Shipping Cost

[Halley]

Okay I just shipped out my first leopard geckos yesterday using UPS (both made it their alive and healthy) and it cost me $65.00 for just the shipping, I figured with the box, and the gas to drive to the shipping hub it cost me around $70-75 to ship these geckos out. It is my understanding that most breeders charge $50 for shipping. I was why give it out so cheap? If you are losing $20-25 every time you ship isn’t that a little much? How do you break even, don’t you have to make back your money for shipping? I’m not saying charge more than shipping cost you, but how long can you afford to give shipping out this cheap?

Just curious how everybody else does it.

 

[sushikam]

You know I was wondering the same thing. I haven't shipped out any geckos yet...but I went on to the UPS site to do a estimated cost shipment thing and it said it would cost $65 for overnight delivery by 10:30 A.M.

I have been quoted an exact shipment rate as well and it would have only been $48 to ship to me (from where I'm not sure), but that quote was given to me just a few days ago...for UPS...I'm not sure if there is something I am doing wrong here.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

It is my understanding that most breeders charge $50 for shipping. I was why give it out so cheap? If you are losing $20-25 every time you ship isn’t that a little much? How do you break even, don’t you have to make back your money for shipping?

Most breeders actually lose money when shipping geckos... and that doesn't include the cost of the insulated box, deli cups, and other expenses. If you have an account with them, it usually runs a little cheaper. You can also purchase pre-paid shipping labels in lots of 25 for a discount, but you need to pay for ALL 25 of the shipments up front... which runs over $800 out of pocket.

You'd be surprised how many comments and accusations we get for 'ripping off' people with shipping costs! Usually, all I have to do is give them the link to UPS's rate calculator, along with the box dimensions and my zip code. It shuts them right up when they see they are actually getting a deal! LOL!!!

 

[Mel&Keith]

Unfortunately, a lot of potential customers are not breeders who are already shipping so they don't understand how much shipping really costs. It's even hard for me to believe how fast the cost of shipping is rising. Many people get scared off by $70 shipping quotes so breeders charge less and take the loss.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I am shipping 2 packages out today. I am located in the midwest, I am shipping both packages to the east coast, 1 package is costing Shipping Cost: $53.53,
the other Shipping Cost: $57.07.

This cost is with the REPSTER discount, the quotes via my UPS online account were $65.35 and $72.15. This does not include the $7 (per box) propack boxes that I am using, the deli cups for the geckos, the packing peanuts, the tape or the ice packs that I added. Not to mention just the time that it takes.


Shipping is not cheap or easy when done correctly!!!
It is however part of doing business.

 

[Lena]

How does repster work? It's kind of confusing.

 

[Jeremy Letkey]

I think that the best people to ask, are the people from repster. I am certain that they would happily answer any of your questions.

 

[nwheat]

For a long time, I had to charge what UPS charged me - often $65 - and then I ate the cost of the box, heat packs, deli cups, etc. Now, buying the prepaid labels is what allows me to keep the shipping cost lower - but paying for all those labels at once hurts!

I think Reptster is going to be a very valuable service! I plan to use them when I eventually start shipping snakes. They offer discounted shipping, free boxes, and you can avoid the hassle of getting certified to ship through FedEx.

 

[acpart]

As a buyer and reader of what the shippers are going through I can really appreciate the shipping dilemma. My personal solution (I'm not necessarily advocating this for everyone) is that I will limit my total production and also the degree to which I'll produce high end geckos so that I don't have to ship. I already have been able to sell about 30 geckos a year locally for the past 3 years and have driven up to 2 hours to deliver. In the long run, I think that's going to work best for me. It's a consideration for new breeders in their planning.

Aliza

 

[yellermelon]

I love some reptster lol...I have shipped many packages with them and its ALOT cheaper!!! Still not cheap..but cheaper.

 

[Halley]

Give somebody give me a link to the “reptster”?

And do I just go to my FedEx location to pick up the multiple stamps?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Do a google search for "Reptster".

 

[SPJ]

Give somebody give me a link to the “reptster”?

And do I just go to my FedEx location to pick up the multiple stamps?

http://www.reptster.com/connections/fedex/fedex_terms.php

There are no "stamps" involved. You pay for the airbill and place that on the box.

 

[Lena]

I signed up with Repster for future use..

I still don't get it... Haha. But free boxes? Discounts? Why not.