epictring
I would like to warn all fellow forum members about the current South African Postal Office strikes which are
very severe at the moment, suspending almost all international postal traffic.
Do not import pedals, guitars or other gear unless you will be using a courier service.
I have lost 3 parcels in the past 6 months to SAPO.
Updates (at time of post):
30 September 2014
Some post offices in and around Johannesburg area have been closed for the safety of our customers and employees, following intimidation and threats of violence - we apologise for the inconvenience. They are
Alrode
Benoni
Bergvlei
Boipatong
Boitumelo
Braamfontein
Crown Mines
De Deur
Doornfontein
Ebonypark
Edenpark
Evaton
Fordsburg
Germiston
Halfway House
Honeydew
Ironside
Johannesburg
Joubert Park
Kaalfontein
Kemptonpark
Khumalo
Kwenzekile
Langlaagte
Marshalltown
Masoheng
Orange Farm
Orange Grove
Phomolong
Robertsham
Roodepoort
Sebokeng
Southdale
Southgate
Tembisa North
Witspos
Zuurfontein
For updates on the matter, please review:
https://www.facebook.com/SouthAfricanPostOffice
doc-phil
I wasn't aware that the SAPO was ever not on strike? I wouldnt go anywhere near them even in peace time.
psyx
Yeah... I had a pedal made in Cape town and it took a month to reach me. I only got it after bribing a guy from the Post office to track it down for me...
Big-G
I have imported two pedals from Lovepedal via USPS, which was ultimately handled here by SAPO. The first pedal arrived three weeks after despatch from the US, which I considered normal as I always estimate two weeks for customs to do their work between coffee breaks. ?
The second pedal I ordered around three weeks later, and it took around 5 weeks to get here, which I attributed to the postal strike, but the point is it got here. I was starting to get concerned that it had 'disappeared' with how long it took, but thankfully it was all good!
I'm not sure if I would be so keen to import now though as things just seem to be getting worse.
Regards
G!
Bob-Dubery
The current strike has been on for at least a week. It's not the entirety of SAPO but a specific union. My loçal PO has remained open and there's been no trouble - though post may have been delayed. The bone of contention seems to be the lot of the temporary workers.
Iamweasel
Futch!!! I have send parcels that has not arrived!my parcels have not arrived from us and uk!!i think everyone bring there biggest stacks! And let go and strike infront of goverment building with with few 1000 watts raw valve power!!! ?
funkadelic
Hi. Will this strike impact Postnet? I understand that Postnet uses SAPO infrastructure?
Explorerlover
Still waiting for a package from Guitarfetish since July.....here's hoping that it will still show it's face someday
RobbieZ
As far as I am concerned regarding the strike .... No I will not say that >☹.
Importing, rather use a courier. Local you have two options. One, drop it off at Postnet and use their courier services or send it via the package system of Pick 'n Pay. Up to 2kg for R100.00.
Bob-Dubery
Before using an "alternative" check it out carefully - some are just frontends for SAPO. They take your parcel over the counter and then hand it over to SAPO (and charge you a markup)
lapdawg
This is super-frustrating. I am missing 2 orders. Both are 6-7weeks overdue.
Worse than that, I have just placed 4 other orders - some expensive stuff as well.
I have order a ton of stuff over the past 3+ years, at least 3 separate things a month.
They have all arrived in reasonable time up until now. I hope this is not a sign of things to come... During the last postal strikes I experience slight delays.
One more thing - I have always found the people at the CapeMail hub to be extremely helpful, despite what others say. I send emails & they always do there best to help.
warrenpridgeon
Eish...I'm waiting for a couple of small things off of Ebay...
Ray
Me as well. I oredered a bunch of stuff from China. Always arrived in the past. Maybe look at the buyer protection setup.
Tokai-SA
I was at the International Mail Centre this morning, I needed to ship two Teles to the US using EMS Couriers.
For the record, I don't ship/sell LS, ES, SG, FB, FV, or Explorer models to the US, Europe or any other country outside of SA.
Imagine how furious I was to find the gate locked, EMS and the Mail Centre closed.
So I phoned one of the ladies that usually helps me on her cellphone.
There are a bunch of strikers who are driving around shutting down (violently) various post offices, including the International Mail Centre.
They shut down Morningside this morning, which made the manager at Gallo Manor also shut down.
Why they striking?
Because there are currently 7500 "casual" staff working for the PO.
They have no contracts, no benefits, etc.
How will the PO possibly be able to suddenly give 7500 workers contracts and benefits...imagine what that will cost?
I was told that all international parcels have been stuck at the Mail Centre since September 9, so if your stuff came in during that period then good luck, because this strike apparently has a long way to go before it's over.
It's screwed me badly.
To ship a Tele in case to the US with EMS Couriers (SA Post Office) costs R1700.00, takes 4 to 5 days to arrive and is delivered to the customers local post office or sometimes direct to his address.
The quotes I got today for the same package using Fedex, DHL and UPS was R5500.00. ???
Looks like I'll be doing some Paypal refunds tonight...thanks SAPO...
warrenpridgeon
Tokai SA wrote:
I was at the International Mail Centre this morning, I needed to ship two Teles to the US using EMS Couriers.
For the record, I don't ship/sell LS, ES, SG, FB, FV, or Explorer models to the US, Europe or any other country outside of SA.
Imagine how furious I was to find the gate locked, EMS and the Mail Centre closed.
So I phoned one of the ladies that usually helps me on her cellphone.
There are a bunch of strikers who are driving around shutting down (violently) various post offices, including the International Mail Centre.
They shut down Morningside this morning, which made the manager at Gallo Manor also shut down.
Why they striking?
Because there are currently 7500 "casual" staff working for the PO.
They have no contracts, no benefits, etc.
How will the PO possibly be able to suddenly give 7500 workers contracts and benefits...imagine what that will cost?
I was told that all international parcels have been stuck at the Mail Centre since September 9, so if your stuff came in during that period then good luck, because this strike apparently has a long way to go before it's over.
It's screwed me badly.
To ship a Tele in case to the US with EMS Couriers (SA Post Office) costs R1700.00, takes 4 to 5 days to arrive and is delivered to the customers local post office or sometimes direct to his address.
The quotes I got today for the same package using Fedex, DHL and UPS was R5500.00. ???
Looks like I'll be doing some Paypal refunds tonight...thanks SAPO...
Eish man! That sucks ☹ good luck
Bob-Dubery
I recently got retrenched and then picked up a new job - but as a temp on a fixed-term contract that still allows the employer to show me the door early if they want to (though TBF they knew my situation, could have taken advantage of that and low-balled me but didn't ) . So I have some sympathy for temps right now - though I also recognise that half a loaf is better than none (especially at my age).
Exploitation of this situation is an old problem all over the world and has been for some time. You hire "temps" for (say) 3 months, wave them good bye at the end of that term and then hire them as temps again as soon as possible. (I'm not saying the guys I'm currently working for are playing that game - I'm sure they're not - but that doesn't mean that this game doesn't get played).
It's worse in Europe actually where labour law is more in the employer's favour.
Hopefully I'll pick up a full time position next year, but right now I'm well inclined towards those who pick up the cudgels on behalf of temporary workers.
warrenpridgeon
they've apparently burnt down the vanderbijlpark post office... logical thinking patterns go out the window when they get into groups like this... they obviously don't realise that they've now cost a bunch of temp workers their temp jobs and the possibility of them becoming permanent. sigh. I'm not saying that the post office is right for keeping them as casuals for so long...But burning down a post office won't really help...it will get them attention I guess.
Tokai-SA
I've devised a plan, but I need someone in Durban to help me out.
As far as I can tell the Durban strike has been resolved, so EMS Couriers should be operating in Durban.
The plan is, I use Fedex to ship the package to Durban, then EMS Couriers to collect the package in Durbs and off to the US. ?
Now all I need to do is find someone in Durbs willing to participate in the plan....any volunteers? ?
I'm going to phone EMS in Durban tomorrow morning and see if they're working...
Jacques_nasi
Hey Lance I was at the international mail centre yesterday to try my luck but of course no one there. I was furious. waiting for some very expensive parts for one of my bikes that I ordered about 6 weeks ago with USPS. If anything happens to that parcel I'm gonna be seriously angry!!!!!!! >☹ >☹ >☹ >☹
epictring
Does anyone have any news regarding this? Has any received anything yet? Strikes seem to be on and off in different areas.
I'm still waiting, and I can't get through to any call centres to track. If anyone has a number that works please post it..
