Shipping discussions

[mikem]

Perhaps this is a question for another thread, but I'm sticking it here

The few times that I've shipped reptiles, I've always used SYR and with my last shipment, I tried ReptilesExpress. If I ever decide to become a certified shipper, I would only be allowed to ship to other businesses? My reading comprehension may not be up to par this morning, but that's how I read it from this thread. What are the advantages of being a certified shipper versus just using SYR or ReptileExpress?

[EasternGirl]

Wow...I had to scroll through a lot of pages of arguing...just saying....anyway, I just got shipping materials from SYR...who have a license to ship through Fed ex. From what I understand, it is not illegal to ship non-venomous reptiles...but Fed ex and UPS will often refuse to do it unless the shipping co. has a special license to do so. With that being said, many people ship without using a company such as SYR. I am using them because it is my first time shipping and I wanted all of the shipping materials and so forth. I appreciate your first post, Richard, as I was wondering about SYR telling me to poke holes in the box and through the insulation foam. I was also wondering whether or not I should use the heat pack they provided. SYR will not ship if it is below freezing...so I think I am going to simply pack the snakes up in the insulated box inside the snake bags provided...put some packing peanuts around them so they can't get jossled around, and then seal up the box without poking holes or putting in the heat pack. I know that my main breeder, Jason, packs using insulation...and he doesn't poke holes in the box or insulation. He only uses heat packs if absolutely necessary...but he does not use the oxygen activated ones like SYR supplies. I like SYR because they will come to your house to pick up the package, and they are allowed to mark the package "Live reptiles"...so I know that care is being taken when handling the package. Anyway, thanks for the info.

And OMG...Mike...I just read your quote on your signature line! Too monkey fighting funny!!!!

[twgrosmick]

The advantage to being certified is that if all else fails and the SYR and reptiles express get shut down because of people doing it improperly then you will have a fall back. I used SYR for the longest time and just recently switched over to reptilesexpress... I do poke holes in, I do use the air activated heat packs, and I have never had a problem.

If SYR is supplying you with those heat packs what would make you think they wouldn't work. I used SYR for years and have never had a problem. Up until Andy came aboard the customer service was far from desirable but that was my only complaint. After using reptilesexpress and seeing the night and day price difference between the two I don't plan on going back to the other anytime soon.

Just my two cents on the two companies and packing supplies.. I shipped a package today to Alaska where high temps for the day are about 15 degrees so I will know tomorrow if my packaging and method held up to the test of below freezing (which I am extremely confident it will)

** UPS is no longer an option ** That deal was ruined because of irresponsible shippers. Now FedEx is your only option unless you take it to the airport

[guidofatherof5]

I am now a certified reptile shipper with FedEx. Before then I violated FedEx policy and shipped snakes anyway. Once I found out how easy it was to become certified I did so. A clear conscience was the driving force.
I have a business account with FedEx so my shipping rates are lower then "off the street people"
This puts the cost to ship right at the Shipyourreptile or Reptilesexpress price. It looks like the advantage to using those companies might be the fact your can purchase an on-time guarantee which isn't available as a certified shipper through FedEx.

I can ship to a residential address if the person has a legit business they are running from their home. In the same way I can have reptiles shipped to my resident/business address.
I like picking up at the Fedex hub as my snakes stay inside a climate controlled area until I pick them up. Less truck time is a good thing.

[twgrosmick]

they are allowed to mark the package "Live reptiles"...so I know that care is being taken when handling the package.

Unfortunately this isn't always the case. I know people who have shipped both ways with live reptile on the side and just perishable on the side and occasionally the reptiles ones would get thrown around more...

Just like at an airport you can mark something fragile, but if someone is having a bad day...

[ConcinusMan]

they are allowed to mark the package "Live reptiles"...so I know that care is being taken when handling the package.

You're kidding right? I used to work for FedEx transferring the packages from plane to truck and visa-versa. They treat the packages the same, regardless of the "fragile" or "live" labels and I gotta tell you, they are far from gentle. Packages get thrown, dropped, slammed on the floor, etc. every day. Quite often, packages bust open and we would have to re-tape them. They don't care about careful handling. Moving them swiftly is all they care about. And yeah, there's even a-holes that will treat a package worse if it says "LIVE" anything on it.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

Im not trying to get in the middle of this , but i thought you always no matter what the temp is have to use an insulated box with at least 3/4" styrofoam. I watched a video on syr and spoke with fedex about this.

this is your opinion and while most of it is what i would recommend i only use insulation in extreme temps, rarely if ever use a heat pack unless borderline freezing, and i have always used somewhat flexible deli cups and never had an issue.

I have never lost a snake in over 5 years of shipping. What works for one person doesn't necessarily mean it is the only way. I apologize if i am coming off as attacking you but after reading that post i felt like you were basically saying your way is the only right way to do it and that is not the case.

Back to the original post i shipped to robert last week with my temps hovering around 40 and his temps at 75. No insulation, no heat packs, and snakes arrived healthy as always.

Also.... Shipping usps is and always has been illegal to ship snakes. The only way to legally ship reptiles is to get certified through fedex or go through a company such as syr.

[ConcinusMan]

I've rarely shipped without it. It's cheap enough and only takes a few minutes to cut it to line the box. And I don't poke holes in it. It's not like it's air tight. Holes in the box and insulation are not necessary and completely defeats the purpose. I recently discovered a foam board that insulates as well as 1 inch styrofoam but is only 1/2 inch thick. Anyway, the boards are available at home depot or Lowes.

[twgrosmick]

Im not trying to get in the middle of this , but i thought you always no matter what the temp is have to use an insulated box with at least 3/4" styrofoam. I watched a video on syr and spoke with fedex about this.

Yes that is correct. I was unaware of that until I recently spoke with Debby at reptilesexpress. The requirement is actually 1/2 inch styrofoam but 3/4 seems to be the standard. You also don't have to use a box from SYR it just has to be a FedEx approved box which has the stamp on the bottom showing that will hold up under certain stress.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I couldn't remember how thick it was, but i knew it had to be present in every box.