NOT Happy!

So i just got my new snake today from mues155, Adriane. That whole process went flawlessly, a pleasure to do business with!
Now for the bad part. The FedEx tracking was nice, i followed the whole thing which was cool. My girl was supposed to arrive by 12pm. So i woke up at like 8:30am this morning. Checked the steps to see if she was there and she wasnt. Ok so im sitting watching tv all morning right next to the window waiting for the fedex truck. So finally the mail truck comes at like 11:15am. So finally at like 12 my grandpa walks over from next door and comes inside saying "oh mike this package was on your steps". Its my snake!!! I was like wtf when did fedex come?!?! I always hear it when it pulls up in front of my house! Its impossible not to with the squeaky brakes!
So my question is now: is it possible the mail lady delivered it? Im pretty sure she didnt and the fedex guy was just really sneaky. But doesnt he need to get my signature since it says "live harmless reptile" on like every side of the box??? The snake was fine, a little frazzled from her journey but still a nice big, friendly girl! Im seriously considering putting a call or email into fedex, but before i do someone please tell me if what i experienced was normal...

I do not think I have ever actually signed for one, they just hand me the box.

I just got my black pastel yesterday and FedEx needed a signature other wise I was not getting my snake, your FedEx guy might have just dropped it off and put a fake sig on his pad? Check the tracking number and see who signed for it? If it says you signed for it and never did I would call!
Tom

A signature being required is usually up to the seller. Many do not make signatures required, do to the chance of no one being home or them missing the door (like you did) and the package being sent back to the Fedex hub. Then the snake would have to spend a whole extra night in transit.

This has always been my understanding anyways...Correct me if I'm wrong.

Ok maybe ill have to look into it more then. It says it was dropped off at 10:30am so that means she was sitting on my step for like an hr and a half. Im glad she was ok but still, he could have at least wrung the doorbell! He definetly made no effort whatsoever to even knock on the door because me or my parents would have heard him...
I was in very good contact with Adriane throughout the entire process. She knew i was gunna be home so she probably opted for no sig required. A good learning experience for me i guess. Next time ill just leave my dog outside all morning so ill know from the barking when hes here :D

EDIT: ok i just checked the tracking # and it does say: Signed for by: Sig not required
My mistake. But still ringing the doorbell or knocking wouldnt have killed him... I know they are under time restraints but those should NOT interfere with their customer service. Another reason why i prefer UPS lol

Another reason why I pick every snake up at the hub :) Glad everything went well though!

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

Another reason why I pick every snake up at the hub :) Glad everything went well though!

Regards,

B

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I think that just depends on the situation. My FEDEX folks are really solid and I live in San Diego where the weather is always pretty sweet, so delivery is not an issue. I have picked up at the hub before, and that works as well, but my hub is only 5 miles away.

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Originally Posted by jinx667

I think that just depends on the situation. My FEDEX folks are really solid and I live in San Diego where the weather is always pretty sweet, so delivery is not an issue. I have picked up at the hub before, and that works as well, but my hub is only 5 miles away.

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All the more reason to make the drive. Tons of horror stories about snakes getting lost on trucks, cooking on the dash, delivered late, missing deliveries, etc. Soon as that snake leaves the hub, too many variables. That's just my motto though. When I'm buying a snake I am buying that individual snake. A replacement or my money back if something screws up is not going to replace that individual snake. I always recommend to save the trouble and pickup at the hub. Just my $.02...

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

All the more reason to make the drive. Tons of horror stories about snakes getting lost on trucks, cooking on the dash, delivered late, missing deliveries, etc. Soon as that snake leaves the hub, too many variables. That's just my motto though. When I'm buying a snake I am buying that individual snake. A replacement or my money back if something screws up is not going to replace that individual snake. I always recommend to save the trouble and pickup at the hub. Just my $.02...

Regards,

B

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I honestly didnt know that wa an option! How would i do this, for future reference?
The hub is 45minutes away but i would definetly be willing to make that short trip!

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Originally Posted by jinx667

I live in San Diego where the weather is always pretty sweet, so delivery is not an issue.

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Just rub it in lol... You cannot even begin to understand my dislike of living in CT lol.

The sender just has to mark for it to be held at the hub for pickup. It has to be done on the sender's end of the transaction.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

But doesnt he need to get my signature since it says "live harmless reptile" on like every side of the box??? The snake was fine, a little frazzled from her journey but still a nice big, friendly girl! Im seriously considering putting a call or email into fedex, but before i do someone please tell me if what i experienced was normal...

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It seems counter intuitive but it was a bad idea for the shipper to cover the box in Live Animals or Live Reptiles. All that is required for Lacy Act is to write "Live Harmless Wildlife" normal size with a regular pen somewhere near the label. This is also what SYR recommends.


Many Fed Ex workers do not like reptiles. They often do not treat regular packages well as it is but I've read many stories about the workers drop kicking and shaking packages marked live reptiles. It isn't inconceivable your delivery person didn't alert you on purpose.

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I honestly didnt know that wa an option! How would i do this, for future reference?
The hub is 45minutes away but i would definetly be willing to make that short trip!

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I agree, picking up is the best way to go. Just ask the seller to have the package held for pickup at whichever hub is closest to you. They are usually ready for pickup at 9:00am.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

I honestly didnt know that wa an option! How would i do this, for future reference?
The hub is 45minutes away but i would definetly be willing to make that short trip!

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You lookup the Fedex World Service Center (HUB) and have the order sent hold for pickup. The label is addressed as follows:

Hold for P/u
C/o Your Name
Fedex World Service Center
HUB ADDRESS
HUB ADDRESS

Any knowledgable shipper should know and prefer this option. I've received every shipped snake in my collection this way and I've never had a bad experience thread or story :) They know me there now and the lady says "Here for more snakes, get these things out of here!" And then we both laugh and I go home without incident. I highly recommend that people take advantage of this. It just eliminates so many potential issues in shipping.

Regards,

B

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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky Dragons

It seems counter intuitive but it was a bad idea for the shipper to cover the box in Live Animals or Live Reptiles. All that is required for Lacy Act is to write "Live Harmless Wildlife" normal size with a regular pen somewhere near the label. This is also what SYR recommends.


Many Fed Ex workers do not like reptiles. They often do not treat regular packages well as it is but I've read many stories about the workers drop kicking and shaking packages marked live reptiles. It isn't inconceivable your delivery person didn't alert you on purpose.




I agree, picking up is the best way to go. Just ask the seller to have the package held for pickup at whichever hub is closest to you. They are usually ready for pickup at 9:00am.

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Good post. Luckily my local HUB lets me grab them at 8:30.:gj:

Regards,

B

It actually only says it on one side and the top. I was pissed so exxaggerated slightly.
Ive talked with the seller. Someone in NY received a snake today too and the sig was require for them, so idk what happened exactly. It was a simple mistake and she was very apologetic and concerned about the snake. So im not really worried too much about it. I'll definetly opt to go pick them Up at the hub next time! I dont trust those delivery men anymore after this!

nothing else needs

Just so you know. I had a baby pied male shipped to me a year ago. It so happened we got an unexpected cold snap right when he shipped. I was home, on the couch all day waiting.

The FedEx driver dropped the box on my snow covered deck and walked away. No knock, no nothing. If I had been in the kitchen, or gone to the restroom, or anything else so I wasn't 3 feet from my door, I would never have known he arrived and he would have frozen to death.

As it was, he was terribly cold and stiff when I got him out of the box, he made it but still. I went online to check, and I was supposed to sign for him, the driver marked it as hazardous delivery, or some such, and there was no signature. Apparently, they can do that if there is like a barking dog or other obstacle. The driver had no excuse for not getting my signature.

Gale

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Originally Posted by FemaraFe

nothing else needs

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What?

That sucks Gale! They really need to take their jobs more seriously. Like i said, i understand theyre under time restraints, but if ever given the option i wont choose fed ex. Whenever i order stuff off amazon it arrives by UPS. The driver gets out and walks the package to my door. I usually try and go out and meet him in the driveway just because of how friendly they always are. Never have had a complaint about them before, i dont see why fed ex cant hold their drivers to the same standards...

99% of the time, both FedEx and UPS will not knock or ring the bell when delivering a package to my house. They just leave it on the porch. Sometimes, they'll set it on the porch, ring the bell, and walk away.

When I worked, I would have the package held for pickup. I've had two snakes shipped since then (both on the same day, from opposite sides of the country). That time they did knock and have me sign.

It never fails, though, whether I pickup at the hub or have it delivered, they always hand the package to me upside down.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Every snake that has been shipped to me has been done with signature required. I did have one snake delayed overnight, but the seller and Fedex reps stayed in touch with me to assure me that the package was being cared for properly. Snake arrived a day late, a little tense, but perfect nonetheless. I also must have a very animal friendly driver. the guy seriously handles any incoming snake as if it were a carton of eggs. Picking up at the hub is simply not a realistic option for me, nor do I care to make the 45 minute ride to Newark in the AM when that 45 minutes can easily turn into 2+ hours.

I've had all of mine, minus the ones I've bought in person, shipped to the hub. I know FedEx occasionally contracts drivers to make deliveries and the ones that have delivered to my house with random E-Bay crap I've bought aren't the top of the barrel, to put it politely. I've also had the regular FedEx drivers not knock, ring the bell or anything of the sort; one just tossed the package on the porch from five feet or so and then proceeded to get an earful from my wife...who was expecting some clothes or shoes or lotion or who knows what and though her stuff should be "treated with care" according to her, lol! Glad you got your snake okay and most importantly, alive; I'd say chalk it up to a lesson learned and if you're able to make the trip to your FedEx hub and don't mind driving it, I'd go for that option in the future, save the headache.

The Lacey Act does not mention anything about "Live Harmless Reptile" labeling actually, that is a common industry term, not a federal law term : )

It DOES specify a minimum requirement of marking the package "wildlife" however. And after speaking at length with Fish & Wildlife folks doing the inspections, we advise shippers to mark as "Wildlife- Live Harmless Reptiles". Meets the federal requirement, as well as adds easily understood clarifying language.

Mark it with full inventory and scientific names if you like, that also meets (exceeds) the requirement. But for goodness snakes, DON'T mark it LIVE REPTILES in 6 inch tall RED letters all over the box. That is only going to attract negative attention (and phobic handling) and still doesn't meet any labeling requirement : )

As for the signature...

Delivery confirmation (requiring a signature) is a PAID OPTION. You have to select that during booking. When you do, it becomes required for delivery.

If you do not select it, which is also very common, the driver may leave the package in a safe area, at his discretion. There is no requirement to knock, ring, or otherwise wait for you. That is why it is so important for a live reptile recipient to be ready and waiting for the imminent arrival of their package. Follow tracking updates online, watch the porch instead of the tv, don't "take a quick shower" or "duck out for a quick lunch". Proactively check for your package.

If you do see the driver face to face, and he hands you the package, he will request a signature, required or not, that is also standard policy.

But if has not been booked as Delivery Confirmation (with an extra fee), it is just one of 2000 packages he has to deliver today, and he is trying to get on with it.

Hoping to provide some clarification and reasonable expectation : )

Signature required IMO is a waste of money. As Ive had snakes shipped and received with signature required and they would drop box off on porch or not even ask for signature.

Hey thanks for the extra info guys! Very good to know for future purchases. Even though i started this thread kinda pissed, its ending on a very positive note from me learning so much.
Also just to reiterate, i still only have good things to say about my buying experience with Adriane. Please no one hold any of this fed ex crap against her lol.
Once again thanks for everyones responses, i learned ALOT here! :)

I've received many snakes without signature required, safely. They do sneak them on to the porch and run--you MUST watch carefully and closely.

The only DOA I have ever received arrived in a package marked only 'perishable', so I FIRMLY believe that not marking the box as containing a live animal is FAR worse than marking it legally. The incidence of people who don't like reptiles shaking boxes is pretty low--most people do take more care if they notice the box contains a live animal. (Most people are not jerks). NO one takes more care of a package if they don't know the box has a live animal in it. Packages in general are treated roughly.

I've had snakes shipped to me with signature required. Here's what happens, virtually EVERY time--they run up onto the porch, drop a door tag, and take off--without knocking. This has happened in all of the different places I've lived, so it's not just one bad driver.

In one case, i was upstairs, I heard the truck pull up, I ran down the stairs, and by the time I got to the door, the truck had pulled away, leaving the door tag! The poor animal had to ride around on the truck. Of course, I called to complain, but the driver claimed he had rung the bell properly (of course he didn't--he didn't even bring the package to the door, only the tag. If he had brought the box, he wouldn't have been nimble enough to drop the door tag so quickly).

I had to drive to where the driver was going to be and hunt him down to get the animal, so it wouldn't ride in the truck all day. I've had to do that TWICE.

So, I never send animals with signature required, and I always properly mark boxes. I've had no problems this way. I package so that the animal will be safe in outdoor temperatures, and the package is safer on a customer's porch, even if they don't find it for an hour, than it is in the back of a hot truck for half the day.

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

So i just got my new snake today from mues155, Adriane. That whole process went flawlessly, a pleasure to do business with!
Now for the bad part. The FedEx tracking was nice, i followed the whole thing which was cool. My girl was supposed to arrive by 12pm. So i woke up at like 8:30am this morning. Checked the steps to see if she was there and she wasnt. Ok so im sitting watching tv all morning right next to the window waiting for the fedex truck. So finally the mail truck comes at like 11:15am. So finally at like 12 my grandpa walks over from next door and comes inside saying "oh mike this package was on your steps". Its my snake!!! I was like wtf when did fedex come?!?! I always hear it when it pulls up in front of my house! Its impossible not to with the squeaky brakes!
So my question is now: is it possible the mail lady delivered it? Im pretty sure she didnt and the fedex guy was just really sneaky. But doesnt he need to get my signature since it says "live harmless reptile" on like every side of the box??? The snake was fine, a little frazzled from her journey but still a nice big, friendly girl! Im seriously considering putting a call or email into fedex, but before i do someone please tell me if what i experienced was normal...

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Ive never had to sign for one. but heres my rant on fedex:
I hated the fedex guy in my neighborhood! He either got a new route or got fired! I get packages all the time not just snakes but other stuff and he was notorious for just throwing the boxes on my porch. literally throwing them. I have had several confontations with him and finally started calling and complaining about him. The icing on the cake was when I got my last reptile delivered. I was sitting on the porch waiting for it and he dropped the box on his way out of the truck and then handed it to me laughing. He thought it was funny. I was ready to hurt him! the wife convinced me to let it go but she was fuming over the phone with the complaint department. Havent seen him since :banana:

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Originally Posted by H.o.F.R

Ive never had to sign for one. but heres my rant on fedex:
I hated the fedex guy in my neighborhood! He either got a new route or got fired! I get packages all the time not just snakes but other stuff and he was notorious for just throwing the boxes on my porch. literally throwing them. I have had several confontations with him and finally started calling and complaining about him. The icing on the cake was when I got my last reptile delivered. I was sitting on the porch waiting for it and he dropped the box on his way out of the truck and then handed it to me laughing. He thought it was funny. I was ready to hurt him! the wife convinced me to let it go but she was fuming over the phone with the complaint department. Havent seen him since :banana:

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Ive gotten 1 or 2 packages since then, both non herp related. I got my dog all riled up in the other room as he pulled up, so when i opened the door and he handed me the package she was barking like mad lol. The look on his face was pure fear! Shes only an 80 pound german shepherd but her bark sounds like a 120lb male lol. I could give a crap what he does to my stuff anymore bc ill be picking up all snakes i receive at the checkpoint hub.

I always have them shipped to my work So I always can physically see the fed ex guy walk through the door. But I also live in So cal so the weather is always awesome :)

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Originally Posted by Simple Man

Another reason why I pick every snake up at the hub :) Glad everything went well though!

Regards,

B

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x2 - I only deliver to hubs. Customers can pick their animals up at 9 AM if they wish, much less time in a hot or cold delivery truck.

Plus, fedex rules state business to business delivery only. Anything else needs to be held at the hub.

Ok now for my take one this. The Fed-ex requires that the box be marked "live harmless reptile" in at least two place if I remember correctly. Depending on the state you are shipping to you have to even put something stating the species and quantity in the box. I do this for all my shipments because I'm never sure what states the package will be transported through and how or what that area will require, it's as easy as a $.02 address label.

Requesting a signature is one of three ways, 1: addressee only, 2: Adult signature, 3: Signature. When I will normally pay the 2-5.00 extra to have third party electronic verification when and that the package was received. This can in handy recently when I shipped a Mojo to someone and they happened to be in school at the time the animal was delivered. I requested that it be a direct signature. I get notice that it was delivered but no word from the buyer that everything was A-OK. 4 hours later I find out that it was his brother that signed his name and had just thrown the box is his room. Luckily the animal was fine and the customer was happy. Had it turned out for the worse then I'd of had to go to Fed-ex and start an investigation.

If the shipper is worth their salt the package the snake for a 30-48 hour stay in the box knowing that it will not be in there for more than 24. Shipped a snake a couple of year that due to weather the animal sat in Memphis for a full 24 hours. It arrived just fine and ok due to me packing if for a 48 hour trip instead of a 12 hour trip.

In closing it's all in the shipper and their diligence to good shipping practices.

You know...Fedex and the USPS have a partnership going right now called "SmartPost"

It is possible that it was shipped via FedEx but was delivered by the Postman with the USPS

http://www.fedex.com/us/smart-post/outbound.html

SmartPost is a different service (bottom tier) than Fedex Next Day Priority.

I dont understand what youre not happy with. Come on you didn't hear the truck so you got mad?

I was surprised last week when my snake was delivered and I did not need to sign for the box. I was waiting on the porch for the FedEx truck. The guy handed me the box. I offered to sign and he said it was not necessary.

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Originally Posted by stickyalvinroll

I dont understand what youre not happy with. Come on you didn't hear the truck so you got mad?

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Naw i was mad bc the guy didnt even knock or ring the bell. I was thinking i had to sign for it so i was waiting and waiting. I do have poor hearing so i wouldnt be able to he the truck regardless haha.

If you read through the whole thread you'll see that everything was thouroughly explained to me and i wasnt mad anymore.

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Originally Posted by chet1028

I was surprised last week when my snake was delivered and I did not need to sign for the box. I was waiting on the porch for the FedEx truck. The guy handed me the box. I offered to sign and he said it was not necessary.

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Same, i was suprised too haha!

I always hold for pick up.. had too many near misses with the fed ex guys. Up here they are awful with the animals

I never use signature required. In the past, I have had the driver just mark that delivery was attempted but no one was there to sign when they never even drove down my driveway (I was sitting on the porch waiting). Luckily, the package wasn't a live animal, but it was time sensitive paperwork. When I called fedex to complain, they said the driver told them he knocked and no one answered. I've heard of others having similar experiences, so I hate "signature required" for live animals. I'm convinced this happens more often than people think.

yeah I know when I lived in lower Delaware I had to sign for everything cause the one package I had deliveried ( was home for ) was stolen and the guy said it was on the porch ( found the box 2-3 days later like 20 trailers away ripped open and contents missing ( lucky was only heat tape) but it sucked cause someone had to eat the cost of replacement tape (and it was like 80 bucks worth). so everything now requires a sig for me, plus if I ship I will only offer alive arrival with a sig on first delivery attempt.