XPost: rec.collecting.stamps.discuss   
   From: bhnc_140_@mr2ice.com   
      
   Well, awhile back I voiced my frustration with the Canada Post web site.   
   How I had to register, then wait seemingly forever to get an account number   
   and password.  Then, I started getting bombarded with glossy catalogues of   
   all of their "offers".  I hate to say it, but these go instantly in the   
   trash.   
      
   All I've wanted, since day 1, was to buy about 20 stamps in order to send   
   them to various Canadian PO's and have them canceled and returned to me via   
   the normal mail system.  When I started this quest, a small envelope   
   required 75 cents to get to the US.  Apparently, now, it's 89 cents.   
      
   So, I went to the Canada Post web site, again, over the weekend.  Using my   
   past experience with their klutsy web interface, I managed to find coil   
   strips of 10 x 89 cent definitives.  Nice, light stamps that would show a   
   postmark well.  I added 3 strips of 10 to my cart, figuring I could always   
   find a use for the others (hopefully before the rates go up again!).   
      
   On Sunday, all I got was an error message claiming the order creation had   
   failed.  Great.  More bad web pages.   
      
   So I tried again today.  Actually got to create an order!  Yes!!  Simple   
   math should say I'm into this for 25-30 bucks Canadian, yes?  Sounds good   
   .... but wait!   
      
   My only shipping option, for 30 tiny stamps, is at a cost of $12.95.   
   UN-Believable.  I immediately canceled the order and fired off this message   
   via their contact form (sorry that it reiterates some of the above):   
      
       >I've been trying to order some basic, definitive stamps from your site   
   for   
       >quite some time.  Long story, but I finally pieced together my user id   
   and   
       >password, along with the time to figure out this clumsy web design.   
   All I   
       >want to do is get about 20 stamps so I can have covers mailed to myself   
       >from Canada to the US - that's 20, 89 cent stamps - about $16.   
      
       >So, I found nice, small, light stamps, perfect to carry a nice cancel.   
   I   
       >order them, only to see you want $12.95 for shipping?   
      
       >WHAT, ARE YOU NUTS?   
      
       >I'll be closing my "account" instantly.  I can't stand excessive   
   shipping   
       >charges.   
      
   So.  I find myself STILL in need of a handful or 2 of Canadian stamps that   
   will get a self-addressed envelope back to me, from a PO in Canada.  I could   
   try sending an un-stamped cover and $1 US cash, but that seems sort of   
   "hopeful".  You know, I think I might try that and see what I get.   
      
   I'd prefer to buy some 89 cent unused Canadian stamps.  Preferably small and   
   light.  I need about 20.  Anyone have a source?  It's only a 3 hour drive   
   from here (Cleveland), either to Niagra Falls or Windsor.  Still, it should   
   be easier than this, shouldn't it?  With my luck, I'd drive up there on   
   Boxing Day and the PO's would all be closed!!   
      
   Thanks for listening,   
      
   Nick   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)