My first (and probably last) time shipping frogs

[D3monic]

While I have recieved several shipments of frogs in the past I have never shipped before. I just don't feel comfortable letting a 3rd person who could give a damn about my animals well being handle them.

But...I have been promising a good budy of mine for a while now that I would send him some varaderos. After he has waited paitently for damn near a year I grew a pair and shipped some out to him.

I may have gone overboard a bit with packaging but after reading so many bad transactions with shipping companies over the past few days I didn't want to take any chances (not with my precious babies)

Packing exterior 14x14x14 fedex box

Contents 10x10x14 3/4" styrofoam cooler

our weather on both ends will be fairly mild Lows around 50's highs mid 70's so I decided a heat or cold pack would be too extreme. Instead used two phase 22 panels. One taped to the bottom and one to the top.



Taped the one to the bottom and then placed two layers of bubble wrap. ontop.

Then the frogs packed in deli cups with just moist paper towel and pothos. I have read horror stories about frogs getting smashed with spagnum. Then with air pillows in between them



The precious contents of said cups







Then another layer of bubble wrap ontop of them.

Then I tossed in a few extra items just cause I like the guy. I wasn't too worried about the plants since they where being overnighted. I then filled the remaining space of the container with bubble wrap so there would be no movement.



Since the box was bigger than the cooler I wedged even more sytrofoam insulation to keep the box from being smashed and extra insulation.



and two layers of foam ontop to complete the packing job!



Should be able to stand on this box without denting it :mrgreen:

Now to sit around for the next 24 hours praying my little guys make it to their destination safely and in a timely mannor...c'mon fedex no wammie :roll:

[Philsuma]

I'm the same way - Terrified of shipping and no confidence. I would lose sleep if frogs died en route somewhere. Seriously.

[D3monic]

Me too, I care deeply for all my frogs even the ones I send elsewhere. It drives me nuts when buyers don't keep me updated on how the frogs are doing and if they are breeding for them. I am sure one day it may wear off but not yet.

I feel like I gave one of my kids up for adoption. ...well.... maybe worse.

[DKOOISTRA]

I've got 7 orange lamasi frogletts I've been sitting on for that same reason, just can't bring myself to ship. And when I say sitting on, I mean sitting, I've got atleast 1 calling.

Thankfully, I have a home for my pum froglets thats half way local.
Derek

[Azurel]

That looks to be a great packing job Mike.....I think in most cases if weather is good it usually goes off with out a hitch. I got my shipment from Chris Miller today and last night sever storms came rolling through. I wasn't concerned at first but about halfway threw work last night is started storming like crazy and my tension raised quite a bit. Knowing they were in route with sever storms really got me nervous. I ended up leaving work 2 hrs early so I could come home and track the package.....Came in with no issues.....I am sure your shipment will go off without a hitch bro....Besides that your gonna have to send me some CVs this summer so I will send some xanax a couple days before you ship to me....LOL

[DKOOISTRA]

And there you are Azurel
I was admiring the amount of cyan in one of the baby blues that'll be coming your way last night.
Sorry for off topic, but I'm glad your close.
Derek

[Azurel]

Yea can't wait for those.....

[D3monic]

WTF!!! Just got the following in a email from Fedex

Please be advised of the rate changes to your shipment 794797736016 dated 2011-05-25. FedEx has reviewed this shipment for correct pieces, weight, and service. Any changes made are reflected in the invoice amount.

The final rated amount of your shipment is $133.55 compared to the original rate quote of $73.84. Please consult the applicable FedEx Service Guide for details.

Sincerely, FedEx Billing Online

I call complete BS!!!!! I had the weight and sevice right. I even rounded up to the nearest pound. How the hell can they get away with this???

Do they pull this BS often? These where going to a friend of mine, I only charged him $180 with free shipping..........to answer previously. F*** no I am not shipping again!
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[Philsuma]

Wow hock: What a horror story !

[Cindy Dicken]

What were the dimensions of the box?

[D3monic]

14x14x14 Thanks to the idiot at fedex store. he didn't have any more accomadation boxes.

[Cindy Dicken]

Yep, if it's over 12" cubed you will get burned.

[Philsuma]

Cindy,

Could you make a Fedex shipping tips thread sometime ?

[frogface]

Yea, the box I shipped calculated to 52 bucks on my end 88 bucks on theirs. I've read that they use a lazer to check size and if it's bowed out just a bit, it ups it to the next size (maybe the extra styrofoam?). Not a pleasant surprise.

I've only shipped once. A beloved pair of auratus that I thought would have a better home elsewhere. My hands were shaking as I packed them up. I really don't want to do that again. Luckily, we've already passed our good shipping weather here. Last couple weeks has been in the 80s-90s. So, I'm safe until the fall.

The good news is that those auratus were reported to arrive safely and are currently making babies

[D3monic]

Unfortunatly i do not think I am out of the woods just yet. I got a feeling that I will be shipping at least one more time this year...

[Cindy Dicken]

Cindy,

Could you make a Fedex shipping tips thread sometime ?

Be glad to Phil.
These observations are based on our experience shipping with Fed Ex over the past 10 years, your results may vary.

1 ) When possible, ship with a Fed Ex account, if you do not have one, sign up for one (it doesn't cost anything).

2 ) Shipping accounts are billed differently (better rates) than if you pay for your shipment at the Fed Ex station.

3 ) Shipping station to station to be held at the station for pick up, is the safest, least expensive, way to go (Kinkos locations are NOT Fed Ex stations). Stations can be found on the Fed Ex website. Find the one closest to you and to your recipient.

4 ) When shipping Fed Ex overnight they offer 3 overnight options, FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight , and FedEx Standard Overnight. We use the Standard Overnight and the package is usually there when the doors open. So no need to pay for the faster shipping option. Be sure to put the recipients phone number on the shipping label. Fed Ex will call the recipient.

5 ) Keep in mind that when you ship overnight you are basically buying a plane ticket for that package, so size and weight of the package as well as distance the package will be traveling all matter. The magic number is 12. Keep your box dimensions under 12" cubed and the weight under 5 lbs. Remember all weights and measurements will be rounded UP.

6 ) Fed Ex uses lasers to measure your package. If your package is not square, the laser will measure at the widest point(s).
If the package has tape hanging off, the laser will take that as a measurement, if the package is bulging, that is what the laser will measure. The rate quote that your receive online when you fill out the shipping info is a COURTESY QUOTE based on the info YOU have provided. Fed Ex receives your package at the sort facility, they weigh it and measure it with their system, sometimes they get a different answer.

7 ) Fed Ex had a rate increase of 3.9% the beginning of this year. Their fuel surcharge fluctuates month to month.

8 ) Fed Ex is a business, and as with any business the object of the game is to make money. They provide a service, Fed Ex is not the least expensive way to ship. I take comfort in the fact that I can track that package every step of the way, and IF there is an issue, I can call and talk to a HUMAN.

[Kerickson978]

Hey Michael,
Sorry it took so long to post this Ive been flat out like a lizard drinking... I haven't been able to get any decent shots of the little guys since Ive been getting home at 4am and leaving again at 7 am.. one of these days soon here i will be home while the lights are on and i will take a bunch of pics.

So I purchased a trio of Immis from Mike and they arrive on Thursday,
The packing job was excellent and everything arrived in great condition! The inside of the box was only slightly cool, room temperature or so maybe in the high 60s to low 70s. All three froglets were bright alert and very active! The plants looked great and are all now in a temporary setup until I can get them cleaned and planted. the frogs are extremely healthy and absolutely stunning in the vivarium light, I cant wait for em to get settled in so I can start taking pics of em.

[BcsTx]

I cannot stand shipping as well. Unfortunately sometimes it cannot be avoided. I always ship hub to hub, I think it is less risky then shipping to someones house. I use FedEx (if you are a USAA member and open a business account with them you can get some really good discounts). So far FedEx has been good for me, I do believe there are faults with all of the others as well.
Here in Texas we have a very short shipping window due to the heat, it was 96 yesterday I probably will not be able to ship till this fall.
I shipped in cold weather (warm here cold destinations) twice this year for the first time, bought heat packs but I opened them up too late and were to hot to use when I got home from work ready to pack up the frogs so I ended up using phase panels - engineer hubby tested them for two days, so I thought I would give them a try. Both shipments made it fine so I will continue to use them they were 2 degrees lower when received (I sent them at 75 degrees).

[D3monic]

Hey Michael,
Sorry it took so long to post this Ive been flat out like a lizard drinking... I haven't been able to get any decent shots of the little guys since Ive been getting home at 4am and leaving again at 7 am.. one of these days soon here i will be home while the lights are on and i will take a bunch of pics.

So I purchased a trio of Immis from Mike and they arrive on Thursday,
The packing job was excellent and everything arrived in great condition! The inside of the box was only slightly cool, room temperature or so maybe in the high 60s to low 70s. All three froglets were bright alert and very active! The plants looked great and are all now in a temporary setup until I can get them cleaned and planted. the frogs are extremely healthy and absolutely stunning in the vivarium light, I cant wait for em to get settled in so I can start taking pics of em.

All but the vines where frog free so Cleaning wont be necessary but feel free if you want. The vines were out of the benedicta viv.

[cablemandan]

Yo! you packed a coupon for $.77 2 LITER COLA!!!!

Sounds like Shipping frogs around is risky bizness. So I should not ever ask anyone on the board to buy frogs :\

Plants though... you have plants I would love to be able to plant in my viv. Consider selling any of those?