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Shipping boxes - a question

hhmoore

hhmoore

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I'm not going to post this as a poll, but I would appreciate feedback from any who are willing to provide it.

I, for a variety of my own reasons, have chosen not to utilize the white pre-labeled boxes with precut styrofoam inserts. Instead, I use 3 basic box sizes, PERISHABLE and THIS SIDE UP labels, and cut my own inserts from good quality insulation board (either 1/2" or 1", depending on the season & the contents).

I have noted a number of times that people have spoken (and/or typed) negatively about shippers using brown boxes, and hand cut styro...the statement, or implication, being that this is unprofessional packaging. I will grant you that cutting one's own styrofoam can be a bit messier, with the panels shedding those styro beads that you just can't seem to get rid of (which is a big part of the reason I no longer use plain ol' styrofoam)...but if the panels are fit properly, is that really just cause to label them unprofessional?
Is it the general assumption that the white boxes with red lettering get better treatment?
Perhaps there is some conception that the white boxes mean the shipper cares more? Or that the packaging is superior in more than just name (pun intended)?
 
I don't see what someone would have to complain about. If the animal is properly packaged, it shouldn't matter the color of box and if the insulation was hand cut. Only thing I can think of for someone to complain is if the packaging was insufficient in of itself. Or a box that wasn't in good enough condition to ship in the first place.
 
hhmoore said:
I have noted a number of times that people have spoken (and/or typed) negatively about shippers using brown boxes, and hand cut styro...the statement, or implication, being that this is unprofessional packaging. I will grant you that cutting one's own styrofoam can be a bit messier, with the panels shedding those styro beads that you just can't seem to get rid of (which is a big part of the reason I no longer use plain ol' styrofoam)...but if the panels are fit properly, is that really just cause to label them unprofessional?
Is it the general assumption that the white boxes with red lettering get better treatment?
Perhaps there is some conception that the white boxes mean the shipper cares more? Or that the packaging is superior in more than just name (pun intended)?
Click to expand...

I use both. At times I have not had large enough boxes from Superior to ship a particular animal and got the items to make a box up.
I don't see anything wrong with it.
However, no matter how you pack, nothing can prepare you for the shipping company doing this.
A hole thru the box AND the 1 inch insulation.

picture_8234_op_800x533.jpg
 
My unlearned opinion is that there should be nothing at all wrong with properly fitted hand cut styrofoam. My guess on the white box preference of some people would be that possibly some people may feel that a warehouse or delivery guy handling several hundred brown packages each day might take a 2nd look at a white box and read the labels.
 
There are brown boxes that are even sturdier than the regular printed ones. For extreme weather I have used those styro coolers used in shipping medical supplies and perishable items. I wouldn't trade them for any of the lighter ones. The question is if FedEx will allow you to use that box when shipping live animals.

Regards,
 
I'd have no problem with receiving a reptile shipped in a brown box with hand cut liner.
I see that as a wise money saving measure not something unprofessional.
You would get far more complaints were you to start tacking on the cost of Superior Boxes etc to the price of shipping.
Just don't start shipping in used cricket boxes with no lining. LOL
 
The other thing is that if you factor in the time you put into cutting the styro pieces + the costs of the materials I'm not sure if it's not cheaper to buy them ready made. As for preparing the styro pieces themselves y used to cut them with a sharp saw-like knife and then smootihng the edges rubbing them agaisnt rough concrete.

Regards.
 
True - cutting the insulation board can be tedious...but I think it is a better product for cold weather shipping, and the fit tends to be tighter when I cut it myself.
 
Tedious and messy! When I used to smooth out the surface against the concrete the little "crumbles" will be blowing all over the place.
 
When I ran out of styro panels, I switched to actual insulation board - the 4x8 sheets used in construction. I've been pretty happy with it overall, though I haven't done a serious cost analysis. If I start shipping in greater volume, I may have to re-evaluate that decision.
 
I have used and received both white and brown boxes and notice little difference, but I think a white box with red letters may stand out a little more in a sea of brown. I may be wrong, but in my mind "express" packages should have visual "clues" that stand out from normal ground shipment packages. I have had ground shipments get routed wrong many times. I shipped from MI. to Cal not too long ago via ground service, the package was a large "oversize 2" brown box and it was scanned near the recipient in Cal. then it was trucked back and scanned near the east coast, then back to Cal. where it arrived about 1 week late.
 
I ship most of my animals through DHL, and use the yellow express boxes that they provide free. I use templates to score my Styrofoam, and a razor knife to do the scoring. Just scoring the Styrofoam instead of cutting all the way through it can cut the mess way back. The templates can be made from plywood, cut it the size of each piece needed to build the box. Lay it on the Styrofoam and score the foam along the template. Then bend the foam until it pops on the scored line. I usually do up 100 or 200 in my spare time; they are all cut and ready to be made up when needed. I also use 3/4 inch Styrofoam from Home Depot, it come in a package of six 4ft x 2ft sheets for around $8.00.
 
The question that I still have is that if you are going to ship FedEx, in your contract it specifically states you should use the box that was approved by their test. So I guess it depends on how you are going to ship your animal and which box you used when submitting it to FedEx. If you send it in a brown box with a label stating live harmless reptile, common and scientific name, the FedEx hub may question your package. Risk of being rejected? I'm not sure, but is it worth the risk...

Regards.
 
I use brown boxes, with red & white PERISHABLE PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE labels on 2 sides, and red THIS SIDE UP stickers on all 4. Across the top of 2 sides, they are marked Live Harmless Reptiles, and the contents are discretely listed - usually in the upper left corner of one side (on the smallest box I use, I write it along the top of the PERISHABLE label).
Fortunately, I have never had an issue with FedEx questioning, or refusing, my boxes.
 
I would think it would be very odd if they did. Let's face it, the employee will have to call the lab to check what kind of a box you were authorized to ship in. And the shipping will be arriving to the hub after business hours. It seems highly unlikely he would stop your package until the next day just to confirm that it was the type of box you were authorized to ship in.
 
Well, I drop my packages off & they know me, so there is no issue there for me...but it has happened to other people
 
I have noted a number of times that people have spoken (and/or typed) negatively about shippers using brown boxes, and hand cut styro...the statement, or implication, being that this is unprofessional packaging.
Click to expand...

I've gotten both pre made and home made and the couple times I personally have complained about the home made is when the pieces are cut crooked leaving gaps. The worst came from a well known individual that builds cages. I would have thought they could at least cut styro straight.

I've made my own boxes before too and took the time to cut the pieces straight. As long as it looks good , looks right and works right , home made boxes should be fine. If the box is fitted right and the animal / animals packed well and my home made box is the only complaint I get on a shipment then I'm not doing bad at all. If a customer is so picky that a well done self made box is an issue and won't do business with me again then maybe its not a bad thing.
 
I agree that some people halfass the packaging - that lack of interest/effort is a different topic, IMO (and those people SHOULD use prefab kits).
I was just surprised at the knee jerk designation of unprofessional being applied simply because people use their own materials vs buying a package. If there had been another explanation, ie poorly fit (or broken) styro, very used boxes, unacceptable heat packs, etc, I wouldn't have any problem understanding.
 
Due to the nature of my work I get lots of good boxes. Some of them heavy insulated. I wouldn't doubt using them. In fact some of them have far better insulation than the more "professional" pre-cut ones.

Thanks
 
i must say lots of good points here, but i wouldnt just have perishable on the box because you get some ppl that think that means it must be kept refridgerated! its has happened to someone shipping to me with ups. anymore i just use fedex and have it held at kinkos its kept in a locked cabinet in side the cozy building unlike the hubs and home delivery. kinkos is where its at fellas and most of them are open till 11pm that way if the receiver cant be there at 10:30am the contents are still safe no matter the temp. ive even had them open and check on snakes (not all will do this) and if you include the receivers phone number on the package they will call when it comes in!
 
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