Job Discussion Forums

irieteacher · Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 30

I need some advice.

I want to send some packages to Canda.

I'm assuming the postal service has a safe option, that would better than using their regular service. In Toronto, they call it Express Service, which means safe.

I know people here have sent huge packages to Can. and the US before using the local post in Ist.

I'm confused because when I spoke to the PO (my Turkish is very limited), they told me a 2 KG package to Toronto would be 8 MTL, this would be special delivery (whick I assume is safer).

However, I'm being told by some Turks not to use the PO here, as they are unreliable.

I'm looking at sending packages of 2-10 kgs. I don't want to use DHL, UPS etc, as they are far more expensive.

How have u guys fared with the Postal service here.

Thanks,

Irie

gelin · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 144 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

I can't imagine a 2 kg package -- express -- for 8 million. You would have to go to a special int'l package sending place, I believe. I think the package would get there, finally, but wouldn't count on it being too soon. If it's something you want to make sure will get there in a timely fashion, pay the extra money and go DHL. Better yet -- find someone going to Canada who will mail it for you in the country.

Faustino · Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 601

OK heres the deal. I posted a 19g (thats grams) letter earlier this week which cost me 2 million lira (2 Yeni TL). Thinking this to be a perfectly reasonable price to pay I enquired as to the cost of sending said item by express delivery. The price was a slightly less reasonable 29 million, yes thats for one sheet of paper and an envelope. Please give me details if you find anything cheaper. Idea

Mike_2003 · Joined: 27 Mar 2003 Posts: 344 Location: Bucharest, Romania

Whenever I sent stuff abroad I always filled in one of those cards which is signed by the receiver and sent back to you. You can find the cards at the post office and they are pinkish and have AR written on them. You also have to fill in a small white receipt card which is stamped, numbered and given back to you to trace it if the package goes AWOL. I used this system about 10 times, although most small packages (no more than 4kg), and they all arrived at their destinations (in Europe) within 10 days (quite a miracle for the PTT!!).

Not sure if it is what you are looking for but worth looking into.

Mike

mrauc941 · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 20 Location: Istanbul!

Question about receiving mail here:

I just got a letter saying that a package arrived for me. However it is over 1.5kg (2.5 lbs), so I have to go pick it up in Cevizlibag. The note says if I come later than 5 days after this notification I will have to pay a fee to take the package. Has anyone else had to do this? Doesnt seem a bit extreme? Does it have something to do with how the package was posted? Do you know how much extra I am likely to have to pay?

gelin · Joined: 09 Mar 2003 Posts: 144 Location: Istanbul, Turkey

I've only worked with the package post office in Ankara, but it's probably about the same. You have to pay a few fees on the way -- the opening of the package fee so they can check to see how much customs you might have to pay and then the stamp fees, etc. It usually doesn't amount to much, but it's a pain to have to go there to pick it up. You have to get about five signatures from different departments before you even get to see the package! I told everyone NOT to send packages to me. Too much of a hassle. Good luck to you.

justme · Joined: 18 May 2004 Posts: 1944 Location: Istanbul

I've never had a problem with the Cevizlabağ customs-- it's just a pain-- you visit many windows and get many stamps and they open the package and go through it while you watch. Sometimes you have to explain what something is. I've never paid more than 5 million to get something, and I'm sure I've been a few days late getting there. Just take your passport and the slip of paper.

I have heard that if you wait too long to pick it up, they send it back. I don't know if this is true.

Also, the place is near the �lker factory-- despite the industrial chocolate smell, it's great because there's the cheap factory outlet chocolate store...

queenfrog · Joined: 28 Nov 2004 Posts: 29

Ok I've had good luck with the postal system but I did notice that in big cities there are more fees and problems. I got a nice box full of goodies for Christmas from my family and only paid 1.5 million TL. And the box wasn't opened even. Also when I was a housewife my postman would bring the packages to my house for free. Very nice old guy.

As far as sending to the US. And I do it all the time. I just fill out one of those small brownish papers with my name and the address of where I want it to go. Then they stamp it and give it back to me. It's kind of a reciet. I also write air mail and Par avion on all of my envelopes or boxes. And my family gets things in 10 - 20 days. I don't pay extra to send by a special service and have only had one letter lost in 5 years of being here.