Hey,
I get the it costs too much 10:1 over the its too far for me to drive answer.
I lived for 17 years in the sticks myself.
Fedex has carrier delays, they will not bring a packing in overnight in cold weather, and they will not put a box in the front seat with a/c during hot weather, they regularly leave packages on doorsteps without even making an attempt to see if someone is home, and the falsely put they have signature deferral/override on file so frequently I cannot count. I have even signed for packages but in the system it is someone elses name not even close to mine.
I really don't think I should have to put my neck or my animals on the line for a company that regularly has issues, and deals in a volume such that they cannot give a package individual care thusly not guaranting any perishable item.
Now delta does have some issue with the Atlanta hub, but that has been my only issue.
If I shipped a package and it went smoothly, on time, the actual person signed for it, and there were no temp issues on either end then I would pay for an animal. However, knock on wood, I have had relatively few problems shipping either way.
I lost a bunch of corns-to carrier mishandling to arizona last summer, and I went good for them, and I have lost a onsy and twosy to a wholesale customer in maine, and I have gone good for 100% of them also.
Is any method of shipping 100% safe-no. But I would rather go with the company that has the confidence to go with a insurance and money back policy then one that doesn't, even if I may have to pay 30 extra bucks, and drive a few hours it is worth it to me when I am getting animals.
Thanks
ben