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Ups Shipping

T

Tom McKenna

S & H Exotics
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Hey all Im currently working on details of possible UPS contract. My sister-in-law is a higher up in UPS and she was at house today for me to work on her PC and I showed here or shipping post and she said she doesn't want to lose this much business to FEDEX or anyone. So cross your fingers Im trying. A little competion between shippers can be good for us all
 
Glad to hear it Tom. I have a box in the Fedex testing lab right now and as soon as it is approved and I have all of my paperwork on line with them I was planning on taking another run at UPS as well.

One of my neighbors is pretty far up the ladder as well at UPS. I actually had the paperwork for a lizard waiver (no snakes) last year but did not push the issue due to the fact that I do not deal in lizards. However, with Fedex sewed up I am planning on doing a little judicious pushing as well
 
How high up in UPS is she, Tom? She may need to make some BIG noise about this.

My attorney thinks the way UPS is selectively accepting business from some people and not others may be a problem they need to address.

Personally, I would like to see a show of hands here from anyone who has had any of their outgoing shipments of reptiles in general or snakes in particular refused by UPS. Let's show "damages".

I would also like to have a listing HERE from anyone who has RECEIVED a shipment of snakes from ANYONE via UPS as well. Please indicate WHO the shipment originated from. Let's show who has preferential or "don't ask, don't tell" treatment from UPS.

Time to let this cat out of the bag.
 
I have asked them by phone on numerous occasions and tried to get them to understand, just what I did with FedEx, about how they accept some but not others.

I would jump on board with thsi, just like I have with FedEx.

Rich, what about the idea from our last emails between each other? Any ideas?
 
Brian - I think we can start some preliminary inquiries. But I believe most of our efforts need to be concentrated on a single target to be effective.

FedEx was a bonus, as I did not expect them to already be open to doing business with us. I have an ongoing issue with UPS that needs to be resolved, so they are first on the list, as far as I am concerned. Airborne Express and USPS will get their turn, which will be much easier if we already have some successes under our belt.

My goal is to have ALL of the shippers see the light about us and break this logjam wide open. I have never liked the idea of having all of my eggs in one basket, so I would prefer us to have as many options as possible available.

Right now, I am a bit disappointed (but not surprised) by the lack of big names (in shipping volume) who are not throwing their hat into the ring on the petition. Their $$ weight would help us all greatly. The omelett I mentioned in another thread is in the making right now, so they can either be a cook in this kitchen, or risk being one of the eggs.

I will be more specific with my question earlier:
How many LARGE shippers are currently shipping snakes via UPS? Who here has gotten snake shipments from someone of that category?
 
Rich,

I have received UPS shippments from

Hiss N things Jim and Karen
Ben Seigel
Central Florida Reptile Breeders


And If I am not mistaken Extreme Reptiles was talking of switching to ups.

Hope this helps some
 
Who here has gotten snake shipments from someone of that category?
Click to expand...

Why don't we use the information we already have in the poll on that topic. So far there have been 472 votes, 267 of which correspond to people that have shipped overall through. Of the total of that declared they used UPS for shipping approximatelly 30% are approved (80).

Do we necessarily need to provide names to make our point? What if their privileges with UPS are revoked instead of having the rest of us massively approved? In my opinion if the approved shippers want to post this information on their own that's their prerrogative. But if they don't, should their customers be posting it for them?

Just my opinion.
 
I am not a large shipper but I've shipped every reptile I've sent off to someone through UPS. In the last year and a half, I've probably shipped off 10-15 boxes. Some lizards but mostly snakes.

In fact, the two guys who are package intake clerks, have been helpful. I like to take the critters in as late as possible so they immediately go on the plane, not having to sit in the office there excessively long. They've told me when the last truck leaves, so I know the latest I can show up and still make it, and they keep the boxes inside for me so they don't get exposed to the elements while waiting to go.

When I go in, I tell them exactly what is in the box; verbally and written up in the paperwork. Aside from a couple "eew, snakes" jokes, and a warning that their was no guarantee on live arrivals, they've never given me a bit of problem. The first couple times they did ask me if I was sure the animal couldn't get out but they don't anymore; they know me know and have seen how I package reptiles.

(Sometimes I come in without the boxes taped closed and when I ask them to tape them, I tell them they can look inside if they want to. It's rather amusing to see their faces and how fast they tape the box shut! LOL! It's become a big joke.)

It seems that if you call, they have to tell you no, as per their policy. but if you go in with the box in hand and you're nice, they wont turn you away.

I have received animals from others who have used UPS, FedEx and Airborne but UPS is most convenient for me as the warehouse is nearby and I've never had a problem with delays or anything.
 
I think it is okay to post the names of "companies/individuals" who ship via ups. They are doing something that is perhaps not illegal, but underhanded, and many are shown preferential treatment.

I personally have been without any difficulty allowed to ship via ups, and that is including divulging the contents of my parcels. I have shipped 8' burmese pythons through ups, they knew it, and had no problem with it. I know of a local herp acquaintance that can't even ship ball pythons without a hassle. Not very fair imo, and if it costs me my shipping ability through ups so be it. Why should I personally have the rights to ship something that the next guy cannot? I did not "earn" this right, I happened to be in the right place at the right time, and I am a likable person..most of the time.

As far as big names that ship ups, Ronne is a big name that ships ups.
so 2 names are myself (in a small fry capacity)..and Ronne
 
I think it is okay to post the names of "companies/individuals" who ship via ups. They are doing something that is perhaps not illegal, but underhanded, and many are shown preferential treatment.
Click to expand...

What I don't necessary agree with is to use this information as leverage to try to have the rest approved. It's risking the business of the ones that are currently approved (just to make it clear, I am not an approved shipper). These shipping exceptions are more than likely not a special UPS policy for those individuals but more than likely a friendly local UPS depot. What will more than likely happen is that the priviledges of the shippers using that depot will be revoked once this information is made public.

Just my opinion.
 
alvaro said:
What I don't necessary agree with is to use this information as leverage to try to have the rest approved. It's risking the business of the ones that are currently approved (just to make it clear, I am not an approved shipper). These shipping exceptions are more than likely not a special UPS policy for those individuals but more than likely a friendly local UPS depot. What will more than likely happen is that the priviledges of the shippers using that depot will be revoked once this information is made public.

Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

I can see and somewhat agree with your point on the leverage point, I also agree with the local depot being the one allowing/showing the preferential treatment.

That made me curious..Would that possibly leave ups open for a lawsuit? Seeing how each company is allowed to refuse service to anyone at any time for what ever reason they see fit I doubt it does but I do not know alot about the legal system. Are companies also allowed to go against the tos they put in place for "special" occurances? such as a high spender allowed to ship over a low level shipper? Or are they actually required to change the tos before legally allowed to do this? Sorry if this seems like rambling...I am tired and have a lack of sleep going on a week..lol Just curious on the last paragraph, it doesn't really have anything to do with the top part..Just some questions I had.

Later
 
Do we necessarily need to provide names to make our point? What if their privileges with UPS are revoked instead of having the rest of us massively approved? In my opinion if the approved shippers want to post this information on their own that's their prerrogative. But if they don't, should their customers be posting it for them?
Click to expand...

This is a valid concern. And one in which I have fretted over ever since I decided to kick this hornet's nest.

Unless and until I knew we had an alternative, no, I would not have wanted to single out anyone and draw attention that could get them to lose their method of shipping. But with FedEx being available to pick up any slack such an action may cause, this doesn't bother me now.

My strategy is pretty simple. UPS will need to consider the business lost not only from those people that want to ship with them, and are not being allowed because of some arbitrary decision UPS has made about shipping snakes, but also they will quite likely need to make the decision to lose current business that they are already providing on a preferential and biased manner. That's why I want the bigger shippers of snakes involved. We need their help with leverage. I would prefer they get involved voluntarily, but their failure to do so does not mean they will NOT be involved in this.

I have heard that Gourmet Rodent and Strictly Reptiles ship via UPS. How about some other large volume shippers like Mark & Kim Bell? How do they ship? Would the possibility of UPS losing such volume shippers get their attention? Would the possibility of FedEx GAINING their business be beneficial to us as a group?

Recently at one of the shows, I heard from Sandy at Reptiles Magazine that the herp market is the ONLY segment of the pet trade experiencing substantial growth. Imagine what that growth would be like if it wasn't fatally hobbled with this shipping inhibition on harmless snakes?

Indications are that all of the shipping companies may be perking their ears up over this. I firmly believe that if the herp industry is going to survive and grow, this needs to be done and needs to be done NOW.

So yes, if the big breeders, dealers, and wholesalers will not get involved voluntarily, I am asking their customers to drag them into this via their earlobes.
 
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