Would your collection be bigger if shipping costs were lower?

I am looking around with an interest in adding to my collection and know my budget/plan to stick with it. Shouldn't be buying really, buttttttt hey you only live once. Got me to thinking... I found some awesome prices on some beautiful BPs, but when you factor in shipping costs there goes my budget.

Ask yourself, does $50 or so make a difference when planning to spend $$$? It does.


Heres the questions...

Do you think your collection would be bigger if shipping prices were lets say half the cost that they are now?

How much does shipping cost affect your purchases?

When breeders include shipping cost in the total cost of the animal does that influence your purchase?

Do high shipping costs deter you from making less expensive purchases? ( ie $25 - $300 of course this varies with opinion on what less expensive means )

No, not at all, no and no.

And the seller doesn't have control over the cost of the shipping.

Besides, anyone who sells shipping included has essentially already added shipping to the price.

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If shipping was less that would be great, maybe. I have yet to order an animal for two reasons.

1.) I like to see and inspect what I am buying.

2.) Shipping quality across the board has declined to the point I don't trust it.

I recently ordered some tank accessories. USPS never updated the status and then when I finally received it the box appeared to have been kicked all the way from California.

I also saw someone on here that the shipper left the snake outside their door. Living in Texas I don't think that would work out to well for me.

Its sad but the quality of work in America has fallen down the ladder. I'm not sure what happened to taking pride in the job no matter how big or small. People want more for doing less. Its annoying!

No, what's an extra 50 bucks when your investing in a animal.

Mine would be a little bigger. When you're looking at a $100 snake and then have to pay $50 extra, it makes me be particular with what I get.

Sometimes when they include shipping in with the price of the snake, they may discount it a little. I got a great looking female fire for 300 shipped. Usually they are 300 w/o shipping.

FedEx should have a discount coupon after so many deliveries lol.


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I usually request to split the shipping cost with the seller, but it would never stop me from getting the animal I want. After all, if you can't afford $50 for shipping, how can you care for the animal if there's a problem? I think that's the part that too many new owners overlook when budgeting.

It would not change a thing when there is an animal I want having it shipped for $50 or $75 is nothing considering the price of the animal itself.

Shipping overnight is not cheap if people are that desperate to save on shipping they can always buy from shows but when you add up gas, entrance price etc you likely end up spending about the same without the certainty that you will find what you want (well at least for someone as picky as I am).

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

I usually request to split the shipping cost with the seller, but it would never stop me from getting the animal I want. After all, if you can't afford $50 for shipping, how can you care for the animal if there's a problem? I think that's the part that too many new owners overlook when budgeting.

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How often does splitting it work?

I see what your saying but just because I have the money doesn't mean I want to spend it.

My collection would be bigger if I had more money, shipping cost doesn't mean much to me. If shipping costs bother you that much wait for an expo, but it will probably cost you the same in gas.

Sent from my Samsung Aviator

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Originally Posted by SlitherinSisters

My collection would be bigger if I had more money, shipping cost doesn't mean much to me. If shipping costs bother you that much wait for an expo, but it will probably cost you the same in gas.

Sent from my Samsung Aviator

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With the blazer, yes, yes it would lol!

Im pretty much with Robin as far as shopping the snake not the price. I think thats the best way to put it. Also if you can, get a couple snakes at once from the same seller to save money on shipping. If i know im getting a good price, on animal i really like, then i usually wont try and haggle the seller down alot. Repeat business will usually get you a discount. Also try and find a smaller local breeder bc theyre more apt to give you better prices and you wouldnt have to pay shipping costs. Also with some sellers if you spend over a certain amount theyre cover shipping costs.

All in all, to answer your question, no an extra $50 doesnt make a huge difference to me. If i was only buying a $20 normal then ya $50 seems like alot But anything like $200+ doesnt matter as much. If you really dont wanna pay shipping theres a few ways to avoid it like i said above^, but i dont actively seek those out tbh.

I buy what I like from reputable breeders and try to get multiple animals at the same time. I should have been born a Rockefeller with my taste. The only thing that stops me from buying more is $$$ not shipping. I also have some great breeders in Florida where I can pick up my animals and don't forget the shows!!!

My collection is actually bigger because of shipping costs. I just had 2 delivered yesterday. I was ordering a butter pastel and while on the website saw a proven het pied male breeder for $50. I figured I couldnt pass that up since the shipping would be the same for 2 snakes

My collection would be bigger if I had the money for it regardless of shipping cost. If I get 600 bucks to spend on whatever I want its time to go snake shopping again!

My collection wouldn't be bigger, but shipping costs are high and do put a bigger dent in my wallet.

I'm giving a off the top of my head number, but I bet I have spent somewhere around 500 dollars total on shipping.... yea 500 dollars wouldn't of changed my collection size at all.

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Originally Posted by KMG

If shipping was less that would be great, maybe. I have yet to order an animal for two reasons.

1.) I like to see and inspect what I am buying.

2.) Shipping quality across the board has declined to the point I don't trust it.

I recently ordered some tank accessories. USPS never updated the status and then when I finally received it the box appeared to have been kicked all the way from California.

I also saw someone on here that the shipper left the snake outside their door. Living in Texas I don't think that would work out to well for me.

Its sad but the quality of work in America has fallen down the ladder. I'm not sure what happened to taking pride in the job no matter how big or small. People want more for doing less. Its annoying!

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i live here in houston and the fedex guy left my package by the door and drove of without ringing the door bell

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Originally Posted by JaGv

i live here in houston and the fedex guy left my package by the door and drove of without ringing the door bell

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Was it sig required?

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Originally Posted by JaGv

i live here in houston and the fedex guy left my package by the door and drove of without ringing the door bell

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Same here. Its bc my seller forgot to request a sig required. Simple mistake. Snake was fine and she was very apologetic

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Originally Posted by granitestate

Was it sig required?

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i thought it was required for those type of packages. the sender didn't say if it was going to need a signature. i would of liked to know and it would be a good idea so both buyer and seller knew the package was delivered to the right person. what would of happend if someone took my package because the guy just left it there?

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Same here. Its bc my seller forgot to request a sig required. Simple mistake. Snake was fine and she was very apologetic

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same here i get over it when i see the new snake slithering all over the tub

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Originally Posted by JaGv

i live here in houston and the fedex guy left my package by the door and drove of without ringing the door bell

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And as a buyer knowing that you have an incoming shipment you should track your package, I know I do and I am pro-active about it which is good since one of my last snakes ended up being delivered to someone else's house. The driver excuse "I did not pay attention".

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Originally Posted by Mike41793

Same here. Its bc my seller forgot to request a sig required. Simple mistake. Snake was fine and she was very apologetic

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Actually not a mistake some breeder do not use signature, I do not require signature for 2 reasons.

#1 If it is on file the package will be left at the door anyway.

#2 If the snake is delivered and the buyer does not hear the door bell or knock (and it happens) for whatever reason (in the bathroom, somewhere where it can't be heard etc) the driver will put the package back on the truck which means the animal may spend HOURS back on a hot truck and/or be re-delivered next day which could be pretty bad.

Bottom line both seller and buyer MUST be pro-active and track the package to get it soon as delivered and not expect too much from the drivers who do not always use common sense.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

And as a buyer knowing that you have an incoming shipment you should track your package, I know I do and I am pro-active about it which is good since one of my last snakes ended up being delivered to someone else's house. The driver excuse "I did not pay attention".

Actually not a mistake some breeder do not use signature, I do not require signature for 2 reasons.

#1 If it is on file the package will be left at the door anyway.

#2 If the snake is delivered and the buyer does not hear the door bell or knock (and it happens) for whatever reason (in the bathroom, somewhere where it can't be heard etc) the driver will put the package back on the truck which means the animal may spend HOURS back on a hot truck and/or be re-delivered next day which could be pretty bad.

Bottom line both seller and buyer MUST be pro-active and track the package to get it soon as delivered and not expect too much from the drivers who do not always use common sense.

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Oh well the second snake i got from her a sig was required and the guy actually rang the doorbell. The 1st time the driver just left it on the steps and didnt ring or even knock. For me id prefer a sig bc at least from my expetience that means they ring the doorbell for you. As you pointed out, that may not always be the case though.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

And as a buyer knowing that you have an incoming shipment you should track your package, I know I do and I am pro-active about it which is good since one of my last snakes ended up being delivered to someone else's house. The driver excuse "I did not pay attention".

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o trust me i was tracking it every hour i didn't sleep all night. but when it finally was delivered i didn't hear when in it was delivered since the driver didn't ring the door bell

Yes, it would be a little bigger--simply because the money that's earmarked for buying, runs out sooner. But shipping costs don't prevent me from buying an animal if I HAVE the money for it.

Also, rolling the shipping cost into the price is actually a deterrent for me, because I understand that shipping costs vary according to distance, and expect to pay less if a person is closer to me. If it's a flat rate, I would be charged more than I should be, if I happen to be closer.

Also, I never send animals signature required, because EVERY time I've received one that way, the driver has dropped a door tag and THAT IS ALL--no door bell ring, no knock, nothing. Drop the tag and run (literally). I had to chase one across town to get my animal, because I refuse to wait for the re-deliver time. If I'm expecting one, I can just check the porch until it appears (and the tracking info is updated online showing it's delivered).

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Originally Posted by granitestate

Do you think your collection would be bigger if shipping prices were lets say half the cost that they are now?

How much does shipping cost affect your purchases?

When breeders include shipping cost in the total cost of the animal does that influence your purchase?

Do high shipping costs deter you from making less expensive purchases? ( ie $25 - $300 of course this varies with opinion on what less expensive means )

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~ Nope, I buy what I like and want regardless of the shipping costs. I think my collection would be bigger if I found more deals locally though lol

~ It doesn't: if I want to pay the money for x, y, or z then shipping is just apart of that cost to pay and I need to take the extra costs into account.

~ Nope, though it's pretty nice to pay a shipped price but adding on $50-$75 isn't a big deal to me either.

~ Nope, though I've yet to see shipping costs of $80+ (unless it's for large snakes/venoms) so I think my limit on shipping would be around ~$90 regardless on how much the initial animal(s) cost, though almost everyone I see selling adds only $50-$60 for shipping. If I want to buy a $30 animal I wouldn't mind adding on the extra shipping costs because I think it's worth it :)

Keeping in mind that I've only purchased 2 snakes over the internet, I don't see shipping costs affecting my decisions much. Generally, I stick to shows since I can handle the snake and see the colors, etc. but if it's something that isn't readily available or I see a snake I just love, then that's another matter. Shipping doesn't really affect that nor would I buy more snakes off the net than I do if there was no shipping costs involved. The reasoning is because I'm very picky about what I get and what I don't get. Every snake that comes in already has a breeding plan in place and if it doesn't fit exactly what I'm looking for, I won't get it. To me, close doesn't cut it and for that reason, I see a lot of snakes on fauna (ok, I'm an addict to that site and I admit it...) that look good but very little that I 'have to have' and even then, if it doesn't have a place in my current breeding plans, I pass on it, with the result that I've purchased two animals. One was a high white pied cornsnake (who came with 2 freebies, both carrying the pied gene) and the other was my proven breeder pastave. Neither of those would be easily found at a local show.

No, my collection would not be bigger, shipping cost are pretty much part of the ball game.That said I have looked to get multiple animals shipped to my customers at the same time to save them some money, same has been done for me too.

No, my collection wouldn't be bigger. Most of my animals are hand picked, but when something needs to be shipped I pay. I expect the shipping costs anyway. And over here, shipping runs $100-$150!

Shipping is just one of those things you have to deal with! Just buy multiple snakes to save on shipping! It doesn't affect my collection I have a few big breeders here in ut I can buy local from. I also pick up animals at the expos.

The amount of room I have available, and the amount of time I spend caring for my snakes is what keeps my collection at the size it is. When looking to add something I pretty much factor in the shipping cost to the budget.

Also keep in mind, there's more to "shipping" costs than just what it costs to get the package from point A to point B. There's also the cost of the box, the packing material, heat or cold packs, and a snake bag or deli cup. I imagine if you ship a lot, you could probably get the cost of these additional items trimmed down by purchasing in bulk, but for those of us who only occasionally ship, they add up. The few times I've shipped, I've ended up eating a lot more of the cost than expected.

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Originally Posted by Sarin

And over here, shipping runs $100-$150!

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Wow, that's some perspective!

The last snake I bought, Florida to California in about 17 hours for around $45 shipping with SYR. Heck of a bargain if you ask me, I wish I could get in that box! If your buying $20 "normals" I could see the shipping being outrageous but otherwise it's a deal!

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Originally Posted by granitestate

I found some awesome prices on some beautiful BPs, but when you factor in shipping costs there goes my budget.

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Factoring shipping into your budget beforehand would be helpful.

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Originally Posted by granitestate

Ask yourself, does $50 or so make a difference when planning to spend $$$? It does.

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It does not for me.

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Originally Posted by granitestate

Do you think your collection would be bigger if shipping prices were lets say half the cost that they are now?

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Not at all.

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Originally Posted by granitestate

How much does shipping cost affect your purchases?

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Not at all.

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Originally Posted by granitestate

When breeders include shipping cost in the total cost of the animal does that influence your purchase?

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Not at all, as stated, shipping costs are included in "shipped" prices.

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Originally Posted by granitestate

Do high shipping costs deter you from making less expensive purchases? ( ie $25 - $300 of course this varies with opinion on what less expensive means )

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I would have no problem paying $50 shipping for a $25 animal if it is the animal I want.

All in all, I am more than happy to pay shipping costs on my purchases. Being able to buy the animals I really want rather than make exceptions and buy locally make the shipping costs all the more worth it to me. As stated, shipping overnight isn't cheap, and there are a lot more costs to shipping than just sending the actual package.

Shipping prices really don't matter much to me. I spend anywhere from $35-80 on a box shipped next day air and it is always budgeted into my spending. Also all of the breeders I deal with require a signature for delivery. I prefer breeders who ship UPS over fedex, I have had a couple bad experiences with fedex, a box being left on a neighbor's porch and a few times their tracker is inaccurate. Tracker said the box was waiting to leave Tennessee when it was in my hands in California.

We buy with our eyes, so no. Go to an expo then you can buy $50 worth of food too!


Jason Rossi
www.rossireptiles.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rossi-...app_2309869772

Shipping doesn't affect the amount of things that I buy, because quite honestly, it is the overall price of the animals and needing to limit the amount of animals I have due to living in a small space.

The snakes I'm mostly interested in a priced so high the shipping cost is usually included(eg, snakes I can't afford either way). :D