Sending parcels C.O.D

[shane_c]

I'm currently selling my camera (http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=20837) and thought it might be good to advertise on other messageboards too so that it gets seen more. How does it work if I sold to a buyer from somewhere else and wanted to send it C.O.D? Is there any possible way I can get ripped off? If I want the buyer to pay for the item, shipping and C.O.D charges do I tell the post office the total amount required when they send it? How long before I get my money back from Canada Post?

[ken0042]

The biggest problem that I've heard of, is the type of people what want you to send it COD are the type who are bad with money. They want it sent COD because "they get paid in a week", however once that week comes up they are still short, so the item sits at a Canada Post outlet for another 2 weeks. 4 weeks later you finally get paid, or the item comes back to you.

I'd stick with Paypal, or if you want to use Certapay exchange the secret word over the phone.

[T I M]

Not much way of getting ripped off, the reciever has to pay the outlet the amount marked on the package to recieve it. You run the risk of it being refused or unclaimed, in which case it would be returned to you, and you would be faced with the return postage fee. The money comes back regular mail, unless you xpressposted the package in the first place then the money envelope will come back xpresspost.

Also you have the choice wether or not a cheque is acceptable, make sure you specify cash only if your worried about a bouncing check.

[shane_c]

Thanks for the replies. I might just have to give it a try.

[Gravitykillr]

I think the biggest misconception with sending things COD is that you just send it, reality of it is that you have to pay to send it COD, pay the actual shipping then put the amount you want the COD to be for. It's really safe, as for the person saying 4 weeks to wait, all the cheque's being sent back to you are sent by priority or are supposed to be. Standard Canada Post practice is to hold all Items for 14 days, generally people can phone and ask to have stuff held.

[shane_c]

Is it the same sending things to the US?

[ken0042]

Does Canada Post even offer COD to the US? I'm thinking no.

COD is a service for domestic mail for which an amount due to the sender, up to $1,000, is collected from the addressee before delivery and returned to the mailer.