Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Discussion - Member to Member Sales - Research Center
Fellow member Frank Tonge has just posted a fun little article: Turtles in the Post Office. Frank provides details on a philatelic novelty that appeared at Canada Post outlets this past Christmas - Nestle chocolate Turtles complete with a special mailer and Turtle stamp.
Thanks for the contribution Frank!
Ralph
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Yes, they were delicious also. I was the lucky recepient of one of those cute packs. I did save the package and the stamp, but could not bring it upon myself to save the poor little turtles inside. Turtles covered in chocolate, what a wonderful combination.
Mike
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02:45:08pm
What a great article, I devoured a few of these pacakages of Turtles. I enjoy reading Mr. Tonge's writing.
Alyn
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geez! I thought this was about the postal workers.
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i, too, was the recipient of a Turtle packet, and I, too, did what I almost never do, and damaged the packet to get to the poor little turtles inside.
interestingly, I have a small turtle topical collection and the shell, as it were, went in there.
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David,
I hope it was the package that went in the topical collection and not the sweet little treats inside.
Carl, yes I could see where you would get that notion. 
Mike
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twas
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@Mike, I like your new avatar.
Tim
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The question is will it be in the next catalog or it's a special order in the
"picture/photo stamps". The regular stamps (photo) is "P" value but this one is 1.29$... Canada Post did not put it in the Quaterly pack... wath is going on for the philatelist that want them after Chrismas, My local post office tell me that they call back all the unsold box.... It's a weerd way to respect the philatelist...they want the money but the don't think at all of us.... here is the turtle face... nice looking stamp :
tank you, Jacques
(sorry for my so-so english...)
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11:11:17am
Jacques,
There is no need to apologize for your English. It is quite good and certainly better than my French.
Alyn
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I work across the street from Postal Station B; the main post office, in Ottawa.
When the Turtles product came out, all of us at work purchased a bunch and mailed them to our sweethearts. We knew we'd get undamaged examples. We also made sure that the postal clerk cancelled the stamp. Many of the regular ones that were sent out by non-philatelic postal customers did not get cancelled.
According to a few cover dealers I have spoken with, the "street" value for one of these boxes (that when opened carefully at both end, folds flat like an envelope) is $10.
Now, will the catalogue listing be:
- unused
- unused with chocolate
- used
- used with chocolate??
I'm just asking! 
David
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i have one of these very boxes, sans turtles, but since mailed to the US, uprated. it was sent by one of my favorite members of this club who occasionally showers me with things i don't deserve. even better, one of my topical collections is turtles, so you can imagine my delight.
should i not have eaten the contents????????
David
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Dave:
Yup! I'd eat the Turtles, too. A great Canadian chocolate!
How are things in Red Hook? I hope to get down to see Phil & Jopie in another year.
David Giles
Ottawa, Canada
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Yup!
Noticed the neat Ottawa, ON postmark.
I placed it there myself.
My girlfriend ate the chocolates.
David
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Does any one know the "best before " date for the Turtle chocolates? I still have a few boxes but hesitate to send them as Christmas presents this year...
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Just as a protection against the nuts, lovingly cloaked inside the chocolate, from being "buggy", maybe you should have some unwitting soul test them for you. I will step up to the plate and volunteer my services as the tester, just to keep others from getting sick or even poisoned and suffering the agony of buggy nuts syndrome. I must, however, limit my testing to only 10 packages, for health reasons.
Mike
P. S. I believe the packages from last Christmas are coded for mid 2013, which means any you have left should be tested ASAP.
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I gather the Turtles did not sell as well as CPC (Canada Post Corporation) had hoped.
I wonder if they'll do anything like this for this Christmas?
David
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when the turtles go green, Phil, it signifies there's no need to test it for remaining in its prime.... it's passed, and should you eat, you will too.
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Dealer Nightmare:
I can just see me going through a consignment lot from the family of a deceased collector and finding one of those, turtles and all!
David
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I wonder if the 1.29 rate is still valid to ship those within Canada? Does anyone knows?
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08:13:37pm
Wow Mike - that's so generous of you AND offering to test so many just to make sure! Sounds like my Mum and Grandma with the mixed box of chocolates. I always know when they've opened them first because there is a bite out of every one and then their favourite is missing. I've tried to tell them for years that is why the candy company includes that purty little picture with the chocolates so you DON'T pick up the ones you don't like. No dice, they still feel it's absolutely necessary to double-check, after all the person who drew the picture or put it in the box could have been wrong! LOL
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Gilles:
The current rate for that packet is $1.34... if you've still got one!
David
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The only thing Canada Post did for us Canadians this Christmas this year was the announcement that they had immediately stopped the sale of all 'P' stamps that were previously available from retailers and Post Offices across Canada, including the Philatelic Service. You can't even purchase a 2013 'P' stamp from the Philatelic Service and most of the 2013 issues were 'P' stamps except for the USA and International Rate stamps!
Forget about trying to order or purchase any 2013 back issues as you normally can do for one year from date of release 
I tried to order some more of the Gates of Chinatown souvenir sheets and was shocked at how very few issues they have available.
I wonder how many $'s of stamps are being disposed of? What a waste. Why didn't they just come out with a statement that we had to put another 37c in postage on an envelope if we wanted to use a 'P' stamp after March 1, 2014.
I do believe however, that the 'P' stamps issued in 2013 are available in the quarterly packs or in special presentation items.
I'd like to send the decision makers at Canada Post a huge box of live snapping turtles for Christmas.
Liz
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Patches:
Canada Post suspended the sale of the P stamps. They did not order them back to Ottawa for destruction.
They are under the counters of post offices across Canada. The staff have been ordered not to sell the stamps, under severe penalties. The quarterly packs with P stamps in them are all pulled as well, the exception the 4/2013 current edition.
When the new rate comes into effect in March 2014, the P stamps will re-appear from under the counters, along with the quarterly packs pre-4/2013 and will be sold at the new 85-cent rate.
If you have any P rate stamps, they are still valid for postage at 63-cents, and will be valid for postage at 85-cents, when the rate change come in effect, in March.
I hope that sorts things out for you.
David Giles
Store Manager
Ian Kimmerly Stamps
62 Sparks St.,
Ottawa, Ont.
K1P 5A8
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...surprise!
Yesterday while shopping at good old Costco, my smart wife asked "Are those 'P' stamps that Costco is selling in $59.00 rolls?" ... yes, Costco is still selling their supply at a discount and they are the 'P'(63¢).
...now don't stampede off to Costco & spoil your Christmas self gifting ... just walk!!
Merry Christmas & the best for 2014 to all StampoRama members
Clarence
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There are turtles in the commercial courier industry as well as in our post offices.
It baffles me that courier companies do not sell courier stamps.
Perhaps 2014 will be a breakout year.
John Derry
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Hi All,
Fellow member Frank Tonge has just posted a fun little article: Turtles in the Post Office. Frank provides details on a philatelic novelty that appeared at Canada Post outlets this past Christmas - Nestle chocolate Turtles complete with a special mailer and Turtle stamp.
Thanks for the contribution Frank!
Ralph
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Yes, they were delicious also. I was the lucky recepient of one of those cute packs. I did save the package and the stamp, but could not bring it upon myself to save the poor little turtles inside. Turtles covered in chocolate, what a wonderful combination.
Mike
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webmaster for the ISWSC http://iswsc.org and ATA http://www.americantopicalassn.org
27 Jan 2013
02:45:08pm
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
What a great article, I devoured a few of these pacakages of Turtles. I enjoy reading Mr. Tonge's writing.
Alyn
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
geez! I thought this was about the postal workers.
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
i, too, was the recipient of a Turtle packet, and I, too, did what I almost never do, and damaged the packet to get to the poor little turtles inside.
interestingly, I have a small turtle topical collection and the shell, as it were, went in there.
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
David,
I hope it was the package that went in the topical collection and not the sweet little treats inside.
Carl, yes I could see where you would get that notion.
Mike
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
twas
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
@Mike, I like your new avatar.
Tim
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11:05:26am
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
The question is will it be in the next catalog or it's a special order in the
"picture/photo stamps". The regular stamps (photo) is "P" value but this one is 1.29$... Canada Post did not put it in the Quaterly pack... wath is going on for the philatelist that want them after Chrismas, My local post office tell me that they call back all the unsold box.... It's a weerd way to respect the philatelist...they want the money but the don't think at all of us.... here is the turtle face... nice looking stamp :
tank you, Jacques
(sorry for my so-so english...)
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webmaster for the ISWSC http://iswsc.org and ATA http://www.americantopicalassn.org
12 Feb 2013
11:11:17am
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Jacques,
There is no need to apologize for your English. It is quite good and certainly better than my French.
Alyn
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this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
I work across the street from Postal Station B; the main post office, in Ottawa.
When the Turtles product came out, all of us at work purchased a bunch and mailed them to our sweethearts. We knew we'd get undamaged examples. We also made sure that the postal clerk cancelled the stamp. Many of the regular ones that were sent out by non-philatelic postal customers did not get cancelled.
According to a few cover dealers I have spoken with, the "street" value for one of these boxes (that when opened carefully at both end, folds flat like an envelope) is $10.
Now, will the catalogue listing be:
- unused
- unused with chocolate
- used
- used with chocolate??
I'm just asking!
David
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this post
Auctions
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
i have one of these very boxes, sans turtles, but since mailed to the US, uprated. it was sent by one of my favorite members of this club who occasionally showers me with things i don't deserve. even better, one of my topical collections is turtles, so you can imagine my delight.
should i not have eaten the contents????????
David
Login to Like
this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Dave:
Yup! I'd eat the Turtles, too. A great Canadian chocolate!
How are things in Red Hook? I hope to get down to see Phil & Jopie in another year.
David Giles
Ottawa, Canada
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Yup!
Noticed the neat Ottawa, ON postmark.
I placed it there myself.
My girlfriend ate the chocolates.
David
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08:34:46am
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Does any one know the "best before " date for the Turtle chocolates? I still have a few boxes but hesitate to send them as Christmas presents this year...
Login to Like
this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Just as a protection against the nuts, lovingly cloaked inside the chocolate, from being "buggy", maybe you should have some unwitting soul test them for you. I will step up to the plate and volunteer my services as the tester, just to keep others from getting sick or even poisoned and suffering the agony of buggy nuts syndrome. I must, however, limit my testing to only 10 packages, for health reasons.
Mike
P. S. I believe the packages from last Christmas are coded for mid 2013, which means any you have left should be tested ASAP.
Login to Like
this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
I gather the Turtles did not sell as well as CPC (Canada Post Corporation) had hoped.
I wonder if they'll do anything like this for this Christmas?
David
Login to Like
this post
Auctions
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
when the turtles go green, Phil, it signifies there's no need to test it for remaining in its prime.... it's passed, and should you eat, you will too.
Login to Like
this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Dealer Nightmare:
I can just see me going through a consignment lot from the family of a deceased collector and finding one of those, turtles and all!
David
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05:35:09pm
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
I wonder if the 1.29 rate is still valid to ship those within Canada? Does anyone knows?
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24 Nov 2013
08:13:37pm
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Wow Mike - that's so generous of you AND offering to test so many just to make sure! Sounds like my Mum and Grandma with the mixed box of chocolates. I always know when they've opened them first because there is a bite out of every one and then their favourite is missing. I've tried to tell them for years that is why the candy company includes that purty little picture with the chocolates so you DON'T pick up the ones you don't like. No dice, they still feel it's absolutely necessary to double-check, after all the person who drew the picture or put it in the box could have been wrong! LOL
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re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Gilles:
The current rate for that packet is $1.34... if you've still got one!
David
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01:11:03pm
Auctions - Approvals
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
The only thing Canada Post did for us Canadians this Christmas this year was the announcement that they had immediately stopped the sale of all 'P' stamps that were previously available from retailers and Post Offices across Canada, including the Philatelic Service. You can't even purchase a 2013 'P' stamp from the Philatelic Service and most of the 2013 issues were 'P' stamps except for the USA and International Rate stamps!
Forget about trying to order or purchase any 2013 back issues as you normally can do for one year from date of release I tried to order some more of the Gates of Chinatown souvenir sheets and was shocked at how very few issues they have available.
I wonder how many $'s of stamps are being disposed of? What a waste. Why didn't they just come out with a statement that we had to put another 37c in postage on an envelope if we wanted to use a 'P' stamp after March 1, 2014.
I do believe however, that the 'P' stamps issued in 2013 are available in the quarterly packs or in special presentation items.
I'd like to send the decision makers at Canada Post a huge box of live snapping turtles for Christmas.
Liz
Login to Like
this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
Patches:
Canada Post suspended the sale of the P stamps. They did not order them back to Ottawa for destruction.
They are under the counters of post offices across Canada. The staff have been ordered not to sell the stamps, under severe penalties. The quarterly packs with P stamps in them are all pulled as well, the exception the 4/2013 current edition.
When the new rate comes into effect in March 2014, the P stamps will re-appear from under the counters, along with the quarterly packs pre-4/2013 and will be sold at the new 85-cent rate.
If you have any P rate stamps, they are still valid for postage at 63-cents, and will be valid for postage at 85-cents, when the rate change come in effect, in March.
I hope that sorts things out for you.
David Giles
Store Manager
Ian Kimmerly Stamps
62 Sparks St.,
Ottawa, Ont.
K1P 5A8
Login to Like
this post
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
...surprise!
Yesterday while shopping at good old Costco, my smart wife asked "Are those 'P' stamps that Costco is selling in $59.00 rolls?" ... yes, Costco is still selling their supply at a discount and they are the 'P'(63¢).
...now don't stampede off to Costco & spoil your Christmas self gifting ... just walk!!
Merry Christmas & the best for 2014 to all StampoRama members
Clarence
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The past is a foreign country, they do things different there.
23 Dec 2013
09:33:05pm
re: Canada: Turtles in the Post Office
There are turtles in the commercial courier industry as well as in our post offices.
It baffles me that courier companies do not sell courier stamps.
Perhaps 2014 will be a breakout year.
John Derry
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