UPDATE, PLEASE Read why we are no longer able to offer flat rate shipping

To our valued Shades of Clay customers and friends, 

As you know, we have kept our shipping rates the same for a long period of time.
We know you appreciated the flat rate ship cost we have always offered. 

And, while we absorbed any cost above and beyond the flat rate we offered,
current  global events have had a profound impact on gas prices in recent months.
In the world of shipping, this added cost to transportation has caused significant increases to fuel surcharges and related fees from postal carriers.

Although higher fuel surcharges is an industry-wide trend, it is a problem that impacts Canadian shipments in particular. This is because of the challenge that Canada’s low population density poses for transportation costs.
As a result, Canada Post (and others) have had to significantly increase the fuel surcharges they apply to shipments.

In the world of shipping, transportation can add up to be much of the cost of your shipment’s journey and in our case it is 100% of the cost as we have never charged you  for packing materials or for the time and effort it takes to pull and package your items.
Despite our best efforts to absorb these changes and keep your shipping costs low we have had to make the difficult decision to adjust our pricing in line with these increases. 

Beginning the week of April 24 2022, the shipping cost you pay  will now be the actual cost charged by Canada Post (within $2)

We will no longer be able to offer a flat rate.  This decision was not taken lightly.
We recognize that this situation may be difficult for you especially as we realise that many of you are small business owners yourselves.

We all know Polymer clay is heavy, but because the initial base cost is always the most, it may make sense and be less costly to you in the long run if you order everything you need at once instead of spreading it out over several orders.

You may get some comfort in knowing that because we have a commercial account with Canada Post you will enjoy a cheaper rate  then you would if you walked into the post office and shipped it yourself. 

Lightweight orders near large city centres won’t be impacted as much.
However, if your address is in a rural area (even in ON) you will notice an increase as well as those of you living in our Atlantic provinces.
Our US customers will also see a slight increase in the base cost as USPS has had several inceases in recent times. 

I will continue to provide the best customer service possible and to package and ship your orders in a timely manner.
I apologise for any  inconvenience that this may cause you.

I truly appreciate you.
Thank you for your understanding.
Kindly,
Wendy Weaver Orlowski

This message was sent out to our newsletter subscribers.  If you want to be in the know,  please sign here up if you haven’t already done so.