Shipping Disaster

[up130]

I feel you're pain. I was supposed to receive an order Friday that never came.
USPS is telling me it was delivered at 11:07am.

I checked for the package at 11 and 11:12 and it wasn't there. I obviously checked several times before and after that and finally at 5 decided to go to the post office. Long story short they had no clue where the package was or why I didn't get it

I have a feeling I am going to get screwed on this deal
It makes me sick thinking of how my rare and expensive fish are probably dying in their bag right now.

 

[Calihawk]

Wow, one of my favorite Topics but never saw the thread since I've been away.

I am just a guy who ships my own fishes all over the US...here are some of MY rules for sales, then I'll list my rules for myself when shipping. I have had no DOA since I've been using these rules this year.

Sales Rules:
1. ONLY next day shipping...dont be cheap..."Why would take out a Super Model to McDonalds, lol and order from the dollar menu."
(even USPS Express Next Day is 2 days for claim and Priority 2-3 day shipping is 5 working days for claim...meaning its 2 days guarantee, and 5 days guarantee respectively
2. After payment, allow 2-3 days of fasting (no food for fishes being shipped, lock them up seperate from your stock)
3. During bad weather conditions...have the package go USPS Express HOLD for PickUp (Customer most go pick up at the local Post Office)

MY Commandments
1. Fast Fish no less than 2 days.
2. Only Healthy fishes...(please be informative, the customer usually understands...if last minute disease hit, inform then refund)
3. Duct Tape bags unless fishes are 1"...if fishes 4" or more then 2x thick duct tape
4. Prepare shipping water...my temp is 84+ degrees, the shipping water should be around 78 degrees (put fish in bucket with tank water, let sit for at least 2 hours...water would cool to room temp)
5. Bag Ingredients: Order of importance---Methelyne Blue, Salt, Zeolite, Water Conditioner is optional (I've done my studies and research so each has a specific purpose for me)

These are things I live by and is very successful at it. Do whatever you want, LOL, like what I tell people at work...Don't always do what I do.

 

[baldtaxguy]

It makes me sick thinking of how my rare and expensive fish are probably dying in their bag right now.

What fish?

 

[baldtaxguy]

I have had no DOA since I've been using these rules this year.

These are things I live by and is very successful at it.

How many shipments?

 

[Calihawk]

I've had delayed shipping before too, both shipping and recieving so I KNOW how you feel. I worried when my fishes were 5 days late (have survived). I still always worry day after I ship my fishes NEXT DAY (the anxiety of not knowing how people are gonna 'slam dunk' your package...this is why I hate customers who don't drop me a "Thanx, I got fishes, all healthy, alive")

I think you make a great point there. They havent done anything to go out of there way and help the situation. I even called the USPS representative for the Mid Atlantic District, and what she said to me was "well it looks like we are in a wait and see kind of approach" I just sat there in disbeleif. It is unreal.

That is how it is. They recieve thousands of mail daily, they recieve hundreds of complaints daily...and WE are just another one of those dailies. Think about US, at our jobs, the grocery store, and even with life situations. As humans we get irked by customers, long lines, and red lights.

Also most peole don't care for fishes, and don't consider fishes pets. That's why you dont see dead dogs and cats in cartoons. But you will see a dead fish with X's for eyes, lol. This is why I write Live Animal on my boxes, it may make them think about cute little rodents.

I mean its one of those things! What do you say? What do you do? Your helpless, and in my case screwed out of your money, and fish. Hope some people on here read this and learn from my mistake!

You have also learned am extremely valuable lesson: Never, ever use USPS for shipping fish.

Sent from my MB855 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App

Its important to know what we are trying to learn...NO less than NEXT DAY service (even this is not 100%)

Shipping companies do not matter...every company screws up because people are workers. The people are from different backgrounds, upbringing, morals/ethics, and experiences. That's how we humans are, we tend to Hate or Care only about what has happened to us: Example -- I hate all Asians because one Asian cut me off on the road.
Also people only care when someone close to them suffers: Example -- I didn't care for all that Pink ribbon stuff, until my aunt died of breast cancer, now I donate to it.

Josh, I feel ya man. As a Shipper and Customer, I know. GL dude, Im sure it'll be ok

 

[Calihawk]

How many shipments?

1 or 2 boxes per week from Spring to Summer, 90% of my sales go to East Coast. I don't use Cold packs and Heat packs (My reasons...do whatever YOU want)

Different people have had success and failures with what they do, after 4 years of shipping I do what I do.

 

[BASSTIAN182]

UPDATE! We are now moving into day 6. To make matters worse Monday is Columbus day so it will be day 7 before I found out more. No change on USPS tracking sense the 2nd. Be warned fellow MFK members this can happen to you. Be careful and make shore you and your shipper have a complete understanding that you will either get new fish or your money back. or you could be like me and waiting on a 200 dollar box of decomposing corpses. This is as tough as it gets.

 

[Calihawk]

OMG Josh, we will just hope for the best, man.

If it is takes longer than 5 working days then the package qualifies for REFUND on USPS Priority. But unfortunately the person who bought the Shipping (Seller) has to call USPS and file the claim. Also Priority dont carry insurance unless you paid for it extra. Express free insurance pay is up to $100 cover and costs only a little for more coverage.

If you used Paypal, you can get possibly get your money back if you file a claim. But only if it is evident that the Seller is at fault will they ultimately honor your claim.

Again, Good Luck

 

[ryansmith83]

I was receiving an order of fish once and a bag sprung a leak, which then leaked through the styro lid, wet the box, and caused the shipping label to fall off. Maybe something similar happened here.

I ship small fish (2" and less) via USPS Priority. I only ship Mondays and Tuesdays which should allow plenty of time for delivery before Saturday. Each fish needs to be individually bagged. If I use traditional bags, they get 1/3 water to 2/3 bottled oxygen and triple bags. I've also started using Kordon breather bags with good results. Larger fish get shipped FedEx 2Day or Overnight -- triple bagged with tape on the first layer to prevent fin punctures, Bag Buddies, and bottled oxygen.

If small fish are fasted and then packaged properly, they will last a week or so in the box. I recently tested this when I got Kordon bags for the first time. I packed six of my severum juveniles, individually-bagged, in a box and then carried it around with me for five days. When I opened the box, the fish were alert, active, and ate about 30 minutes after going back into their tank. My point being, small fish should easily make it through USPS as long as you took the care to prepare them first and then properly package them.

Unfortunately, losses do happen. I wouldn't be so quick to write off every shipping carrier though. I shipped out tons of severums and Geos last year via USPS, probably hundreds of fish, and to my knowledge I only had three DOA in one box.

I have no idea who the seller is in this case, but are you sure they are reputable? Is there any chance they gave you a bogus tracking number and just took your money?

 

[dogofwar]

Airport to airport is best, especially if you're dealing with cross country shipping. It's actually pretty reasonable (vs. next day services from USPS, FedEx, UPS, etc.).

I also ship USPS Priority pretty regularly. I primarily ship small fish, though. The key is preparing them for the journey - bag in dechlorinated tap, use tall bags on their sides, don't feed fish for 2-3 days prior, etc.

Larger ones I go USPS Express Mail or FedEx.

UPS lost my business FOREVER when they allowed a box of fish to (mostly) die at their depot 25 mins from my house. I knew where the box was. They knew too (including which truck). They just wouldn't unload it before they HAD to....so it sat there over a long weekend. Some fish made it but the stench was horrendous. The guy who wheeled out the box said that a couple of customers filed claims for the smell of their boxes (which were in the same truck). It was UPS's choice.

I have a good relationship with my local USPS. I have fish delivered HOLD FOR PICKUP (CALL MY CELL NUMBER). Had a couple boxes arrive a day or so later than scheduled but pretty good luck so far!

Matt