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Shipping Companies Compared

vmreptiles

vmreptiles

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Popular mechanics has done an experiment with the three major US shippers, Fedex, USPS and UPS, comparing the way the packages are treated throughout shipment. The look at temperature variation, number of times the package was flipped and how frequently the packaged was dropped 2.5 feet or more.

I thought this might be very useful information for those of us shipping live reptiles, USPS being extraneous data at this point.

Charts, graphs and details here: Which Shipping Company is Kindest to Your Packages?

package_abuse_02_1110-de-83910644.jpg
 
Very interesting. I am hearing that UPS wont ship snakes at all, but I have been getting snakes via UPS, anyway. So far they all arrive in good shape, whether UPS or Fedex. I guess inside deli cups with bedding inside a Styrofoam lined box shipped Next Day Air they have a minimum of being bonkled around in transit.
 
I haven't had issues using UPS... Fed Ex.. I've gotten a few beat up packages.. now I know why.. LOL... At this point in time... Fed Ex is the only company legally shipping snakes as long as you have a waiver to ship reptiles! RE is currently working with UPS to get their contract worked out but until then.. people are not supposed to ship snakes through UPS and it is illegal to ship them through the Post Office!
I don't trust shipping through the POst Office seeing as they have many places that do not guarantee Overnight Delivery!

This is a really interesting study!
 
I wish there was a better option! UPS has had "mechanical delays" on my last two shipments and has caused me and my clients a lot of stress. I've noticed that once they realized they've missed their guaranteed time, they pretty much say "screw it!" and wait till the next day to deliver. Is FedEx as bad?
 
I used USPS a few times back when I was breeding geckos, and they did great. The lack of next day service in some areas is an issue, but I don't think they should be discounted at all--clearly they handle packages SIGNIFICANTLY more gently, which can make a big difference for lizards.

I really hate the fact that Fed Ex is the only legitimate service for shipping snakes.
 
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