Post, Freight and Carriers

Is there a better way to ship things via Canada Post?

I recently sent a Nintendo game to a guy in the next city to me. The cost was like $6.35 or something which sucks because the game was worth less than that. Sadly at the post counter the small packet just about fit in that slot template that they use to determine parcel thickness. If it had been like a slight bit smaller it could have gone for lettermail rate. I friend of mine said I should have stuck some stamps on the item to cover its cost as lettermail and dropped it in a Canada post mail box. He said it would have got to its destination anyway. Could this small packet have gone as lettermail? How strict are they with package dimensions - that "slot template" is a pain in the ass!

Public Comments

1. I know exactly what you mean, I had to pay the same amount when I had to mail my brother's health card back to him. Little frigger he forgot it here, but geez, nearly $7 for that?
2. Next time don't use a bubble envelope? That adds thickness. Also, try shipping with your ebay account. Ebay offers discounts if you ship online with them and Canada Post. You can also sign up for a Venture card which gives you a 5% discount on all shipping. May not be a lot, but combined with Canada Post online, you can get up to a 12% discount. If you put stamps on it and drop it in the mailbox, it will just be sent back to you. All lettermail is weighed electronically before it is sent out to its destination.
3. they are actually quite rigid with sizing restrictions, this is becuase thier sorting systems will only accomidate letter mail of a certain size. It is highly likely that the letter would have been returned to you for insufficient postage. then you would have to go about sending it out again the proper way.