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Is anyone else having shipping problems???

B

BriarpatchHerps

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What the hell is going on with Airborn and UPS? Is it just my local offices or have they all became impossible to deal with?

During nice weather several weeks ago I make arrangements for Airborn to pick up and ship seven packages, they never show up or even call me!

Then I was in a major accident with a hit & run drunk driver which has had me layed up.....depending on non-snake people to help with all this mess lol
(real friends are ophidiphobics that help anyway!)

Next I went to ship through UPS last week and they called the next morning stating the packages got left on a pallet by mistake and hadn't been shipped. So I went and picked them up to reschedule another day verses leave the animals packed in who knows what kind of conditions for 36-48hrs.

This evening I tried to send them out through Airborn Express and was informed that DHL Express had bought them out, changed regulations and they would no longer ship live animals.

Tonight, after checking with my customers I called to reschedule with UPS for a Saturday delivery and was informed due to shorter business hours they wont guarantee Saturday delivery for any of the seven locations......one of which is from one end of Ohio to the other!

I've had two packages arrive over the last several months, one UPS and one FED EX... but I have no idea if the shippers had the same trouble I'm having.

With the crazy weather and incompetent shippers my customers and I are going insane trying to get these transactions completed. These animals have been packed and unpacked so many times they know which box is theirs and all I need do is open the cage!

Is anyone else having problems shipping or recieving? This is ridiculous!

The one thing I am grateful for is my understanding customers, they have been incredibly tolerant and understanding throughout all this headache.........I honestly don't think I could have dealt with nicer folks.
 
FEDEX

I never use fedex. I do not ship animals, but they are awful w/anything!!!! Took us 7 days to get an overnight package that was shipped through them.Then one time they called and said "we have a package for you, you need to come pick it up", 70 miles from where we live!!!!! Yeah, right!!!!
Never had a problem w/UPS, they have gone out of their way for me. But I live in a small community and know all the drivers. That helps a lot!!!
 
No problems here still using FEDEX and shipping at least 3 boxes a week all on time and great shape
 
These animals have been packed and unpacked so many times they know which box is theirs and all I need do is open the cage!
Click to expand...
:D That was really funny!

William,

I guess it depends on your location. Where I'm at (really small town) the service of UPS, Airborne, and Fedex has been great. Both for pick-up (Airborne) and delivery. Our UPS depot for example is right here in town, I can drop boxes 15 minutes before closing time and within an hour they are in the local airport. Can't complain with the service of either one so far.

Regards.
 
I use UPS exclusively and have never had a problem.... Of course, $100 Xmas bonuses to the driver's REALLY help.... they treat my shippments (coming and going) like GOLD!!....

Neil
 
I use...

Ups exclusivly! I have never had 1 problem with them. I used to use airborne, but they have dropped the ball on numorous occations, then when I call with a problem, I get " we have a no live animal shipping policy, so you are basicly screwed" that is a direct quote from one of their customer reps. Just wonderful customer service, don't you think?
 
FedEx has been great

I got certified with FedEx when all of the shipping threads started. I've shipped out 10 packages this past month with no problems what-so-ever. I've shipped out out 30-40 packages with FedEx over the last few years and I've never had a single problem.
The only dead arrival I have ever had was an overnight shipment of geckos with USPS that got to the destination in Wyoming after 3 days in the summer heat. I was assured ahead of time that they could do overnight to that destination. They lost the package.
 
i have used UPS and airbornexpress numerous times this year so far. and i have never had a problem with them at all. last year was the same way, no problems...........

kevin love (stingray)
 
See, that's what's got me baffled.....I do a LOT of trading so I probably have more individual incoming and outgoing packages than most. All of the past years I have had ZERO problems, no losses, deaths, late arrivals NADA! The first thing that ever became a snag was Delta tightening down but even that wasn't a money/customer losing issue. I've shipped UPS, USPS and Airborn...also recieved through the same as well as Fed Ex.

This year however has been a bitch trying to get several deliveries made since the weather has been mild enough to ship. I live in an area that has seven small cities close together (1200+ population each) In that entire area is ONE UPS hub, ONE Airborn hub ZERO Fed Ex and a ton of USPS which wont ship snakes! And my nearest airport is 1 1/2hrs away.

Airborn has delivered numerous times to me in boxes clearly labeled "Live Harmless Cold Blooded Pets" but yet when they're told what I'm trying to send out or read my labeling "NOPE!"
This entire area is saturated with antique shops, auctions, swap meets, flea markets ect ect ect.......all I can figure is along with the big business shipments the small business shippers and EBay folks are lagging the shipping services around here. Being that they're so understaffed for the work load animals needing the special attention they do are being overlooked.

I'm hoping this has just been a rough starting season for them with incoming and outgoing to the troops, christmas, tax times ect ect and things will smooth out.............but good god in the meantime I have to keep a sharp eye peeled for a lynch mob!

So far I've had very patient customers this year and that's about the only thing keeping the hide on my back. Thanks for all your input folks. Have a great weekend!
 
UPS tried to have me arrested (the counter girl opened the box to find a ETB, tapped on the delicup, when it struck at her she called the police becuase she in her expert knowledge of snakes knew that only venomous snakes bite so it must be venomous-cops gave me the snake back and said to find an alternate method), Airborne has lost 100% of every shipment ever, a U.S. Mail employee opened a package and stole a beardie I shipped (was finally settled).

That leaves Fedex and Delta Dash, of which I have never had one problem, howver I only use prioirty overnight or same day services.

In reality I think that no matter who you use, they are going to screw you up eventually. It only a matter of time.

Benjamin Cole
 
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