Shipyourreptiles.com, FEDEX Cert and other stuff

Hey all,

This post is mainly to bring to light how people feel about certain shipping arrangements. I've been reading a lot of different things out there on both the importance of getting FedEx Certified and the benefits of SYR. My main concern is that I've seen a good group of people say things like "If I knew a seller was using SYR I would cancel my transaction and move onto another seller".

I guess what I am trying to ask is which do you prefer and why? Would you be turned off from a sale because a seller uses one over the other and if so, please tell us your story.

I am Fedex certified, but have chosen to use SYR in the past. It is easy to use, they give great instructions on the website for packing the animals, and now offer live arrival guarantees - and the shipper is still the one packing the animal. What more could you want?

though i am going to try to get certified, it really dosent matter to me. they still get on the same trucks, to the airport, and back on the same trucks as eachother. im curious to hear others opinions as well.
spooky

It wouldn't matter one way or the other to me as a buyer as long as the animal arrives safely and on time. I think part of the public perception is that if you get FedEx certified, you must be a big breeder dealing with a lot of animals and you ship regularly, so there would be less chance of human error. Someone using SYR could be anyone off the street without a clue how to safely ship a reptile...

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Originally Posted by Inknsteel

I think part of the public perception is that if you get FedEx certified, you must be a big breeder dealing with a lot of animals and you ship regularly, so there would be less chance of human error. Someone using SYR could be anyone off the street without a clue how to safely ship a reptile...

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Good point! That is probably why some people are "stand-offish" about sellers who use SYR. Thanks for your contribution. :)

I am certified with FedEx, But I use SYR as Robyn gave my account great rates that FedEx can't Match Right now.

It makes no difference who you get the label from, FedEx or SYR as their goign to be handled the same way regardless. Its just do you want the customer to save 20-40$ per shipment.

I am Fedex certified however I chose to use SYR since it allows me to ship from residence to residence which is not technically allowed when certified even though everyone does it.
(Certification requires that shipment must be made Business to Business.)

SYR also provides insurance which is a great plus.

The bottom line to me when it comes to shipping is that the seller is knowledgeable and know how to pack, label and ship animals properly and legally.

SYR allows you to print your shipping label, YOU still need to know what you are doing when shipping and the snake is still delivered by Fedex regardless.

Being certified does not always mean that people will ship the animal properly, there have been threads in the past regarding improper shipping from people who were certified, (obviously them being certified did not mean anything.)

It even happened to me a few years back, this was the box I received from a Fedex Certified shipper.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/P7210031.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/P7210032.jpg

Obviously not acceptable, the box was cut and rebuilt (trying to save money I would assume) in other words the box structure was compromised which could have cause the animal to be crushed among other possible issues that could have arise.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I am Fedex certified however I chose to use SYR since it allows me to ship from residence to residence which is not technically allowed when certified even though everyone does it.
(Certification requires that shipment must be made Business to Business.)

SYR also provides insurance which is a great plus.

The bottom line to me when it comes to shipping is that the seller is knowledgeable and know how to pack, label and ship animals properly and legally.

SYR allows you to print your shipping label, YOU still need to know what you are doing when shipping and the snake is still delivered by Fedex regardless.

Being certified does not always mean that people will ship the animal properly, there have been threads in the past regarding improper shipping from people who were certified, (obviously them being certified did not mean anything.)

It even happened to me a few years back, this was the box I received from a Fedex Certified shipper.

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/P7210031.jpg

http://i954.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/P7210032.jpg

Obviously not acceptable, the box was cut and rebuilt (trying to save money I would assume) in other words the box structure was compromised which could have cause the animal to be crushed among other possible issues that could have arise.

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x100! Thanks Deborah!

1. SYR offers late arrival/dead animal insurance for the shipper.
2. I created my own FedEx account and got a quote for $5 more than SYR was offering.

Pretty cut and dry IMO.

At this rate, it sounds like I was talking to a handful of sticklers that just wanted to complain about something. Carry on. :)

One more advantage of SYR that I haven't seen mentioned yet is they have their own high-level customer service agent that they have instant access to in order to track down delayed shipment. All you have to do is call SYR in the event of a delay and they will take care of rest. Although I haven't yet had one of my shipments delayed (knock on wood), I appreciate they offer it since I have had to go through Fed Ex's customer service gauntlet with delayed packages as a buyer (shipper did not use SYR) and it is neither pleasant nor quick.

While I am certified, it doesn't matter to me either way. I take the time to make sure my packages are packed properly and will arrive safe (barring a shipping mishap). So far my shipping quotes from SYR and FedEx have been the same (within a dollar or 2). I have used both, but it is nice having my account to fall back on in case something happens with SYR.

I've shipped many ball pythons through SYR. I'm very pleased with the price and service. In fact, I've got another shipment going out on Monday.

Ive been certified for a long time and i cant remember the last time i shipped with it. Syr is so easy and i have never had any issues what so ever

I wouldn't buy an animal online in the first place. You don't actually see what you are getting, making it easier for the sellers to scam you. While I know that there are a lot of honorable sellers out there, there are a few that are not. I also like having a real connection with the people I buy from.

Rather than take the risk that an animal dies in shipping, I just go to expos and/or breeders to get my reptiles. Driving less than 100 miles really isn't a problem and it gives me more security in my purchases.

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Originally Posted by apple2

I wouldn't buy an animal online in the first place. You don't actually see what you are getting, making it easier for the sellers to scam you. While I know that there are a lot of honorable sellers out there, there are a few that are not. I also like having a real connection with the people I buy from.

Rather than take the risk that an animal dies in shipping, I just go to expos and/or breeders to get my reptiles. Driving less than 100 miles really isn't a problem and it gives me more security in my purchases.

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Shows are limited in stock and genetic mutations. Unless your driving to major big shows you will see the same stuff over and over. Online buying opens the door to everything that some shows dont have on display.

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Originally Posted by apple2

Rather than take the risk that an animal dies in shipping, I just go to expos and/or breeders to get my reptiles. Driving less than 100 miles really isn't a problem and it gives me more security in my purchases.

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The risk of animal dying in shipping is minimal to non-existent if temperatures are taken into account and proper packaging is used. I have never had an animal die in shipping and I very strongly suspect most people here who ship properly have not either.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

and the shipper is still the one packing the animal.

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that's the problem right there, It doesnt change how well the seller packs the animal. when i ordered my cinny girl in october, im in montreal so its chilly that time of yeah. i got her and she was pretty cool it was like 74 degrees in the box.

74 for a few hours isn't going to kill a ball. Most of mine arrived in the mid 70s.

Also my problem with SYR isn't SYR themselves. I find that it may give the seller a false sense of security it iliminates their use of common sense. for example if u get a kit with just a 40 hour heat pack but its 0(Celsius) degrees outside they may ship with that and not even think about extra heating.

all in all SYR is a great idea, the problem is all the bozos who just dont rly care about you getting a live animal after they got their money.

It's not difficult to find experienced shippers. If people want to shop around for the best possible deals from random shady people, then they take certain risks with the level of customer service and quality of animal. You get what you pay for.

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Originally Posted by Alex.B

Also my problem with SYR isn't SYR themselves. I find that it may give the seller a false sense of security it iliminates their use of common sense. for example if u get a kit with just a 40 hour heat pack but its 0(Celsius) degrees outside they may ship with that and not even think about extra heating.

all in all SYR is a great idea, the problem is all the bozos who just dont rly care about you getting a live animal after they got their money.

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I have some insight into the inner workings, live arrival success, and any DOAs that happen with ShipYourReptiles. Our users have a TREMENDOUS amount of success. I find them to be passionate keepers who care about their animals and healthy safe arrival. Rare DOA issues are due to carrier delays, mechanical issues, missed flights, not unhealthy animals sent by Scammy McGhee.

I believe SYR provides new and/or infrequent shippers a BETTER chance of success through education, packaging and support. And that is the whole goal.

It doesn't matter if they use SYR or their own cert account. It's all in the packing. A good, reputable seller will ensure you that they pack the snakes well and correctly and use the proper heat packs.

As for refusing to buy online.. There are select breeders who refuse to ever step foot into any show, expo, or even most pet stores for that matter. Simply because of the increased risk of bringing home things like mites or sickness to their own high dollar collection.. Food for thought...

I understand that it's up to the seller to pack the box correctly but what I think happens for the few that will only do business with FedEx certified is that to get FedEx certified, one must pass regulations and a "test box" to get certified. I know this doesn't really mean much because they can try really hard that one time [to get certified] and then turn around and not package the rest of their shipments appropriately but I understand where people that only use FedEx are coming from.

I personally like SYR for the many reasons listed throughout this thread but I was just shedding some light on why people may prefer FedEx over SYR.

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Originally Posted by Alex.B

all in all SYR is a great idea, the problem is all the bozos who just dont rly care about you getting a live animal after they got their money.

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A bozo will remain a bozo whether he uses SYR or his own fedex account read what I posted above this was with Fedex.

It all comes down to the person shipping and you can't teach common sense sadly.

Also 74 degrees in the shipping box is nothing to be worried about, the main issue with shipping is overheating, the animal being cool is not an issue.

The only DOA I received was sent by someone who told me they were using Fed Ex, then shipped the animals via UPS in a box marked only with 'perishable', and piled animals in on top of one another.
What the shipper says they are sending and what you receive won't always be the same thing, and that is why you should check references on everyone you buy from. Rarely, that won't be enough.
Buying in person doesn't save you, however--you don't know whether the snake you buy was exposed to illness, etc. There are always risks involved in buying animals.

Whether a person uses SYR or a separate Fed Ex account is pretty much irrelevant in the face of that.

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Originally Posted by Alex.B

Also my problem with SYR isn't SYR themselves. I find that it may give the seller a false sense of security it iliminates their use of common sense. for example if u get a kit with just a 40 hour heat pack but its 0(Celsius) degrees outside they may ship with that and not even think about extra heating.

all in all SYR is a great idea, the problem is all the bozos who just dont rly care about you getting a live animal after they got their money.

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SYR has several warnings and precautions about how and when to properly ship an animal, posted all over the website. A person who does so improperly using SYR will also do so if they are certified. Just because a person gets certified in the summer doesn't mean they will use the proper procedures in the middle of winter.

An idiot will be an idiot regardless of which course or path they use to be an idiot. The buyer needs to make the extra effort to ensure they are getting an animal from a reputable and knowledgeable seller that they can trust. Whether the seller is certified or uses SYR makes no difference and provides no reassurances. At least with SYR there is a guarantee. If something goes wrong with a certified shipper who uses improper procedures, you are stuck negotiating with that same person.

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Originally Posted by Anatopism

SYR has several warnings and precautions about how and when to properly ship an animal, posted all over the website. A person who does so improperly using SYR will also do so if they are certified. Just because a person gets certified in the summer doesn't mean they will use the proper procedures in the middle of winter.

An idiot will be an idiot regardless of which course or path they use to be an idiot. The buyer needs to make the extra effort to ensure they are getting an animal from a reputable and knowledgeable seller that they can trust. Whether the seller is certified or uses SYR makes no difference and provides no reassurances. At least with SYR there is a guarantee. If something goes wrong with a certified shipper who uses improper procedures, you are stuck negotiating with that same person.

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True. So much of it is personal responsibility and integrity. We work hard to give folks the information and support they need to be successful, but individuals also have to CARE to be successful : )