Questions concerning shipping

[BlueMoonExotics]

So far, I've only been selling my snakes locally but this year seems to be slower for me than the previous and my fiance and I (mostly my fiance lol) have decided I should probably start to offer shipping. I have a few questions that I'm sure you guys can answer for me.

I see that quite a few have a set price for shipping like $60 or whatever. I was wondering, how do they come up with this number? Are they just taking a loss if the snake costs more to ship or is there something I'm missing about shipping that only costs flat rate to anywhere?

My other questions are about when not to ship. This is the biggest reason I haven't offered shipping yet as I'm super freaked out that I could ship one of my babies and it overheats in the box and dies. I know reptiles get shipped all the time and so far none of the ones I have received have had any issues but it's a very huge fear for me for some reason. I know you want to check temps and make sure they are in range to ship on both ends but what time of day are you looking for? The hottest part of the day or morning/noon when the snake should arrive/leave? And my last question would be: What about the places they stop in between? I know at least some of the shipments I've received have stopped in TN (I live in SW Florida) and could have a much different temp than we have. Do you need to check the temps for the places they stop? If so, how do you know where they are stopping at?

Thanks all for putting up with all the questions and my excessive paranoia. I just want to feel somewhat at ease when I ship one of my babies out.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Offering flat rate shipping is all about marketing, many buyers have issue paying higher shipping fees especially if they are over $55/$60 when in reality it cost a lot more for the seller. Basically the seller will absorb most of the cost.

For example I offer a $45 flat rate in reality most shipment cost me $60+ to $85+ for a small box ($50 to $75 for the shipping itself, $5.50 for packaging material, $5/$6 in gas to drop off my animals).

Now shipping seems scary but it’s really common sense.

You obviously do not want to ship during extreme temps.

You want to use the proper supply, I use ¾ foam insulated boxes when many only use ½. You need to use the proper heat pack (40 hours min).

You need to check temperature in 3 locations and not 2 (origin, main hub, destination)

Chose drop off over pick up if Fedex pick the animal up from you this means the animal will spend most of the afternoon on a truck with no AC until it gets to the hub (this can be an issue depending on the weather.

Drop off your package as late as possible to limit the time spent in the box (Priority overnight deadline is usually 7 PM, I drop my animals off at 6/6.30).

Now to come back on checking the temps

Origin this will be the temps between the time you drop off your animals until a few hours later before departing for the main hub

For the main hub this is something you will only know once your shipping label is printed. Once printed the first later will tell you where your package will be sent. This is where the package will stay anywhere between 11 pm to 5 am

Main hubs are as followed.

A Fort Aworth TX

W Oakland CA

N Indianapolis IN

X Memphis TN

Q Los Angeles CA

Numbers in state and or travelling by trucks not plane.


Destination it will be temps anywhere between 7/8 am to 4.30 pm, while fedex guarantees that most of it's packages will arrive by 10.30 some package will not be delivered before 4.30 pm (remote area)

This will help as well http://www.shipyourreptiles.com/en/g...ping-standards

[BlueMoonExotics]

I'm guessing with the last sentence you meant "destination" instead of "origin". Thanks so much for replying, I will definitely be looking back at your post as a reference for awhile just to make sure everything goes smoothly until I am more comfortable with the shipping scene. Gives me butterflies just thinking about shipping.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I'm guessing with the last sentence you meant "destination" instead of "origin".

Yep just corrected it

Gives me butterflies just thinking about shipping.

Me too and it's been 10 years of shipping and receiving.

It makes me nervous too because this is the only thing I have no control over once the package is dropped off and usually I am in control of EVERYTHING <- CONTROL FREAK here (animal care, breeding even breeding feeders for my collection)

Just remember the things we feat the most rarely happen

[hanzo_baseball]

There is a podcast on itunes called ballsh!t and the guy who does the podcast did an entire episode devoted to shipping back on July 15. I found it very educational and helpful.

[PitOnTheProwl]

It makes me nervous too because this is the only thing I have no control over once the package is dropped off and usually I am in control of EVERYTHING <- CONTROL FREAK here (animal care, breeding even breeding feeders for my collection)

This right here is the main reason I have not offered shipping.

[Robyn@SYR]

Lots of good info in Deb's post.

Shipping a live reptile for your first time can seem daunting, but it really is pretty straight forward. Some additional points-

3/4" insulation is actually the minimum amount required. I wish folks would stop selling the 1/2" stuff, it doesn't even meet the FedEx requirement. Insulation provides temperature control, but it also provides very important structural rigidity and support for your package.

Heat packs should be 40 hour duration or more. But only use a heat pack when temperatures require it. The number one cause of DOAs is misuse of heat packs, either too many, or using one when temps are already too warm. Or the worst, using hand warmers, which are readily available at stores, but get much hotter than shipping heat packs. We have temperature guidelines at our site, very easy to follow.

You can check weather conditions through quick hit buttons on the ShipYourReptiles site during the booking process, including shortcut buttons for weather at the main Memphis and Indy hubs.

Guaranteed delivery times are determined by zip code. Your delivery time is shown on the SYR site when getting a quote, or booking a label. It also prints in the lower right part of the label. That is three separate places, yet you would be amazed to know how many people don't see it there or recognize it : )

You can insure your shipment for live arrival at ShipYourReptiles as well.

We have staff available Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm MST, and they are happy to walk you through the steps if you like. Once you do it just once or twice, it will seem like a breeze. And you should expect complete success, and safe arrival and health, every time. Give us a call at 303-730-2125 if you have any questions.

[BlueMoonExotics]

There is a podcast on itunes called ballsh!t and the guy who does the podcast did an entire episode devoted to shipping back on July 15. I found it very educational and helpful.

I thought I've listened to all of those but I guess I missed that one. Now I'll have to go listen to it thanks! I think Deborah covered everything pretty well though.

Lots of good info in Deb's post.

Shipping a live reptile for your first time can seem daunting, but it really is pretty straight forward. Some additional points-

3/4" insulation is actually the minimum amount required. I wish folks would stop selling the 1/2" stuff, it doesn't even meet the FedEx requirement. Insulation provides temperature control, but it also provides very important structural rigidity and support for your package.

Heat packs should be 40 hour duration or more. But only use a heat pack when temperatures require it. The number one cause of DOAs is misuse of heat packs, either too many, or using one when temps are already too warm. Or the worst, using hand warmers, which are readily available at stores, but get much hotter than shipping heat packs. We have temperature guidelines at our site, very easy to follow.

You can check weather conditions through quick hit buttons on the ShipYourReptiles site during the booking process, including shortcut buttons for weather at the main Memphis and Indy hubs.

Guaranteed delivery times are determined by zip code. Your delivery time is shown on the SYR site when getting a quote, or booking a label. It also prints in the lower right part of the label. That is three separate places, yet you would be amazed to know how many people don't see it there or recognize it : )

You can insure your shipment for live arrival at ShipYourReptiles as well.

We have staff available Monday through Friday from 7am to 6pm MST, and they are happy to walk you through the steps if you like. Once you do it just once or twice, it will seem like a breeze. And you should expect complete success, and safe arrival and health, every time. Give us a call at 303-730-2125 if you have any questions.

Wish there was a place to type in the 2 zip codes and it tell you if it's safe to ship and if you would need a heat pack for each day of that week. Kind of like how you type in zips to see the price of shipping. Not sure how that could be set up but it's a cool idea I think .

[bondo]

Chose drop off over pick up if Fedex pick the animal up from you this means the animal will spend most of the afternoon on a truck with no AC until it gets to the hub (this can be an issue depending on the weather.
http://www.shipyourreptiles.com/en/g...ping-standards

This is not always the case. I live in the sticks about an hour away from FedEx. They pickup between 4-5. They also have a sprinter van that is ac and heat controlled. I receive my shipments about the same time also. Even in the hottest of weather they come into my possession between 70-75 degrees.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

This is not always the case. I live in the sticks about an hour away from FedEx. They pickup between 4-5. They also have a sprinter van that is ac and heat controlled. I receive my shipments about the same time also. Even in the hottest of weather they come into my possession between 70-75 degrees.

That's great but but in the majority of cases when pickup by a FEDEX truck that means no AC, hence by recommendation when it comes to the basics for optimum shipping and the use of common sense during months with extreme temps.