Why is shipping so $$$$???

[TheVez2]

Again I'm new to a lot of things in the snake hobby. I've never considered ordering a snake through the mail until now. I've been looking at a lot of ads and dealer sites and it seems that most folks use FedEx and shipping costs anywhere from $40 to $60. This seems outrageous to me. I plan on buying 2 snakes that will probably cost about $80, the cost of shipping will add another snakes worth (or more) onto my total. How do you justify that?

All I have to compare this with is my main hobby which is tarantulas. I can ship a small box full of tarantulas overnight through USPS for around $25, and that includes a well insulated and packed box as well as a heat pack if necessary. So why are snakes so much more to ship? And is there a reason most folks use FedEx?

 

[Cat_Eyed_Lady]

FedEx is the only company that will ship live snakes Legally As for the cost... be glad that most Aren't upping their prices for shipping because I know it costs more than that now to ship snakes.

Maybe other breeders can say more about it because I have yet to start shipping

 

[MichellesCreatures]

Rates went up alot in 2008, not to mention their "fuel surcharge" is going up because of gas prices. I charge $49 whereas before that used to be a good number to go by (it averaged out to be the actual cost, without the cost of the insulated box, heat/cold packs, deli cups and/or snake bags) now....its not even close. I'm averaging $60-70 per package.....and if I get a customer whos in Cali, well that could go very well into the $80 price range.
I wont even go into my troubles with Fed Ex...I wish there was an alternative.

 

[KJUN]

...because it is a violation of federal law to ship snakes via the USPS. Frogs and lizards are OK, but not snakes. I've known people to get in legal trouble for doing it. It's pretty serious. Common carriers - like FedEx, UPS, and Delta - are the only legal ways. FedEx is the only one that will approve "average" people to ship them. (UPS has the most biased rules in the world, so screw them. I want to see them go out of business, anyway. I've never forgiven them for the damage they did in the 90s!) Delta is just too much of a hassle now for most shippers and buyers - except for HIGH END snakes like boa morphs, etc.

PLUS, all of the inverts I've shipped could take afternoon temps that'd kill a snake. FedEx can get it there in the morning. USPS usually takes until the afternoon for MANY destinations. That's a BIG difference in temps in many area much of the year.

Just be glad that the USPS has cleaned up their regs and cracked down on invert shipments. Imagine how much that'd hurt your trade....just like it does snake guys! My actual shipping charges average $45-55/each...not counting the price of the insulated box and heating/cooling pads.

Sad, eh?
KJ

 

[El Jefe]

Yep...shipping is expensive for some of the reasons the others have stated...illegal to go USPS, FedEx charges a lot, rate increases, etc....



And here is proof.....a 2 lb small box shipment from SC to FL done just LAST week.

(and for those that are geography challanged....if you are in SC and go south there is GA and then FL. Not too freakin far away!)

Nice fuel surcharge eh?

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

Whoa Jeff!! That's crazy!! I just shipped one a couple of weeks ago from TX to VA, and it was a little over $60. Wonder why yours was that expensive...

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

Oh as a side, any reason why USPS allows lizards but not snakes? Seems weird to me; I wonder if they'd legally let you ship a legless lizard?

 

[Weebonilass]

Shpping anything overnight is expensive. I believe my saddle over a year ago was $120 for just shipping. Yes a little heavier, but the packaging was pretty flimpsy and didn't require the special treatment that a snake does. I'll pay the extra to make sure my newest precious gets here as soon as possible with as little stress as possible.

USPS doesn't do overnight, so it's not the way I would want to go with any animal

 

[JustineNYC]

Ive ordered clothes and had them on overnight shipping and it was the same thing....about 50$ bucks. Its no different with snakes.....Its anything overnight.

 

[NFS07]

One word: Gas!

 

[KJUN]

Oh as a side, any reason why USPS allows lizards but not snakes? Seems weird to me; I wonder if they'd legally let you ship a legless lizard?

Just their regulations. It's been on the records for a LONG, LONG time. You can see the regs online or request to see the 5" thick printed book at any post office.

Legless lizards are fine. Ironic, isn't it that legless lizards are OK, but HARMLESS snakes are not.

 

[kimbyra]

If shipping charges are freakin' you out, you can always go to an expo. Then again, you have to drive there and gas prices are crazy. :angry01: These fuel prices really are getting to be a problem, but I wont go all political on ya.

Advice:
If your going to have a collection, then get multiple snakes in one shipment.

Cheers!

 

[El Jefe]

Whoa Jeff!! That's crazy!! I just shipped one a couple of weeks ago from TX to VA, and it was a little over $60. Wonder why yours was that expensive...

Yeah...crazy, eh? It was going from a major Fedex facility here (a direct to the planes from here place) and going to Gainesville, FL....my no means a po-dunk little town. I don't get it.

 

[Joejr14]

Yeah...crazy, eh? It was going from a major Fedex facility here (a direct to the planes from here place) and going to Gainesville, FL....my no means a po-dunk little town. I don't get it.

Gainesville aint po-dunk?

 

[Drizzt80]

One word: Gas!

Two syllables: Bean-O! :sidestep:

On topic . . . think about it though. I have a snake leave here at 6:00 pm when I drop it off at the FedEx service center and it's in Jay & PJ's hands by 10:30 am the next day, on the East Coast, and that's counting Central to Eastern time zones (which rushes them an extra hour). Pretty good deal for $50-$60 if you ask me?! Even when gas prices were good, I don't think I could drive across the state for $50/$60 bucks!

D80

 

[TandJ]

and if I get a customer whos in Cali, well that could go very well into the $80 price range.

For me to ship anything from California is going to be costly.. I can't afford to to eat the costs of shipping from my pocket, along with the costs of shipping supplies these days..So much for paying for food to feed the little twerps, I am going backwards..

Anywheres I ship this year it is going to be $70 to $80.. Might just have to set a fixed rate for this season of $75, doubtful that I come ahead there anyways with the cost of materials to ship etc..

Regards.. Tim of T and J

 

[Nanci]

Gainesville aint po-dunk?

You're calling my town po-dunk? Oh, wait- is this the state where they tried to outlaw fakey testicles hanging off trucks?

I'm glad I really live in A-law-chu-aye.

 

[wade]

Pretty good deal for $50-$60 if you ask me?! Even when gas prices were good, I don't think I could drive across the state for $50/$60 bucks!

D80

I got to agree with D80. I shipped some big Hog Island Boas from Utah to Florida. The box weight 50 pounds. I dropped it off at Fed Ex at 5:00 PM and it was delivered at 8:30 AM the next day. That blows my mind. Take my box all the way across the country that quick. I'm impressed.

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

Just their regulations. It's been on the records for a LONG, LONG time. You can see the regs online or request to see the 5" thick printed book at any post office.

Legless lizards are fine. Ironic, isn't it that legless lizards are OK, but HARMLESS snakes are not.

It is ironic that legless lizards are fine, but snakes aren't. That's our bureaucratic system for you.

 

[Flagg]

As for the cheap invert shipments via priority mail and USPS Express, I don't think those are legal either, but for some reason that seems to be the norm.