UPS, FedEx, Airborne Express, USPS - bad guys.

[JJFOUTZ]

I talked to James Brown. He told me that the waivers were defiantly attainable. I told him that he was the guy I was told to talk to and that there is a lot of business that could be gained if they would start doing this. He told me that he knew there was a lot of business to be gained here and that is why they have begun to do this and that he was the guy but the first step in the process is to call 1-800-GOFEDEX and then go through customer service to ask for an account executive. They will take my info and send the executive my info through e-mail and they would call me back.

 

[masterofpythons]

Really funny to find this thread... I tried to UPS a couple animals 2 days ago. First thing they did was grill me on what was in the box. Then the flat out asked me what was in the box. I left, UPS will never again get my business.

I think there might be good money in starting a business that ships reptiles.

 

[Traci1]

I just wanted to thank you guys who are going through this with Fed Ex - thank you for sharing what is happening each step of the way. I am very timid on the telephone, (much more confident when writing) and if I'm going to call them I like to have an idea of what to expect. Thank you very much I really appreciate it.

Traci Engle

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

Airborne is an absolute dead end. Since their acquisition several months ago they have absolutely stopped accepting any live animal shipments.

I contacted Fed Ex today to begin the process Brian. An account exec is supposed to contact me by Friday. You are not a "one man show" in this at all.

 

[Traci1]

I DID IT!!!
you're not a one man show, I'm a woman and just called too! They took my info and said that an account executive will call me back in one to two days! I am very excited about this !!! Thank you again guys for posting what you have been doing and who you've been talking to!!!

Traci Engle

 

[Brian Oakley]

Don't get me wrong, I was not complaining
I was just wondering if I was the only one trying to get them to ship for me.
Glad to see you all called as well. Maybe they will get the CLUE that there is allot of business out there to be made and might take us up on it.
OR
They are too big to be bothered with additional business and just don't need it!

I would like to think the first is the case.

 

[David R.]

Attn: Webslave

Hello,

First of all, let me say that I'm very glad to see this thread started. Just was wondering if you would mind telling what happened to your UPS relationship. I remember reading in a earlier thread about shipping which you responded to, you stated that you recently switched to UPS after using Airborne for a number of years. If I remember correctly, you stated that UPS allowed you to open up an account with the understanding that you would be shipping reptiles including snakes and that UPS even allowed you to label the box correctly as to the contents, so that you could now be in full compliance with the Lacey Act. I even responded to the earlier thread I'm referring to and emailed you directly asking you who was your contact at UPS that allowed you to open up a "snake shipping" account.

What happened with your UPS shipping status? Did you simply start having problems with them or what? Just wondering.

Thank you.

David Rivers

 

[JJFOUTZ]

Just wanted to add a few things here. It turns out that James Brown is not the manager for the animal desk, he is in the legal dept of FedEx. The customer service person that I went through called James Brown before he would put the request through because he believed that the request would be turned down automatically unless there was someone within the company that would confirm that this was possible. After talking to James Brown himself, he added James Brown’s name and Phone # (901-434-8494) to the request so there is conformation that this was at least a valid request.
I would recommend anyone that attempts to get a waiver should have the customer service person that they talk to add James Browns name and phone # on the request they are going to forward to the account executive for validation that this is possible or it may be turned down automatically.

 

[Brian Oakley]

Ok, just one of my daily updates.
Like Jeff mentioned above, James brown IS part of the 'legal team' and NOT part of the Animal Desk as I was told by the Jeff Bakkey the other day.
I received a phone call today (out of the blue) from a Maryann (forgot her last name and it probably is not needed). I explained, yet agin, my concerns/interest in FedEx and what it would be used for. I said that I am aware of other individuals that are permitted to ship through FedEx and how I could go about doing such. I went on to explain that I was not looking for any liability from them in regards to my shipments. I did this because I knew it would be the case by reading the waver Tom posted earlier on in the thread.
She stated that she was not aware of any peron/s or companies that are permitted to do so and in a non confrantational way I expalined how I have a copy of a 'waver' for an individual.
She said I would have to call 1-800-GOFEDEX and have an acct. rep. call me back (like I mentioned the other day). I explained that I did so the other day and here we are at over 48 hours later and I have not had a return call.
She then asked for my acct. # (this is where I got frustrated) and I explained that even though I DO use FedEx for rare packages for personal shipments, I had not as of yet set up an acct. with FedEx because I wanted to know what agreements, if any, we could come to prior to doing so.
She went on to say that an acct. rep. will not call me back unless it is for an existing acct. holder with FedEx. I was irritated because I guess calling someone for potential business is not something they are after, only calling those that have accts. are what interests them (my assumtion).
***NOTE- keep that in mind. I cannot say that it is always the case, but be prepared to open an acct. because I feel you will have to before getting any attention.

She said I will be asked questions from the acct. rep. regarding what is shipped, how many, how often, how big, etc. I can already see what is coming. The problem will be the 'how often'. Many breeders work on a 'seasonal basis'. That being the spring-fall and of course the winter months are slow for all of us. This I do not think they will like.....for lack of better words.
I will have to supply a box as an example of how I ship, etc., etc.
A concern that she had, on behalf of the company, was if a snake got out.
I expained how I ship (snake in snake bag, tied in a knot, bog in styro lined box, box securely taped shut), but she still said what if one got out.
My answer was, in a nice way, how often do they ship a package, regardless of the cvontents, and have something get out? Explained, again, that the bag is tied in a knot, and I would love to see a snake that is inside this bag untie the knot to escape. I went on to say that I would be willing to bet the only time they had something 'escape' from it's packaging was in the rare event it was dropped and the force of the impact along with the weight of the object 'blew open' the box or busted the tape. FOLKS, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN, give me a break!
Anyway, I said I would go on with the steps she requested and we will see.
In closing our conversation, I spoke on behalf of ALL breeders and explained the disadvantage we have, as small or large business owners, when it comes to shipping. I expressed how large of a chunck of business they would gain if they took the same steps with me and just made it universal to our industry.

To be continued..........

 

[dwedeking]

Brian,

Setting up an account before companies will discuss business is pretty common with companies who are more used to working with larger businesses (I had to do this with hardware suppliers for our cage parts before they'll even discuss what they carry, and yes quite frustrating).

Part of the process is that you'll have to send them a shipment just like you would send to a customer (without the snake obviously) so they can see your way of shipping and recommend changes. So don't worry about arguing the shipping standards with the sales rep, just get them set up a testing at their facility.

 

[paulweaver]

I expressed how large of a chunck of business they would gain if they took the same steps with me and just made it universal to our industry.

FedEx as a company may make oodles of money by letting us all have a waiver like this, but Joe Bloe who you are talking to doesn't stand to directly financially benefit from it. It's just more work for them. That's why they don't care.

Paul Weaver

 

[Brian Oakley]

Ok, I set up my acct. Pretty painless and quick.

I was told that it takes 24 hours for it to go through, but I still made the call for the Acct. Rep. to call me tomorrow.

To be continued............


PS. I LOVE THIS STUFF!

 

[dwedeking]

PS. I LOVE THIS STUFF!

Want a job?

I personally HATE dealing with red tape from large companies. Give me a small business I can sit down with over lunch and discuss a business relationship that works for both people. And then back to working with reptiles

 

[Brian Oakley]

I would be more than happy to 'tele-conference' with anyone for a small fee.
I forget the word for it, but maybe I should start doing that sort of thing.

I enjoy 'negotiating' and things of that nature.

 

[Double "D" Reptiles]

it's about time

Well, after just getting recovered from a total system meltdown, I get back on , finally, and find this wonderfully interesting thread. It's about time and I'll be starting the process either on Friday or Monday. Glad to see the process already lined out and KUDOS to everyone who has taken part so far.

I hate AE, can't stand USPS for lizards due to their slow and careless handling and UPS ticked me off for the last time aobut 2 years ago. Just thank God that we've been slow these past couple of years due to redirecting our projects for the future.

This couldn't have come about at a better time as this year looks to be a solid improvement for us and, to be honest, shows in this part of the country are few and far between so that shipping becomes a real issue, expecially with the nearest "real" airport 110 miles away. Will keep everyone posted as to my progress as well.

Again, thanks to Rich, Tom, Brian and everyone else who has taken the lead on this issue. You're proving that this business/hobby does indeed have a voice and can survive. I'll look forward to the crying from the idiots at AE and UPS before long. Will be passing this info along to everyone I have contact with along the way and hopefully they, too, will join in the move to a company that seems willing to find a niche for us.

David Jobes
Double "D" Reptiles
Stigler, OK

 

[Suncoast Herpetological]

I am at about the same point as you Brian. I spoke with Mr. Brown this afternoon and got a very positive response. I also opened an account last evening and called again to have an account rep contact me.

We will see but I have to admit I am getting reasonably good vibes about this.

 

[WebSlave]

Well, I will go on record here saying I hope like hell that this arrangement with FedEx works out. I spoke to an attorney at length today about this situation and his initial opinion is that we are SOL if the shippers say they will not take our business. There is nothing legally that can make them do so. There is the gray area of discretionary choices that most businesses have that would just about cover anything at all. Unless we all happened to be a "protected class" of people, of course.

However, if some local offices are accepting packages of specific contents that are being denied to competitors in the same business, then this may certainly be sufficient grounds to pursue. However, unless there is the bigger stick of having a way to force the shippers to take packages from all shippers, pursuing this would very likely only result in the current businesses with active accounts simply losing their accounts. I am certainly not comfortable with the idea of being responsible for that sort of widespread damage that could result.

Now this is from a single entity standpoint that I approached this, and I did not approach the idea of possibility of the class action or mass action lawsuit except in passing. I think that the same rules would likely apply in those cases as well. However, a nuisance suit filed by a large group of people simply because they want these companies to accept our business may not be something that the shippers would logically want to fight too hard. I mean people are SUING them to accept their business, and they would spend the bucks to FIGHT against this? We would be suing them to try to get them to take our money. That doesn't make much sense to me. Why would a company throw tens of thousands of dollars into legal fees to fight something like this?

But I think the best course of action at this point would be to wait to see how things pan out with FedEx. I must admit, however, from reading the contract posted here, that I am not at all keen with that clause stating that FedEx can withdraw their service at any time. I would feel a whole lot better if it were worded with "with clear just cause", or some other manner to keep someone who screws up from getting everyone's accounts cancelled. Or some new CEO comes in who just says "Ewww, I don't like snakes, so we aren't going to ship them."

But let's keep this on the front burner. Even people with current UPS and Airborne Express accounts really should be jumping on this bandwagon with FedEx as well. Because, like it or not, there is a darned good chance that your accounts will be in jeopardy sooner or later. So make the effort. Put some numbers behind this effort.


Open a FedEx account now, please. I certainly can't hurt, but very likely will help immensely with this concerted effort.

 

[Tom McKenna]

It would be very profitable for FEDEX or whoever to ship for us Im very small and do it from my home and I shipped over 3000 last year not alot.....what about 500 people doing the same!

 

[Brian Oakley]

Tom,
That reminds me. Did they ask you if you were shipping retail to retail? They said they would not ship from my home and I was wondering how you got around this. Even if you lied, I don't care, just wondering.

 

[JJFOUTZ]

I would recommend anyone that attempts to get a waiver should have the customer service person that they talk to add James Browns name and phone # on the request they are going to forward to the account executive for validation that this is possible or it may be turned down automatically.

I think this point is definatly worth repeating. I got a call from a woman from the animal desk today instead of an acct rep. She gave me the name and # of my local customer service manager and told me that I had to call him and he needs to put me in contact with thier sales manager. The sales manager will have to set up a proposal to be given to James Brown for approval but I would have to send a test package to the packagindg dept of FedEx and the have to approve the packaging technique that I have used. They are going to test it to see if it will hold up to the abuse that the package may be subjected to at the main hub going through the belt systems. After the package has been approved, the sales rep will make the proposal to James Brown for final approval. After he decides if it will be approved, he will draw up the waiver. Since there is no standing waiver, he will draw them up individually. I set my acct up as a express shipping acct and I was told they will pick up express deliveries the same day at my home for a $4 fee.

James Browns # is (901) 434-8494 (for the customer service people to add to the request)