I've been using this service for about a year to ship eBay sales outside of Canada, and it's much more practical and affordable than any options Canada Post offers.
BUT: 1) Payment method - they really need to expand their payment options beyond just credit card payments to purchase a minimum $10 credit. I stopped using credit cards years ago. If I can pay for things by e-transfer or PayPal online, Chit Chats is really turning their back on getting more business. Instead, I resort to buying. Prepaid credit card just to use this service, with additional fees from the card every time. I sent an email asking them to please consider other payment methods for customer convenience, and I got an email back explaining that they only accept credit card payments ... totally missing the point. Yes, I know you only accept credit card payments, that's WHY I'm asking you to please consider other payment methods. How hard would it really be to have a card reader on site that takes debit? Then I can top up my balance when I drop off parcels for delivery. E-transfer or PayPal online, if not cash or debit on site. Makes more sense than a $5 fee for every $50, 100, 250 prepaid credit card I have to purchase first.
2) it's only insured if it arrive on time. Be aware of this gem from their website:
"Since delivery estimates are not guaranteed, shipments that have exceeded the expected transit time are not covered by Chit Chats Insurance.", so the insurance is useless if shipping is delayed? Not much incentive to deliver on time, now, is there? After years of covid-related supply chain issues, what good is this "insurance" policy? Is that why my last shipment sat in Richmond for 3 days before leaving the Vancouver area?
3) Not always open til 7: Also: if business hours are listed as closing at 7pm, please allow me to arrive by 7pm with my packages. Numerous times, I get there at, say, 6:54 to find the place is locked up early and no one around.
4) Label printer compatibility: I can not get my iDPRT SP410 label printer to sync up with chit chats orders or the printer software download at all. The online setup video is vague and even difficult to read text on the screen. I just download the label image, resize it on my phone to 4"x6" and then print that. None of the setup options include my printer, so expect to do some trial & error testing if you run into issues with printing or formatting. read more