Seriously, FedEx?

So, I just got my first ever live reptile (a het Albino female) that was FedExed instead of picked up... It did arrive before the estimated delivery time, which was nice, but the delivery person didn't even bother to knock on the door, and laid the box down on it's side completely ignoring the GIANT red arrows and labels that said it was fragile, this way up, etc... Is this typical? Should I file a complaint? The blatant disregard kinda pisses me off, but I don't know if it's wise to make waves since FedEx is kind of our only option for shipping at this point.

I'd file a complaint. I usually always put my boxes on hold at the local hub for this reason. I've seen them flip flop em all over the place. No regard. It's no wonder our snakes are peeved by the time they get here.

Fedex and UPS rings the door bell, but leaves immediately for me.

I have that beat. For me they don't ring the bell they just drop a you were not home card and leave I have not ordered live for this reason. I have more than once been home waiting for delivery and had to chase the driver down the street after they dropped the card.

Yes, I would file a complaint. I know it's not always possible to hold at a fed ex location because of distance, but I am lucky as the fed ex hub is literally 3 miles from my house. All snakes I order are held at the fed ex location for pick up. Not only does this save them from taking a tour of our fine city, but if the weather is a tad sketchy, they stay warm and out of the rain.

Called and filed a complaint. They're actually having the manager of the local hub call me to discuss it. They better not identify who filed the complaint to the driver. I've got another one coming in tomorrow (if the shipper gets off his butt and actually ships it), and if it's mistreated because of some kind of retribution crap I'm going to be unholy pissed.

Front lawn, shot gun, beer.

Lol, but we've just been having the windows open recently with the nice weather and don't have a screen door, so we double baby gated the front doorway and listen for anyone coming up.

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LMAO.

I was big in the Electronic Cigarette community for quite a while and 'Mailman Stalking' was one of those common things since you pretty much have to mail-order everything... Some people actually had those remote motion sensors in their mailboxes to alert them to when the mailman came... Wonder if I can hook something like that up for my front door.

Yesterday I had a package delivered by Fedex to a street several blocks away to a house with numbers that are in no way close to mine and they were not even getting a package. Lucky for me he was a nice guy and when he found the package on his doorstep he called and let me come pick it up.

It wasn't a live reptile but shows them at their best. Both services annoy me. Don't even bother leaving a now for the shipper. They don't read it close enough to notice football instructions.

I'm filling a complaint on mine and I'm glad you did.

Also had them drop a box of shoes off to me when I was expecting my flexwatt and hide order from RBI. They came by to correct it but I had already taken them to the proper address. They left my box with me and went on.

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man... I feel sorry for y'all. My fed ex guy is awesome. He keeps my live animal packages up front with him in the AC/Heat and beeps as soon as he pulls in the driveway. He has even called my phone to make sure it was ok to leave it when I didn't make it home in time, and my fiance was still asleep.

Well, I talked to the local manager. She didn't seem too concerned which is just typical. She said that "If it happens again I'll talk to the driver.".. also that "The driver doesn't remember any special markings on the box."

This is the exact box:

http://www.shipyourreptiles.com/syst...7x6_closed.jpg

I've always had something different happen each time I got a snake delivered. And it has always been a different delivery man each time.

(not in particular order)
Delivery 1: went perfect where the delivery guy rang the bell and waiting for me to answer the door to take the package.

Delivery 2: The delivery guy rang the door bell, but was impatient. He started walking away with the package before I answered the door. I had to run after the guy.

Delivery 3: Delivery guy left the box at the door on it's side. I don't know how long the snake has been left outside.

Delivery 4: Delivery guy rang the door bell and waited for me to answer the door, but was holding the box sideways....... (come on! Read the arrows!)

Delivery 5: I had the snake held at the local FedEx office.

I wish it was more convenient to pick it up at the hub, but it would involve driving for an hour. Ugh.

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Originally Posted by ChaosAffect

I wish it was more convenient to pick it up at the hub, but it would involve driving for an hour. Ugh.

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Is there any small FedEx offices near by?
Kinkos?
You can have them hold packages too.

There are, but it'd basically be the same deal. The driver would still be handling the box, then you add on the extra layer of the staff at the store handling it... I work from home so being here to receive it isn't a problem. I think I'm just going to keep making a fuss every time they don't knock until I train them.

I usually buy and pickup at a local expo. But if I ship I have it sent to my wife's work.

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I've had good luck with FedEx. I'll describe my experiences the same way satomi did:

1st time: The seller required a signature so the FedEx man rang the doorbell and i signed for it and answered. Handed me the box right side up. No issues.

2nd time: The same seller i got my first snake from. She didn't require a sig this time so the box was left on my doer step. I was expecting a sig again so i didn't even think to check the steps. I was in the living room right by the door all morning and just didn't hear the van pull up i guess. This was my fault and just a simple miscommunication. The box was sitting right side up and the snake was fine.

3rd time: I had 2 boxes from two different sellers coming. I saw the van pull up, walked outside to meet the fedex guy and he handed me both boxes right side up. No issues.

I guess i just have had good luck with them. I always try and be nice and offer them a water bottle or soda. Idk lol.

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Originally Posted by toyota89

I usually buy and pickup at a local expo. But if I ship I have it sent to my wife's work.

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I probably will do that in July when Repticon comes back. I really need to get a decent display cage for my albino girl, too... Just need to figure out if I can get one locally. I've been combing Craigslist, but no luck there so far.

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Originally Posted by ChaosAffect

I probably will do that in July when Repticon comes back. I really need to get a decent display cage for my albino girl, too... Just need to figure out if I can get one locally. I've been combing Craigslist, but no luck there so far.

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Email chris@cserpents.com. He will build custom cages and delivers to the Atlanta shows.

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Originally Posted by Annarose15

Email chris@cserpents.com. He will build custom cages and delivers to the Atlanta shows.

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Just sent him a message. Thanks!

My Experience with FedEx

I only had 1 delivery with a snake and that was Rose Red. The driver left her in my landlord's office (which my landlord called me). No problem there,

But I have had problems getting monthly medical supplies.

The first two times, they would leave the "we missed you, sign here for us to leave it at your door step card" (keep in mind for three years, FedEx had always left packages in my landlord's office)

The third time was the problem. The driver did leave the package in my landlord's office, but didn't leave a note and my landlord didn't call me. It had been sitting there for two days and I was unaware. Failure on both FedEx and my landlord's office, and taught me not to assume a worker at the landlord's office will call me like they normally do. Now I have that monthly package shipped though the UPS since they can actually get into my apartment building.

Needless to say, I have my snakes on hold at a near by FedEx location.

Not the worst experience, but enough for me not to trust the FedEx driver.

I've had live snakes shipped to me 3 times now, and so far each time went well, but we also have a slightly different set up from most people which requires us to be more vigilant. Our house is set back off the street, behind another house, with just the driveway going to the street. At the top of the driveway is a gate, which delivery workers will not go through unless it is open (regulations I guess). So when we are expecting an important delivery, we do three things:
1) Leave our phone number on the shipping instructions to be called when they arrive.
2) Listen closely for the driveway alarm to go off.
3) Obsessively check the tracking for any and all updates.

So far so good.

Now non-snake deliveries I've gotten... oh the stories I could tell. Once had a saddle shipped to me. ALL over the box it has markings with "FRAGILE" and "THIS SIDE UP". It was a Western saddle, so not exactly light either. I hear the UPS driver blaring at his horn so I run outside to get my package, knowing what it was. I get out just in time to see the box with my saddle come flying over the gate, landing with a loud thud on its side. And before I could yell at the driver he was in his truck and gone. Took me less than a minute to get out the door, so it wasn't like he was sitting there waiting. I was #&*^$&#^*# mad. Thankfully he didn't break my saddle.

Well, we are talking about the same people responsible for this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...;v=j6aIPIsUE5I

Not that this involves a live reptile, but in prep for selling one of my snakes, I purchased a shipping kit. The driver didn't even deliver it to the right house (the address was correct on the package). In fact, the package wasn't even delivered in the right neighborhood. I was waiting for it and I got an e-mail at 8:21 pm saying the package was left on my doorstep. It wasn't there so I called FedEx and they were like "There's nothing we can do since the tracking information says the package was delivered." I had to file a claim. Luckily, whoever got the package was kind enough to track down my address and return it to me.

I've noticed that FedEx tends to cut corners. :/

At least they're not as bad as the USPS. I despise them so much.

My first snake came from UPS no issues....my second snake was shipped using fedex, The morning he was supposed to be delivered he wasn't I just assumed they were running late so I went to work 4 hrs later I had my girlfriend call fedex to find out what was going on since the tracking information said he had been in town since 6 am that day....they told us he was still at the fedex office and would not be delivered that day but the next day so I said forget it took an extended lunch from work and went to go pick up my boy once I got there the lady at the desk told me he wasn't put on the truck for delivery that day because he arrived too late "around 2 pm":colbert: (of course like i said tracking information had him there at 6am) to make matters worse she think ignores the sign that clearly says perishable on the box and begins tossing my box with my ball between her hands. Long story short Fed Ex sucks in my opinion

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Originally Posted by callmemacc

My first snake came from UPS no issues....my second snake was shipped using fedex, The morning he was supposed to be delivered he wasn't I just assumed they were running late so I went to work 4 hrs later I had my girlfriend call fedex to find out what was going on since the tracking information said he had been in town since 6 am that day....they told us he was still at the fedex office and would not be delivered that day but the next day so I said forget it took an extended lunch from work and went to go pick up my boy once I got there the lady at the desk told me he wasn't put on the truck for delivery that day because he arrived too late "around 2 pm":colbert: (of course like i said tracking information had him there at 6am) to make matters worse she think ignores the sign that clearly says perishable on the box and begins tossing my box with my ball between her hands. Long story short Fed Ex sucks in my opinion

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That's the point where I would've looked her right in the eye and said, "Are you out of your effing mind?".

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Originally Posted by ChaosAffect

I wish it was more convenient to pick it up at the hub, but it would involve driving for an hour. Ugh.

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Where do you stay? There's a hub off of Franklin Rd in Marietta. I forget what part of Atlanta you were from, back from our vaping days! :D

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Where do you stay? There's a hub off of Franklin Rd in Marietta. I forget what part of Atlanta you were from, back from our vaping days! :D

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Lawrenceville. Closest one is in Norcross.

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Originally Posted by callmemacc

...to make matters worse she think ignores the sign that clearly says perishable on the box and begins tossing my box with my ball between her hands.

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The same happened to me at the hub. Box is labeled perishable and the woman comes out flipping it around. I politely asked her to stop because it might be annoying the snake inside. She freaked!

She told me she thought the box had cheese in it because it said perishable.

Not sure why no one is labling the boxes with the words "Live harmless reptile" but I would think that would solve some of the handling issues. Just having "Perishable" on the box would make even me think it was just a food product or something. The admittidly one time I have had animals shipped was through fed-ex, and those words made the driver take extra care with the package. He kept it in the cab where the heat was and even asks if he could come in for a minute to watch me unbox what I had.

Now, I'm not excusing the way some of these guys behave, but as someone who has worked in the shipping industry, I can tell you these guys are kept extremely busy, sometimes to the point that I see them literally running in and out of their stops. If they don't have a clear idea that they are hauling a live animal, they will not spare a second for extra effort for that package. They simply aren't given the time. I firmly believe that most of these people would treat our critters with respect if they know what they are dealing with. Of course I also acknowledge that some will just be jerks anyway. Thats what happens when dealing with people.

I am lucky I guess. We have a hub only 15min from my house and I have my packages held for pickup there. When I receive a reptile and the box has "Live Harmless Reptile" printed on it, the lady who manages the hub will pull that box for me and put it in her personal office. When I get there promptly at 9am, the box is ready and waiting in a quiet temperature controlled room. And she asks me to open my package there so she can see what I've got (which I don't mind doing as I can immediately check to be sure the animal traveled well). They are good there.

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They simply aren't given the time. I firmly believe that most of these people would treat our critters with respect if they know what they are dealing with. Of course I also acknowledge that some will just be jerks anyway. That's what happens when dealing with people.

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I do agree with Darkbird on this point. I also make NO excuses for some of these guys' behavior, but this is why labeling the boxes correctly is so important. It's a start. :gj:

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Originally Posted by toyota89

But if I ship I have it sent to my wife's work.

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this. if you have a business you can get it shipped to thats open during delivery hours, theres no way the driver will just "leave it on the door step." if the place is open they take it right on inside. at least in my experience. every snake i've had shipped i got sent to my moms vet clinic. havent had a problem yet.

I've had snakes shipped twice through FedEx. First time, had it held at a hub which is literally, right across the street from where I work. The guys there were kind enough to answer the 4-5 calls I gave them asking if the box was inside, upright, and not buried under a pile of other packages. When I picked it up, both gentlemen who'd taken my calls came over and asked if they could see what I was so worried about. Opened the box, all the corns were packed wonderfully in their deli cups, and both of the guys backed up a few feet. They thought I'd been worried about food. :)

The second time, my husband was home so I had them deliver to the house. The doorbell never rung but our furry alarm system (2 dogs) let him know that my pastave boy had arrived so he was brought inside right away.

I don't mind home delivery as long as it's going to be a decent day (not hot/cold) but having it held was so much simpler. No worries about truck temps, being left on the doorstep, or wrong delivery address.

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Originally Posted by Darkbird

Not sure why no one is labling the boxes with the words "Live harmless reptile" but I would think that would solve some of the handling issues. Just having "Perishable" on the box would make even me think it was just a food product or something. The admittidly one time I have had animals shipped was through fed-ex, and those words made the driver take extra care with the package. He kept it in the cab where the heat was and even asks if he could come in for a minute to watch me unbox what I had.

Now, I'm not excusing the way some of these guys behave, but as someone who has worked in the shipping industry, I can tell you these guys are kept extremely busy, sometimes to the point that I see them literally running in and out of their stops. If they don't have a clear idea that they are hauling a live animal, they will not spare a second for extra effort for that package. They simply aren't given the time. I firmly believe that most of these people would treat our critters with respect if they know what they are dealing with. Of course I also acknowledge that some will just be jerks anyway. Thats what happens when dealing with people.

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EXACTLY!!!!! Are you guys reading THIS reply?! This is along the lines of what I was going to type after reading a few pages of replies and realizing no ones box said "Live Harmless Reptile" on it. Come on, really? Just so you know, this is actually required. If the box doesn't say this and it gets abused, whose fault is it?

Actually, all of my boxes have said live harmless reptile. I just forgot to mention it on my previous post as I thought it was a shipping standard. I just think some drivers are just so into the routine of delivering packages that some just don't read the boxes carefully.

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Keep in mind that unless you specifically book a package with Delivery Confirmation, no signature is required for delivery. The driver may leave the package on your doorstep (or other "safe" place), that is routine procedure.

If the driver encounters a human being at the address, they will have you sign for it, but unless it is Delivery Confirmation (which is a few dollars extra) the signature is NOT a requirement for delivery.

It is fine to expect great service, you should, but you should also have realistic expectations as to the delivery of your package.

In our experience, requiring a signature on delivery is actually MORE likely to cause delays and missed deliveries.

The Fedex hub is twenty miles from me but I always have them held for pick up at the hub........

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Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

Keep in mind that unless you specifically book a package with Delivery Confirmation, no signature is required for delivery. The driver may leave the package on your doorstep (or other "safe" place), that is routine procedure.

If the driver encounters a human being at the address, they will have you sign for it, but unless it is Delivery Confirmation (which is a few dollars extra) the signature is NOT a requirement for delivery.

It is fine to expect great service, you should, but you should also have realistic expectations as to the delivery of your package.

In our experience, requiring a signature on delivery is actually MORE likely to cause delays and missed deliveries.

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Oh, I wasn't expecting a signature. They literally didn't even knock on the door or ring the bell just to let me know that something was there. I was sitting 15 feet from the door the whole time. I don't think setting a package down right side up when it's clearly marked "THIS END UP" and giving the doorbell a push is 'Great Service'. I think it's at best acceptable. Are my expectations too high?

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Originally Posted by markb50

The Fedex hub is twenty miles from me but I always have them held for pick up at the hub........

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Based on the info in this thread that's exactly what I did for the pewter BP that I purchased. My husband picked her up at the hub this morning 40 minutes after she arrived there. We're glad he did as it's going to be quite hot here later today, when she would have been on the truck for delivery.

This is the first one I've purchased that was shipped in, and I've been biting my nails since receiving the tracking number yesterday morning. I must say that the whole process went quite smoothly.

For those of you close to hubs where the FedEx employees are cool with snakes, count yourselves lucky. Once my husband told the counter people what was in the package to be picked up, none of them wanted to touch it!

You're technically not supposed to have them ship to you home for this reason.
Drivers can be careless, they can leave your package at the wrong doorstep (there was a thread last year where this had happened to someone) where they can be stuck in the heat/cold all day until the owners of the household pick up the package (and hopefully return instead of opening it to find that there is a live reptile in their home now) or FedEx fixes their mistake.