Customer postage for webiste....Love some feedback!

Hi everyone,
I'd love some feedback from the lovely ladies here...
I am contemplating a big change in our postage.
We have always offered flat postage at $1.95 for 4 years now, and even though it doesnt really cover the cost these days of packaging and regular post, it's something iv'e always felt was a staple of our customer offer and reluctant to change.

However i am so fed up with Australia Post and their unreliable regular post service, that i am decding on whether to set my post at a flat $5.50 which will give me the option of express post or registered normal post depending on the order.
I had a whole days worth of post go 'missing' with AP a few weeks ago, and have spent the last week following up dealling with cranky customers(rightly so) and now tomorrow remaking and sending these orders.
It's becoming such a regular occurence(though usually more random than a whole days post...) that i just want to eliminate the hassle and time wasted following up as well as the cranky customers!LOL..


Has anyone else had similiar issues(not sure if its localised..) or had a change in postage policy and if so any advice on how to roll it out to existing cust's(ie: FB fans)?

Thanks guys!

KylieC

I think it is reasonable after 4 years to be adjusting your postage as it is taking money away from your small profit margin and when orders are lost, negating it completely. I have been using AP without to much trouble but for wholesale orders I use a road freight service which does door to door, & is cheaper than AP, as I can get online tracking and insurance plus they accept paypal which means not excess fees or trips to the PO.http://www.e-go.com.au/ Unfortunately they don't do letters/parcels under 1kg, but as and example it only costs me $10.00 to get a big box of stock to Bris Vegas from Melbourne.

I do believe that updating your shipping policies on your website and giving it a small mention on your FB page will help, as long as it is worded properly, people should understand as you are a WAHM business and things have to even out somewhere iykwim. This will also save you time and hassle of having a trackable/traceable parcel, as well as proof of postage for customers, giving them and you peace of mind. There is nothing like an unreliable delivery system that turns a customer off, speaking from my own experience even if it is beyond the retailers control.

Anyway I hope that this helps and lmk if I can help anymore.
Regards
Leigh