Cold weather shipping question

[wade]

I have sold a snake to a lady in Nebraska who is very, very excited to get her snake. She wants me to ship it in weather that I think is too cold.

What is the coldest temps you will ship in. What are your experiences?

 

[Roy Munson]

I've had corns/emoryi shipped to me by VERY reputable breeders in temps that scared the heck outta me-- lows in the teens and low twenties. And heat packs weren't included! Everything worked out fine. I guess I wouldn't be overly worried to ship priority overnight with a heat pack OVER the snake (taped to the top of the box).

Depends on the species too...

 

[bekers71]

I don't mind to ship in colder weather most of the time. But if there is a big ice/snow storm that may effect shipping, I wont ship for fear of the package getting held over some where for a couple days. I make sure, like Dean said, to have a heat pack included though. Right now all of my shipping is on hold until after the holidays.

 

[Nanci]

Wade, after you gather all the information here, I would still do what you think is safest for the snake. Weather changes every day. I've had to wait days, weeks even for it to be safe. I would be nervous in temps lower than the mid-40's, with the snake shipped by an expert shipper. You could pack the box and put it in your refrigerator to test it out. If you're willing to waste a couple heat packs. Put a thermometer probe inside. I did that when I took snakes down to Daytona in August, just to be assured that they weren't overheating. I think if I had to ask anyone I might ask Sean Niland. You could contact him off his VMS website.

 

[CaptBogart]

The problem with sticking a bunch of heat packs in the box, is that they suck up oxygen. Like Becky, my shipping is on hold, but also because here we still hit 80* days while everyone up north are freezing. Plus, how do I not cook the snake here with a heat pack while it waits to be shipped to a cold state?

 

[wade]

So I have low teens to mid forties. You guys are a lot of help. I’m not shipping right now because of Christmas. I’ve always said I wouldn’t ship under 32*. I have always felt like that was very conservative and safe.

The lady in question is having below zero temps this week but it’s supposed to warm up to maybe 20 after Christmas.

I lost a sale today on a pair of Taiwan Beauties because I told the guy a 32* minimum and he said that wouldn’t be till April. I’m just feeling frustrated I guess.

Would you ship if the buyer assumed responsibility for a dead snake?

 

[Teddy Roosevelt]

I'm not a breeder, so obviously your question isn't directed at me... but I assume most people got into breeding snakes, at least, because they love the animal... Even if someone offered double the value, I wouldn't ship somewhere that could cause an early death for the animal. I'm sorry you lost that sale, but really, if a customer can't grasp the idea that shipping live animals is not the same as shipping inanimate objects and animals require specific temps and conditions to travel, they wouldn't be fantastic owners anyways.

 

[bekers71]

Would you ship if the buyer assumed responsibility for a dead snake?

Well, that's kind of a tricky one. Some would question what kind of breeder you are to allow snakes to be shipped in below freezing weather. Then others would say who are you to decide when to ship if the buyer wants to assume responsibility. It's just one of those situations you have to feel out for your self. If you're not comfortable and fear for the animal then follow your instincts. If a buyer is willing to risk the life of the animal it's makes me question the care the animal may receive once in their possession. Just my thoughts.

 

[medusacoils]

I would require a pick up at the hub and ship only if that hub is heated/staffed. Remember, that the majority of the time, these trips only take around 14-16 hours and some heat packs can last up to 24 hours, plus the shipping boxes are insulated. It's not a guarantee, but.....

Me personally, I wouldn't ship anything below 30F. I know Don Soderberg will ship in temps down to 25, as long as the weather is clear.

I would suggest that you do what you feel is best for the animal.

Wayne

 

[danielle]

I ship in temps 30-90 and knock on wood have had no problem. I use different hr. heat and cool packs for varying temps, different thicknesses of insulation, and even allow heat packs especially to spike here in my home before shipping when its not freezing to avoid high temps in the box. I wouldn't ship though if your not comfy with it even though freeing up that space is nice its not worth it to deal with the aftermath if all doesn't go well

 

[wade]

Thank you all for your input. I understand the final decision is mine, I was just looking for others opinions.

 

[Nanci]

Would you ship if the buyer assumed responsibility for a dead snake?

No. No matter whose "fault" the death was, I'd still feel like I killed a snake for no reason. The buyer just wants her snake. She can't make a rational decision.

It might help in the future to outline shipping requirements on your webpage so there aren't any questions.

 

[wade]

Nanci, I will take you suggestion and put a shipping box in the freezer tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Nanci]

Not the freezer!!! That's way too cold! Probably about 20 or something! The refrigerator should be about 40ish.

 

[bekers71]

Nanci, I will take you suggestion and put a shipping box in the freezer tomorrow and see what happens.

Umm Wade? I think it might freeze in the freezer. Just saying. :nope:

 

[ForkedTung]

I don't mind to ship in colder weather most of the time. But if there is a big ice/snow storm that may effect shipping, I wont ship for fear of the package getting held over some where for a couple days. I make sure, like Dean said, to have a heat pack included though. Right now all of my shipping is on hold until after the holidays.

That's pretty much exactly how I work it as well! with 40hr. heat packs form Superiorenterprise. I'd much, much rather ship in cold weather than hot. I think corns, specifically, are pretty cold tolerant.

 

[bekers71]

That's pretty much exactly how I work it as well! with 40hr. heat packs form Superiorenterprise. I'd much, much rather ship in cold weather than hot. I think corns, specifically, are pretty cold tolerant.

I use the same heat packs. LOL And I have to agree about the corns doing better in the cooler temps too. It's better for them to get a little cold than too hot. At least shipping is a short term thing. So it's not like being outside for days on end in the cold.

 

[Nanci]

Kyle and Becky, what temp at the destination, or at the hub, are you comfortable shipping at? What's your cut off?

 

[bekers71]

Kyle and Becky, what temp at the destination, or at the hub, are you comfortable shipping at? What's your cut off?

I wont ship if the weather at either end is going to get lower than about 30*. If the shipment is going to be held at a FedEx staffed site I might go just a tad lower. But that's only because I know they will be spending a shorter amount of time on a truck or plane. I'll drop off the package as late as I can, use the 40 hour heat packs and 3/4 inch styrofoam insulation in the boxes. So far, knock on wood, this has worked out well.

 

[El Jefe]

If the weather is looking good with no storms, I'd ship whenever (excluding holidays as packages tend to get delayed the last couple of weeks in Dec). Furthermore, I would require the buyer to pick up the package at a STAFFED FedEx location. Not a Kinkos, not a pack n ship...a staffed location. If it is a true staffed location, the packages go from my place to a truck to the airport to the hub to the destination airport to a truck to the destination FedEx location. Most packages arrive at the FedEx locations in the early morning...6AM sometimes and very few times for the trucks/planes to idle in cold weather. However, those going out on deliveries THEN go out on the trucks and THAT is the big problem. The COLD trucks for who knows how long. The ones that are HOLD FOR PICKUP are stored at the FedEx location and almost always that is INSIDE where the temps are good for humans.....and great for snakes. I would of course put heat packs in the box but if it is a late drop off, a HOLD at location, and no storms that could cause problems with the shipments getting to the hub or final destination....there really shouldn't be any problems.