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Steps To Become Fedex Certified!!!

They're really stopping the certification? What can a person who sells cheaper snakes (ie normal kings/milks) do?

I have been lurking here awhile.. I just e-mailed two of the reps that were recommended on this board (no response yet) but I was just going to get this started, and they stop offering it?

Are you sure it's true?
 
Shelby said:
They're really stopping the certification? What can a person who sells cheaper snakes (ie normal kings/milks) do?

I have been lurking here awhile.. I just e-mailed two of the reps that were recommended on this board (no response yet) but I was just going to get this started, and they stop offering it?

Are you sure it's true?
Click to expand...
April, I didn't see anything on their website about the certification being dropped. In fact, I just talked to my rep on Thursday and he didn't mention any changes in the system. I have gotten the impression that you'll get a different story from each different person you talk to though.

Have you set up an account yet? That's the first step, and you can do it online. After you have that set up and they mail you your little card thingy, then call and ask for your rep to call you back. When they do, let them know you want to ship live harmless reptiles, and that you'll be submitting a test package. After you get those results back, you'll have to fax a copy to your rep, who will (I think) forward it to the legal dept.
 
I bet your right....everyone is probably getting a different story. Someone may have just contacted the wrong person at FedEx who maybe didn't want to be bothered. I had no troubles getting approved and I dealt with a local FedEx sales agent that was new to the whole process. She was very accommodating and helpful. I've since shipped a few packages and had no problems at all. In fact, I informed the fedex sales rep about the BOI and suggested that their legal department check the BOI before giving final approval. It would be a shame if they approved someone that has proven time after time to be a true 'bad guy'. Paul pretty much described the process I went through except I didn't do anything related to the reptile shipping through the internet. I spoke with the same sales rep throughout the entire process to get approved. I had to register online to open a general account but it had nothing to do with 'live harmless reptile' shipping. I have a friend who will be attempting this process. I'll post an update once I hear how things go for him. Otherwise, I wouldn't 'assume' anything unless you try it and experience a problem firsthand. Oh...and if you call the 1-800#...just give them your zip code and ask them to give you the name of your local sales rep...DON'T MENTION ANYTHING ABOUT SHIPPING REPTILES....I was told 'NO, you can't do that' by a general customer service rep. AND another time I was transferred to their 'animal control dept' who only deals with zoos and horses. Only deal with your sales rep and you may be fine.
 
Thanks guys, that's reassuring.

I didn't know they would mail me anything just from registering online.. I just got the account that gives you 10% off all shipments. Is that all I'm supposed to do online?
 
Shelby said:
Thanks guys, that's reassuring.

I didn't know they would mail me anything just from registering online.. I just got the account that gives you 10% off all shipments. Is that all I'm supposed to do online?
Click to expand...
As far as getting certified goes, yes that's all you can do online. The rest of it is all playing phone tag and waiting. I believe that to receive the 10% discount, you have to prepare your shipments online instead of hand-writing the shipping lable at the FedEx counter. I'm not sure though, as I've never had to hand-write a lable. (Some of the FedEx reps aren't too sure either...)
 
Perhaps it's us, but shouldn't this be updated a little?

Just wondering.
 
hello everybody...just wanted to thank those who got this ball rolling...would like to add this to the post...If you have any questions getting started call this number at FedEx 1-800-633-7019...menu option pick general package information ask for David...this is the guy you will be sending your test package to...David knows about this thread and told me he was the guy everybody needed to be talking to first....I went to the FedEx counter put my package together right there cost me $3.50...called David handed my phone to the clerk at the FedEx counter he told her what she needed to know...free to ship test package...free to return test package back to you when they finish...when you get test package results call this number 1-800-405-9052 this is the live animal desk...you need to send test results to them...they will send you the contract between you and FedEx for shipping live animals.... after that you should be good to go....these two numbers above is all you need to make it happen...no hassle...super easy...David can walk you through the whole deal...really nice guy...good luck...
 
almost forgot...on the test package application... do not put your FedEx account number on the application....application goes on the outside of the box in plain view...if someone gets your number they can charge shipping to your account...not cool....
 
coyote said:
There was a case in San Francisco where the UPS delivery person turned in the recipient of the packages of live snakes to authorities. The recipient had most of his snakes confiscated and was arrested and fined.
Click to expand...
Why were the reptiles confiscated, and for what was he arrested and fined for?
 
almost forgot...on the test package application... do not put your FedEx account number on the application....application goes on the outside of the box in plain view...if someone gets your number they can charge shipping to your account...not cool....
Click to expand...

I spoke with David Arbeit from Packaging Design and Develpoment today and he asked me to post the following on this thread: Put your account number inside the test box. He also stated that the deli cup lid should be sealed with electrical tape to make it secure in order to obtain approval.

Good Luck, Art
 
I said it was easy...Somebody needs to smack me before I jinx myself next time...I got results back today from FedEx...Only problem with my package...Can not use FedEx boxes to ship live animal shipments...I wish they had said that to me when I was standing at the counter buying boxes from them...Anyway no big deal...They recommend using a single wall corrugated box to tightly fit around the foam cooler with a minimum 200 lbs burst strength or 32 ect rating..The second time around I sent my foam box inside a double walled corrugated box with twice the recommended strength...I also put a outer box around my test package of equal strength...I then stood on my box to test it 180 pounds... also threw it against the wall...test complete... I went to a packaging center and bought this last box...Cost me seven dollars per box...If you do not have a packaging center near you....I know uhaul and ryder truck rental places usually sell boxes...just check on bottom of box for strength or ect rating...Sorry to anybody that followed my foot steps the first go around...I never thought to ask is a FedEx box okay for shipping with FedEx...
 
AJ reptiles said:
hello everybody...just wanted to thank those who got this ball rolling...would like to add this to the post...If you have any questions getting started call this number at FedEx 1-800-633-7019...menu option pick general package information ask for David...this is the guy you will be sending your test package to...David knows about this thread and told me he was the guy everybody needed to be talking to first....I went to the FedEx counter put my package together right there cost me $3.50...called David handed my phone to the clerk at the FedEx counter he told her what she needed to know...free to ship test package...free to return test package back to you when they finish...when you get test package results call this number 1-800-405-9052 this is the live animal desk...you need to send test results to them...they will send you the contract between you and FedEx for shipping live animals.... after that you should be good to go....these two numbers above is all you need to make it happen...no hassle...super easy...David can walk you through the whole deal...really nice guy...good luck...
Click to expand...
Realistically, once your account rep contacts you, HE/SHE should do all the miscellaneous calling & sending...but having another helpful contact is always a plus
 
Well, now, that's just fool's talk. When dealing with shipping companies, it's almost easier to put on a suit, walk in like you own the place, and copy everything and give it to the people that need it yourself. By the time they realize you don't work there, everyone will have what they need and you'll be gone.
 
So, let me get this straight - you make two posts in two years, and this one is for the sole purpose of telling me I'm a fool?? Why don't you share the story about how YOU became FedEx certified...I'm sure we could all learn alot from it.
 
NO NO NO!!!
Fool's talk as in expecting anything with FedEx would be as easy as it should be. A joke, albeit not a good one.
I meant absolutely nothing against you in any way.
Sorry for the misunderstanding..... occupational hazard when communicating on the internet.
 
Darn.
And I was so looking forward to your story, lol.
Mystery, intrigue, witty repartee at the water cooler. It could have had it all.
(I even had the Mission Impossible theme cued up as a lead in.)

On a serious note, though - it really is a function of how good the rep is. There are posts by a number of people on the various threads that show that to be true. The process only takes a couple of weeks start to finish, once the ball gets rolling. Of course, as stated previously, it is always nice to have a couple of other contacts in case things get bogged down someplace.
 
I'm still waiting for the ball to get rolling.... I called several different numbers, and left voice mails on all of them. Will follow up Monday, I guess.
I do have a standard FedEx account, so I will just do it the 'Old Fashioned' way until I get the signatures and all processed.
sigh...
 
Have you ever been contacted by your rep? That was the problem I had with getting things started...the "normal channels" just don't seem to get the job done when you don't know who your rep is. I ended up contacting the person CJ recommended in one of the other threads:
Lenny Evansek
FedEx Account Executive
[email protected]
I got a call back from my rep that same day, and the process went smoothly after that.
 
yeah, i left a voicemail with my rep. I'll call him again Monday, and if I don't hear back by Weds I'll call his boss. I'm not in a huge hurry.
 
I just started the process last week and my rep who has never done this before has been great so far. She has called me several times and has really put effort into helping me get this done. Now I just have to send in my test box.
 
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