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.

[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.