Rich Z of Serpenco - You make the call

I want everyone to know that I think Rich Z. of Serpenco is a fine example of a professional internet herp business.  

I live in Minnesota - and bought a 7 lot of striped leopard gecko babies from Rich around the holidays.  Since it's a little cooler up here, Rich didn't want to ship until the weather was better.  He didn't gripe about having to keep and feed them - he was just concerned about the health of the animals.  

Rich was courteous in our exchange of emails - and considering all the work he was doing on "FaunaClassifieds.com" - I was impressed with his professionalism and prompt replies.

Luckily a break in the weather allowed Rich to ship them on Monday.  They arrived Tuesday morning, via Airborne Express in a new and well marked insulated box.  In the box was shredded newspaper for packing - and a heat pack taped to the top.  By the way - the heat pack was still working fine, because he wrapped it loosely in newspaper - something that a lot of shippers forget to do.

Each leo was packed nice and snug in a small deli cup padded with a paper towel - and it was room temp in the box!!.  

Oh, by the way - each of the 7 stripes is a legitimate screamer.  Solid stripes - not just dots of black.  I was hoping to get a couple really good ones from the lot - but everyone is just a screamer stripe!  I am amazed.  

I want to personally thank Rich Z of Serpenco for going above and beyond the call of duty with these little buggers!!!  

Thanks bud!!! <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

Monte Meyer  
Powergeckos

I would appreciate some clarification on the proper use of heat packs as stated in this post:

"By the way - the heat pack was still working fine, because he wrapped it loosely in newspaper - something that a lot of shippers forget to do."

Specifically, how is the heat pack wrapped and what does this do to extend or enhance the use of the heat pack.

Any input would be appreciated.

Mike...

OK - first off I admit that I  have limited experience.

With that said - I have seen quite a few heat packs wrapped tightly in newspaper which were cold on arrival.  

When I unwrapped them - the  heat pack - which was cold - started to heat up again when exposed to the open air.  I am willing to be corrected on this - but I assumed that it was being starved of oxygen by being too tightly wrapped.

Rich can answer this better than I can - but his wasn't wrapped tightly at all - it was more nestled in the newspaper and taped to the box.  And it was still nice 'n warm when it arrived.

I've also seen the same thing happen with cricket shipments during the winter - the small heat packs go out if they are wrapped too tightly.

This is just my observation - I am - by no means - an expert, just a herper who lived way up North!!

Sincerely,

Monte Meyer
Powergeckos

Where do you get these heat packs and how long do they last? I am interested in buying 3-4...but not a bunch in bulk. Thanks.

You can buy pocket warmers at any store that sells hunting and fishing supplies. When I ship I usually duct-tape them (by the edges, not across, to allow plenty of oxygen to react with them) to the inside of the styrobox. I then place the bag with the snake in the box and fill with styro-chips. I have never had a single problem even when shipping temps are as low as 40oF during the day.

Daniel

<img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt='???'>
do not buy these pocket warmers they  are only rated for  about 8 hours  make sure you buy one that at least lasts 35 hours   do some research  go to  the big websights they cary them  like   LLL reptile  or the bean farm or big apple  or ??
 buy smart or dont buy at all
JIm

I buy mine from Southern Cricket.  They are 40 hr UniHeat packs for 75 cents each plus the cost of shipping.  The website for them is www.southerncricket.com.  They are in Mississippi.  I hope this helps you.  Good Luck!

Oops, I forgot to mention they are not advertised on their site but their 800# is.  Just call their 800# to inquire about them.

Julie Mason <img src="http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif" border="0" valign="absmiddle" alt=''>

I agree with Jim, Use the 40 hr. heat packs. I don't know why people can't use a little common sense. 6 hr. hand warmers are not going to last 24-48 hrs. Always prepare for the worst when shipping. Plan for them to be a day late, but hope they are on time. I just had a Chondro shipped a while back in a large box with several small boot warmers, that were ice cold along with the snake. I had asked the shipper if he had heat packs and knew how to pack. Anyway use a little common sense.

Mike

xtreme reptiles sells 60 hour heat packs for $2. I would recomend these because thats 2.5 days of heat! it'll take care of any possible delays. I have been told that xtreme is very good at shipping so i would tend to believe i their shipping products.