Quote from: SammyAce on October 31, 2012, 08:06 amHey Muse few questions1. For express post you said it is safe to print the labels in the same format they appear on the express post USA envelope and they will ship fine, just wanted to verify that with you.2. Also I read there is a signature requirement for ANY Expresspost USA and Expresspost international shipments, so ANY USA/Internation shipments I send will require a signature? Even if I didn't request it at the post office it is mandatory?3. It is perfectly ok to fill out the express post, drop it in the mailbox and tracking will still be updated when the package is received correct? I was unsure if tracking was updated if it isn't dropped off manually as I've had several issues with no tracking updating but parcels being delivered fine.Thanks a million for your inputAs fredflintsone said, yes, yes & yes, though I am going to add a bit more info.1. Within Canada & the US, printing mailing labels and affixing them to the prepaid envelope is acceptable. Address formats are pretty much the same in both places. Just be sure to pull of the topmost label off the back of the envelope before you put the mailing label on. The tracking information # is on this label. If you forget to take the topmost label off and drop the package for delivery, you will not have a tracking number to confirm delivery or pass on to your buyers. I know, I've done it. Usually this isn't a problem, the packages are successfully delivered, though I have had some buyers in the past who have claimed they never received their order. I suspect that the packages were actually delivered and the buyers were taking advantage of the situation, claiming it was never sent in the first place, but I can't prove it, there's no tracking info to back me up. So I've had to eat a few losses for that. I found the best way to not forget is to pull the top label off right away and stick it in the envelope. Then, when you're packing and you go to drop the shipment in the envelope, there's the label. Pull it out, write the transaction number on it, match it up with the buyer in your orders list, send them the tracking and SHRED IT. Use one of the cross shredders, it will make mincemeat out of it.2. Regarding the signature requirement, according to Canada Post, the signature option is included "free of charge with prepaid express envelopes." In my experience, based on feedback from buyers, it is up to the receivers local postal company whether or not a signature is collected, and in some cases at the discretion of the postal delivery worker. I've had some people say they have not had to sign for their package, other's who have not had to sign, and in some cases with repeat buyers, sometimes they have had to sign and other times they haven't. It seems pretty consistent that deliveries to the US DO need to be signed for, but it's quite variable when you go international. Given the uncertainty of the signing requirement, it's better to state that a signature will be required so that the buyers is aware that they will have to sign for it, and with a little luck, pleasantly surprised if they don't have to.3. As I mentioned in my earlier post, and as you have experienced yourself, Canada Post seems to have issues with tracking updates. According to them, tracking is updated:When a shipping order is created electronically when using a Canada Post or third-party shipping system.When the item is first accepted by Canada Post via an automated post office or a postal facility.When the item prepared is sorted and prepared for dispatch to the foreign postal administration.When the item reaches the international destination.When the delivery was attempted or the item has been successfully delivered.When using prepaid envelopes dropped in a street mailbox, this means that it will not show up in the tracking system until it's sorted at your local postal facility. And as you have experienced, it may not show up then either. Usually it will show up somewhere along the delivery route in the tracking system, occasionally it just get's delivered and then shows up on tracking, as a delivered item.It may not be the best postal service in the world, but it's the only one we have. The biggest challenge as a vendor is managing buyer expectations. Don't quote Canada Post's delivery times, buyers will take it as fact and hold you accountable if it doesn't arrive in that time frame. Don't give them the best case scenario or even the most likely case. Give them the worst case and let them be surprised when it shows up sooner.MJMuse