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Breaking news for the reptile shipper!!

Jen the way they have the box supply set up is really a good deal. I noticed you get one heck of a discount on the supplies from Superior and you still get a really good discount for shipping. So over all you're saving more money now than before.

On a side note-- I want to mention that I have talked to David Young on the phone and I must say he is very helpful, professional and polite. Great person to deal with!
 
I don't want to bring this thread to a bad note but I didn't have nearly the luck that everyone else did. My local hub wouldn't accept them because they couldn't find them on the verified shippers list (this was a Wednesday) so I called David to see what we could do. After multiple messages and hearing back only once I managed to ship on Monday with a driver that didn't think twice about it and they arrived just fine. I still haven't heard back from David after my last message and never did receive my boxes. I know that this is just getting off the ground but I doubt that I'll use them again anytime soon because of all the issues - give them some time to work them out.

~Katie
 
Katie,

Don't worry about it, I'll end it...hehe That said, Fed Ex is fickle. Different people 'know' different things, It can be a struggle to get even the simplest question answered. It's why when you read in the threads about getting verified you need to go through an account rep. That's simply to talk to ONE party, because getting verified is a royal pain in the fanny. At least it was for me. Others have sailed through.

I've used this service several times and just can't beat the cost savings or the ease. Thats a savings that is passed on to buyer. In these hard times, even a 10.00 savings means a lot. The first time I used the service, I walked into my hub with my printed shipping label and it was done. No questions, nothing.

I just can't say enough good things. I've talked to these guys twice on the phone, always a pleasure. Try again, I know they had box issues a couple of weeks ago, perhaps it's settled a bit.

good luck!

-Tonya
 
Although I still have not used the Reptster service, I have been watching comments carefully and will probably try them out once my busy season has passed. But I can tell you that certified FedEx shippers (including me) have also had the problem of FedEx deciding they don't accept live shipments, and can't find our contracts in the computer. Most of us have solved the problem by carrying a copy of our contract with us - as far as I know, that has ALWAYS worked.

Perhaps David could provide something on his site (whether a copy of the contract, or a permission letter signed by somebody in FedEx) that authorizes reptile shipping through his account, and users could copy it to take to FedEx with them? I have heard others voice the same problem, so maybe that could solve it?

So far, I have heard of only minor glitches that should be fixed in time. I hope that neither David nor FedEx get tired of the whole thing and give up - it seems like a great service to our hobby / industry.
 
I made my first shipment through Reptster and it went great. The only thing I wanted on the form that they didn't have was a section to select or check for "Hold at Fedex location". I called them and they said to put it in the name field. It's kind of a work around but I'm sure they'll get to that later.

While on the phone with the person at Reptster they did say that UPS inquired about how many shipments are going through the Reptster shipping site. When UPS heard the number of shipments they decided to make an exception ,for Repster only, to ship live harmless reptiles... snakes included. I think that's a pretty big step forward for the reptile community as far as shipping is concerned.
 
kathylove said:
So far, I have heard of only minor glitches that should be fixed in time. I hope that neither David nor FedEx get tired of the whole thing and give up - it seems like a great service to our hobby / industry.
Click to expand...

No doubt Kathy, I completely agree and will be using them soon.
With all the continued bad press that herpetoculturists receive it's nice to see someone doing something positive for us for a change. Hopefully this will all be worked out and we can throw our collective support into this venture.
 
I have another observation/concern (among my laundry list of them - heh heh) of this Reptster system...The people that aren't FedEx Certified that are using Reptster...They aren't calling themselves or being encouraged to call themselves FedEx Certified, are they? Technically they aren't FedEx Certified and I would hate for my certification be "put in danger" because of what some individuals did under the Reptster name.
 
kathylove said:
Most of us have solved the problem by carrying a copy of our contract with us - as far as I know, that has ALWAYS worked.
Click to expand...

Its worked for me, too Kathy until a couple of weeks ago. I had just moved and was shipping from a new hub and dropped off my pkgs. The lady looked at the box as it was labeled harmless reptiles and said they don't ship reptiles. I showed her my wavier and she replied: "that's several years old, its no good. And besides I know for a fact we don't ship animals". Anyways, I was there about 45 minutes dealing with this crazy lady and the manager. After they finally talked to some higher ups at Fedex they accepted my package.

Point is, that some of these Fedex people are just clueless, so even if you have your wavier, be prepared for the worst.

And Stephanie, I have no idea about people calling themselves certified if they aren't. I've been using Reptster with great success, and I still advertise as being certified. I'm with you, that I think that certified should be left to those who actually are.
 
I'm certified to ship by fed ex as well. I wouldn't want people thinking I'm using Repster because I am not. It saves money plain and simple. I went through the fed ex certfication procedure in 2005. Until this repster thing shipping was a PITA and costing an arm and a leg.
If I can give somebody a quote of $37.50 and otherwise would have had to ask for $50 to make the same shipment it just makes good business sense to use repster.
That's great about UPS - now they want a piece of the pie!
 
I'm certified by FedEx, but I would imagine that some people probably think they are also after watching the Repster video. They should refer to themselves as Repster certified.
That being said: The process to become FedEx certified while lengthy and requiring some commitment (including sending in the protype shipping box ) isn't exactly rocket science either. I'm sure there are probably many FedEx certified shippers that do a poor job as well...just IMO
 
ForkedTung said:
I'm sure there are probably many FedEx certified shippers that do a poor job as well...just IMO
Click to expand...

I realize that. However, their is an actual process with the FedEx Certification rather then just watching a video (which IMO is seriously lacking in some sections). I hope it is clearly said to the Reptster shippers that watching that video doesn't make you FedEx Certified and they shouldn't advertise that they are. I think saying they use Reptster for shipping is a fine idea, but using certified would imply they actually had to go through an approval process to be able to ship, which they didn't.

If Reptster is still up and running in a year or two from their initial launch and all the kinks are worked out (including my own personal concerns with the system), I will seriously consider using it. Until then, I'm content using my standard methods of shipping. If a customer wants to walk away from my quality stock and actual FedEx Certification over $10-15, that's their choice. :)
 
For the shipping I've done through reptster, I've said I'm shipping through a certified account, which is true. The shipping actually gets paid by reptster, and reptster charges you for it. I've not said that I, personally, am certified.

Once I found a location that would accept my packages without trouble, shipping has gone very smoothly through reptster. They have now added a function where you get an automatic tracking email with a link to track your package once you've printed your shipping label. I'm sure they will continue to make improvements.

As a buyer, triplemoons, I have never held the opinion that having gotten a fedex certification will mean you're a better shipper than if you haven't. It definitely means that you have dealt with some bureaucracy that other people haven't, but it may or may not mean more than that. After my summer of dealing with nothing but American and Malagasy and University bureaucracy, I am not of the opinion that dealing with bureaucracy makes a person any better at doing what you he or she intends to do. Anyway, I feel that any person with a brain can package a reptile for shipping, and I hope to be able to discern whether my seller falls in that category long before I get a package in the mail from him or her.

As an uncertified person who has successfully used reptster shipping 6 times this summer, and as a buyer who has little access to reptile shows but usually only buys one or two snakes at a time, I'd definitely go with a reputable seller who's shipping through reptster over one who is not.
 
The way I look at it, it's the same box from superior enterprises, same person doing the packing and sending the package. Same shipping company transporting the package, same recipient. Same people at fed ex possibly questioning the package and its contents and being ignorant about their own company's shipping policy.
I think the suggestion of a document from Repster to show naysayers is excellent. But other than that, a shipment is only as reliable as the person who packed it up and the way the recipient handled it. If the sender should scrimp on a cold or heat pack or the recipient leaves it in the sun at their doorstep all day the snake will be at just as much risk being sent by a certified shipper through their own account as shipped through repster.
 
I think the difference implied between being "FedEx certified" as compared to "Reptster certified" is that if somebody took the time and effort to jump through the FedEx hoops, they are PROBABLY more experienced and committed to the shipping process than somebody who just watched a video. Of course, that is not an absolute guarantee, just a likelihood. Basic shipping is pretty simple, just like learning the basics of driving a car. But just like driving a car, being REALLY good at packing and shipping takes a lot of experience dealing with adverse conditions. With experience and a lot of thought, one learns how to best deal with shipping in extreme temps, and also how to best deal with the idiosyncrasies of a particular shipping company. The new Reptster shippers will eventually become GOOD shippers, if they do it often enough, and pay attention to solving any problems they, or others, find along the way.

I think it would actually be a good idea for Reptster to offer their shippers a "REPSTER CERTIFIED SHIPPER" (maybe with a date they shipped their first Repster package) seal or something similar, to put on their websites. That would benefit the user, promote Reptster's shipping service, and avoid any confusion between those who are FedEx certified, and those who are Reptster certified.

If David or any Reptster employees are reading this thread, I would like them to comment on this idea, and also the idea about posting a FedEx "permission / authorization letter" (maybe even update the date on it every year or so) for users to print out and take with them when using the Reptster account.
 
This is my first year breeding and selling snakes. I have never packed a snake in my life. But it didn't take months or years to learn how to do it either. It takes common sense, not a degree in " How to pack a snake". There are going to be people that may not do things right a time or two. Lord knows every one makes mistakes, certified or not. Being certified through FedEx does mean some one spent a lot of time and effort to become certified and I commend all those that went through it. But it also doesn't mean they do it right all the time.

I agree that as a reptile community we have to be responsible in our shipping because mistakes can lead to our demise as far as shipping goes. So as Kathy stated, maybe Repster can offer a certification. Have people send in faux shipments to be able to get certified. Packed the same way FedEx requires them to be packed. I'm sure FedEx wouldn't mind because it would keep them from having to hassle with it. And as I stated above, being certified doesn't mean it will always be done right. But then again, I thought the whole purpose behind Repster was to make it easier on us little guys. That's why they have the contract and certification from the same company certified shippers use. If FedEx doesn't have a problem with it then why is it such a big deal? A box can be packed improperly by a certified shipper just the same as a non certified shipper. ( Just because you know how to build a house doesn't mean you wont cut corners to build it cheaper. )

Just because some thing new comes around to help us out doesn't mean it's bad. That's why opinions and suggestions are offered, to help make it better. If packing seems to be the biggest issue for some, then why not take this opportunity to help those that haven't done it before. Some one start a forum on how to pack a box properly and ask Rich to make it a sticky. Then new shippers have Repsters video and a forum to look at and help them out. Honestly-how did all certified shippers learn their first time around? Some one had to show or tell them right?

That's my .02 not that it matters much. LOL

Disclaimer-All above statements are my opinion only and are not intended for argumentative purposes. LMAO
 
I think the people that aren't FedEx Certified just aren't going to get or be concerned with the potential problems that those that are Certified worry about with the Reptster program. I don't want my Certification at risk because of non-certs shipping through Reptster. I'm concerned about the future, as well as the here and now...Which is why I am content to sit, watch and wait with what happens with it all. I won't be railroaded into using Reptster, just like I won't look down on anyone that chooses to use it...But I will express my opinions, and one of those is I don't think anyone should be saying they're FedEx Certified if they aren't.

As far as information on how to ship properly, it is out there already. Apparently Reptster is on the "hands off" approach in regards to providing information on federal law (the Lacey Act) and think that these non-certified, newbie shippers should be able to find the information out on there own. I think if they're taking it upon themselves to provide the program, they should provide the information for appropriate (legal) shipping.
 
Actually, I wasn't really suggesting that Repster should do anything more than they are right now as far as certification (sorry for the confusion). I don't think they would want to take on the task of having people send in boxes for testing, etc.

Basically, as I understand it, Reptster provides the video and info, you watch it, and then you ARE certified (under their contract - call it whatever you want) to ship FedEx. I am always for more info - I am sure that as time goes on, they will add to, or edit whatever info they have now. I was only suggesting that since their users already ARE authorized to ship FedEx via Reptster, they could make it more official by providing their own seal or certificate for their users to display. That would separate them out from those who are directly certified through FedEx, and promote their site and services at the same time.

As far as improper shipments and shippers go, I am afraid that ALL reptile shippers will impact those certified by FedEx, even those who are doing it "under the table" with no authorization at all. I am afraid that if FedEx started having problems with ANY reptile shipments, they might dump us all. I think that the only reason they will consider rescinding the whole thing is because of some phobic reactions of some employees who really won't care if the reptiles that got loose are from certified shippers or not. They won't care that more shippers would go under the table if that is the only choice - it will be a political move if it happens. So I think we have more to fear from those who are not at all authorized at all, than those who are shipping through Reptster or some other similar arrangements with other secondary companies.
 
kathylove said:
Actually, I wasn't really suggesting that Repster should do anything more than they are right now as far as certification (sorry for the confusion). I don't think they would want to take on the task of having people send in boxes for testing, etc.
Click to expand...


They could hire me and have them all shipped to my house for inspection and approval. :roflmao: As if I'm not crazy enough!

Sorry if I misunderstood exactly what you were saying Kathy. :)
 
I would love to have some sort of letter or certification to show FedEx that Repster is certified to ship. I think that it woul dhave solved many of the issues that I had with shipping. I had found a few threads from earlier on in the summer that talked about such a letter happening but could never find one on repster's site. Hopefully some of the kinks get worked out as I would love to be able to ship the few snakes that I sell.

~Katie
 
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