How different breeders ship

[anthroterra]

I'm not sure how important packaging is to certain collectors, but it is to me. I typically have animals shipped to my work, and having a label that indicates snakes would freak out my phobic boss Health of the animal is also a big deal. I figured I'd share what I've seen with three of the large breeders I've had experience with. Please share yours

Royal Constrictor Designs (young ball python): Shipped within a few hours of my order. Emailed me that he had done so, complete with a tracking number, and requested that I let him know that he had arrived safely. Box was labeled "Perishable: handle with care" and nothing else indicating what was inside. The box was lined with styrofoam and had multiple heat packets that kept my mystic potion nice and warm. He was in a suitable size deli-style container with a moistened paper towel which was labeled with his morph, sex, and hatch date along with a business card. He will not sell an animal or ship it until it has shed and had it's first meal. Highly recommended!

VMS Herp (corn snakes): You can order any time, but he only ships on Tuesdays. He emails you in order to ensure that someone will be there to greet the delivery truck on the correct day and provides the tracking number. Box was labeled "Perishable: handle with care", but there were green stickers put over this that said "Live harmless reptiles: Do not expose to direct sun, heat or cold. Keep at 70*. Handle with care." One side has a green label with what was shipped checked off. Box lined with styrofoam. Snakes were in individual deli cups with morph, sex and hatch date labeled on them and a paper towel to hide in. He will not ship if the weather is too hot, cold, etc in your area the day of arrival.

Bob Clark (young ball python): Snake shipped the day after order with no email confirming that she was shipped and no tracking number. I emailed the next day to see if he shipped it and never did get a response, but she arrived safely. Box was labeled "Perishable: handle with care" and nothing else indicating what was inside. Box lined with styrofoam. Snake was in a cloth bag and cushioned with shredded newspaper. No paperwork or anything else indicating morph, sex, or hatch date. Also of note: she was very young and slightly underweight. I'm not sure if she had her first feeding prior to shipment, and she shed the second day I had her. Beautiful snake, but I'll never order from him again. (I had also ordered a snake from his website that he had forgotten to take off, so I sent him a payment for a snake he already sold. No response from him, but I discovered the error three days later and requested a refund. A month and a half and several emails later it still had not been refunded, so I just ordered a different snake and paid the difference)

[John1982]

That's an unfortunate experience you had with Bob Clark. I ordered from him some years ago and while I do remember receiving an invoice(still have it actually), I don't remember how the box was labelled.

I personally won't ship a live reptile without labelling the box as "live harmless reptile" in red marker on all four sides.

[Hannahshissyfix]

I won't order from Bob Clark. Well, more like can't. The few snakes I've been interested in I've gotten no email or phone reply and only once got an email a month after my inquiry and that was only after I complained to morph market about the lack of response. He clearly doesn't want my money so I will take it elsewhere or if he's overwhelmed he needs to pay help with all of the money he's making or cut down on production to be able to keep up.

[Jory10]

I am curious to see the responses to this thread. I purchased 2 bps from 2 different well known breeders, one 5 years ago and one this year. First the positive. They are both healthy, beautiful snakes. Both came in cardboard boxes/styrofoam/in cloth bags one with newspaper and one with paper towels. Both were marked perishable, handle with care. The most recent did state live animal. I did receive emails and tracking numbers on both. Both times I sent emails to confirm receipt of a healthy snake. The negative. The first breeder did respond to that email but nothing since. No paperwork came with either snake. No hatch date, no feeding records, no genetics. Neither breeder responded to requests for this information. Do breeders look differently at those of us that just want pets? I kind of felt like my one snake purchase wasn't important enough for them. Is this common in the industry or did I just happen to hit two of the less communicative breeders?

[Robyn@SYR]

I think the post sale experience is just as important as the presale. You have worked so hard to win someone's business, once you put a great looking animal in their hands, that is your opportunity to secure them as a long time customer, fan, and supporter.

Of course that starts with a great looking, healthy animal.

But the presentation and professionalism is also important. Your packaging, paperwork, contact info, those all play a key role as well.

We have done a bunch of photo galleries that show shipping technique from different breeders, with different species, and I think they show a lot of thought and consideration for the animals, as well as a professional presentation-

ball pythons- https://www.facebook.com/SYReptiles/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1024687237554442

baos- https://www.facebook.com/SYReptiles/photos/?tab=album&album_id=878513622171805

geckos- https://www.facebook.com/SYReptiles/photos/?tab=album&album_id=878507755505725

All of the various species shipping albums- https://www.facebook.com/SYReptiles/photos/?tab=albums

As for exterior labeling, there is a legal federal requirement involving the Lacey Act, and the F&W services have become more particular about it over the years. We cover proper Lacey Act labeling at ShipYourReptiles, in the Get Help section.

Great thread.

[Hannahshissyfix]

I feel like since I left a negative review I should also leave a positive. Will Bird of Extraordinary ectotherms was great to deal with. Well spoken and just over all more concerned and enthusiastic about the animals he produces before and after shipment. I should add I've received close to 20 bp shipped to me over the last year alone. The absolute worst experience would be from yang weiyu but I have a whole seperate post on that mess.