Bad Guy Fedex

[chasebaker5]

but you know i just thought about it the box only said perishable... not live reptile... but i still think the office is opening the box... less the 2 weeks and it happen twice to same shipper/reciever... just seems fishy!

 

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

"Live reptile" does NOT have to be on the exterior of the box. In fact, it's recommended that you never put anything on the exterior stating that there is an animal. People can be cruel. Especially if they are afraid. It can cause purposeful abuse to the box and make it more likely to be opened for inspection.

However, you must include a sheet of paper on the top of the top sheet of styrofoam, or written on the inside flap (so it's the first thing seen if the box is opened) "Harmless Live Reptile". This is not just a recommendation of SYR, but an overall good shipping procedure.

Some breeders, for whom money is not an issue, ship in the insulated boxes which have blue lettering and are designed for medical supplies, samples, etc..

If you can afford to buy these boxes for a little more, you would have less of an issue with scared people abusing the box. The white boxes with red lettering have become well known in the shipping companies as reptile boxes. The medical insulated boxes have not.

 

[Iguanalady]

I stopped using FedEx two years ago because they were never on time. I would pay for overnight by 10:30am and the packages weren't arriving until 1pm or later. Their excuse....weather related. they were late more then they were on time. When I called them and demanded them refund my money on the overnight by 10:30, they refused and said it was beyond their control...another unsatisfied customer. I use UPS exclusively now...I have had very few issues with them.

 

[Nanci]

There is a rule that you have to sign for animals upon arrival, yes? My last 2 purchases were on my porch in the cold without so much as a knock. Luckily I checked the porch every 30 minutes.

You should check to see if you have ever waived the signature required. Once you do that, they can waive the sig on any package.

 

[zooherper]

There are several couriers that only deal with animals; sadly they only deal with zoos and aquariums. At any rate; when we speak of our industry under fire, we should remember that we must write at the very least "wildlife" on the exterior of a box to be kosher with the Lacey Act. I use the term wildlife or "harmless wildlife"; giving no indication as to what is inside other than some sort of animal. Also, I never ever write the common name of the animal on any of the paperwork--most people will see the Latin and shrug it off and move on with life--whereas if you write "python" or "snake" you can get a much different reaction. . As for FedEx; I have had mostly good experiences with them--there are a few instances of 24 hr+ late packages, but fortunately this was during times of the year when the weather was mild and everyone arrived OK. However, the customer service blew when I went to complain to FedEx. The best we can do is pack our animals well and hope for the best. I use 72 hour heat packs exclusively to account for delays, for instance. Never had to use cold packs. Sucks, but I suppose we have to deal.

 

[Nanci]

These are the requirements for MOST of us, for labeling the shipment:

Reptile Shipment Labeling
Reference: 50 CFR 14 10.2008.pdf - specifically 14.82

Option One

(i) Conspicuously marking the outside of each container or package containing fish or wildlife with the word “fish” or “wildlife” as appropriate for its contents, or with the common name of its contents by species, and

(ii) Including an invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or similar document to accompany the shipment which accurately states the name and address of the shipper and consignee, states the total number of packages or containers in the shipment, and for each species in the shipment specifies:

(A) The common name that identifies the species (examples include: Chinook (or king) salmon; bluefin tuna; and whitetail deer) and whether or not the listed species is venomous; and

(B) The number of that species (or other appropriate measure of quantity such as gross or net weight).

The invoice, packing list, bill of lading, or equivalent document must be securely attached to the outside of one container or package in the shipment or otherwise physically accompany the shipment in a manner which makes it readily accessible for inspection

***************

So, I label my boxes LIVE HARMLESS WILDLIFE on the outside of the box, and include a packing slip listing the common and scientific name both in the plastic airbill envelope outside the package and on top of the styrofoam cover inside the package.

I also label the boxes on three sides with LIVE CARGO, KEEP AT 70 DEGREES, PROTECT FROM HEAT, FREEZING, DIRECT SUN and I use four of the FedEx yellow PERISHABLE stickers, one on each corner.

**************

You take a lot of risk out of the equation by requiring the animals to be sent Hold For Pickup. Then you _know_ they have arrived at the FedEx office and are in a temperature-controlled area and are not out on a truck getting lost, bounced around, delayed.

It also pays to take a look at the weather forecast for Memphis and the destination. If Memphis has bad storms in the forecast, I will delay shipping.

As the shipper, I get e-mail tracking updates from FedEx. I make sure the recepient has the tracking number, but I follow up to make sure they know the package has arrived at FedEx and is ready

 

[Nanci]

As the shipper, I get e-mail tracking updates from FedEx. I make sure the recepient has the tracking number, but I follow up to make sure they know the package has arrived at FedEx and is ready for pick-up. FedEx is supposed to e-mail the recepient, and is supposed to call, but sometimes they don't. So I always follow up, immediately, on my end when I receive notification that the package is ready.

I also have the recepient drop by the FedEx office and just ask if they accept live animal shipments. I don't want to find out when it's too late that they have refused the package.

Finally, I maintain an excellent relationship with my FedEx hub in my city. I know all the people there and have tried to educate them about the friendly pet snakes that they are transporting, and have showed them the beautiful colors they come in and tried to get them excited about the new snakes coming in and my babies going out. I feel that if they are personally involved with the animals they are responsible for, they will take care to make sure those animals receive the best treatment possible while in their hands, and that if I ever encounter a problem, they will do anything to help me resolve it.

 

[hhmoore]

I know this is a thread in which it is easy to stray from the immediate topic; but this is the BOI, not the shipping forum....Please make a concerted effort to keep things on track.

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

"Live reptile" does NOT have to be on the exterior of the box. In fact, it's recommended that you never put anything on the exterior stating that there is an animal. People can be cruel. Especially if they are afraid. It can cause purposeful abuse to the box and make it more likely to be opened for inspection.

However, you must include a sheet of paper on the top of the top sheet of styrofoam, or written on the inside flap (so it's the first thing seen if the box is opened) "Harmless Live Reptile". This is not just a recommendation of SYR, but an overall good shipping procedure.

Wrong! That would be a direct violation of Federal law. Visit the shipping forum for detailed information.

 

[otlauram]

I was told by the Fedex corporate office just 2 weeks ago that if any driver is reported as "tossing" a box intentionally they are fired for it... I know that's not the issue of late packages, but thought it was worth noting since a few people have mentioned seeing them throwing boxes around marked fragile.

 

[Ken Foose]

The reason I'm suing fed ex for the large shipment of tortoises is because
1) it is a lot of money
2) Kim took two of our pre-printed labels, already filled out to ship home, and handed them to the clerk at Fed Ex. They don't go by the air bill labels that we use, but place a sticker on the box with a bar code, and that's what they use to ship. They put an overnight label on one box, but the moron there printed the other label as day saver. Fed ex has admitted they are at fault, and, as I said before, offered me $500 in compensation. After several letters from my attorney, they upped it to $1,200, plus a refund on my shipping of course. I declined the offer, and am presently filing a lawsuit against them. Yes, thir policy says no guarantees on live delivery of animals, but this I feel is an exception to this rule. So, we'll see what happens.