Question on Guarantees

[Stormy]

Ok so I saw an ad on Fauna classifieds for a snake im in love with and I asked the seller if they have a live arrival guarantee. They told me they dont since they ship through Reptiles Express and they dont have a live delivery guarantee. My question is, isnt it up to the seller/breeder of the snake to include this sort of guarentee and not the shipping company they use?

They also told me they would hold the snake until it was under 100 degrees here (we have heat warnings of 111 this weekend ugh) and would ship with an ice pack. This is making me a bit ify. This would be my first time getting a snake shipped to me, though not my first time getting a reptile sent. 7 years ago I ordered a bearded dragon that was shipped fedex and got to where I was living in NY no problems. Im not worried about them using Reptiles Express since I have heard nothing but good things, im just wondering why they would leave it up to the shipping company to have a live delivery guarantee and not have one themselves.

 

[bitsy]

I asked the seller if they have a live arrival guarantee. They told me they dont since they ship through Reptiles Express and they dont have a live delivery guarantee. My question is, isnt it up to the seller/breeder of the snake to include this sort of guarentee and not the shipping company they use?

It wouldn't be logical. If the courier service doesn't have a live delivery guarantee, then the seller can't guarantee it either. The seller is dependent on the courier.

 

[MysticExotics]

I have not shipped any animals yet, but I have recieved snakes from a couple areas of the US.
The breeders I have recieved snakes from have all guaranteed live arrival (if the shipping/delivery proceedures are followed).

As far as waiting to ship based on temperatures, the breeders I have dealt with have followed that policy as well. Depending on where the snake came from, & what the weather was, some of the snakes have come with either a heat pack, or ice pack, or nothing, if not warranted. They're doing their best to help keep the temperature in a close enough range for the snake to travel in comfort/safely.

I don't know if that helps or not, it's just my view.

 

[ZoologyGirl]

It wouldn't be logical. If the courier service doesn't have a live delivery guarantee, then the seller can't guarantee it either. The seller is dependent on the courier.

But still...aren't live arrival guarantees something that the seller may or may not offer despite what the courier offers. I mean...fedex doesn't offer any sort of live arrival guarantee, does it? Yet, most breeders offer a live arrival guarantee. Basically, it's up to the seller anyway, theres nothing saying a seller has to provide a live arrival guarantee...but i'd feel safer buying a snake from one who does.

 

[Stormy]

But still...aren't live arrival guarantees something that the seller may or may not offer despite what the courier offers. I mean...fedex doesn't offer any sort of live arrival guarantee, does it? Yet, most breeders offer a live arrival guarantee. Basically, it's up to the seller anyway, theres nothing saying a seller has to provide a live arrival guarantee...but i'd feel safer buying a snake from one who does.

see this is exactly what i was thinking to. They told me since only fedex has a live arrival guarantee they cant offer it with reptiles express shipping (their choice of a shipper and not mine) they also only would say he is healthy and didnt comment on any health guarantee either

 

[MysticExotics]

But still...aren't live arrival guarantees something that the seller may or may not offer despite what the courier offers. I mean...fedex doesn't offer any sort of live arrival guarantee, does it? Yet, most breeders offer a live arrival guarantee. Basically, it's up to the seller anyway, theres nothing saying a seller has to provide a live arrival guarantee...but i'd feel safer buying a snake from one who does.

There is not true "guarantee" that the snake will arrive live. However, (this is just my thought) I believe that those breeders would replace the snake if it did not.

 

[ZoologyGirl]

However, (this is just my thought) I believe that those breeders would replace the snake if it did not.

yes, this is what i mean (will replace if snake doesnt arrive live). i don't think anyone could offer a 100% true guarantee, no matter what the product

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

Sounds to me like he unfamiliar with shipping policies. UPS nor FedEx will compensate you if an animal dies in transit. The FedEx waiver specifically states "E. Company agrees that neither it nor its customers shall file any claim against FedEx for any damage to Reptile/Amphibian shipments as a result of any condition en-contoured during the transportation of such shipments. Company also agrees to fully indemnify FedEx from any and all costs, expenses, judgments, damages, fines and awards (including with limitation reasonable attorney fees0 incurred by FedEx as a result of any claim or damage in connection with any shipment of Reptile/Amphibian." So, in my opinion...This guy is not FedEx certified or he's trying to BS you.

 

[Tavia]

Most of the breeders I've looked at offer a live arrival guarantee as long as you meet a few conditions, like being there to receive it the first time & usually that your end was supposed to be within a certain degrees. They all say to contact them & not the carrier in the event of a DOA, as it is their guarantee & not the carrier.

 

[Stormy]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I just wanted to be sure I was understanding other breeders guarantees correctly which I was. I hate to turn down this snake because it is a really nice looking one but I agree with what TripleMoonExotic has said about the person trying to BS me so I guess I will have to turn the snake down and keep on looking.

 

[Tavia]

I would probably do that as well. The person might be legit but offering a guarantee is more about saying you know what you are doing when shipping them & that you stand behind your business. Not offering one would be a red flag, in my opinion.

 

[Stormy]

Well I emailed the person with the following:

Ok. I have done some research and I understand Reptiles Express does
not offer a live guarantee but neither does FedEx. No shipping company
does. In the end it is up to the shipper (in this case you) to decide
if they are going to offer any sort of guarantee.

And got this in return:

If you agree to let me wait to ship until reasonable temperatures arrive (95 at
absolute hottest, preferably less), I will guarantee he's alive and well when he
arrives. I would insist on the snake being returned to me if you claim he was
dead on arrival, etc. Gruesome, yes, but I'm sure somebody has tried to get
away with it before.

Which I understand these terms and agree with them (though 95 is to hot in my opinion). Argh! Decisions decisions.

 

[starsevol]

I think 95 is way too hot.
I personally would not ship out unless both destinations are under 85....

 

[Nanci]

Have you looked the person up on BOI? There are a couple people I would trust to ship snakes if the temps are in the low 90's, but not someone who wasn't very experienced and very careful. And over 95 would make me very, very nervous. But doesn't nearly anyone provide a live arrival guarantee, as long as you follow their shipping terms? I certainly wouldn't want snakes riding around in a delivery vehicle with temps in the upper 80's low 90's. Does UPS do Hold For Pickup??

Is the snake one of a kind, so special that you would risk it dying by getting shipped in weather that is too hot? And by someone that who knows if they would honor a live arrival guarantee? I would check the seller out as thoroughly as possible. If you decide to get it, I would look at the temps in Louisville, the UPS hub, if it seems like the snake will pass through there, as the deciding factor on when to ship. Then ask the seller to drop it off as late as possible, and have it held for pick-up.

 

[Stormy]

i tried looking them up in the BOI and there weas nothing on them. I also looked ans they only joined fauna this past month and have only made a few posts selling snakes.

I emailed them back last night telling them thanks but no thanks. As for the snake it was a really nice okeetee with really nice clean borders. But I dont want it bad enopugh to endanger the snakes life.

 

[starsevol]

Hi Stormy,

If you are loving the okeetee phase, you might want to check out Kathy Love at Cornutopia (she is on facebook now I think) and Lee Abbott.

Kathy's okeetees focus alot on bright brilliant even toned colors, and Lee Abbotts have incredibly wide black borders. Both are experianced shippers and top notch breeders that you can completely trust.

 

[Stormy]

Yep. Those two were my next stops.

 

[starsevol]

Yep. Those two were my next stops.

Depending on the type of okeetee you prefer, those two breeders are the best in the country, imo.

If you go down to the Nor'easter forum, run by Jay and PJ, look up their snake Rya. She is a Love okeetee. She is incredibly gorgeous, I know you will flip for her!

Edited to add, Rya's eggs just hatched and 3 were wide bordered okeetees.....not sure if they are for sale or not but it never hurts to ask!

 

[Drizzt80]

Shipping via FedEx with a hold for pickup at your nearest FedEx Express Shipping center (not a Kinko's) would allow you the opportunity to ship virtually any time. You would be able to pick up the snake right away in the morning AND it would be cheaper AND barring a delay in the shipping (twice in 7 years) temperatures wouldn't matter as much since high temps usually hit later in the day (2 pm+).

I do happen to have an Abbott's Okeetee hatchling currently for sale as well as an adult pair. :shrugs:

D80

 

[starsevol]

Shipping via FedEx with a hold for pickup at your nearest FedEx Express Shipping center (not a Kinko's) would allow you the opportunity to ship virtually any time. You would be able to pick up the snake right away in the morning AND it would be cheaper AND barring a delay in the shipping (twice in 7 years) temperatures wouldn't matter as much since high temps usually hit later in the day (2 pm+).

I do happen to have an Abbott's Okeetee hatchling currently for sale as well as an adult pair. :shrugs:

D80

See Stormy? Brent is another good honest breeder. Good luck with your new baby, whereever you get him/her from!!