I hope this is a lesson to new fresh shippers out there and Im sure that most know this but...
I recently bought a male pin and we were holding off on shipping bc of the weather. Monday the shipper contacted me and asked bc of the temps if I wanted to hold off. As a shipper myself I started asking about his shipping procedures and asking if he had certain supplies ie: 40 hr heat packs a couple of ship your reptiles boxes the styrofoam inserts and a styrofoam cooler box. When I ship in cold weather around 32.F I use all of these supplies on 1 shipment. It's always worked well and my animals have arrived safely. I was told he did and since the temps were in range I said that was the only way I was comfortable shipping. We agreed and he told me that if he was going to ship out he'd give me a call. I didn't hear from him and assumed he didn't ship but sent an email anyways to find out. The next morning my doorbell rang and ups dropped off a single cardboard box. I knew immediately that my pinstripe was dead. I opened the box and it was true. I was already In shock that he never called to give tracking, and used the company that I wasn't comfortable with, but also that he never followed what method of packing we both agreed was safest. I pulled apart the packaging, a little crumpled newspaper, and two handwarmers and I was compleatly disgusted that not only was I lied to and the animal died. But this snake never had a chance! Hand warmers are not heat packs especially 40 hr heat packs, they aren't ever ok to ship reptiles with . And a single box is not adequate for winter shipping in my experience. Even though I asked questions and was most definatley lied to this is a lesson to me that not everyone cares or cares to learn how to safely ship these guys. It can be done safely and it's our responsibility to provide it for them.
Morgan Weiss