Breaking news for the reptile shipper!!

[Fenderplayer108]

Well I never thought they could do it, but Repster teamed up with fedex. They will be on Reptile Radio tonight to talk about it.

The details of this deal are as follows;

If you use the repster website to ship your snakes, fedex will bring you a free insulated box within 3 to 5 days... you ship through the website, and get 15% off your shipping cost! The fedex man picks up your shipment, and an email automatically dispatches to sender and seller with the tracking information.

The second part of this, from what I understand, is ANYONE can ship. You no longer have to be fedex certified if you follow the guidelines, and ship through the website.

Here is a link for the thread with more information about the project

http://www.reptster.com/reptphorum/viewtopic.php?t=280&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

And here is the link to Reptile Radio, where they will be discussing this project tonight.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/reptileradio

I don't know much more then what is posted on that thread, but wanted to share this with everyone.

 

[norsmis]

Wow. this is a huge step forward for shipping! I think this will be sweet deal from what I read on their website.....

 

[bekers71]

Wow! This is wonderful news and sounds so much easier. I hope this works out well.

 

[Eriathiel]

All I can say is Gosh.

 

[kathylove]

Very interesting!

It could be a real help to the occasional shipper. However, I can see where too many occasional shippers could eventually cause a few improperly packed shipments that could allow escapes or other problems. Shipping is not the easiest thing to do because of temperature concerns, and other quirks of FedEx (signature waivers, for example!) that one gets to know with experience. Hopefully, Repster will have an FAQ to help out for inexperienced shippers.

If those boxes (in the photos) are all for individual shipments (as opposed to containing several boxes in each of those big boxes), then I can see why FedEx is willing to supply them. They are huge! I would guess it might cost around $75 or so - maybe more - because of dimensional weight, to ship even one baby corn in a box that size. But it is possible that the boxes in the photo are outer boxes and smaller ones are inside. And of course, I am guessing you could use your own box. If not, then you would want to check the cost of shipping a box that size before committing to it.

I don't want to be at all negative (just realistic). This sounds like a great opportunity for those who don't ship often. After all, if you need to move your prize pet across the country, who cares if it costs $100?

It's great to see somebody taking the initiative to try to do something good for the hobby / industry. And if they got this far already, maybe they can negotiate something even better in the future. So my congratulations to them!

BTW, don't forget that if you already ship FedEx, you can get a 10% discount by shipping online.

Hope this works out and provides a needed service for a lot of people.

 

[Jeff Linkchorst]

the thread stopped in may 7 though. i didnt see any updates?

 

[norsmis]

From what I read on the site, they are trying to go live tomorrow. I believe they are waiting on Fedex to push the button on their site.

 

[bekers71]

If those boxes (in the photos) are all for individual shipments (as opposed to containing several boxes in each of those big boxes), then I can see why FedEx is willing to supply them. They are huge!.....

Kathy I didn't know if you saw this part. I was wondering the same thing as you as far as the size of the boxes go. I mean geez, who wants to send a hatchling in a big box like that. But then I read this part...

For the occasional shipper (less than 5 boxes a month): You come to the Reptster/FedEx portal and put in your address and the address the package is going to and pay for your shipping (at 15% off of regular FedEx rates), request the size box you need,

So I am going to guess that with that line in there, you can choose the box you need. :shrugs: IMO they need to be more specific in the details. But other than that it sounds really good.

 

[Fenderplayer108]

However, I can see where too many occasional shippers could eventually cause a few improperly packed shipments that could allow escapes or other problems. Shipping is not the easiest thing to do because of temperature concerns, and other quirks of FedEx (signature waivers, for example!) that one gets to know with experience. Hopefully, Repster will have an FAQ to help out for inexperienced shippers.

Good point Kathy, Repster will be posting a video on Monday of how to properly ship reptiles.

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

I read about this a week or so ago and am leary about the problems it could cause. As Kathy, said...A few inexperienced shippers could ruin it for everyone (and not just using this shipping method through that web site). Even though their is a discount they offer, I imagine their are surcharges for the delivery of the empty boxes. Best bet would be to compare the charges they offer and compare it to actual FedEx charges. I do think that this would be great for those who only ship out 1-2 times a year if everyone follows the rules.

 

[Susan]

BTW, don't forget that if you already ship FedEx, you can get a 10% discount by shipping online.

I've seen this mentioned a few times, but how do you know if you are getting the discount? I've always shipped from on-line so can't tell the difference. And as for asking my rep...I don't have one, never did. I had to use someone else's to get certified. Each time I have tried to find out who the rep for my area is, I'm never given a name or contact info. Even the FedEx locations by me have no idea who a rep is. :shrugs:

 

[kathylove]

Getting a rep was the most time consuming part of the whole certification process for me, way back when I first did it. But it went quickly for some applicants - I think it is mostly just luck as to how fast or easy that part is.

If you have already been shipping FedEx for a while, it will be fairly easy to ship a couple of boxes the new way to compare, being sure to use the same size box you already use. For new users, it won't be so easy. But it will be easy to compare any surcharges or extra fees for their boxes, compared to the price of boxes from Superior Enterprise. (we just bought a big shipment of boxes, so unfortunately, are well stocked right now!)

It sounds promising, but we should withhold judgment until it has been going a couple of months, and any kinks have been worked out. I hope that if it does work out, and lots of people use it, then they will get a much bigger discount than medium use shippers (like me) receive, because rates are based on the amount of shipping that is done by a particular shipper. There are some companies that specialize in shipping and you can sign up to use their account, instead of yours, and pay them, instead of FedEx, UPS, DHL, etc. They get excellent rates because of the volume they do. I never really looked into it, but with shipping rates going so high, maybe this new idea really could save money.

I am definitely worried about carelessness or inexperience possibly ruining live shipping for everyone, when it is offered so broadly like this. PLEASE!!! If you, or anyone you know, is inexperienced and wants to ship, then PLEASE do everything you can to do it properly, by their rules, and DO NOT ALLOW ESCAPES IN ANY CASE! And warn your customer that FedEx DOES NOT guarantee anything in the case of live animals. It is up to the shipper to guarantee whatever they feel they want to guarantee. If misinformed customers start complaining to FedEx, the company could decide we just aren't worth the trouble.

So PLEASE, think and plan carefully before you ship! (I know a lot of CS members are already seasoned shippers - of course this is not aimed at those shippers, only new and inexperienced shippers).

Let's hope this is a really positive, new opportunity!

 

[norsmis]

Kathy, thanks for your words of experience to all. Please everyone out there, take Kathy's advice and package your animals correctly or, like she said, it will end quickly. I am hoping this idea really works as it would help the whole community out.

 

[kathylove]

On the paper bill I receive from FedEx, the detailed account of each package shows an "automation bonus discount" that equals 10% of the price of each shipment. Unfortunately, it is not nearly as big as the fuel surcharge that is ADDED to each shipment! In fact, the fuel surcharge is almost (but not quite) twice as much as the discount. But it is cheaper than if I didn't get the discount at all. Also, I have noticed that my actual prices are always a little cheaper than the quotes I get when I do the calculations online.

 

[Emanon]

wow... that is good news!!!

 

[davidyoung]

Hello everyone. I am David Young the idea guy behind Reptster.com. I was directed here by a few friends and before I post I want to say to the owner of the forums if you have any issues with me posting here accept my apologies. I am not coming into the community to start any chaos, I am just trying to contribute to it. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected].

Kathy I understand your concern about allowing inexperienced shippers to ship on FedEx and the trouble it might cause. And I respect you very much for being an integral part of the reptile community for many years. If you would like to help with the written FAQ I would greatly appreciate it. However we have already made a "How To Pack Your Animal" video with Greg Graziani, it will be up for everyone's viewing today or tomorrow. And it is very well done and detailed. FedEx has seen it and is very happy with its production. It is part of how we created the program. However we probably did'nt cover every issue that could come up so if you would like to contribute we would love to have your knowledge and experience on the FAQ.

The details of the program are in our forum and soon to be on the FedEx page but I will re-type them here as to answer any questions.

For the occasional shipper (less than 5 boxes a month): You come to the Reptster/FedEx portal and put in your address and the address the package is going to and pay for your shipping (at 15% off of regular FedEx rates), request the size box you need, and schedule a pickup. Within three to five days the box comes to your door ready to go, you can add a bag, deli cup or heat pack with your order. Pack the animal properly and put it in the box and put the included label on the outside over the original label. Hand it to the FedEx guy on your scheduled pickup and an email will be sent to both you and the receiver (if email address is provided) with all tracking info.

For the moderate to large shipper: Call the Reptster team and we will send out your monthly supply of boxes free. When you ship just go to the FedEx portal on Reptster.com and put in all your information just like you do with FedEx. Your information will be saved in the system after your first shipment is done off the site to expidite future orders. Put in the address of the receiving party, pay for your shipping, schedule a pickup and print out your label. Just like your normal everyday business of shipping. Pack your animal and send it off. You will also receive 20% off of regular FedEx rates!!! When your supply starts to run low we will send out more boxes. You must use the portal on Reptster.com or we can not account for the boxes and we do not get credit from FedEx for that shipment. You must be honost or you will not receive any more boxes. EVERY BOX YOU GET FROM US MUST BE USED FOR REPTSTER.COM/FEDEX SHIPPING ONLY USING THE REPTSTER.COM PORTAL.

Here is the fun part. When the program starts Reptster.com will place a dollar from each boxed shipped from our portal into a special fund. We will then start taking suggestions on the first through the third of every month for either herpetological societies or reptile and amphibian conservation groups that should be placed on a poll for vote. The top four societies or conservation groups will be placed in a poll during the last week of the month (PIJAC and USARK will always be in the poll in the fifth and sixth position). All registered members will be able to vote during that week to decide who will receive the funds from that month. A herp society will however only be able to win once every six months.

We are running a bit behind but I can say that the code is finally done and IT WILL start this coming monday. The video will be up possibly tonight or tomorrow at the latest.

And to address concerns once again. If this program becomes a problem I will be the first to shut it down. This took almost a year for me to hammer out with FedEx as a means to help the community. If I see it hurting us I will stop it. If anyone has any questions please email me or call me, my customer service number is at the top of reptster.com and I am available 24/7.

And to the owners of cornsnakes.com. Thanks again for letting this thread run, if I can do anything please ask.

Thanks,
David Young

 

[davidyoung]

Also I do want to add that the box sizes are 7x7x6, 12x9x6 and 15x11x7. Those boxes in the pics are all the foam.....lol. Kathy, you are right those would cost a fortune to ship..

 

[TripleMoonsExotic]

However we have already made a "How To Pack Your Animal" video with Greg Graziani, it will be up for everyone's viewing today or tomorrow. And it is very well done and detailed. FedEx has seen it and is very happy with its production. It is part of how we created the program.

The concern isn't about whether you educate users.
It's whether the users will follow the directions or not.

 

[kathylove]

Thanks for coming by to explain things!

If it works like you have explained, it could be a great thing for our industry / hobby. I could use a 20% discount and free boxes myself, lol!

I am always a little skeptical of anything new until I see how it works. It took me the better part of a year of shipping part - time with FedEx while mainly using my old standby of DHL before I finally made the switch to FedEx entirely! But I always try to keep an open mind and check out new opportunities. I will try to get by your site to read more about it.

Of course I will be happy to help if I am able to - let me know.

Thanks for working on this for everyone! Hope it works out as planned.

 

[Duff]

The concern isn't about whether you educate users.
It's whether the users will follow the directions or not.

I'm confused how this is being seen as a negative of this shipping option. Yes, it is ultimately up to the shipper to do things right, but whether they do it through this or on their own, if it's done wrong, it's still going to be a bad shipment that might raise a flag at Fedex. I think if anything, having it happen through a large, established account would provide a little more leeway than from a single individual. I don't see anyway this could hurt the industry. Great job getting it going and I wish you the best of luck with it. I'll certainly be giving it a try this summer.