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Fed ex getting more expensive

I've been using the next size up, I think. I can fit 6 deli cups in one, I have usually just filled the gap with shredded newspaper. It's more like 12 x 9 X 6.

Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question, but would I need any special paper or anything like that to print the label online? Well my rep never told me some of this stuff, instead they sent me these airbills which I fill out by hand and put in a plastic sleeve they came with that has a sticker side to stick onto the box...
Thanks Joe!
 
shed'n my skin said:
I've been using the next size up, I think. I can fit 6 deli cups in one, I have usually just filled the gap with shredded newspaper. It's more like 12 x 9 X 6.

Sorry in advance if this is a stupid question, but would I need any special paper or anything like that to print the label online? Well my rep never told me some of this stuff, instead they sent me these airbills which I fill out by hand and put in a plastic sleeve they came with that has a sticker side to stick onto the box...
Thanks Joe!
Click to expand...

Nope, regular computer paper and just tape over the entire label so it's waterproof in case anything should happen to the package in transit.
 
This is such an eye-opener. Well I have the plastic sleeves already so I guess I can put the printed out label in there. I feel like a :dunce: I've been doing it all wrong and lining fed ex pockets for nothing! I am going to email my rep and make sure I get that discount and try it :)
 
Joejr14 said:
Nope, regular computer paper and just tape over the entire label so it's waterproof in case anything should happen to the package in transit.
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Don't do that. FedEx hates it since it doesn't always scan through the tape. Get the FREE clear pouches MADE for the printed labels.

Joe: you and I disagree about a LOT more than just what is safe or is not safe as a minimum size for shipping snakes.....lol
 
KJUN said:
Don't do that. FedEx hates it since it doesn't always scan through the tape. Get the FREE clear pouches MADE for the printed labels.

Joe: you and I disagree about a LOT more than just what is safe or is not safe as a minimum size for shipping snakes.....lol
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FedEx has never said anything to me about that. In fact, they've actually taped over the label themselves when I've dropped off packages before.

I guess since you believe my shipping methods are unsafe I can count you out as a potential customer, which is fine. The 50+ boxes that I shipped out this year without incident say otherwise...
 
If you go to the fedex on line and register your account and sign up for the online service you should get the 10% discount. Sometimes they have a 15% discount for a few months too.

I have shipped out through a local Mailboxes Etc. without any extra charges so I highly doubt that the Kinkos will charge extra.

I have also used the smaller Superior boxes without any issue. I am not sure I understand why a smaller box for 1 - 3 hatchlings is unsafe. If a customer requested a larger box then I would do it but the shipping charges would be higher as well.
 
Joejr14 said:
The 50+ boxes that I shipped out this year without incident say otherwise...
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If 50+ were without incident, how many did have an incident....lol. Sorry, grammar humor. I couldn't resist. Ignore this - I'm sure everyone knew what you seemed to mean. :)
 
Joejr14 said:
......what?
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Grammar. Re-read your post. You said the the "50+ boxes that I shipped out this year without incident." That means you COULD have had 25 that DID suffer an incident in addition to those 50. I assumed that isn't what you meant; therefore, I figured you meant "I shipped out 50+ boxes, and I had zero shipments with incidents." See it? Not everyone gets grammar-related humor, but that (assumed) incorrect sentence structure made me laugh. One of my students would have lost points. :)

I'm not perfect by a LONG shot, but that one made me laugh because of a similar sentence a peer once used as an undergrad that got him pretty embarrassed.
 
All courier services raised their rates by 10% this year. I received a notice in November from DHL about it and I have a friend that ships much higher quantities then I do via FedEx who received a notice from them about the rate increase.

A get free pickups with my DHL account, but I drop off packages at Staples for pickup for FedEx. The driver arrives the same time Monday-Friday in the afternoon, so I just wait for him to show in the parking lot before handing over the package in the store. Both courier services I do all of the label making online.

I agree with Joe as far as the boxes...The 7x7x6 boxes are just as sturdy as the larger boxes that comes from Superior. I can stand on BOTH without them budging, so I'm not to sure where the idea that they were unsafe came from. To save money for customers, I ship whatever box is appropriate and if it's 3 hatchlings or less, that means the 7x7x6 boxes. Honestly, it isn't about one size of box or another being better...Because I've had larger boxes damaged by mishandling of couriers.

I no longer do flat rate shipping for packages because their can be so a huge variance in cost (had a package go out to California that was $125!), but I do free shipping on any order of $500 or more.
 
It isn't "crushing" to worry about. It is temp fluctuations. Larger volume inside the box means it takes longer for that box to have temp spikes (up or down). Back before you could buy those from superior, I had the "use" of equipment to do temp graphs over a 24 hour time period (since that is a shipping window). I ran the probe INSIDE of different boxes and watched what happened under different scenarios. I learned some pretty interesting stuff.
 
Speaking as a customer- I just want the snake to get to me safely. I don't care if it costs $50 or $70. I want it packed securely so it won't get jostled, with temperature-appropriate packs. I've never gotten a package smaller than 12x9x7, even with a single hatchling. It's extremely comforting to hear that Stephanie can STAND on her shipping boxes and not crush them. I also like boxes that clearly state "Fragile, Keep Warm/Cool, This Side Up" etc. Maybe _some_ people handling the box pay attention.
 
KJUN said:
It isn't "crushing" to worry about. It is temp fluctuations.
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I shipped a pair of cal Kings a few years ago to CA in a smaller than usual box that overheated. One 60 hour heat pack was enough to do it. I've shipped maybe 15 packages all said and told, and I've erred on the side of 'bigger is better" ever since. I've received snakes in 7X7X6 boxes no problem, but i wouldn't be comfortable shipping with them, at least in winter when a heat pack(s) are needed...

Shipping is a pain in the butt. I'm getting ready to go thru a "life change" (career change, back to college, etc). Anyone want to hire me as their East Coast snake courier? lol
 
KJUN said:
That is slightly incorrect. They use the actual weight when it is greater than the dimensional weight. It is hard to exceed the dimensional weight when shipping hatchlings, but I have done it multiple times when shipping dense bodied adult snakes......lol. In this case, that box that COULD weight 5 lbs actually weights 7lbs, so they charge you extra since you get charged by the actual weight.

I use 3 box sizes, and I could save a lot of money going with a "tiny" box, but I won't do it. Too risky. Too bad I'm not a gambler since it would save me a lot of money.....lol. I get VERY irate when I get a $1500 snake shippd to me for $65 extra and it arrives in a 7x7x6 inch box. When that happens, I put that breeder on a "Never Buy" list. Too risky. That's just me, though. Of course, I've had breeders (some post here....lol) use a large box with no insulation and kill snakes during shipping, too. That's also bad. :(

While I got off on a tangent, I've also had people charge be $50 for shipping and then illegally use USPS Express. It is funny when those shippers get mad at ME for opening the box right there in front of the delivery lady so she can be a witness for the report I file later that day!

KJ
Click to expand...

Thanks for additional information. Since I have never sent a package that was heavier than the dimensional weight, that scenario never entered my mind. And I'm sure FedEx will charge you as much as they possible can for each package.

I don't know the exact size yet of the smaller box I hope to get. I just find a 12 X 8 X 8 to be a bit much for a single hatchling in a deli cup.
 
Hey, VMS charges a "packing" charge. That's fair, I think.

"There will be a $7 packing charge added to all shipments under $250. This covers the cost of boxes, bags, cups, heat packs, cold packs, etc. All shipments will be packed in new cardboard boxes, insulated with styrofoam. All bags, deli cups, etc will be new, no old recycled junk. Chemical heat packs or cold packs will be used where appropriate."

When I buy silkworms, depending on the weather, they may need either a hot pack or a cold pack. I'm charged extra for that when I check out. That's fair, too.
 
I'd rather pay a little extra as well, than get a homemade or improvised box or cooler made for medicines.... I've gotten all 3 of these lol! And a very small one as well.
I'm leaning towards taking a bit of time to find out how much the next 3 or 4 boxes I ship add up to, averaging it out, and charging a flat rate, with an incentive like free/discounted shipping for larger orders.
 
Nanci said:
Hey, VMS charges a "packing" charge. That's fair, I think.

"There will be a $7 packing charge added to all shipments under $250. This covers the cost of boxes, bags, cups, heat packs, cold packs, etc. All shipments will be packed in new cardboard boxes, insulated with styrofoam. All bags, deli cups, etc will be new, no old recycled junk. Chemical heat packs or cold packs will be used where appropriate."

When I buy silkworms, depending on the weather, they may need either a hot pack or a cold pack. I'm charged extra for that when I check out. That's fair, too.
Click to expand...


I disagree. I see those as a cost of doing business much like paypal fees. Those 7x7x6 boxes come out to be $3 each with shipping charges included. Deli cups are so cheap that it's a non-issue. You can get cold packs at Target or Walmart for less than $1 each. I'm not about to charge someone an extra $5 over shipping supplies---regardless of box size.
 
Hmmm, but I would still be paying for an actual good, not a service. $3 is $3. I'm just saying I don't mind actually paying for the packaging the snake will be shipped in. Otherwise, it gets added in somewhere- cost of the snake, "cost" of shipping, whatever.
 
I buy cold packs/heat packs in bulk from superior. I don't think they run $1 that way. My concern would be with a small package that the animal would overheat with a heat pack in such a small space. The heat generated by those packs are quite high, and if the snake's deli cup is sitting right up on it, there is no place to cool off. In the slightly larger, 12 X8 X8 packages, the heat pack is on one wall, with shredded paper in between and then the deli cup and more shredded paper all around and in the deli cup. You could probably bowl my boxes and the snake would be o.k.
 
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