Odd discussion with Reptiletubs.com

[Brooklynella]

I attempted to order 3 tubs from Reptiletubs and was told they couldn't guarantee they would arrive intact because it's below freezing. The plastic gets brittle and all. I was dumbfounded; I asked if I should wait until May or something! In all fairness, I was told I could order them but they would not be responsible for any damage. This of course is silly; how do I know how they pack these tubs? Furthermore, it's 36 degrees right now but will probably dip below 32 tonight, so do I have to record the temp at the time order is placed or during transit?
Anyway, it was an odd discussion because it's rare for a company to talk themselves out of a sale. I was going to buy a t-stat and flexwatt too. I never heard of a company not handling shipping damage before. Could you imagine ordering a washing machine and being told, "Sorry-you have to buy another one"?
It's too bad 'cause those tubs seemed perfect for what I needed.

 

[marth]

That's pretty....special. You think they would offer some sort of insurance or something to cover that.

 

[wonword]

Yeah, im pretty sure you can buy insurance on the product through the shipper.

 

[EricIvins]

I attempted to order 3 tubs from Reptiletubs and was told they couldn't guarantee they would arrive intact because it's below freezing. The plastic gets brittle and all. I was dumbfounded; I asked if I should wait until May or something! In all fairness, I was told I could order them but they would not be responsible for any damage. This of course is silly; how do I know how they pack these tubs? Furthermore, it's 36 degrees right now but will probably dip below 32 tonight, so do I have to record the temp at the time order is placed or during transit?
Anyway, it was an odd discussion because it's rare for a company to talk themselves out of a sale. I was going to buy a t-stat and flexwatt too. I never heard of a company not handling shipping damage before. Could you imagine ordering a washing machine and being told, "Sorry-you have to buy another one"?
It's too bad 'cause those tubs seemed perfect for what I needed.

I don't get it.........Your offended by a companies terms of service?

Simple concept - Any plastic gets brittle below freezing.......

Guess what? I don't guarantee live arrival on anything I ship when destination temperatures are below 32 degrees.......Why? Because there is too much liability on my end.......Too many things that can happen between me handing the box off, and the receiver receiving the box........Terms of services are made for a reason, it's to protect buyer and seller alike.........Cold weather shipping is different than warm weather shipping........That's all there is to it........And some things can't be compensated for when shipping in cold weather........

 

[Brooklynella]

I don't get it.........Your offended by a companies terms of service?

Simple concept - Any plastic gets brittle below freezing.......

Guess what? I don't guarantee live arrival on anything I ship when destination temperatures are below 32 degrees.......Why? Because there is too much liability on my end.......Too many things that can happen between me handing the box off, and the receiver receiving the box........Terms of services are made for a reason, it's to protect buyer and seller alike.........Cold weather shipping is different than warm weather shipping........That's all there is to it........And some things can't be compensated for when shipping in cold weather........

Plastic melts when it's hot out, guess he can't ship in July either?
Dude, calm down. When shipping live items, the circumstances change and you know that! If you can't provide for the variables extreme weather offers, you think twice before shipping. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PLASTIC TUBS HERE! You really don't see the difference? Does Home Depot and Target HALT tub shipments when the weather gets cold? Jesus man, Fed Ex and UPS offer insurance and it's pretty cheap, this is a better alternative than telling acustomer "I'll ship it but if it gets destroyed it's your problem".
I mean, think about what you are saying. Can you imagine how many products are affected by extremes in weather? Is this really such a CHALLENGE?
As for the "Terms of service", I TOTALLY agree with them and choose not to do business with Reptile tubs as a result.
The discussion I had with them was downright LAUGHABLE. I hung up the phone and laughed.

 

[EricIvins]

Plastic melts when it's hot out, guess he can't ship in July either?
Dude, calm down. When shipping live items, the circumstances change and you know that! If you can't provide for the variables extreme weather offers, you think twice before shipping. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PLASTIC TUBS HERE! You really don't see the difference? Does Home Depot and Target HALT tub shipments when the weather gets cold? Jesus man, Fed Ex and UPS offer insurance and it's pretty cheap, this is a better alternative than telling acustomer "I'll ship it but if it gets destroyed it's your problem".
I mean, think about what you are saying. Can you imagine how many products are affected by extremes in weather? Is this really such a CHALLENGE?
As for the "Terms of service", I TOTALLY agree with them and choose not to do business with Reptile tubs as a result.
The discussion I had with them was downright LAUGHABLE. I hung up the phone and laughed.

Exactly - They thought twice about shipping, and you laugh in return......

Target and Home Depot get their shipments in Trucks, shrink wrapped to a pallet. They get quite a few damaged tubs doing so. Thats the difference in dealing with small business, and billion dollar corporations who can afford the losses.......

Ever deal with the Insurance that Fed-Ex or UPS offers? That is LAUGHABLE........They know plastic doesn't fare well in winter, even if it was bubble wrapped three times over and packed "correctly". Ever read the instructions and policies for packing breakables correctly? The point is, they don't mind refunding a shipment if it's late, but they will drag you through the mud if you try to make an Insurance claim.......Been there, done it.........


It doesn't matter what your shipping........Certain dynamics and paradigms exist that sometimes cannot be compensated for.......It is a challange, especially dealing with small business, running on thin margins, trying to deal with customers while protecting their own interests ( or asses ).......If the liability can't be compensated for, then why take the risk of having damaged product and a un-happy customer? Lose/Lose situation either way........

 

[Brooklynella]

Exactly - They thought twice about shipping, and you laugh in return......

Target and Home Depot get their shipments in Trucks, shrink wrapped to a pallet. They get quite a few damaged tubs doing so. Thats the difference in dealing with small business, and billion dollar corporations who can afford the losses.......

Ever deal with the Insurance that Fed-Ex or UPS offers? That is LAUGHABLE........They know plastic doesn't fare well in winter, even if it was bubble wrapped three times over and packed "correctly". Ever read the instructions and policies for packing breakables correctly? The point is, they don't mind refunding a shipment if it's late, but they will drag you through the mud if you try to make an Insurance claim.......Been there, done it.........


It doesn't matter what your shipping........Certain dynamics and paradigms exist that sometimes cannot be compensated for.......It is a challange, especially dealing with small business, running on thin margins, trying to deal with customers while protecting their own interests ( or asses ).......If the liability can't be compensated for, then why take the risk of having damaged product and a un-happy customer? Lose/Lose situation either way........

NO-THEY DIDN'T THINK TWICE ABOUT SHIPPING. They told me they will ship but i'm on my own if FED EX demolishes the tubs.

OK, nevermind, you convinced me i'm the crazy one and the entire plastics industry should shut down NoV-April. Dealing with shipping issues can be rough, you know, when you are essentially an internet company that (Duh) ships stuff all over the place. To think *GASP* that you may have to consider dealing with these issues to maintain some level of customer service is just simply too much to ask, huh?
The guy could have easily gotten $125 out of me in a matter of minutes (3 tubs, one t-stat) if he was a smart businessman.
Your comment regarding "Dealing with customers who are looking out for their best interests" certainly makes me wonder about your business practices. Customers are not your enemy, unless you make them so.

 

[snakeguy101]

Exactly - They thought twice about shipping, and you laugh in return......

Target and Home Depot get their shipments in Trucks, shrink wrapped to a pallet. They get quite a few damaged tubs doing so. Thats the difference in dealing with small business, and billion dollar corporations who can afford the losses.......

Ever deal with the Insurance that Fed-Ex or UPS offers? That is LAUGHABLE........They know plastic doesn't fare well in winter, even if it was bubble wrapped three times over and packed "correctly". Ever read the instructions and policies for packing breakables correctly? The point is, they don't mind refunding a shipment if it's late, but they will drag you through the mud if you try to make an Insurance claim.......Been there, done it.........


It doesn't matter what your shipping........Certain dynamics and paradigms exist that sometimes cannot be compensated for.......It is a challange, especially dealing with small business, running on thin margins, trying to deal with customers while protecting their own interests ( or asses ).......If the liability can't be compensated for, then why take the risk of having damaged product and a un-happy customer? Lose/Lose situation either way........

the company could have at least offered to give insurance on the package through the shipper for an extra price, I am sure that would have been better than loosing a sale and that way IF something happened, then reptiletubs would deal with the paperwork and headaches...

 

[Brooklynella]

I started this thread because I found the discussion to be funny. I still think it's funny. For all I know, the guy at reptiletubs is a pillar of the community but he sounded like I just woke him up and a bit rattled that I was actually calling to order something!
If you read my OP, you may notice i'm disappointed I wasn't able to buy the tubs from him as they are the perfect size for the space I have. Now I have to find them elsewhere. His site convinced me they were a quality piece and able to stand up to the rigors of everyday use, etc. I guess this only applies if it's not cold outside! Sorry, still laughing.
I just got a kick out of a guy who told me I should pay him and take my chances, and his rationale was that he shipped some tubs last week and they arrived OK (Seriously).
If he wanted my business, he had it. He didn't have to jump through a ring of fire to get it either.

 

[Brooklynella]

If anyone can help...
I need a tub that's in the 28"-36" x 16"-18". Sounds easy, right? Trouble is, All I can find is 6" height or 14" + height. I really need 9-10" in height to stack these under my 125G turtle tank. The reptiletub one I was trying to buy was 9" in height. Call me crazy but I can't put my snakes in a 6"H tub.
Any suggestions?
Should I wait until Summer to order from reptiletubs? You know, before "Melting" season?