Nunavummiut from several communities say they’re reeling from suddenly losing access to free Amazon shipping after Canada Post put an end to a loophole customers utilized to access the service.
For years, residents of small Nunavut communities shipped their Amazon orders to fake postal codes as a way to save hundreds of dollars a year on food and supplies. While these products are available at local grocery stores, their prices are significantly higher due to the cost of Northern transportation.
Iqaluit is the only community in Nunavut which qualifies for free shipping with Amazon Prime.
But last month, Canada Post began enforcing its long-held return-to-sender policy for any misaddressed mail. Because those Amazon shipments were addressed to incorrect and fake postal codes, dozens of Amazon orders have been sent back to the company — even after being flown in to local post offices.
Northern grocers are horrifying. Don’t need a study to tell me that. Food handling and storage rules? If they are convenient, or if they get a heads up that the inspector is coming (and they get a big heads up on that, because the inspectors need somewhere to stay, plus they probably hit everyone else up on the way). If the item you are after is anything popular or in demand, it’s 2x-4x the price anywhere else is paying.