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Reasonable Shipping Rates???

P

plomosa

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How are some people able to ship reptiles overnight priority with Fedex for rates between $35-$50???

Every time I try to get a quote with the two big reptile shipping companies (SYR, and RE) the quote is extremely high ($70-90) even if I select a zip code that is only 1 state away from my own.

If I run hypothetical situations with a very small 6"x6"x6" box, which is probably too small to be able to use a heat or cold pack, I can get down into the mid $50 range.

I have a Fedex account that I have had approved to ship reptiles since 2004, but I still cannot get a direct quote from them that is lower than SYR and RE. I even have "discounts" applied to my Fedex account to where my rates are lower than what is being charged on their website.

Whats up here?

Back in 2004, I was able to get rates between $35 and $50, but now since I have started up again, those prices seem to be ancient history.
 
I just shipped a box last week using my Fed Ex account.
It was a 12x9x6 insulated box with an adult BP and heat pack going a few states away from me.
The cost was $64.72

I had another package ship across the country (same setup as above) and it was $162.89

Long gone are the $35-$50 shipping charges.
Is now runs a minimum of $65 for Fed Ex.

I won't charge a flat rate anymore.

Depending upon the value of the animal, shipping is sometimes more than the purchase price.
 
How are some people able to ship reptiles overnight priority with Fedex for rates between $35-$50???
Click to expand...
Volume discounts, and/or accepting some degree of loss.
 
I rarely charge over $65 for a small box, but I end up eating the balance 90% of the time. Why? Thus far, my animals have all been safe and on-time with Fedex, so I consider it acceptable overhead.


Noelle
 
I just charge $50 because I get tired of answering emails over and over again that only ask "How much is shipping to xxxxx?". I do think box size has alot to do with shipping costs, too. I was using a 12x9x6 box even for single hatchling BPs, and found that 7x7x6 saves me about $10 per shipment (only works for single hatchlings, tho). I guess I'd rather eat $10-15 on shipping than waste alot of time answering emails (and alot of people who are newer/haven't had to ship themselves seem to balk at paying more than $50 for shipping). I don't think they realize how much it costs...but I'd rather lose $15 on shipping than lose a few hundred dollar sale over $15.
 
thanks

Thanks. I appreciate the replies. It is just as I had feared...having to eat the difference....oh well.
 
got some quotes tonight, all info is the same:

FedEx (no volumn discount)
FedEx_quote.jpg


Ship Your Reptiles
SYR_Quote.jpg


Reptiles Express
RE_Quote.jpg


Not sure why SYR was so high. Anyways, thought I'd post this to show how expensive shipping can be since I see some people surprised when they get quotes over $70.
 
Those numbers don't make sense, April...The FedEx and SYR "retail" rate show as pretty similar, but the RE "retail" rate is almost $50 lower.
The only thing I can guess is that RE's program doesn't use the same dimensional weight calculator...unless you had a typo when you were submitting the information, there.
 
I was stumped! Ran the quotes a few times to ensure everything was the same. that must be it..
 
Most folks shipping with a flat rate are indeed eating the difference. And it does go back to the days of regular $35-$55 shipping fees, which are indeed gone. FedEx and UPS Rates go up about 3% each year, so it is quite a bit different than 10 years ago.

As for the RE rate, the dimensional weight on that box is 11 pounds. I don't know why their site quote function doesn't figure it out correctly, but if you enter it as the 11 pounds that it will be billed at, the numbers start to all come together ("retail is $112"). Their FedEx retail figure is still off, but the math at RE has never been very accurate, as long as I have seen it. I have no idea why that is.
 
We also offer a deeper discount as your package volume increases, or to beat your current FedEx rate. That rate, along with our customer service and On-Time and Live Arrival Insurance coverage, adds up to the best possible shipping experience.

So when trying to match another breeder's "$55 flat rate shipping" price, he may indeed be getting that, or perhaps eating only $10 off it, compared to your $25, depending on the different rate.
 
robyn@Pro Exotics said:
As for the RE rate, the dimensional weight on that box is 11 pounds. I don't know why their site quote function doesn't figure it out correctly, but if you enter it as the 11 pounds that it will be billed at, the numbers start to all come together ("retail is $112").
Click to expand...
YAY - I was right!!!! (I love it when that happens :dgrin: )
 
haven't shipped anything, snake or other, in a long time,
was FLOORED by the current rates :eek:

$98 from south florida to maine, smh.
 
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