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Canadian E-commerce entrepreneurs?

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GuestUserX15

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Are there any Canadian e-commerce entrepreneurs? If yes, have you found any cheap solutions for shipping whether it be inside Canada or USA? Using Canada post is very expensive, i have heard that there are some companies that take your shipment across the border and use USPS. I would appreciate any help I can get :) And yes i did do my research, just need a little hand (not sure if this is the right category)
 
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dochustle

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Unless you're shipping really lightweight merchandise, this will probably be an obstacle

What I recommend is setting up ship with a 3rd party fulfilment centre. Lots of eCommerce platforms have them built right in to their software.
 
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GuestUserX15

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Unless you're shipping really lightweight merchandise, this will probably be an obstacle

What I recommend is setting up ship with a 3rd party fulfilment centre. Lots of eCommerce platforms have them built right in to their software.
Do you mean a fulfillment center in USA?
 

maleek

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I personally use DHL, they gave me a great discount & service when I opened my account and here's why:

  • They obviously need your business, but they don't want you to know that.
  • I was upfront and let them know that I was also in negotiations with Fedex
  • I had to act bigger then I was. I essentially told them I was doing X amount of dollars in shipping with Canada post, and that number was only going to get bigger.
*Sometimes they will call you on your bluff, sometimes they won't. If they do, they'll ask for references to back up your story. So here's an extra tip. Slightly BEND the truth, but don't tell them you're some multimillion dollar company. Just let them know you're growing, and you'll need a company that will grow with you. Secondly, for references, just use friends or family. DHL will call and ask basic questions : How long has he been in business, do you have any idea how much gross revenue he brings in, does he indeed ship this product, is he going to ship anymore products in the future, etc. The questions are basic in nature.

Hope this helps
 
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MoneyDoc

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I personally use DHL, they gave me a great discount when I opened my account and here's why:

  • They obviously need your business, but they don't want you to know that.
  • I was upfront and let them know that I was also in negotiations with Fedex
  • I had to act bigger then I was. I essentially told them I was doing X amount of dollars in shipping with Canada post, and that number was only going to get bigger.
*Sometimes they will call you on your bluff, sometimes they won't. If they do, they'll ask for references to back up your story. So here's an extra tip. Slightly BEND the truth, but don't tell them you're some multimillion dollar company. Just let them know you're growing, and you'll need a company that will grow with you. Secondly, for references, just use friends or family. DHL will call and ask basic questions : How long has he been in business, do you have any idea how much gross revenue he brings in, does he indeed ship this product, is he going to ship anymore products in the future, etc. The questions are basic in nature.

Hope this helps
Mind me asking. How much do they charge you? I honestly need a cheap shipping method in Canada... To ship to USA and Worldwide.
 

maleek

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My rate is volume dependent, There isn't any 'set price' so to speak. But they chopped approx 37% off what any standard account's rate would be. I hope that helps.
 
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DeletedUser394

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Seriously, Canada Post sucks and shipping is beyond unreasonable for even the smallest items with any and all carriers. That was always a barrier for me with not wanting to pursue e commerce.
 

maleek

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Seriously, Canada Post sucks and shipping is beyond unreasonable for even the smallest items with any and all carriers. That was always a barrier for me with not wanting to pursue e commerce.


I totally agree. I was shipping everything my Canada post out of pure laziness, to be quite honest. It wasn't until I reviewed statements, and thought to myself "there has got to be a better /cheaper solution" that I phoned fedex & DHL in the same day. I chose DHL ultimately because of the reviews other e-commerce people gave me, it wasn't based on price (even though they gave me a great deal - it was a bonus on top). I knew that I needed a reliable fast shipper that could grow with, me end of story. A US tax lawyer, who happened to be an Amazon prime member once told me "We don't care if we gotta pay extra, we want it, and we want it now!".

If you guys have any more questions, fire away.
 

eTox

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Bump.

Looking for Canadian eCommerce guys to ask some questions to.

Hope there are more of us here :D
 
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