hhmoore
tired & cranky shadow
I always label my boxes. As for whether it is advisable - that depends upon one's interpretation of the laws.
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Inquiry shipyourreptiles.com
- Thread starter harleydan1956
- Start date
Reptile Basics
New member
Some ideas
I have been shipping and receiving reptiles for nearly 20 years. I have used about every means to do so at one point or another, including air freight, FedEx and now UPS and the USPS. Some things I have learned-
It is inevitable you will meet the reptile/snake hater or someone with a "story" to tell you. It does not matter what carrier you use. Several years ago I had a hell of a time with a guy working at the US Air freight office. Gave me 3 tons of S*&$ every time I showed up to pickup or receive. It was 1000% legal, right and legit yet he was on a crusade.
I have had a FedEx account for a few years now to ship reptiles. Same experience. I have a waiver, I am in the computer, etc, etc. But- every once in awhile I get a hero that will give me some kind of grief over it. Swears up and down that I am not allowed to do it. Then comes the debate.
Over the years I have developed a strategy for this. If you are approved to ship reptiles FedEx or better yet through the new SYR service with UPS then essentially you have an account and have a pre-printed/pre paid label. You should obey the laws and and label the box BUT that does not mean you need to use a super bright day-glow orange marker to do so. I will generally put the species in latin along with the quantity on the top of the box in small, ink letters. Have not met too many latin reading FedEx or UPS employees of late. I have found that most do not pay any attention to writing on the box at all, unless there is something spectacular about the writing OR it says ORM-D. Got a guess as to how many boxes with writing you see every day doing that job?? Want to read them all?? "Fragile"? Yeah, right.
The trick that has worked the best for me is the drop and walk strategy at the hub counter. This works better at the actual service center.
With a label on the box already there is no conversation required and no line to wait in. Act like you know what you are doing, walk up to the counter (yes, past the people in line), plop your box down on the counter and smile at the attendant and say "ready to go, thanks". Turn around and walk out. Done. If you wait and look like you want to develop conversation that is exactly what you will get and now they will feel compelled to grill you. If you wait your turn in line then they will have you available for conversation again. Dump it and 99.99999% of the time they will then not give your box another thought and put it on the pile of 10,000 other boxes they have to deal with anyhow. Most will actually appreciate NOT having to talk to you and getting on with their jobs.
When you feel like you have something to hide you tend to convey that subconsciously to others and whether they realize it or not they will tend to inquire or investigate. Ask anyone who is a Police Officer. You know when something is up without even asking. You are doing NOTHING wrong so don't act timid and wait for their permission. You do not need to gain their approval or get their opinions. You do not need to declare to them what you are doing.
Act like every other person with an account- dump and walk. As often as not the attendant with a "problem" is simply looking to exercise their personal judgments and whatever small level of authority they have on you. If there is no "you" - then no opportunity to do so. They will forget it and move on with their lives even if they don't like it. Pursuing you will require more effort.
Make sure your phone # is also on the top of the box. Again, it only wants to be obvious if you are looking for it. The one time it does go wrong they will call you.
I have been shipping and receiving reptiles for nearly 20 years. I have used about every means to do so at one point or another, including air freight, FedEx and now UPS and the USPS. Some things I have learned-
It is inevitable you will meet the reptile/snake hater or someone with a "story" to tell you. It does not matter what carrier you use. Several years ago I had a hell of a time with a guy working at the US Air freight office. Gave me 3 tons of S*&$ every time I showed up to pickup or receive. It was 1000% legal, right and legit yet he was on a crusade.
I have had a FedEx account for a few years now to ship reptiles. Same experience. I have a waiver, I am in the computer, etc, etc. But- every once in awhile I get a hero that will give me some kind of grief over it. Swears up and down that I am not allowed to do it. Then comes the debate.
Over the years I have developed a strategy for this. If you are approved to ship reptiles FedEx or better yet through the new SYR service with UPS then essentially you have an account and have a pre-printed/pre paid label. You should obey the laws and and label the box BUT that does not mean you need to use a super bright day-glow orange marker to do so. I will generally put the species in latin along with the quantity on the top of the box in small, ink letters. Have not met too many latin reading FedEx or UPS employees of late. I have found that most do not pay any attention to writing on the box at all, unless there is something spectacular about the writing OR it says ORM-D. Got a guess as to how many boxes with writing you see every day doing that job?? Want to read them all?? "Fragile"? Yeah, right.
The trick that has worked the best for me is the drop and walk strategy at the hub counter. This works better at the actual service center.
With a label on the box already there is no conversation required and no line to wait in. Act like you know what you are doing, walk up to the counter (yes, past the people in line), plop your box down on the counter and smile at the attendant and say "ready to go, thanks". Turn around and walk out. Done. If you wait and look like you want to develop conversation that is exactly what you will get and now they will feel compelled to grill you. If you wait your turn in line then they will have you available for conversation again. Dump it and 99.99999% of the time they will then not give your box another thought and put it on the pile of 10,000 other boxes they have to deal with anyhow. Most will actually appreciate NOT having to talk to you and getting on with their jobs.
When you feel like you have something to hide you tend to convey that subconsciously to others and whether they realize it or not they will tend to inquire or investigate. Ask anyone who is a Police Officer. You know when something is up without even asking. You are doing NOTHING wrong so don't act timid and wait for their permission. You do not need to gain their approval or get their opinions. You do not need to declare to them what you are doing.
Act like every other person with an account- dump and walk. As often as not the attendant with a "problem" is simply looking to exercise their personal judgments and whatever small level of authority they have on you. If there is no "you" - then no opportunity to do so. They will forget it and move on with their lives even if they don't like it. Pursuing you will require more effort.
Make sure your phone # is also on the top of the box. Again, it only wants to be obvious if you are looking for it. The one time it does go wrong they will call you.
Thanks Rich! I have dropped mine off at the service center with no problems. On the other hand one time I had to call UPS and got all the questions. I was asked what I was shipping and I said a live reptile. That was ok until she went and checked with someone else. Then she thought is was a snake, told her it was a lizard, what kind of lizard. Told her a crested GECKO,just went on and on. She then says oh, I though you told me you were shipping a snake! So much for listening skills.
So, I guess my question of labeling the box, might only work once it is with an individual UPS delivery person that might happen to care.( My guy is great)I guess with all those boxes ours are just another one and they probably don't read to be careful or not to leave it outside in cold temps all night...
Good packaging skills and knowledge of the heat/cold pack are crucial. Hoping the snakes do get passed to be shipped. I guess we will still have to same trouble makers trying to say otherwise though!!
So, I guess my question of labeling the box, might only work once it is with an individual UPS delivery person that might happen to care.( My guy is great)I guess with all those boxes ours are just another one and they probably don't read to be careful or not to leave it outside in cold temps all night...
Good packaging skills and knowledge of the heat/cold pack are crucial. Hoping the snakes do get passed to be shipped. I guess we will still have to same trouble makers trying to say otherwise though!!
Reptile Basics
New member
If you are using SYR....
If a situation comes up AND you are using Chad and Robyns SYR I would suggest you call SYR, NOT UPS. Bet I get a call from Chad thanking me for all the extra phone calls
.
Seriously though- They (SYR) are not so much selling you the shipping but rather the shipping service. There is a difference. Use the SYR service to your advantage. You are paying SYR, not UPS and the people at SYR do care about shipping live animals, do know the do's and dont's and do have a very interested and eager to please account rep at UPS. You do not. UPS is not in on this to somehow help the reptile world, they are in on it to make more money. They are using the SYR pros to facilitate this for them and help them learn this end of the business as well. Using the proper channels at UPS makes this much easier for everyone.
One of the value added features of the service is you have a large shipper (SYR) with one specific rep to deal with at UPS. A rep that is WITH THE PROGRAM. That is everything. No mindless debate with a brick wall. SYR calls their rep with your problem and a tracking # and I bet it gets straightened out real quick. You call the 800 # and it is luck of the draw as to whether they have a pulse or not, much less comprehensive knowledge of the shipping regulations. They start asking questions of other people who also have an opinion and this all falls apart on you pretty quick.
If a situation comes up AND you are using Chad and Robyns SYR I would suggest you call SYR, NOT UPS. Bet I get a call from Chad thanking me for all the extra phone calls
. Seriously though- They (SYR) are not so much selling you the shipping but rather the shipping service. There is a difference. Use the SYR service to your advantage. You are paying SYR, not UPS and the people at SYR do care about shipping live animals, do know the do's and dont's and do have a very interested and eager to please account rep at UPS. You do not. UPS is not in on this to somehow help the reptile world, they are in on it to make more money. They are using the SYR pros to facilitate this for them and help them learn this end of the business as well. Using the proper channels at UPS makes this much easier for everyone.
One of the value added features of the service is you have a large shipper (SYR) with one specific rep to deal with at UPS. A rep that is WITH THE PROGRAM. That is everything. No mindless debate with a brick wall. SYR calls their rep with your problem and a tracking # and I bet it gets straightened out real quick. You call the 800 # and it is luck of the draw as to whether they have a pulse or not, much less comprehensive knowledge of the shipping regulations. They start asking questions of other people who also have an opinion and this all falls apart on you pretty quick.
ophidile
New member
Sent out my first ever mailed snake with SYR a month ago - he arrived in great shape! Buyer was happy, I'm happy, didn't get any grief even though I did label the box as containing a cornsnake.
In the future I think it will be okay to skip the common name part, at least, that's what I gather from the other thread discussing shipping & the lacy act. I'll probably keep the latin - anyone who recognizes it probably likes snakes anyway
Thanks SYR!
In the future I think it will be okay to skip the common name part, at least, that's what I gather from the other thread discussing shipping & the lacy act. I'll probably keep the latin - anyone who recognizes it probably likes snakes anyway
Thanks SYR!
cebethel
New member
We have used SYR only once, but will definately use their services again!
Two thumbs up for SYR!
Eva Bethel
Two thumbs up for SYR!
Eva Bethel
moonrisegeckos
New member
I used SYR to ship for the first time ever yesterday and was very happy with the service. My Alaska customer saved about $15 and the geckos arrived in perfect condition. My New York customer also got the package with no problems--both were long trips from Oregon.
I felt more confident knowing that if there was a issue, I had someone to advocate for me. I did mark the boxes with species name, BTW.
Thanks SYR!
I felt more confident knowing that if there was a issue, I had someone to advocate for me. I did mark the boxes with species name, BTW.
Thanks SYR!
vferra7777
New member
SHIPPING
Hello everyone. We (OFF THE ARK) have been shipping through SYR for the past few weeks. We had some issues at first but they seem fixed at this point. I have had some really good experiences with them the last two weeks and hope to keep it going. Walt and Robyn have been incredibly helpful. Thank you Gentele men.
Hello everyone. We (OFF THE ARK) have been shipping through SYR for the past few weeks. We had some issues at first but they seem fixed at this point. I have had some really good experiences with them the last two weeks and hope to keep it going. Walt and Robyn have been incredibly helpful. Thank you Gentele men.
Miss Tuniwha
The weird one
I just used SYR to ship a uromastyx lizard. I saved 20 dollars by doing so!
heck yeah!
The little girl arrived safely, and on time first thing the next am!
heck yeah!
The little girl arrived safely, and on time first thing the next am!
sanman
New member
I shipped 2 packages yesterday.. Both arrived before 9.30. alive and well...
C.J. Vogler
Gigity gigity gigity gooo
I used them a week ago and saved $17 and is was so nice just walking in to th hub and ropping the box off. So nice to print my own labels.
Just used this service for the first time on Tuesday and it was easy, quick and painless. Arrived by 10:30am the next morning. Saved my buyer about $15. Thanks ProExotics! I'll be using this service again.
spawn
mossy frogs are the hardiest frogs
Used it a week ago - saved $17.00!
fearaffect
New member
Ive used them twice already, and couldn't be happier. Didnt know what I was gonna do to ship until they started this service.....just as good as anything else that Pro Exotics does...first rate!!!! Also use their other shipping service "Allproshipping.com".
Brye
Kustom Reptilez and Kagez
714-829-4230
Brye
Kustom Reptilez and Kagez
714-829-4230
TommyC
New member
I can drop off at the UPS hub as late as six pm which is very handy in the warmer months.
As soon as I learned they were using UPS at shipyourreptile.com, I was determined to try them out and am very glad I did. The savings are nice but for the chance to fly UPS and it be legit I would have gotten on board anyway.
Thumbs up from me for shipyourreptiles.com. I'm very pleased to have this new working relationship with the people in brown.
Tommy Carpenter
As soon as I learned they were using UPS at shipyourreptile.com, I was determined to try them out and am very glad I did. The savings are nice but for the chance to fly UPS and it be legit I would have gotten on board anyway.
Thumbs up from me for shipyourreptiles.com. I'm very pleased to have this new working relationship with the people in brown.
Tommy Carpenter
VinnyButch
New member
SYR
I've used ShipYourReptiles.com about 15 times so far and (according to the SYR web site) saved over $200.00.
Every shipment has arrived in perfect condition and right on time.
One little speedbump, though....
If you drop off at a UPS hub, everything's wonderful. They're professional and you're in and out in a minute.
If you go to a UPS store, they aren't quite up to speed on SYR being allowed to ship harmless reptiles. I've gotten tossed out of two UPS stores for "illegally trying to ship snakes". Even if they call the UPS people, they don't usually get the right answer. One manager has forbidden me from ever shipping anything through his store again. LOL
Robyn has told me that as time goes by that will become less of an issue. It's just that the UPS stores are franchises and they can pretty much do what they want. I was just shocked that there are people who are actually afraid of snakes.......
Vinny
I've used ShipYourReptiles.com about 15 times so far and (according to the SYR web site) saved over $200.00.
Every shipment has arrived in perfect condition and right on time.
One little speedbump, though....
If you drop off at a UPS hub, everything's wonderful. They're professional and you're in and out in a minute.
If you go to a UPS store, they aren't quite up to speed on SYR being allowed to ship harmless reptiles. I've gotten tossed out of two UPS stores for "illegally trying to ship snakes". Even if they call the UPS people, they don't usually get the right answer. One manager has forbidden me from ever shipping anything through his store again. LOL
Robyn has told me that as time goes by that will become less of an issue. It's just that the UPS stores are franchises and they can pretty much do what they want. I was just shocked that there are people who are actually afraid of snakes.......
Vinny
snakemom1961
New member
I just want to say THANK YOU! For saying it saved your BUYER that money. Almost every post up to yours was how it saved that individual the money. I don't know what you offer for sale but your the type of person I'd want to do business with in the future. Thinking of how to save the buyer some money and not themselves.
spawn
mossy frogs are the hardiest frogs
Why thanks for calling the collective group selfish.
Vinny - sorry to hear that. Did you give the manager at that store Robyn's number? Seems the service isn't adequate for you if you have to deal with something like an angry manager barring you from the store. That's a terrible shame, and I hope it improves with time, but it would seem a simple phone call from the right person could straighten that out for the future.
After visiting Allproshipping.com, I could not figure out how the site was different from shipyourreptiles.com, aside from the color scheme. What/who is that site catered to?
robyn@Pro Exotics
New member
Each UPS Store is an independent franchise, and they reserve the right to refuse any package for any reason, including live shipments. Most are very accepting, but if you find one that does not want to ship live packages, there are many other drop off points to choose from.
Public reptile phobias still get a lot of doors closed (quickly), but I think it gets better each year.
As for the main APS site, we have other hobbyist sites coming online shortly, including Aquatics, Bikes, and RC, and the basic APS site allows for them to book shipments now without reptile pics and details creating a phobic or confusing situation.
Public reptile phobias still get a lot of doors closed (quickly), but I think it gets better each year.
As for the main APS site, we have other hobbyist sites coming online shortly, including Aquatics, Bikes, and RC, and the basic APS site allows for them to book shipments now without reptile pics and details creating a phobic or confusing situation.
BryonsBoas
BnL Exotix
I've used SYR 3 times so far without a hitch , 2 outgoing packages and 1 incoming. The two outgoing saved US right around $36 - 38. We price some of our animals shipped so the few extra bucks in savings is nice.
When I print and attatch my labels, I leave the part on the side in small print that says " shipyourreptiles.com and UPS is a trademark of ...". So far no issues and I'm not really expecting any as I talked to two UPS drivers ( 1 was a supervisor ) last week about SYR and both said they would pick up the packages no prob.
When I print and attatch my labels, I leave the part on the side in small print that says " shipyourreptiles.com and UPS is a trademark of ...". So far no issues and I'm not really expecting any as I talked to two UPS drivers ( 1 was a supervisor ) last week about SYR and both said they would pick up the packages no prob.