Shipping questions

Since I am expecting baby dumerils, and plan on breeding my cali kings this year, I thought it was a good idea to work on becoming FedEx certified. I know about the thread on Fauna, but it's so darn long that I'm not sure where to find the answers to a few questions I have.

I just got an account with FedEx and I e-mailed a Fauna recommended rep about starting the certification process.

I know you're supposed to send out a test package. That raised the question of where do you herp shippers get your packing supplies? I looked on the fedex supply store, but they only have flattish boxes, no taller square boxes. I also wonder where you get the styrofoam to line it, or can you buy boxes that are already lined with it? I'd imagine that would be pretty hard to ship though...? What's a good place to buy deli cups/bags and heat packs too?

A dumb question is.. do you always use fedex express? Is that door to door too, or only fedex ground?

It's a lot of questions, but any help is appreciated.

I can only help you with the packaging portion and even that is limited knowledge.

I've dealt with these folks before but I am sure there are any number of alternatives for getting shipping supplies. It always strikes me as absurd in a monty python kind of way - or maybe self-referencing - to have shipping supplies shipped to you lol. It's definitely cheaper than stuff from a packaging store retail though:

www.uline.com

Ok cool.. but still, how do I insulate it? Seems some of their boxes are not meant for shipping.

http://www.uline.com/AdvSearchResult...ords=insulated

I think Adam said he uses...hold on I'll dig up the email..."I'm using 1/4" corrugated boxes with 3/4" styro liners. Each snake is individually bagged and surrounded by polly fiber stuffing (the same stuff that's inside children's stuffed animals and pillows)."

If I'm reading it right, those are very expensive.. a carton only consists of 2 boxes?

I found these:

http://www.aaareptilesupply.com/merc...ory_Code=zship
http://www.superiorenterprise.com/

$3-4 a box is more reasonable.

Yeah that is insanely priced (~$8) - I hadn't caught that.

http://www.superiorenterprise.com/

-adam

I just posted that link, Adam. lol

That where you buy from, then?

You guys haven't answered my dumb question yet.. do you use fedex express, or ground to ship herps?

I get stuff from them and from uline ... depends on what I'm shipping.

The live animal contract with FedEx only allows you to use priority overnight when shipping live animals.

-adam

Ok.

I'm so confused.. lol.

After I get certified.. I'll be able to print out labels from home, correct? Do I take the boxes to a fedex store and tell them what kind of shipping service I need?

Gah.. I feel like an idiot. This just seems complicated.

Yes, you can print your labels at home.

When you "book" your shipment on-line and print your labels you will book it as a priority overnight shipment ... make sure you never specify that you are shipping to a residence, even if you are.

Then you drop it off ... if they give you flack, tell them to look you up in the computer because you're on the live shippers list .... I drop off at the FedEx station at my airport becuase they accept priority overnight drop off up until 9pm (less time for the snakes in the box) and when I got on the program my sales rep called over there to let them know that I'd be coming in with snakes. Now I bring coffee for the ladies over there when I drop off my snakes ... they kick a$$!!

The big thing that being FedEx verified helps you with is if your package gets "inspected" at a station between you and your destination, they look you up in the computer to see if you are on the program ... if you are, they send your package through ... if you're not, you have to come pick it up no matter where it is in the country.

-adam

Ok.

On the Fedex website I don't see anything called 'priority overnight'. I don't think their website is that great.. just more confusing. I was looking because I wanted to see if they had a thing I could check shipping rates with.

Since the nearest airport that would be shipping the herps is a one hour one way drive, can I drop off boxes at a fedex store (or whatever they are called)?

Thanks for you help.

I know that You can use Fedex internetship and print the labels at home...Fedex.com. You can set up a regular pickup at your door once a week and/or do a call in 1800gofedex. Call-ins are generally 4-5 dollars more for a pickup, depending on your sevice area. You'll need an account too. The 1800# will have an extension to talk with a customer service rep on how to go about all the specifics on live shipping. If you want I can get some links on this...

Ok, so they'll actually come to my house and take the shipments? This costs more, that's what you said, right? Would this be a good idea to do?

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Ok.

On the Fedex website I don't see anything called 'priority overnight'. I don't think their website is that great.. just more confusing. I was looking because I wanted to see if they had a thing I could check shipping rates with.

Since the nearest airport that would be shipping the herps is a one hour one way drive, can I drop off boxes at a fedex store (or whatever they are called)?

Thanks for you help.

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http://www.fedex.com/ratefinder/home...ack+Rates+Corp to get a quote.

"Priority overnight" is a delivery option for FedEx express.

You can drop off your package at any FedEx location, but different locations have different cut offs for priority overnight delivery ... for example, if I schedule a FedEx pickup, the driver usually shows up around 3pm, the FedEx store down the street requires priority overnight delieveries be dropped off by 5pm, but the FedEx station at my local airport allows me to drop off as late as 9pm ... so by driving out to the airport it's 4-6 hours less time that the snakes have to stay in the box and out of my hands. For me, it's worth the trip. ;)

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Would this be a good idea to do?

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No. Sometimes they show up at 11 in the morning ... then your snake bounces around on a truck all day long before it even starts the delivery process.

-adam

This will put the snakes in the box longer, but if you live an hour away from an airport the five dollars might be worth it to have it picked up. Again, your best bet would be to call the 1800number and request information on this topic. I'm not too proud of our website either--it sucks for finding the right information, but the 1800# is a lot better. Although I didn't even know we still took live snakes until Adam proved me wrong. I remember about two years ago a courier out in Binghampton(?-spelling) got into his truck after a delivery and found a five foot Boa on his steering wheel...there was an uproar over it and I thought they suspended it altogether, but they didn't.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

No. Sometimes they show up at 11 in the morning ... then your snake bounces around on a truck all day long before it even starts the delivery process.

-adam

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You can have different pickup times...fact. I used to have supplies for my dad's company picked up between 6pm and 7pm every thursday, not before and not after...you just have to give them an hour window with a closing time that's not later than 8pm.

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Originally Posted by jim020cricket

This will put the snakes in the box longer, but if you live an hour away from an airport the five dollars might be worth it to have it picked up.

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From experience, I can say that the pickups $uck for live animals ... they may be great for other stuff, but the drivers really like to show up whenever they are in your area and it's a real pain in the a$$.

Personally, I feel that when shipping live animals, I have a duty to make the trip as painless as possible for them, even if it means that I have to go out of my way a little bit. But, that's just my twisted sense of values. :P

-adam

OK, so I got the quote.. this is what I would select?

'FedEx Priority Overnight®

10:30am the next business day to most cities'

And when you take it to the store/airport/whatever you pay the shipping cost right there, correct?

He does have a point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jim020cricket

You can have different pickup times...fact. I used to have supplies for my dad's company picked up between 6pm and 7pm every thursday, not before and not after...you just have to give them an hour window with a closing time that's not later than 8pm.

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LOL ... that's great that you've had a good experience with pick up times, but many many others have not. It all depends on your physical location vs. the drivers routes ... In the FedEx contract for live animal shipping, the do not guarantee exact pickup times. FedEx encourages reptile shippers to drop off at FedEx staffed locations whenever possible.

Sure pickup is an option, but it's definitely not the best one.

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

OK, so I got the quote.. this is what I would select?

'FedEx Priority Overnight®

10:30am the next business day to most cities'

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For live animal shipments, by agreement, that's the only one you are allowed to select, or you are out of the program.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

And when you take it to the store/airport/whatever you pay the shipping cost right there, correct?

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I am charged directly when I book the shipments.

-adam

Ha...Makes sense to me...just an option...:bonk:

Alright.. the rates are pretty expensive. I thought it usually ran around $35.. but I'm getting quotes of $50 or more.. maybe I'm choosing the wrong specifications.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Alright.. the rates are pretty expensive. I thought it usually ran around $35.. but I'm getting quotes of $50 or more.. maybe I'm choosing the wrong specifications.

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Depending on your box size and where you're going, that sounds about right. I actually shipped some snakes a couple weeks ago and it was cheaper to use the airlines.

Hopefully, eventually gas prices will come down a little and that will help out with shipping costs, but probably not by much.

-adam

Oh no, I thought of another question to annoy you with. Does paypal offer an easy way to calculate tax for in-state buyers?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Does paypal offer an easy way to calculate tax for in-state buyers?

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No.

How much in state sales are you planning on doing Shelby? Depending on the fees in your state, you might end up paying more for a sales and use tax license than you would actually make in local sales.

-adam

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

No.

How much in state sales are you planning on doing Shelby? Depending on the fees in your state, you might end up paying more for a sales and use tax license than you would actually make in local sales.

-adam

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Sorry the accountant in me popped out, can't stay on long (at lunch) but if you have questions regarding sales/use taxes send me a pm, and I will try to answer over weekend, and no, I don't charge friends. And I am in IL too and can answer most of the IL questions, and can research those I don't know automatically.

One more question (at least)..

What size boxes do you normally use.. and what snakes will fit in them? I read that you have to send a test package to the fedex facility in every box size you plan on using.

EDIT: oh boy I thought of one more thing. When I set up my account on fedex.com, I selected 'personal account' vs 'business account' because it said something about your business has to be listed in your directory assistance (I don't have an official business yet)

Is this going to be a problem? If so, can I fix it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

What size boxes do you normally use..

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ha ha....Adam uses the big boxes(16" x 16" x 8").....cause he like to send extra stuff ;) :D

Yeah like t-shirts and crap? Shameless.. :P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Yeah like t-shirts and crap? Shameless.. :P

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Crap? ... gee, the thanks I get for all the help ... I see how it is. ;)

-adam

i look forward to my t-shirt. :) but mostly because there will be a snake in the box with it. :D

I was wondering if you need a credit card or something to get a fedex account? I only have a debit card. would that work?

Found it: http://www.fedex.com/us/services/terms/us.html

~Jim

So sorry Adam. :)

Debit is fine, that's what I used.

Anyone know what size/number snakes could be shipped in one of those 12" x 9" x 6" boxes?

EDIT: I just finished reading the long post on FedEx certification on Fauna, and someone recently said that Fedex stopped offering these accounts and will no longer accept new reptile shippers. If this is true, then I guess I'm screwed.. grr.

I tried to use m debit card. when i try to confirm or whatever it says invalid credit card. did it do that to you? do you have to have money in there?

No it worked. I read that they charge $10 on there just to check to see if it's a valid card.. they take off the charges within a few days.

So if I don't have any money on the card, it will say it is invalid?

I guess so.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

When you "book" your shipment on-line and print your labels you will book it as a priority overnight shipment ... make sure you never specify that you are shipping to a residence, even if you are.

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what is the reason for this and would you say the same applies for shipping other reptiles like geckos and lizards, etc?

Mle - it's because in the contract you sign with FedEx you're supposed to only ship business to business (why? ..now that's an entirely different question) -many herp transactions are home-based business to business, but you don't want Fedex dumping you because you're shipping to a private residence.

Shelby who did they recomend you to?

The person that's helping me set up the certification is Courtney Harrison. E-mail: courtney.harrison@fedex.com