Yesterday I sold some yarn over the internet. This morning I picked up the biggest plastic, bubble wrap envelope Canada Post sells (14" X 19") and managed to cram every one of the 15 balls in there. I added a little extra parcel tape to ensure it doesn't split it's seams and headed over to the closest post office, which is located in our local Fairway grocery store. The same redhead who had sold me the envelope was still behind the counter. I handed her my parcel and told her I wanted it to go "Small Packet". I had already checked on Canada Post's website that my parcel was within the size and weight requirements for Small Packet but when the redhead entered the numbers her computer said the parcel was too big for small packet and would have to go "Expedited Parcel" at a cost of $10.00 more than I had charged the lady who bought my yarn. I couldn't understand how I could have been so far off in my calculations so I went home, checked it again on Canada Post's website and came up with the same result as before. My parcel could go small packet for $17.50. I printed off Canada Post's size and weight requirements for small packet and the page that showed my parcel could go small packet and marched back to the little post office. I told the redhead, "Let's try this again." and asked her to tell me what measurements she was getting. The first measurement she took was width. She laid the measuring tape across the top of the parcel and ran it halfway down the sides. I was shocked. I said, "You can't run the tape down the sides like that." She even measured the quarter inch seams that stick out. We argued back and forth but she just didn't get it. If you are measuring a box's length, width and height you don't measure across the top and halfway down each side to get the width. At least, not unless you are going to make the height 0". I got miffed and said I'd just take it to the main post office but then she asked if I'd like to talk to her manager. I said I'd be delighted. When the manager arrived on scene he took my parcel into the back room to measure it. I told him to tell me what he came up with and his measurements were the same I had used at home however, their computer still said the parcel was too big. So I showed him his measurements were within required restrictions for small packet and he starts giving me some BS about "volumetric weight". The customer behind me whispered, "Take it to the other post office." Sounded like he'd had a few run ins with them himself. I finally gave up on them and went home. Once home I phoned the customer support number for Canada Post and complained. The nice lady looked into the matter and found I was correct. She said Canada Post doesn't even use volumetric weight when sending parcels to the US. I lodged my complaint and she gave me a reference # and told me to take my parcel to the main post office. At first she thought I had mailed it and was going to refund the $10.00. She said they will be contacting the Fairway branch to straighten things out. So, I know somebody sucks but who? Canada Post who gouges their customers with outrageous postage? The redhead who couldn't measure a ruler? or The manager who will be sad that he will never get to say "volumetric weight" again? Let's just say all three and be done with it.