UPS and shipping snakes

jeosbo01 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:11 PM

I have been gainfully employeed by UPS for some time now. I am tired of hearing about all of the business we miss out on because we will not accept snakes in our system (not to mention the fact that it is ridiculous that we won't take them but will take other reptiles). I am going to try to do something about it! I have made contact with our corporate office, and think I found the right strings to pull to get some traction with the situation, but I need ammo.
If it were a viable option how many of you would give UPS a chance to ship your snakes? How many would you be shipping in say a year? What service would you use? Shoot me a pm or an email (jeosbo01@aol.com) if you'd like, I just want to know if this is worth me chasing.
James

TheBoaGuy · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:27 PM

As far as I am concerned FEDEX has my business and ups missed out. So unless they offer a substantial discount or other reason to use them I will be staying with fedex.

John_E_Dove · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:27 PM

I would for sure. There is a UPS office only 20 miles from me. To ship through the only two carriers who are willing to knowingly ship snakes I have to travel 100 miles one way.

Adrya · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:34 PM

I have no other choice but to use FedEx (which I'm pleased with them), because they have a location that is about 10 minutes from me where I can drop off my packages.

Xeikeness · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 07:40 PM

Yeah, I agree with that they'd have to have discounted rates for it, but there is a UPS really close to me. So if they would allow it, I'd use them if I had to ship snakes.

piscivorus · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 11:18 PM

A lot of people still illegally ship via Fed Ex. Fed Ex is only legal if you go through the process where they check your package and give you a waiver basically.

If UPS could simplify the process so that you can simply ship with them via their guidelines (define how the box should be packed without having to be approved beforehand) then that would give them a leg up right there. A LOT of folks still ship illegally whether they mean to or not.

dirtborder · #7 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 11:32 PM

Both FedEx, and UPS are 30mins. away for me(they're in the same strip mall), so I wouldn't mind switching, if they offered a cheaper rate than FedEx.

BonafideHerps · #8 (**permalink**) 09-05-2007, 11:41 PM

Im actually having trouble right now with FedEx. Sort of weird this thread poped up...Check out my thread on ReptileInsider.com

HELP with shipping issue fast! - Reptile Insider Forums

Wish me luck!

RichL

TheBoaGuy · #9 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 12:46 AM

I read your post on the other site. Did you get certified via fedex??? Does not seem that way to me because you told them that it was a clay molding. If this is the case you are the one that put your animals at risk not fedex. If you are certified the box would be clearly marked live harmless reptiles and if it missed a flight it would be sent back to you per the agreement that you sign.

Adrya · #10 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonafideHerps

Im actually having trouble right now with FedEx. Sort of weird this thread poped up...Check out my thread on ReptileInsider.com

HELP with shipping issue fast! - Reptile Insider Forums

Wish me luck!

RichL

I was going to go through the process of getting certified with FedEx, but I was told that they were cracking down on people shipping live reptiles in the past 2 months... so I didn't.

If you could share what Basically Boas is helping you with getting certified, that would be great.

I have an account with FedEx, but I don't believe that's good enough. I didn't have any problems with my first shipment of snakes though; I dropped them off early-enough where there couldn't possibly be any mistakes.

TheBoaGuy · #11 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:03 AM

I can't believe you guys don't get certified. Why put the animal at risk it is a painless process and only takes about a week. I would much rather be able to label my box correctly then have to be miss leading, and second if there is a problem the box will be sent back to you instead of sitting at some shipping center for god knows how long. We are so quick to preach about proper care of you snake at home but drop the ball while shipping. That just does not seem right. If you guys want help getting certified pm me and ill give you some info.

Adrya · #12 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:18 AM

Okay, how about you please share here about getting certified with FedEx. Because the only thread I could find was on some other site that was over 3 years old, which I started to do, but I was afraid I would get my account cancelled or something for wanting to ship reptiles when a friend of mine told me they were cracking down on people.

I didn't "drop the ball" as I would still loooooooooove to be certified so I'm safe.

jeosbo01 · #13 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:23 AM

I don't think there would be any serious price breaks involved here. This isn't a market that UPS seems to be actively persuing, and it will be difficult to even get them to accept snakes, much less do so at a reduced shipping rate. I personally just want more than one legitimate outlet that I can utilize for snakes.

BTW...piscivorous...I don't believe that there is any legal issues involved with sending something (otherwise legal) through FedEx and not being certified by FedEx to do so. By doing this you are violating a FedEx policy, but I don't think there could be legal ramifications for this. Then again I'm no lawyer.

TheBoaGuy · #14 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:25 AM

Well your friend was wrong. First you have to call the package testing department and get your package tested the phone number is 18006337019. They will give you and account number to charge the package to so it costs you nothing and they will even send your box back. They will have you fill this out and send 2 copies one inside the box and one outside the box when you send it in for testing. http://images.fedex.com/us/services/...pplication.pdf
After your package is approved you will have to contact you account representative to sign the waiver(the testing department should tell you who your representative is and give you there phone number). After you sign the waiver and fax it back you are certified and ready to ship.

TheBoaGuy · #15 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeosbo01

I don't think there would be any serious price breaks involved here. This isn't a market that UPS seems to be actively persuing, and it will be difficult to even get them to accept snakes, much less do so at a reduced shipping rate. I personally just want more than one legitimate outlet that I can utilize for snakes.

BTW...piscivorous...I don't believe that there is any legal issues involved with sending something (otherwise legal) through FedEx and not being certified by FedEx to do so. By doing this you are violating a FedEx policy, but I don't think there could be legal ramifications for this. Then again I'm no lawyer.

It may not be illegal like shipping thru the mail. But it does put your animal at risk and it is irresponsible if you ask me.

Adrya · #16 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:34 AM

I don't have a fax machine to send anything through to...

Also, I already have a FedEx account number. So is that what they send the charge of the shipping to when you send in the box, or what kind of an account number is it?

TheBoaGuy · #17 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:38 AM

You can goto your local laundry mat or any other place and use there fax machine. I guess you could also send thru snail mail but it will take longer. They will give you there fedex account number to bill the shipment to.

Adrya · #18 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:47 AM

...that's kinda funny that a laundry place would have a fax machine LOL

anyway,

So you just pack the box like you would normally do for shipping, with deli cup or snake bag and everything when you send the test box? Snail mail is okay with me... but if I find a fax machine then I'll use it. Do they ask you anything at all about what you will be shipping or is that none of their business?

thanks for the info, I really appreciate it. please don't think i'm irrisponsible, I didn't know.

TheBoaGuy · #19 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 01:55 AM

I know the laundry places around me send a receive faxes for a small fee. Make sure you pack the box like you normally would and put the deli cup in and everything. I even put a piece of cardboard inside that said live harmless reptile. Make sure you tape the deli cup closed to they like to see that. Also mark you box on the outside with live harmless reptile. There is no need to hide anything from them they are quite nice and I have even made quick friends with my account representative and have talked quite a few times over the phone with her about shipping my snakes. Also Adrya I know that you are not irresponsible and just trying to learn. But there are people even big name breeder that still use ups or fedex with out being certified. It just irks me that they are willing to put the animal at risk just because they do not want to go thru the process or they would rater use ups or what ever there reason is. I like you am only interested in the animals well being whether it be at home or in shipping.

morti · #20 (**permalink**) 09-06-2007, 02:44 AM

I put a toy snake in the deli cup when I got certified. They take pics of the packaging as part of the report, and there was a pic of the toy snake.

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