winter shipping & dealing w/ angry customer

gemisnake · #1 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 01:59 AM

Hi, last week I sold an adult beardie and a juvenile beardie to 2 different people. I told them I would hold the beardies until they paid for as long as they wanted as long as they kept in touch so I knew they still wanted them. Anyways they both sent the money really fast. I told them I would ship as soon as it was warm enough to safely do so with a heat pack after I recieved the money orders. Well I keep in touch every few days telling each person that is is a little too cold for me to feel comfortable shipping the guys. THe woman who bought the baby is fine and happy, she says thanks for keeping in touch and that she is happy to wait until it is warmer so that she gets little "Goblin" safe and healthy! Now the guy who bought the adult is getting angry and wants him shipped asap, I told him that the weather forecast for next Monday is 29 degrees as the high and I dont think a heat pack will make it safe enough, but he insists. I have shipped many times before but not in winter. Will a heat pack alone in a insulated box be ok to ship in this weather? Grrr, he doesnt want to wait or want his money back either, he just wants the dragon, and I know of a lot of people who ship in winter, maybe I am just overprotective of my babies.

telefrag · #2 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 02:10 AM

I wouldnt offer to ship animals in the winter.

But one heat pack (of the larger 40hour type) would probably be okay if the box isnt too big.
But also be careful with heat packs.

What I have done to test heat packs was to put a heat pack in a insulated box and use a indoor outdoor thermometer set on top of it, and leave it outside over night.

That way you get a good idea of what the inside of the box will be like especially since you can bet that it will remain near those temps for at least 8 -10 hours or so (unless you ship delta).

But its best (and been my solid personal choice) to never ship, nor recieve herps in the winter at all.

Its a risk that just isnt worth taking.

Stormyva · #3 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 02:13 AM

You cant ever be too safe..... if you dont feel safe in doing it then dont do it.
Offer a refund and let it go..... if the guy cant wait a couple of weeks until warmer weather for the safety of the beardie then he probably isnt in it for the long haul.

morti · #4 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 02:34 AM

I agree with the others. If I were in your situation, I would offer him a refund or he can wait until the weather warms up.

thetupak · #5 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 02:39 AM

I agree with you guys if i was buying a reptile i wouldnt worry about how long it takes to get it as long as you stay in touch i would be more worried about the safty of the animal

louise · #6 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 03:10 AM

agreed!

najaboy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 03:15 AM

If he's not willing to wait, simply refund his money and be done with it. Under no circumstances should you let a customer pressure you into shipping in conditions which you are uncomfortable with.

Sunn · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 03:18 AM

I agree with all the folks that are more interested in the welfare of the animal.

We all buy animals yes and unfortunately time of year is inconvenient now and then but that is the way things are in the real world. The fact that you are keeping in touch and offering a refund is more than enough.

If he is so impatient why did he buy from an area with such cold temps right now anyway?
I always check for weather before committing to purchases and know when what I want is in cold climate ...... there is going to be a wait. My last snake purchase in mid Decemeber came from Ohio in mid January during a very short break in weather. It came Delta and I still worried until I had them safely warming in their cage. I did take a temp gun and checked them upon receipt and even with Delta and an well insulated box and heat pack it was 72 when I opened it. I would hate to think what it would have been like had it been shipped overnight. Mine were only boxed for 6 hours total also. Had we hadn't had that break in weather they would still be in Ohio until March I imagine and I'd have been fine with it...restless yes.....but their safety was utmost important to me and the breeder as it should be!

Frankly I'd be more concerned what kind of home it was going to at this point than what someone like that had to say to try to persuade you to do something you know isn't safe.

Good luck!

RevMojo · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 04:13 AM

Yup...what they all said. I'd give the refund, and let the creature go somewhere where it's safety was more of a concern. Ask him if he'll sign a waiver relieving you of liability if it arrives frozen...bet his tune changes.

gemisnake · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 04:54 AM

Yeah, I offered the refund but he says he wants the beardie. When I sold them it was clearly written that I was going to ship as soon as I recieved the money order and the weather was ok to ship. Well, it isnt yet, and the woman who bought the other beardie is so understanding and wants me to wait, I am going to try one more time to reason with this guy! I will do that test of the heat pack. It is going to a warm place so I guess that is good, but I still am not wanting to ship if it is too cold here. Thanks for the support

Advertisement