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Reptster Shipping

It seems as if the lacey act is just not strongly enforced by Fedex. I mean heck, if its hard enough to find on the internet* you guys did have trouble finding it right?*, and people DO ship without labeling and fedex knows this, heck some of the drivers that pick and drop peoples stuff off know what they have... im not quite sure they even know about it. Heck, some of them dont even know that they DO ship reptiles, so i cant imagine that they would know about the labeling of the boxes.

Not saying its right or wrong.( i would label boxes, just because id rather if something happened, people would know it wont hurt them) i think its one of those things that... is allowed to slip by.
 
Gary O said:
The lacey act issue just is not Reptster Steph. I can have anyone get certified via fed ex and the rep from fed ex will never even mention it.
Click to expand...

I know that, Gary. My whole point is that if they want to produce a video showing the proper way to ship and allowing anyone to ship, follow through completely with it instead of skipping over issues that can get the shipper fined. The government won't care if the shipper "didn't know," they'll still fine them!

Labeling keeps the legal "what-ifs" taken care of. A package can bust open (I've had a non-reptile package SQUISHED via UPS), a package can be opened in a random search (I've had this happen with non-reptile FedEx shipments and they do not do a good job taping the package back up), etc. Heck, if you get "caught" with an unlabeled package, they can stop it in transit (but that is a double edged sword - they can also do that if it is labeled and they don't know their own dang policies!).

If you want to risk your (not pointing fingers, just a general statement) butt by not labeling, knock yourself out. I just think the inexperienced should be made aware of it on the video (in detail) so they can decide for themselves if they want to risk the problems and fines. I mean can you imagine how POed pwople would be; them not knowing and then getting fined all because they followed the directions to a "t" in that video? :ack2:
 
I would normally not chime in on this. Just seems like some want to argue and I am against fueling that. However there is a simple answer to the direction that this post has been taken.

Liability...

If we tell you our legal interpretation of the Lacey act then we can be called upon to defend it and your interpretation of our interpretation that we gave you in the video.....

This is why we, along with FedEx won't comment on it.

The purpose of the video is to show you how to package an animal properly in ideal temperatures for shipping. For the well being of the animal, that’s it. We did not add heat or cold packs because of liability, even though you would be shown properly somebody could do it incorrectly then come after us.

Bottom line is that you are responsible for shipping legally and we can’t give you our interpretation of a federal law or we open ourselves up for legal action.
 
DavidYoung said:
Liability...

If we tell you our legal interpretation of the Lacey act then we can be called upon to defend it and your interpretation of our interpretation that we gave you in the video.....

This is why we, along with FedEx won't comment on it.

Bottom line is that you are responsible for shipping legally and we can’t give you our interpretation of a federal law or we open ourselves up for legal action.
Click to expand...

So you close your eyes/ears to it and leave the inexperienced shippers to take the fall? I'm sorry, but I don't agree with that at all. :( It's not hard to put up a note about the Lacey Act (just link to the actual legal document).

DavidYoung said:
The purpose of the video is to show you how to package an animal properly in ideal temperatures for shipping. For the well being of the animal, that’s it. We did not add heat or cold packs because of liability, even though you would be shown properly somebody could do it incorrectly then come after us.
Click to expand...

Yes, you did (heat packs anyway). Maybe you forgot to edit that part out?
 
TripleMoonsExotic said:
So you close your eyes/ears to it and leave the inexperienced shippers to take the fall? I'm sorry, but I don't agree with that at all. :( It's not hard to put up a note about the Lacey Act (just link to the actual legal document).
Click to expand...
Am I missing something here? Why should David be responsible for every aspect of the shipping process? He is not soliciting hobbyist to ship their reptiles, only offering a tool to use should they wish to. Are these “inexperienced shippers” any better off going directly through Fedex via the certification process? David has provided these “inexperienced shippers” with more information in his short video regarding how to safely ship reptiles than Fedex ever has. So have you also voiced your concerns with your Fedex Rep, or is this a biased concern of yours?

Bart
 
bsharrah said:
Am I missing something here? Why should David be responsible for every aspect of the shipping process? He is not soliciting hobbyist to ship their reptiles, only offering a tool to use should they wish to. Are these “inexperienced shippers” any better off going directly through Fedex via the certification process? David has provided these “inexperienced shippers” with more information in his short video regarding how to safely ship reptiles than Fedex ever has. So have you also voiced your concerns with your Fedex Rep, or is this a biased concern of yours?

Bart
Click to expand...


I think the point being made is that fedex makes you test your boxes before you are allowed to ship through them. if you dont do the correct box, and packing job, they wont approve a person for shipping. With repster, there is no verification that people will pack the box accordingly.

While i really LOVE the idea of repster, and plan to try using it at some point, i also want to look at it with an open mind. This kind of stuff HELPS make a service better. Work out all the kinks now while its still fresh.

I Agree that more links should be given on the proper method of shipping reptiles on the site depending on the weather * these things could even be discussed on the video*. All that needs to be written on the website is a warning that using the advice of any link provided on the site, would be solely the readers responsibility if they are to follow the information provided within.
 
Mooing Tricycle said:
I think the point being made is that fedex makes you test your boxes before you are allowed to ship through them. if you dont do the correct box, and packing job, they wont approve a person for shipping. With repster, there is no verification that people will pack the box accordingly.
Click to expand...
Had that been the concern voiced, I would agree with you; however, the concerns mentioned (Lacey Act, proper labeling, ventilation, and use of heat/cold packs) seem to have little to do with Fedex's package testing and approval process.

Bart
 
I will say this when I became Fed-Ex verified and they asked us to ship our test box that is all we were told.We had to contact a few friends of ours and go by the way stuff was shipped to us and we hoped it was right.

At least the video points you in the right direction Fed-Ex did not even give us that.
Thing is if you were to pack your test box exactly like the video shows.Your box would pass.

Just my $0.02

On a side note I have sent close to twenty boxes via the Fed-Ex portal and saved the buyers quite a bit of money.It was kind of tough to get used to after 3 years of using the Fed-Ex website but once I got it down it was a piece of cake. And I will give them this for the first few times we shipped through Reptster I called David and he had no problem walking me right through the whole process....
 
bsharrah said:
Are these “inexperienced shippers” any better off going directly through Fedex via the certification process? David has provided these “inexperienced shippers” with more information in his short video regarding how to safely ship reptiles than Fedex ever has.
Click to expand...

I packed and labeled my certification box how I would an actual shipment...So I would have no idea to what extent they deny a package for certification that was not shipped/labeled properly. It is not up to FedEx to educate a reptile shipper (FedEx was not created to ship reptiles); however, since Reptster was created specifically for reptile shippers, it is my opinion they should provide all information to the individuals that are using their program. Do you understand the difference? FedEx was created for shipping in general, Reptster was created for reptile shipping.

And yes, I did voice my concerns at the beginning of this thread that their is no "official" certification process for the use of Reptster. :yesnod:
 
I'm sorry Steph, but that is just nuts to me. It is NEVER anyone's responsibility but your own to make sure you are educated on any subject.

"Oh it aint my fault, it is Reptsters fault for not educating me more betterer." :)

In all honesty, it is nothing more than simply taking responsibility for yourself.
 
shrap said:
I'm sorry Steph, but that is just nuts to me. It is NEVER anyone's responsibility but your own to make sure you are educated on any subject.

"Oh it aint my fault, it is Reptsters fault for not educating me more betterer." :)

In all honesty, it is nothing more than simply taking responsibility for yourself.
Click to expand...

I understand where you're coming from, Sammy...You have to admit that people in general are stupid and will point fingers when something goes wrong. I just think since Reptster wanted to start this program they should be willing to educate fully the inexperienced. No, they can't control whether or not someone actually follows the rules, but at least the information was provided so the shippers have no excuse other then they just didn't want to do it, which would be 100% on their butt, not Reptsters.
 
Would it be convenient for Reptster to provide links to the actual Lacey Act? Sure, but there are so many other laws out there at the federal, state and local levels (many species specific), do you expect them to provide links to all of those as well? I personally think that is being unrealistic.

Again, it all falls back to taking responsibility for yourself. To educating yourself. Most of the information is already out there and readily available as it is, so I already feel people have no excuse.
 
I have to agree with shrap--it's not Reptster's responsibility to make sure people know all the details of how to ship reptiles, it's the responsibility of the people who are doing the shipping. There is more than one right way to do it, and there's always a possibility of something going wrong, even with one of the right ways--people need to do the research themselves, and make their own decisions.
If anything, they may want to put a message up stating that people should research this in advance--and leave it at that.
 
WingedWolf said:
If anything, they may want to put a message up stating that people should research this in advance--and leave it at that.
Click to expand...

I agree!
I think a disclaimer would be 100% Effective in covering Repsters butt on this, as well as getting the information out there to the effect that, Hey, do your research first!

Some people just dont get it, Even though the rest of us, are pretty good about it.
 
I got one question to ask. Did you (you being anyone who wishes to respond) research shipping reptiles before you shipped your first time? Or did you just wing it without looking into it at all?

I think the vast majority of folks did some research. At least those that are here for more than a quick buck. You wont get those people to do it right no matter what anyway.
 
shrap said:
Would it be convenient for Reptster to provide links to the actual Lacey Act? Sure, but there are so many other laws out there at the federal, state and local levels (many species specific), do you expect them to provide links to all of those as well? I personally think that is being unrealistic.
Click to expand...

No, and I said that some where in this thread.

shrap said:
Did you (you being anyone who wishes to respond) research shipping reptiles before you shipped your first time? Or did you just wing it without looking into it at all?
Click to expand...

My very first shipment(s) I did how I had received previously from other people. Admittedly, that was unlabeled because I had assumed how I had received reptiles from others was correct. It wasn't until, I dunno, 4-5 years ago that the Lacey Act became for front in the forums and I became aware of it.

WingedWolf said:
There is more than one right way to do it, and there's always a possibility of something going wrong, even with one of the right ways--people need to do the research themselves, and make their own decisions.
Click to expand...

Research is all fine and good if they have somewhere to start or a hint of what they're looking for. We all know the Lacey Act is there because we've dealt with it...But for the inexperienced, they would have no idea. I call BS on using liability as an excuse...The Act can just be linked and the reader can interpret how they chose with no liability to Reptster.

The FedEx Certification process also helps the whole shipping issue by requiring that they show they can ship properly.
 
I just shipped my package with them, and it worked out flawlessly - and saved me a bunch pf money (passed on to customer).

I agree that those shipping need to know how to properly ship, but I don't believe individual FedEx certification demonstrates that. All individual certification demonstrates is that they can put a deli cup in a box lined with Styrofoam. It says nothing about the proper use of heat / cold packs or how well the shipper packages herps that don't fit in a deli cup, etc.

Unless you do huge volume, FedEx prices right now are really insane. Reptster gives us small time hobbyists the benefits of high volume prices, and they provide boxes that would pass FedEx certification, so the quality of shipping is going to be the same or better than what is required to become certified.
 
Linking to the Lacey Act or to other information resources isn't a bad idea, and I bet Reptster will even consider doing so...at the moment they have an awful lot on their plate just getting their service fully up and running, since they've had to change how they do boxes. Give them some slack to work out the kinks--they're really useful. At the moment, the bulk of the people who know about them are herp people already who have the same access to and knowledge of this information that you do.
 
On the outside chance that David (or anybody else that can help me) reads this:
I was trying to prepare a shipment today, entered all the information, and got my price quote...but I can't get any further. Every time I click here to ship[b/] or click on Ship Package, I get a dead screen with no information. I've been calling the customer service number all morning, and getting no answer. I even tried to post this question in their forums, but it won't let me.
 
I have shipped 3 times using them and they all went fine. They have changed how they are doing things now. You have to buy the boxes at a couple dollars a piece but when you ship instead of saving around 20% you now will save around 40% which even with the price of the box you save more than you did when you got the box for free.
 
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