Shipping Concern Not Thought Of

[guidofatherof5]

This was a terrible week on the Ranch. I shipped out my two best colored albino T. s. parietalis - Red Sided Garter Snake babies to WA. The temps were perfect for the departure and arrival locations. I shipped after the sun went down and they would be delivered in the morning. Approximately 12 hours in shipping time.
What I didn't check was the temp of the distribution location, which was Memphis, TN(all FedEx packages are sorted and distributed in Memphis) This in itself wasn't a real issue as they would only be on the ground for an hour during the early AM. Little did I know my babies would be stuck in Memphis for 12 hours because of a mechanical problem with the plane. They were in a warehouse in 90+ temps.
The lesson I learned cost those poor little snakes their lives.
This will force me to have a shorter shipping window in the Spring and Fall.
Just something to consider when shipping, check all the temps. that are pertinent to your shipment.

[infernalis]

I am so sorry Steve.... sad news.

[chris-uk]

It was a bit of bad luck, you did pretty much everything to minimise the risk but it's the unforeseeable problem that throws out the best laid plan. The only good thing is that you have looked at what went wrong and will modify your shipping procedures.
It makes me more grateful that shipping isn't necessary for me.

[kueluck]

That's so sad the little ones went through this, and I also feel sorry for the the recipient who didn’t get the babies. Not to sound heartless, but does FedEx reimburse you for the shipping fees and cost of snakes?

[guidofatherof5]

They did refund the shipping cost but there is no compensation for the snakes.

[gibble888]

Didnt i hear someone on here saying about shipping insurance and the cost was like $2.50 to cover a $100 snake...if i remember right it was usps?

[guidofatherof5]

Didnt i hear someone on here saying about shipping insurance and the cost was like $2.50 to cover a $100 snake...if i remember right it was usps?

Shipping snakes through USPS is forbidden, so insurance would be moot. I know people do it though.

This is FedEx.

Note: Up to $100 is automatically covered on shipments of NON-LIVE ITEMS ONLY. Carrier does NOT guarantee any LIVE or perishable merchandise. Even additional purchased insurance coverage is for NON-LIVE ITEMS ONLY.

[gibble888]

Darn that sucks! So who is considered among us to be the better shipper? Ive heard the term fedex certified....any good?

[guidofatherof5]

Darn that sucks! So who is considered among us to be the better shipper? Ive heard the term fedex certified....any good?

I'm FedEx certified but use Reptilesexpress.com They offer a much better price and can ship to a residence. Refunds are also available if it is late due to carrier problems.
With my FedEx account shipping is usually $20.00 higher. I must also ship to a FedEx hub or business address. Residential deliveries are forbidden. I also can't ask for a refund under any circumstance.
This last incident was my first trouble with FedEx. I will continue to use them though.

[rickymar81]

Sorry to here about that steve. Poor lil guys :(

[Mommy2many]

I'm so sorry to hear of this, Steve. Also, condolences to Richard as well.

[Robyn@TRR]

I'm FedEx certified but use Reptilesexpress.com They offer a much better price and can ship to a residence. Refunds are also available if it is late due to carrier problems.
With my FedEx account shipping is usually $20.00 higher. I must also ship to a FedEx hub or business address. Residential deliveries are forbidden. I also can't ask for a refund under any circumstance.
This last incident was my first trouble with FedEx. I will continue to use them though.

ReptilesExpress doesn't have any more special refund privileges than you do. In their contract, they are forbidden to ask for refunds or adjustments just like everyone else, including ShipYourReptiles.

ShipYourReptiles has created a self-funded insurance program to address this very need. $2.50 per $100 in value (up to $10,000 on the site) and you are covered for late arrival (shipping refunded) and late arrival and DOA (refund to the total amount of the insurance). No other service offers live arrival insurance, not RE, FedEx, UPS, Delta, any air freight, just SYR.

You can also ship to and from Residential addresses with SYR. All of these benefits are ones that we pioneered. I wish RE had the integrity not to game the system and offer refunds "if available", but I can only control the high standards and integrity of SYR.

We also have a micro-donation function on the site where you can donate as little as 50 cents per shipment to USARK and PIJAC, in order to fight for our rights to keep reptiles and preserve the reptile hobby and industry. We have raised thousands of dollars, 50 cents at a time, since the program started in March. That's pretty awesome.

Rates start at 20% off the FedEx retail rate and can improve with volume and need.

[gregmonsta]

Was sorry to read this Steve. Still, a new thing to be aware of. It doesn't take much. This April in the car, when dropping off snakes for Chris and Rod, it was amazing how quickly the sunshine was amplified when it was stationary. In the space of an hour I needed to wind windows down inspite of the cool air temps. This was in the UK, nevermind a transport hub in a warm state on your side of the pond.

[chris-uk]

Was sorry to read this Steve. Still, a new thing to be aware of. It doesn't take much. This April in the car, when dropping off snakes for Chris and Rod, it was amazing how quickly the sunshine was amplified when it was stationary. In the space of an hour I needed to wind windows down inspite of the cool air temps. This was in the UK, nevermind a transport hub in a warm state on your side of the pond.

It was a particularly sunny day for April in the north of England...
I'm glad we don't need to ship snakes in the UK, distances are just about manageable even from Greg in Scotland if we arrange a meeting point - I had a six hour round trip, but the distances in the US would be crazy long drives. Getting garters from Holland isn't too difficult now that people like Sjoerd and Steven Bol come to the UK once or twice a year.

Shipping reptiles would have me pacing the room all the time they were in transit. It's a necessary evil for you guys in the states though. :(

[Robyn@TRR]

I'm really sorry to hear of the loss of the snakes, that is never easy. I do think FedEx will give you the best possible results for the future, don't lose hope on future shipments.

[ConcinusMan]

I do think FedEx will give you the best possible results for the future, don't lose hope on future shipments.

I don't get it. Doesn't seem to matter what middleman you use, if any. They still go fedex, and they all ship to memphis first even if you ship a package from Utah, to Minnesota. Ridiculous. Lesson learned. Always check the temps in Memphis and ship as if they will spend all day there, even though they aren't supposed to.


This will force me to have a shorter shipping window in the Spring and Fall.

Yeah, I don't get that. I ship all dang summer long without fatalities. Of course, they don't go to friggen memphis first though. I thought your shipping windows were way restrictive as it is. I do check L.A. ,Salt Lake city, and destination address temps because my packages always transfer in Salt Lake or occasionally L.A. Nobody can predict them getting stuck at the transfer city all day but if I planned for that, I'd have perhaps on 10 days a year I could ship and that just isn't going to work. I think incidents like this are rare enough that the chances of it happening makes it no more of a risk than shipping is under the best of circumstances. They might get stuck in Memphis all day Steve but they might also get struck by lighting or get caught in an August snow storm too. If you wait for Memphis' high to cool down that's just about the time it's starts freezing in Portland during the hours they are supposed arrive here. :cool:

[ConcinusMan]

This last incident was my first trouble with FedEx. I will continue to use them though.

I'd settle for just one fedex experience where they arrive on time without any fatalities but that hasn't happened yet.

[guidofatherof5]

Please keep my little scrubs in your thoughts and prayers as I make another attempt to ship to WA, via Omaha and Memphis. Temps look great for all location.
They will leave Omaha in the low 60's, arrive in Memphis in the low 60's and arrive in Vancouver in the low 50's.
Deli cups with vent holes and a damp paper towel placed inside a snake bag that is zip tied shut. This in a 7x7x7 insulated box with packing peanuts on the top, bottom and sides.

[guidofatherof5]

A slight sigh of relief, they've departed Memphis.

[guidofatherof5]

They've arrived in the Portland sort facility.

[guidofatherof5]

Now they are out for delivery.

[chris-uk]

Hopefully they'll be delivered soon.

I'm sure the previous problem was a freak occasion caused by the aircraft mechanical issues.

[guidofatherof5]

They were delivered and are doing well.

[ConcinusMan]

They seem fine. That male normal won't leave the albinos alone. He's trying to mate with them. They're still babies. geez. Had to separate him.

[mikem]

Glad everything went well with this shipment :)

[guidofatherof5]

They seem fine. That male normal won't leave the albinos alone. He's trying to mate with them. They're still babies. geez. Had to separate him.

That little male is a live wire.

[ConcinusMan]

Tell me about it. geez... slightest shadow or vibration and he launches himself vertically. Smells a female and he gyrates horizontally. I think it's safe to say he's a bit high strung. When I opened the container (I did so on the floor) he launched out and landed 2 feet away on the carpet. He managed this even though their body temp was about 50 degrees F. (it was chilly this morning, low of 45F) The rest of them were slow moving/sluggish as I would expect. Not this guy. he's apparently ready for action even when cold. After he warmed up, he was ready for action with any female snake that moved. He apparently fancies himself to be an astronaut and a "ladies man"

After warming up to 85 F, They ALL chomped down some chunky style "pinky mouse + fish salad w/ rodent blood dressing" without hesitation. (eating and making love to anything that moves) I take that as a sign that they are probably OK. :D

[EKS56]

:(