hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
In a recent discussion on this site, the topic of packaging multiple snakes together in one bag was widely criticized. I feel that the subject has two opposing views - the problem being that, in many cases, they see it as a black and white thing: We're right, they're wrong. I avoided comment in the thread, so as not to distract from the issues at hand....but the more that was said, the more it ate at me. SOOOOO, I'm bringing the discussion here.
*For the purpose of this thread, packaging separately means in different bags or containers - NOT putting them in a different shipping box.
I have received multiple animals shipped this way over the years....and, as long as the animals are healthy, of comparable size, and of the same species, it isn't really that big a deal, IMO. Now, obviously, there are exceptions to that; but I don't think it is something that is automatically BAD.
Example - earlier this year, I shipped out a quantity of boas, ball pythons, and bullsnakes to one buyer. All of those snakes were produced by me. I packaged the bulls together, the balls together, and divided the (15) boas into 3 bags. So what? All the animals were healthy, and the snakes packaged together were of the same species and comparably sized. (I'm pretty sure they were all littermates, but the ball pythons might have been from separate clutches - I don't remember now, and I'm not going back to look.) Healthy in, healthy out, and no complaints from the buyer.
Regarding the exceptions - if any of the animals are unhealthy, or has a known issue, they should be separate. (ie - a snake with a chronic wheeze should not be placed in the same bag with others; a snake with loose stool, or other signs of parasites should also be separate. YES, I KNOW, there are strong arguments that those animals shouldn't be shipped in the first place...I'm not disputing that. This really is just common sense stuff.) Imported, wild caught, and farmed snakes should not be in the same bag as US CBB. If there is a notable size disparity - one should consider separate packaging. Quantity is also a factor...if I am purchasing 2 snakes, I'd probably expect them to be packaged separately. Where is the line drawn - I don't know. I've offered customers an option, under certain circumstances...say a snake is added to an order, making a larger box - and an increased shipping cost - necessary; I've offered that bagging them together would allow the original box size, and not change the shipping amount. I'm sure more could easily be added, but I think I've made my point.
Thoughts, experiences, and relevant comments are welcome.
*For the purpose of this thread, packaging separately means in different bags or containers - NOT putting them in a different shipping box.
I have received multiple animals shipped this way over the years....and, as long as the animals are healthy, of comparable size, and of the same species, it isn't really that big a deal, IMO. Now, obviously, there are exceptions to that; but I don't think it is something that is automatically BAD.
Example - earlier this year, I shipped out a quantity of boas, ball pythons, and bullsnakes to one buyer. All of those snakes were produced by me. I packaged the bulls together, the balls together, and divided the (15) boas into 3 bags. So what? All the animals were healthy, and the snakes packaged together were of the same species and comparably sized. (I'm pretty sure they were all littermates, but the ball pythons might have been from separate clutches - I don't remember now, and I'm not going back to look.) Healthy in, healthy out, and no complaints from the buyer.
Regarding the exceptions - if any of the animals are unhealthy, or has a known issue, they should be separate. (ie - a snake with a chronic wheeze should not be placed in the same bag with others; a snake with loose stool, or other signs of parasites should also be separate. YES, I KNOW, there are strong arguments that those animals shouldn't be shipped in the first place...I'm not disputing that. This really is just common sense stuff.) Imported, wild caught, and farmed snakes should not be in the same bag as US CBB. If there is a notable size disparity - one should consider separate packaging. Quantity is also a factor...if I am purchasing 2 snakes, I'd probably expect them to be packaged separately. Where is the line drawn - I don't know. I've offered customers an option, under certain circumstances...say a snake is added to an order, making a larger box - and an increased shipping cost - necessary; I've offered that bagging them together would allow the original box size, and not change the shipping amount. I'm sure more could easily be added, but I think I've made my point.
Thoughts, experiences, and relevant comments are welcome.