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Anyone wanna compare fedex shipping prices? Did I get played?

Focal

Focal

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Ok, I was side swiped recently through fedex. I shipped my first large snake a few months ago and got hit for a bill of $85.28. Does this seem a little high to anyone? I read the other day that shipping is negotiable with your representative. Are they just gonna hit you for the max if you don't try to talk them down? I called to pay the bill and they just played stupid about it, the same way they did when I got certified and I asked them for the account number to charge it to. I ended up paying over $45 to have a package tested.

Anyway, the package I sent was sent priority overnight:

Actual weight 7lbs
Rated weight 12lbs
Box size 13"x13"x13"

Transportation charge $76.10
Fuel surcharge $6.68
Residential Delivery $2.50

Total $85.28


Does anyone have anything I can compare this to? It just seems wrong.

Thanks :thumbsup:
 
I can't directly compare to your shipment, but I do know that when I first set up my FedEx account and spoke to my local rep, I was initially granted a 15% discount off published rates (I didn't even discuss discounts with her, she did this on her own to her credit). One year after that though, my discount was decreased because my volume is so low.

It may be just a matter of having an excellent rep vs one not-so-excellent.
 
We can't offer an accurate comparison using our accounts without your zip code and the zip code the package was sent to.

That being said, I shipped 12 or 14, I don't remember which, adult cornsnakes for a friend of mine for a breeder loan a couple of years ago and the charge was 85 or 90 dollars. That was before the last couple of rate increases.
I can't recall how much the box weighed, but I know I was surprised by the charge, since at the time my packages were averaging $45 or so.
 
Thanks for the help guys.

My zip was 23505 and the destination was 30144. I was thinking the difference of the actual weight and "rated" weight might have been because it was a larger, lighter box. I know some shippers inflate the price on size when the package is light :shrug01: Ballon rate I think they call it.
 
Focal X said:
Thanks for the help guys.

My zip was 23505 and the destination was 30144. I was thinking the difference of the actual weight and "rated" weight might have been because it was a larger, lighter box. I know some shippers inflate the price on size when the package is light :shrug01: Ballon rate I think they call it.
Click to expand...

Yep, it's called 'dimensional weight', based on the area of the packaging.
 
Just plugging the details into FedEx, with no account number - dropped off, residential delivery, no signature required:

FedEx Priority Overnight® 109.23
FedEx Standard Overnight® 100.54
 
Using the zip codes, box dimensions, and weight you provided, the same package on my FedEx account is $88.95 for priority overnight.
 
*with the following noted:

More information about your results:

Dimensional Weight of your package(s) was used to calculate your rate.
 
FedEx Priority Overnight®
Base rate 96.55
Additional charges (+)
+ Residential surcharge 2.75
+ Fuel surcharge 9.93
Total 109.23


FedEx Standard Overnight®
Base rate 88.65
Additional charges (+)
+ Residential surcharge 2.75
+ Fuel surcharge 9.14
Total 100.54
 
For reference, FedEx changed their formula they use to calculate dimensional weight the first of the year.
Previously it was LxWxH/194 and now it's LxWxH/166

That means dimensional weight had in essence increased, since they are now calculating a higher weight for a given box size.
 
Shipping is getting so expensive! The last few times I shipped from CA across the country it averages $60-75. The larger the box the higher the price, I'm setting up shipping now for a large box (30x16x10) coming to me from FL and the rates I'm seeing are $150-180 ouch! (Luckily it's worth it).

It appears the days of offering a flat $40-50 shipping rate are gone unless you have very high volume.
 
Anymore when it comes to shipping overnight we're more and more like kermit in your avatar..... lol
 
I agree the shipping prices are way high, but I would rather ship with high prices then not ship at all. Honestly, I think in the future, everyone that deals with the animal hobby as a whole, we will all just ship delta. Beginning to be the same prices, and much safer. Just my opinion.
Stephen
 
AbsoluteApril said:
Shipping is getting so expensive! The last few times I shipped from CA across the country it averages $60-75. The larger the box the higher the price, I'm setting up shipping now for a large box (30x16x10) coming to me from FL and the rates I'm seeing are $150-180 ouch! (Luckily it's worth it).

It appears the days of offering a flat $40-50 shipping rate are gone unless you have very high volume.
Click to expand...

April,
With that box size, what about Delta Dash? The box I shipped this past summer was at least that size, and went the same distance (here to Oregon...might have used an airport in WA, don't recall - but that was more a convenience issue, related to flight frequency), and it was just under $120. That box was about 60lbs. (I don't even want to talk about what the FedEx rate would have been, lol)
 
Delta is the old way....cargo is actually pretty reasonable, but there is the risk of your package getting bumped - there is no guaranteed flight unless you jump to Dash. The problem is that it's like pulling teeth to get people to go to the airport for pickup. Unless someone is within a 15-20 minute drive, it's too much trouble.
 
hhmoore said:
April,
With that box size, what about Delta Dash?
Click to expand...

hmm, I'll ask if my buddy is certified to ship Delta, he's already doing me a favor shipping out snakes to me for someone that isn't comfortable shipping, so I don't want to make it too much of a hassle for him... :eek:
but that is a great idea, thanks!
 
Thanks everyone!! My faith has been restored with fedex, lol. This invoice was from Nov 2010 so I'm sure the price went up some since.
 
You don't have to be certified by Delta any longer according to them. And if I was quoted between $150-$180 I would definitely go thru Delta instead. It would be cheaper and safer.
 
Yea, Fedex is getting to the point it is as expensive a Delta dash. I have heard rumors circulating that UPS is in the process of letting people ship snakes again and without having to have a waiver. Is this true?
 
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