it all went ok.

After confirming with my dad that I had , in fact, written his address correctly, in bold black marker across the front of the parcel, and that the date stamp was May 26th, I decided to do some tracking.  This is what I found out:

Needless to say, the suit did not make it home in time for the funeral. He wore a nice dress shirt and pants instead, and probably cursed me the whole time thinking I let him down. 

As for me,  I’ll be calling Canada Post when their lines open to make a complaint about their routing on this one. Who the heck goes to Montreal and Edmonton on the way to Prince George – from Vancouver?