Fedex associates dont know anything about reptiles shipping

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Originally Posted by J.Vandegrift

I can guarantee you that they don't treat you box with any extra care. It gets stuck on the conveyer belt just like any other package and is dropped/thrown/slid just as much as any other package. Most of the package handling is done by machines so Fragile, perishable, Live animial is pretty meaningless. I have a buddy that worked for fedex for years and some of the stories that he has told me makes me surprised that any package makes it to it's destination undamaged.

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Best not to think about it huh. Its a good thing our snakes are tough!

I always keep it firmly in mind when I pack them. Extra crumpled newspaper never hurts. I don't want any space in there that the snake might slide or fall through. I try to package them to survive being thrown down a flight of stairs, because it just might happen. I pack deli cups for geckos pretty full of paper towel, too, for the same reason.

Ironically, in tests, it was USPS that handled packages most gently. UPS came in a far second, and Fed Ex third, for hard impacts. (USPS packages were rolled more, but less violently). Too bad they're not an option.

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Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

I always keep it firmly in mind when I pack them. Extra crumpled newspaper never hurts. I don't want any space in there that the snake might slide or fall through. I try to package them to survive being thrown down a flight of stairs, because it just might happen. I pack deli cups for geckos pretty full of paper towel, too, for the same reason.

Ironically, in tests, it was USPS that handled packages most gently. UPS came in a far second, and Fed Ex third, for hard impacts. (USPS packages were rolled more, but less violently). Too bad they're not an option.

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They are much cheaper too

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Originally Posted by jball1125

The girl who took my box flipped it in the air as she walked to put it in the outgoing section. I had to get her attention and tell her "Do you not see the big red letters that say perishable and fragile and the arrows pointing UP" ..... I swear some of these employees just don't give a crap.

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I would have dropped her on her head if I saw a person do that. And they don't, with anything. I swear if you don't have a tracking number on something (not reptiles of course) they always just so happen to lose it.

Great thread, I was just wondering about this sort of thing. I hope it goes well for me when I start shipping! I know there is at least one person shipping BPs through our FedEx hub so it *should* go smoothly.

As for the "handle with care" and "up" message.... it really does mean nothing. When I got my trio of het pieds I was sooo excited to pick them up! I got into the office, asked for it, she came back, and DROPPED it on the counter :mad: She probably dropped it on the floor before she brought it out for me :rolleyes:

A part of the hobby we just cant change. :(