Help allay my fears of getting a ball python shipped to me.

With 15 ball pythons in my collection, I have managed to buy all of them from local breeders, reptile shows, pet stores, and reptile-specific stores. I have never had a snake shipped to me, but would like to make my next purchase in this manner. I have done the research on the business I will potentially purchase from, and they have nothing but positive reviews.

How many of the ball pythons in your collection were shipped to you? Any problems occur? Thanks in advance!

Mark

Hi Mark,

I think the best way to allay your fears is just to wait until spring. If you ship in April or better yet May, the chances of your beastie freezing to death in on a runway in Denver or baking to death on a runway in Phoenix are pretty much nil--even if something goes wrong and the snake ends up bouncing around the country for an extra day or two.

But I'd also check the BoI before buying, too--some breeders do a better job of packaging than others. And some are known to go beyond the call of duty when a snake does get lost in the system. If at all possible, you want one of those people at the other end of the transaction.

(For what it's worth, I've had over half my collection shipped to me. And nothing bad has ever happened, except that I've had snakes arrive from Florida in February cold and grumpy. But I've been very lucky--I wasn't always as careful as I could have been researching breeders.)

I've had good experiences for the most part I've only received 1 doa snake. And through shipping I've received 25 out of my 30. Shipping works well as Long as the shipper is responsible and packs right. But it's totally true of you want to be absolutely sure ask the seller If
They would be willing to wait
For another month or two.

If your shipper does their job responsibly, uses proper materials and follows proper weather guidelines, there is no reason to expect anything less than a safe live arrival.

We did 50,000 shipments last year through our ShipYourReptiles.com site. DOA's and exceptions were less than one percent OF ONE PERCENT! That is a very low number : )

Most of my animals have been shipped to me (only 7 were picked up at shows), most of the animals I have sold were also shipped, and I never had any problem on either end.

I've had at least 6 snakes shipped to me with no problems.

ALot of the big name breeders post vids on youtube of there shipping methods which I think is awesome. Check em out and you will lose your fear;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

If your shipper does their job responsibly, uses proper materials and follows proper weather guidelines, there is no reason to expect anything less than a safe live arrival.

We did 50,000 shipments last year through our ShipYourReptiles.com site. DOA's and exceptions were less than one percent OF ONE PERCENT! That is a very low number : )

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Thanks Robin (and everyone else)! I'm glad to see that SYR is up and running again.

I have had at least over fifty snakes shipped to me, and have shipped out more that that. All have arrived safely, and I have never had any sick snakes due to shipping. The last snake two shipments that I shipped out was around Christmas, which was very cold in my area, and they both arrived safely. As long as the shipped follows proper shipping procedures, they should be fine. You should ask the shipped about their shipping guarantees though. If they do not offer live arrival guarantee, do not buy from them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

If your shipper does their job responsibly, uses proper materials and follows proper weather guidelines, there is no reason to expect anything less than a safe live arrival.

We did 50,000 shipments last year through our ShipYourReptiles.com site. DOA's and exceptions were less than one percent OF ONE PERCENT! That is a very low number : )

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I agree with what Robyn said here..

I've gotten snakes every way you could think of from hand delivered to Delta Dash and it always comes down to the shipper's ability to properly package and schedule the animals trip. That's not to say that stuff doesn't happen but the chances can be greatly reduced by good shipping methods..

I've got maybe 90 out of the 100+ snakes in the collection shipped to me form every where from NH to NA and never had a problem, but then again the shippers were top notch and experienced..

My first shipment got here with no problems earlier this week. I have my 2nd and 3rd shipments on the way to me right now. Both of them got to the Tennessee hub from different starting locations last night, and only one of them made it on the plane here. It's not always about the seller. Sometimes Fedex can be retarded too.

The seller is working with Fedex to try and get my girl to me today, but I highly doubt that's going to happen. Most likely I'll get a half frozen BP tomorrow morning :(

Oh right... I was supposed to allay your fears.

And he was DOA from a regurge. I'm 1 for 3 now with shipping, and I'm extremely upset atm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitzu

And he was DOA from a regurge. I'm 1 for 3 now with shipping, and I'm extremely upset atm.

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umm.. dumb question?? regurge..did they feed the animal before shipping??

I guess? I didn't even think to ask an experienced, reputable breeder when he last ate. I just asked when he could ship.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitzu

I guess? I didn't even think to ask an experienced, reputable breeder when he last ate. I just asked when he could ship.

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What did the seller have to say?

He refunded immediately on paypal and apologized profusely after I sent him a pic and video of me opening the box. This sucks so bad... this boy was gorgeous and now I still have one stuck in Tennessee.

I swear if I get a 2nd DOA snake in 2 days I'm going to go stand in front of a train.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitzu

He refunded immediately on paypal and apologized profusely after I sent him a pic and video of me opening the box. This sucks so bad... this boy was gorgeous and now I still have one stuck in Tennessee.

I swear if I get a 2nd DOA snake in 2 days I'm going to go stand in front of a train.

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:gj:

At least u got refunded.

Hopefully your next one comes in fine. Whats fedex have to say about it?

Seller has been working with them all day, and he got them to ship it to Denver instead of holding it at TN until tomorrow. So... I *may* have an opportunity to pick up my snake at the Fedex office @ the Denver airport tonight before they close. Probably close to a 2 hour drive at this time of day, but worth it. I doubt her heat packs are going to last another night.

All of this crap because the shipping label came off of the box... a label that Fedex put on there, not the seller.

Wow! :O I hope this one works out for you spitzu... Keep us updated when you pick it up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spitzu

Seller has been working with them all day, and he got them to ship it to Denver instead of holding it at TN until tomorrow. So... I *may* have an opportunity to pick up my snake at the Fedex office @ the Denver airport tonight before they close. Probably close to a 2 hour drive at this time of day, but worth it. I doubt her heat packs are going to last another night.

All of this crap because the shipping label came off of the box... a label that Fedex put on there, not the seller.

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Oh Fedex :mad: :colbert:
This is why I've been trying to find local breeders, but I haven't found many in Southern California yet :/ I would only have a snake shipped if I purchased from a company/breeder that is well known and has many positive reviews, as well as a description of their shipping methods.

Cold, but alive ;)

http://184.72.239.143/mu/aefda596-e927-fbdc.jpg

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

Oh congratz! Glad 2/3 turned out ok!

[QUOTE=loonunit;1506425](For what it's worth, I've had over half my collection shipped to me. And nothing bad has ever happened.)QUOTE]

Ditto.

I've never had a problem with a snake being shipped to me, but if you're able to it's always best to wait for warmer weather.

I've had both of mine shipped to me, and have had my Salamander shipped also.

Everything turned out okay, the salamander was shipped during winter and they forgot to put in a heat pack so he was almost frozen but he will be 3 this November and is going strong.

Both snakes shipped out and arrived on time healthy and the boxes still warm from the heat packs (I live in Alaska).

ive had 2 snakes shiped to me together and both are alive the only problem is that they have a bad attitude but probobly not from the shipping;)

I'm finally getting my first shipped ball python tomorrow! :banana: I'll update with details once it gets in. *Fingers are crossed*

Mark