Can't get anybody to ship my leo

[xboxmember1978]

I have never shipped a gecko before and I might need to soon so I have been getting some info and doing research but I'm running into a problem. I hear all the time of people shipping reptiles using Fedex or UPS but I called two of my somewhat local UPS stores and both told me they don't ship live animals. I also called my only local Fedex store and guess what? They also said the same thing.

Are there only certain UPS or Fedex stores that will let me ship it? I would think that if the companies allows animals to be shipped then it wouldn't matter which place I bring it to but I can't get the places to deal with me. Do any of you have any advise to give me about this?

 

[paulnj]

Put it in a box properly packed, describe it as "perishable" and overnight it via UPS.

I have never been questioned using that method since the early 90's

Honestly, you should go to a Hub and ship through them, the stores are not the actual shipping company themselves.

 

[xboxmember1978]

But if I just say it's perishable what do I tell them is in it? I'm sure they will ask, also if I just tell them that then they wont care if it isn't handled and shipped in an upright position cause they don't know it's alive

 

[yellermelon]

People at my local hub thinks its pretty cool i ship reptiles. The guy that picks up at my house is trying to make time to come in and check out what i got goin on in there lol>>>some employees lack knowlage

 

[fallen_angel]

You could just be talking to employees that are unaware of their policies, because UPS does ship certain small live animals. There is a list of what is accepted on their website, and leopard geckos are allowed. Just ask to talk to a manager who knows what they are talking about; or say, "Then why does it say that they are allowed on your website?"

 

[acpart]

I may be wrong, but I think there's a difference between those UPS "stores" which are like mailbox stores that also have UPS pickup and an actual facility owned and operated solely by UPS. If you are going to the former, you will need to find out where an owned and operated UPS store is. If they still won't ship, you could look at the rules on-line and quote their rules to them. CHeck with someone else though; I may be wrong.

Aliza

 

[xboxmember1978]

When I went to ups.com and looked up my local locations within a 25 mile range I specifically looked for actual UPS stores and not just authorized locations. After I was told no from the 1st place I called the second place I asked to speak to a manager and they also said no

 

[paulnj]

the fedex and UPS stores are not the shipper and therefore the shipping terms of the actual shipper do not apply to their facility.

I shipped 1000's of snakes with the method I said above in the late 80's/ early 90's. Believe me it works. had one casualty due to a lost USPS shipment after 2 weeks and reshipped another boa the next day.

Believe me, shipped animals get bounced around like they were in a car accident sometimes. That is the reason for just large enough delis and plenty of packing material. They will be on all 6 sides of the box at any given time, or atleast you should expect them to be.

I suggest you find a HUB or distribution center or not tell them it's a live animal.

 

[xboxmember1978]

If a gecko is upside down for a long period of time will it die? I have a gut feeling that once they are in the deli cups they cant turn back upright if the box is upside down, also what do you tell UPS is inside the box then? I know you said perishable but I'm sure they will ask

 

[paulnj]

they never ask me beyond perishable.

I assure you a 40 gram gecko can indeed turn right side up in a 4.5x 1.75 deli cup when turned upside down. I just did it and that deli size is too small for that gecko if you add the paper towels I use as shipping substrate.... believe me it was tough to get him in for that test.

ok, time 4 bed and off to my vacation I go in the AM. Good luck with your shipping situation.

 

[xboxmember1978]

Thanks for your help...

P..S..The leo I might ship is 140 grams...Not a typo..It's the leo I have in the for sale section

 

[fallen_angel]

We actually received a gecko that was upside-down in her deli cup.. It startled me at first, but she was just fine.

 

[fallen_angel]

Thanks for your help...

P..S..The leo I might ship is 140 grams...Not a typo..It's the leo I have in the for sale section

Wow that's a nice sized leo!! He looks like a sweetheart too

 

[thekooliest]

People at my local hub thinks its pretty cool i ship reptiles. The guy that picks up at my house is trying to make time to come in and check out what i got goin on in there lol>>>some employees lack knowlage

lol
ya that leo is HUGE

and if they ask what it is after you say my its perishable...just answer my grandmother...

 

[xboxmember1978]

Yes, Rocco is a very big boy. I'm not even sure if he will fit into a deli cup. I might have to use something like standard tupperware and get one that is just big enough to fit him in or if I can't find a great fit I might be able to use paper towels to take up some of the extra room if the container is a bit too big.

 

[xboxmember1978]

UPDATE:


I finally found a place that will let me ship him, however they said that since he is a live animal it will be considered perishable and standard rules apply which include no guarantee. I also didn't know the shipping price would be so high. They said next day by 10:30am will be $81.72 to the final destination. I see leopard gecko breeders everywhere only asking $60.00 for shipping. I wonder if they know a secret to keep the cost down.

I guess since it will just be considered a standard perishable package I can take it to any place now and do what Paulnj said...lol...

 

[bohannbj]

I know people whine about USPS but they shipped just fine when I used them. Considering that none of the companies guarantee anything, I don't see the point in paying over three times as much for the same service. Besides, if your shipping from or to a small town, USPS employees are better than the meat bags staffing the other places.

 

[dprince]

I know people whine about USPS but they shipped just fine when I used them. Considering that none of the companies guarantee anything, I don't see the point in paying over three times as much for the same service. Besides, if your shipping from or to a small town, USPS employees are better than the meat bags staffing the other places.

It's not just about price. FedEx or UPS may not guarantee that your animal arrives alive, but they DO have guarantees in place of WHEN it will arrive. There is a financial incentive for them to make sure it arrives on time, whereas USPS has ZERO guarantees of ANYTHING - even if you ship overnight.

Especially in more extreme weather, the amount of time in transit REALLY does mean life or death to these animals. It's not about people "whining" about USPS - there is good justification for utilizing other services.

Plus, you CAN ship animals through UPS and FedEx (no snakes through UPS) You can even get certified to ship live animals through FedEx (and I think UPS does this now?) I did through FedEx. It's a really simple process. See here:http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33533

 

[Kelentari]

Well, I went to that post on fauna, but this link to get a form to fill out on package testing or evaluation, http://fedex.com/us/services/expres...ging/tips.html, didn't work. I've been poking around the fedex website for any info on live animal shipping, but can't find anything! Am I just blind?

 

[boutiquegecko]

I saved all the testing forms if anyone needs the links and info for Fedex. I haven't shipped ups yet and don't know if there is a new rule to test your box or not. Fedex is pretty simple. It took about 1-2 weeks for the whole process to go through.