Shipping questions

[Shelby]

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.

[Smulkin]

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

[Shelby]

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

[Smulkin]

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

[JimiSnakes]

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)."

[Shelby]

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.

[Smulkin]

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

[Adam_Wysocki]

http://www.superiorenterprise.com/

-adam

[Shelby]

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?

[Adam_Wysocki]

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