Shipping advice please

So my first ever attempt at receiving shipped ball pythons will happen this week. They are pretty much coming across the country. I am so nervous. I am asking for any tips anyone has on receiving the package ect ect ect. My husband and I will both be home on the day they arrive. Cant wait but the anxiety is killing me!

I'm the same boat as you lol, I used to travel for work & always picked up a snake during my travels all over the eastern US. My first shipped fella will be here Wed am. I'm a night person and usually am going to bed like now, I'm nervous like you :)

There's not much to offer in the way of tips for receiving. Just make sure you get the tracking number and be up and ready for the FedEx truck in the morning. Don't attack the delivery guy when he drives up, he'll think you're a little weird! LOL

DO make sure that you contact the seller to let them know that your baby arrived safe and sound once you've unpacked him/her and got them settled. We also love to hear that you love your new baby! :D

Also, if you have ANY concerns at all with the animal, contact your seller IMMEDIATELY - know their TOS regarding the sale.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

DO make sure that you contact the seller to let them know that your baby arrived safe and sound once you've unpacked him/her and got them settled. We also love to hear that you love your new baby! :D

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Definitely agree with that. I have never lost a snake during shipping, but I still get a little nervous every time I ship. It's definitely a relief to find out that they made it ok and that the person is happy with them.

I make sure I'm up and ready and watching for the FedEx/UPS truck. I've had drivers that didn't even ring the door or leave a note, they just put in the system "no one home" and left, GRRR. Thankfully, that wasn't a live animal, but still !!

So now I'm up, ready and watching the door, LOL.

Once the package arrives, I have my camera ready and waiting, as well as a digital scale prepared. Carefully unpack the animal and do a quick visual inspection. Make sure its breathing normal, no clicking or mucous. Then I make a few pictures. Finally I weigh the snake and then set it up in the tub/cage and leave it alone (aside from the absolute necessities like cleaning) until it has eaten at least twice.

Next I inform the seller about the snake arriving and its condition, etc.

If there is a problem with the snake, make pictures, and inform the seller IMMEDIATELY. If there is a "dead on arrival" make pictures or better yet a short video and then put the snake in the fridge, until you get instructions from the seller on how to proceed in order to get a refund.

All my snakes have always arrived save and sound, so try not to worry to much

:)

Do I open it and check out the snake before I sign for it? Will they even let me do that? Thanks for the tips so far guys.. and Lisa let me know how your receiving goes.
Thanks,
Nikki

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Originally Posted by corgigirl9

Do I open it and check out the snake before I sign for it? Will they even let me do that? Thanks for the tips so far guys.. and Lisa let me know how your receiving goes.
Thanks,
Nikki

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No - the delivery driver isn't going to wait around for you to open it and examine it. Sign for it and then come on inside and unpack it!

i really u nderstand where ur coming from!! my first ball python was ordered online, and it turned out great... u should b ok, if the animal arrives dead or anything wrong with it take pictures and send them in...and u should get another one free....Hope everything turns out good

okay so what happens if the box looks damaged when the delivery man shows up? (Sorry for the stupid questions but I had a laptop goes missing for months because the box was damaged, i refused to sign for it, then Fedex lost it)

If the box is damaged ignore it for now, unless it damaged your snake on the inside. Take photo evidence of everything if something is wrong.

Everything is usually fine, I just got my new blood python in the mail last week and I'm in Alaska.

But I always get my animals held for pick up.

When I got Zohan (male lemon pastel) from Robin, I was in a total state of nervousness from the time she let me know that she had dropped him off for shipping until the fed-ex man walked into my office. Actually I met him out in the hallway because I'd been watching out the window for him to pull up... LOL I went nearly nuts with worry, constantly checking the tracking all night and all morning.

Things that will help: watch your coffee intake as it makes the anxiety worse. :P

If the box appears damaged, I would ask the delivery person to wait. Usually they will if there is visible damage to the package.

So my first shipping experience went well. Other then the fact that I had originally purchased a pair and unfortunate things happened to the female and so I ended up only purchasing the male. But the shipping went well. He is currently quarantined and hopefully happy in his new environment. Thanks for all the advice again!