Funny you say that. I have a fedex account that I to this day never use, in the beginning we only did airport to airport now we use usps for small stuff under 10in and ap to ap for sensitive or large fish/orders. I listen to the customer but at the same time want what's best for the fish to arrive safe and sound.
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Thats a good point - some of the main vendors I work with tell me that they choose fedex because "its the best".
Unfortunately that depends on where you are. This is not a new trend.
So the real question is - who is to be trusted? Is the customer trying to save a buck or is the vendor? Who knows better, customer or vendor (who most likely ships more fish in a day than the customer will in their life - although Ive done a fair amount of shipping from being in with nano fish/planted tanks/reef aquaria)
I was expecting a shipment that was five hours late so I called the local branch and inform them of the issue and explained that there was live fish in that package. I explained that they would only survive for so long and they were rather expensive. I must have been talking to a sympathetic ear because she got on the radio located the truck they were on and had another truck meet them to deliver my package. My fish arrived about 20 minutes later with the box dripping, opened it and the fish was still alive. The dumb ass that shipped the fish to me only single bagged them. I feel it is all in the packaging of the fish.
Same situation here, lady on the other end was very nice - but she said they would call me. I got a call said "Im right around the corner" and then I got my fish. Didnt do me much good, but at least they did something. Wish they could have just not screwed up in the first place or that the driver would have signed off on the package as "destroyed" or whatever. Not sure if that would effect him, but it sure would have helped me. I never would ask for something like that though.
I agree entirely about the packaging. Not sure what went wrong with my fish - it wasnt packed poorly, and the first time the water was actually TOO warm in my mind. One thing that was peculiar though is that this is the first time EVER, that I have seen someone ship without any form of insulation. There was padding and newspaper in there. Not sure if that made a difference.
People ship frogs in styros with "phase panels" which I really like. Instead of heating or cooling the package, they just absorb heat or cold to stabilize temperatures and make changes gradual. Not sure why more people in the fish industry dont do this.
Man I love fed/ex. Never fails me on fish shipments.
Ups on the other hand. Always fails. Especially around holidays.
I think where you are located and how good your local hub is makes a big difference.
USPS I have mixed opinions on. Still prefer over ups.
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Its all about who you have locally. UPS has been like Karl Malone for me. Always delivers.