Reptster Shipping

[spawn]

Steve, did you ever find out anymore? How does this work liability wise?

 

[hhmoore]

From what I have heard, Reptster hopes to offer shipping via UPS in the not too distant future - can you confirm that, David?

It certainly wouldn't surprise me - UPS has been demonstrating that their rulebook bends for the almighty dollar for years... Their written policy states no snakes, and they usually flat out refuse to take them when properly labeled...but many of the higher volume sellers use them exclusively. With FedEx positioned to get a greater share of our business, UPS was bound to come on board.

 

[homegrownherps]

From what I have heard, Reptster hopes to offer shipping via UPS in the not too distant future - can you confirm that, David?

It certainly wouldn't surprise me - UPS has been demonstrating that their rulebook bends for the almighty dollar for years... Their written policy states no snakes, and they usually flat out refuse to take them when properly labeled...but many of the higher volume sellers use them exclusively. With FedEx positioned to get a greater share of our business, UPS was bound to come on board.

I know a few people who ship with UPS , and they get around the "No snakes Rule" by telling UPS that they only ship lizards. And they do ship lizards, but they also ship snakes as well.

I think it would be great to have another shipper to legally ship snakes.... It stinks when you have no other options.

 

[DavidYoung]

If you would contact me personally on the UPS issue. I am not ready to release the facts on that just yet. We have a huge suprise in store though.....

As far as liability goes it is exactly as I stated. You are shipping through FedEx and its the same terms as if you were shipping verified through FedEx. Jim misunderstood what I was saying when I stated that you cannot use your FedEx account number through Reptster as FedEx has no way to process your account through a third party. Which means your FedEx sales rep would not have anything to do with your Reptster FedEx shipping. However if your package is having issues and you need customer service you can call FedEx or me. I have demonstrated on a few occasions I will customer service the package but you can call FedEx @ 1800-go-fedex and give your tracking number just as well.

Thanks,
David Young
727-686-5456
[email protected]

 

[Gary O]

david, This is just AWESOME! I mean this is a huge step for the reptile community. You will have an email from me. here in about 5 minutes.

 

[homegrownherps]

If you would contact me personally on the UPS issue. I am not ready to release the facts on that just yet. We have a huge suprise in store though.....

As far as liability goes it is exactly as I stated. You are shipping through FedEx and its the same terms as if you were shipping verified through FedEx. Jim misunderstood what I was saying when I stated that you cannot use your FedEx account number through Reptster as FedEx has no way to process your account through a third party. Which means your FedEx sales rep would not have anything to do with your Reptster FedEx shipping. However if your package is having issues and you need customer service you can call FedEx or me. I have demonstrated on a few occasions I will customer service the package but you can call FedEx @ 1800-go-fedex and give your tracking number just as well.

Thanks,
David Young
727-686-5456
[email protected]

I did not misunderstand you.... My problem with using Reptster is that I didn't like the idea of having to deal with anyone else but my FedEx rep if a problem should occur during shipping.
That is what you told me when you talked to me at the show.

Its hard enough dealing with the FedEx rep ..... having to go thru a 3rd party would just make it worse.

 

[Gary O]

I did not misunderstand you.... My problem with using Reptster is that I didn't like the idea of having to deal with anyone else but my FedEx rep if a problem should occur during shipping.
That is what you told me when you talked to me at the show.

Its hard enough dealing with the FedEx rep ..... having to go thru a 3rd party would just make it worse.

I think this is bigger then just saving a few bucks on shipping. This gives people a way to ship LEGALLY that were not doing it before. Or for the person that just needs to ship once in a great while. It will be one of the good things in the community instead of a black eye.

If you have a rep awesome. No one is saying you have to use reptster or that you are wrong for not using reptster.

I think that this is just something that needed to be done. now fed ex will know that this account will have snakes shipped and packages can be labeled correctly and without worry.

And if it saves a few people some money on shipping in this time of day that is great.

I think it is bigger then saving a few money though. It is a way to make people do things legally with ease! NICE

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

Keep in mind, it's not a legal issue at all, it's a policy issue per courier company. It's not illegal to ship nonvenomous snakes through these companies.

I still see issues coming up with this since these people using Repster don't really have to be certified...They just have to watch a video (in reality, how can you prove someone actually watched the thing?). At least with the certification process you have to show that you ship correctly to get the waiver.

 

[John E Dove]

Mr. Young,
Would you be so kind as to post some details here in this thread on how your new shipping works as well as some idea on fees involved, what areas you service etc?
I know, I could email you but if this is 100% on the up and up there should be no reason for not supplying more detail than what was presented in the video. And please, no one take this as my casting any aspersions on Repster or Mr. Young. I am just someone who like to see everything out in the open for all to see rather than dealt with in secret.

 

[hhmoore]

Keep in mind, it's not a legal issue at all, it's a policy issue per courier company. It's not illegal to ship nonvenomous snakes through these companies.

I still see issues coming up with this since these people using Repster don't really have to be certified...They just have to watch a video (in reality, how can you prove someone actually watched the thing?). At least with the certification process you have to show that you ship correctly to get the waiver.

Actually, Steph, it IS a legal issue. Regardless of company policy, lizard or snake - by law, if there is a living thing inside the box, it has to be accurately labeled as such (think Lacey Act). All the people that are "flying under the radar" or just plain lying about the contents are in violation. Gary's point is that this (Reptster) offers an easily usable alternative...letting people actually declare the contents of the package they are shipping.

On that note, IS Reptster making that requirement known? What about auditing packages for compliance?

 

[Gary O]

Actually, Steph, it IS a legal issue. Regardless of company policy, lizard or snake - by law, if there is a living thing inside the box, it has to be accurately labeled as such (think Lacey Act). All the people that are "flying under the radar" or just plain lying about the contents are in violation. Gary's point is that this (Reptster) offers an easily usable alternative...letting people actually declare the contents of the package they are shipping.

On that note, IS Reptster making that requirement known? What about auditing packages for compliance?

Thanks, That is what I was saying.

And you bring up a good point. Do the people know that you must label tha package with the contents. An Invoice without prices on it works great. With common and latin names. but 95% of packages I get never have it labeled lol

 

[DavidYoung]

Ok.....

Thanks to Fauna for letting this live on your site.

Jim,
Great conversation, glad we could talk a little more on the subject and end up on a good note.

To the community,
If you ever have any questions on Reptster.com please call the customer service number at the top of the site. You will either get me or my assistant and we are always open to discuss any issues 24/7. Or you can email me directly at [email protected]

John,
Good questions. All the terms are stated on the site on the same page as the video. You have all the same rights and rules as normal FedEx shipping. All areas that FedEx serves are open. If you would incur higher fees using FedEx you will incur them with us. YOU ARE STILL SHIPPING FEDEX. The difference is a year ago I went to them and stated I want free boxes for the entire community. I used the USPS/Ebay program as an example, you get a dollars worth of supplies to ship a five dollar package. They fought us for sometime but said ok under the terms that we pay for the boxes and get reimbursed when people ship off the FedEx/Reptster.com portal. We agreed and started programming immediately. Then I brought the concept of the video to them rather than requiring certification. We had to cover the cost of the video but they ok'd that also.
As for bringing all this up on an open forum. I don’t mind discussing this anywhere. Reptster Inc is a Florida corporation that has four programmers, me and a few others that it is responsible to. We are not a fly by night group, we are here to make a great place for the reptile community. We are only interested in providing services that the community will find valuable and will benefit from. And hopefully if we do that well enough the community will feel its worth advertising with us. If you have any doubts about the integrity of the FedEx program there are plenty of forums where people are talking about there great experiences thus far. Our forum has a few as does ball-pythons.net and a few others.

Thanks for all the support so far and we look forward to the opportunity of earning the business of this community

David Young

PS. I misspelled surprise on my last post. I am aware. Sometimes I type to fast.

 

[DavidYoung]

We do require that every package complies with local, state and federal laws. When we have been asked we have responded that you must put the Latin name of the animal on the package to comply with the Lacey act. We cannot monitor every package nor are we responsible for how they are shipped. Just as FedEx cannot monitor this. We are creating a shipping FAQ and would appreciate any contributions the community has to offer.

Thanks,
David Young

 

[Gary O]

We do require that every package complies with local, state and federal laws. When we have been asked we have responded that you must put the Latin name of the animal on the package to comply with the Lacey act. We cannot monitor every package nor are we responsible for how they are shipped. Just as FedEx cannot monitor this. We are creating a shipping FAQ and would appreciate any contributions the community has to offer.

Thanks,
David Young

Awesome. That will help. I still think this is a good thing....

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

Actually, Steph, it IS a legal issue. Regardless of company policy, lizard or snake - by law, if there is a living thing inside the box, it has to be accurately labeled as such (think Lacey Act). All the people that are "flying under the radar" or just plain lying about the contents are in violation. Gary's point is that this (Reptster) offers an easily usable alternative...letting people actually declare the contents of the package they are shipping.

You are correct, it it a legal issue if you are referring to the Lacey Act. No one mentioned the Lacey Act, just shipping in general.

When we have been asked we have responded that you must put the Latin name of the animal on the package to comply with the Lacey act.

I was under the impression that that Lacey act required both the Latin Name and the Common Name?

 

[Mooing Tricycle]

I was under the impression that that Lacey act required both the Latin Name and the Common Name?

I think you are right. ( thought the latin name thing is new to me, just because ive only shipped something three times ever...)

 

[Gary O]

I was under the impression that that Lacey act required both the Latin Name and the Common Name?

I use both but I believe it states latin name. The reason is common names are not so common. As there are many common names for many species. But there is only one latin name for a animal.

 

[hhmoore]

3372(d) False labeling offenses
It is unlawful for any person to make or submit any false record, account, or label for, or any false
identification of, any fish, wildlife, or plant which has been, or is intended to be—
(1) imported, exported, transported, sold, purchased, or received from any foreign country; or
(2) transported in interstate or foreign commerce.

3376(a)(2) The Secretaries of the Interior and Commerce shall jointly promulgate specific regulations to
implement the provisions of section 3372 (b) of this title for the marking and labeling of containers or
packages containing fish or wildlife. These regulations shall be in accordance with existing commercial
practices.

http://www.fws.gov/le/pdffiles/Lacey.pdf

As for the question at hand - namely, whether the Lacey Act requires scientific name, common name, or both - I don't see the answer. I suspect that the defined requirements for marking are included elsewhere, whether it be a pre-existing document or something subsequent. I was always told that BOTH were a requirement, and that is what I have always done. (Given the variety of common names utilized for the same/similar animals AND the fact that taxonomy is not set in stone, but ever changing; labeling with both seems to make sense)

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I know I read it somewhere that both were required...But I can't find my source.

 

[SPJ]

I am shipping tomorrow. I plan on using Repster and the box they provided.
I decided to schedule the pickup with my account rather than dealing with Kinkos workers at the drop off since there have been a lot of issues with them and the Repster boxes so far (ie: refusing the box).
This will be the one chance Repster gets. If anything goes wrong, I go back to using my account. If it goes without a hitch, then I will probably use them again.
The box will be labeled (which usually means the pickup driver talks for about 10 minutes wanting to know more about what I am shipping this time).
I will let everyone know how it went.