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FEDEX charges too much? (info)

D

David Bellis

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I know that lots of people (myself included) have signed this petition for a new shipping possibility. I recently signed up for a FEDEX account as well. I just purchased a dwarf retic from someone and he decided to use FEDEX and used my account number for shipping.

My total for a 23 pound box Priority Overnighted? $92.46

The dwarf *MAYBE* weighs ten pounds and I can't imagine the box weighing more than five. I wonder if I re-weigh the box if I have any chance of getting back some of the money. I was expecting it to be $30 - $60.

I had a much larger snake in a much larger box shipped to me via Delta Dash and it cost around $60. I called FEDEX to confirm that this price was not a mistake, this is would the charge should be.

Just wondering if anyone thinks this is way too much. I'd be frightened to know what shipping a large retic would cost.
 
The box size that you use makes a big difference in their calculations, so it may not have been just the weight that made it so expensive.
 
Who weighed the box originally? Also was the weight the actual weight or a dimensional weight (they charge you if the box is over a certain size limit)? Did you put the dimensions and weight into UPS's rate finder (I regularly check pricing on larger overnight packages to get the best deal).
 
First of all, Delta has flat rates up to 50lbs. It costs me $69.81 every time I ship a snake. I did so yesterday, it went to Memphis.
Like Paul mentioned, and I do not understand how they calculate this, but shipping companies weigh the box (actual weight) and then they use another term that I forget which is a weight x SIZE (dimensions) of the box. They take the two and charge you accordingly.
This is something that had been brought up by me in the past, Rich and I have been discussing this as well via emails the last couple days.
People are just going to have to realize that the days of $35 shipping rates is a thing of the past. Those that still sharge this, in most cases, are the ones that are shipping via means that are not approved (i.e.: Airborne or those not approved with USP). People have to suck up the facts and decide whether they want their package to make it without being delayed and/or sent back because nobody knew the seller was shipping snakes OR make it in a timely manner with no delays at a higher price.
FedEx is not charging more because it is snakes, they charge these rates on ANY box that would weigh "X" and be "X" in dimensions. Just the way it goes folks!
 
"Dimensional weight", that is the term, thanks Dan.

People have to be smarter when packing up these things. Putting a yearling boa in a box that is 12x18x10 is NOT the best way to do it. Shipping it in a 8x8x8 or 12x12x12/10 is much better on the wallet AND the smaller box will hold heat better in the sense that it does not have as large an area to heat, therefore, this time of year the snake will be safer.
 
I'm at work and don't have the box here. I would guess the box was around 18x18x10. I plugged the info into the UPS website and the prices are about the same.

The only other animals I've recieved have been via USPS and Delta Dash. That's what I was basing my estimated cost on. The other animals I've received have been double the weight of this guy and the boxes have been much larger.

I guess the answer for people shipping is to use as small of a box as safely possible. Just a heads up for everyone planning on shipping with FEDEX.
 
If I remember correctly they figure the dimensional weight by multiplying the sides 1 x 2 x 3 then divide that number by 144 and you have the dimensional weight that they will charge you. So if your box is a 12 x 12 x 12 box and actually weighs 5 pounds you will be charged the dimensional because of the size and that weight is 12 pounds. I believe boxes 12 x 12 and larger get charged dimensional weight unless the actual weight is more than the dimensional weight. I have seen this happen way too many times with all the carriers. It is not just FED-Ex.
 
The calculation for FedEx is L x W x H divided by 166
Airborne uses L x W x H / 194 for domestic shipments
This is external dimensions not internal.

FedEx, and as I understand it, UPS as well, has a certain size of box were dimensional weight kicks in. It seems like it's a cubic foot, but I may be mistaken there.
Point is, anything under that limit is always charged actual weight, and anything over, the actual weight is compared to the dimensional weight and you are charged the higher of the two.

Airborne Express however uses dimensional weight regardless, which for small packages makes them often more expensive.
You also have to take into consideration the fuel surcharge, and residential delivery fee, as well as the pick up fee if they come and get it.
When you do a rate estimate online, it's just that, an estimate. Those extra charges aren't figured in.
 
I've shipped Fed-Ex - UPS - Delta Dash

and Airborne Express. I recently just signed up for a Fed-Ex account as well, and I typed in all the info from my last 5-6 UPS receipts (IE: exact dimensions, weights, destination zip code, etc) and Fed-Ex were considerably more expensive. A shipment that cost me $29.83 via UPS Next-Day calculated at $43.14 through Fed-Ex...and I don't remember them being that much higher (but it's been better than a year and a half since I've used them) so I'm a little torn here. I am 110% satisfied w/ my UPS account - their staff, and they way they seem to "care" for my packages. Airborne - were terrible - just terrible. 1 out of every 2-3 invoices were billed incorrectly, poor customer service, and my local pick-up person was less than socialable so "no thanks" on ever doing anything w/ them again. Delta Dash is excellent, but still most of my shipments are now going through UPS. I will use Fed-Ex if I figure out if their even competitive anymore - because I never had a problem with them. Great service - nice drivers, etc...just that online calculator put a hurtin' on me :) If you have any insight, it's greatly welcomed.
 
I have not shipped a package in quite awhile through anything other than Delta Dash. I had a box setup very nicely that I recieved my Jungle Carpet in. I decided to use the same box since I was very impressed with it. I shipped previously using U.P.S. and it was always around $33. Well, due to the size of this box it was billed over $100 even though the box weighed 4 lbs. So I decided not to ship it, made a new box, and reshipped it for somewhere around $45 or $50 (cant remember exactly). I was surprised that it was that expensive, but it sounds like it is near the same as Fed Ex. Especially without the fear of someone outside of your local office returning your package due to the fact that it is marked "Live Harmless Reptile".
A side question... This is how I shipped a young Ball Python a few weeks back. The heat packs were taped to the top of the lid basically how they were placed. I waited for them to feel heat before I taped the box shut... One failed and the Ball arrived very cold, but allright. Does this packaging meet Fed Ex requirements? Any suggestions on what I could do to prevent this from happening again (heat pack placement, etc..)?
Thanks,
Tom Baker
 

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I have only used UPS for shipping(but plan to switch to fedex). In the past I have always estimated the cost using the dimensional weight, and put that price on the shipping label. However, everytime my UPS bill comes, I am charged the actual weight, which is significantly less.
 
Here's a couple of shipments off of recent invoices so people will know what to expect on shipping price.

Here are some off of recent invoices:

Transportation Charge 28.75
Fuel Surcharge 1.44
Residential Delivery 1.75
Weekday Delivery
Total Charges 31.94
Zip Codes: 92590 to 44236 (Ohio)

Transportation Charge 28.75
Fuel Surcharge 1.44
Residential Delivery 1.75
Weekday Delivery
Total Charges USD $ 31.94
Zip Codes: 92590 to 02865 (Rhode Island)


These were using 15 X 11 X 7 boxes and 12 X 9 X 6's. It's showing both as dimensioning out at 4 lbs.

I pulled ones that were 8 zones (CA to east coast). There is also a 10% discount if you process your shipment online.
 
Tom

That packing should pass just fine.

As for the heat pack issue, not sure on that. I would say maybe use one on top and one on bottom, but if one fails that doesnt help mush. Best bet would be to open your heat packs about a hour before shipping, and leave them out. If any dont work, open an new one, and repeate the process...lol...I know that sucks.

As for the charges, from what people are saying fed ex will dimensionalize anything not in a fed ex box, so we will all fall into that catagory soo far. However hopefully we can negotiate something as a group to suite our needs. That being said, I would not quote a fed ex shipment price without adding all the buyers info, and the box size first, to get a good estimate. As they are not as cheap as UPS.

I personally plan to work it like this. Any non snake shipments will go UPS as I am approved to do such, and can send them cheaply that way. Any expensive snakes, or deals where the buyer is willing to pay the couple bucks upcharge, will go Delta. All other snake sales will go Fed Ex, but I will not quote a price in the add for shipping, rather base it on a deal to deal situation till I get a fell for fed exs price scale.

Mickey Hinkle
The Lizard King Reptiles
 
Daniel,
Those are FedEx prices?
Just seems so cheep compared to what I got when I used their "rate" quote page. Then again, not sure if it matters, but I was using demensions that were more square.

If those prices are right, not that I doubt you, but that would be promising.

I wonder if that 'rate' quote page is way high, maybe they do not know that I was a 'member' or something. There has to be a way to get cheeper prices from them.
 
I just ran the first one I listed through their rate quote on the website and got 49.26.

The numbers I posted were off of our invoice. They do not include any discounts except the 10% one for using their online system. Seems to me there is an issue with the rate quote script.
 
I have shipped boxes that way 20 pounds through FEDEX and have it be 30.00 then next time be 80.00 but as said before the box dimensions make a huge difference on cost. A 12x12x12 box weighing 20 pounds could be 25.00 but a box say 20x15x20 weighing 2 pounds could be 50.00. They told me it is do to the room they take up on truck and harder to stack
 
That's common practice...

I agree, it seems that's common practice for most carriers. Size of box is undoubtedly good reason for price increase/decrease. My concern was that the 5-6 actual UPS receipts that had all dimensions, weights, etc. were put into the Fed-Ex calculator - each shipment cost $8-$15 more via Fed-Ex than UPS...I thought they'd be a little more competitive than that - but like some here have stated, there's probably a glitch in the online calculator, making it less than accurate.
 
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