fish farmer
2500 Club Member
Thanks for the input. I reached out to a coral vendor I deal with and trust and they said all their orders were arriving on time, they ship UPS next day.
Are companies still shipping?
- Thread starter PSU4ME
- Start date
- Tagged users None
U
User1
Guest
Yes, companies are shipping. However, hobbyist need to take a step back, look around, and decide if it is the right thing to do. While there is no way to prioritize some packages there are items that are known and have a higher priority meaning some things will get bumped. Logistically speaking it only makes sense because of reduced work force, distance requirements, and the amount of packages needing to be moved.
My personal recommendation is this:
1. LFS more or less will be open in all states - live stock and food requirements oddly enough keep them in the essential open category. So if you need something to keep your tank up and running LFS is first choice. I wouldn't go window shopping and buy corals but if you need something - LFS should be first.
2. Fish and corals. I put this right up there with Mother Nature, Winter, and weather in general. Due to the current global situation with the virus there is no reason to be buying fish or corals. As with weather I know there is a higher probability that a delay will happen putting the livestock at risk. I don't need to deal with the elevated risk of loss or hassel trying to get a refund if they are low staff, working from home, etc.
So - yeah - shipping is going on. I just do not see the urgency of stressing a system that is already under duress due to the pandemic that is running amuck around the world. Just my moral compass and thinking but your mileage may vary of course.
My personal recommendation is this:
1. LFS more or less will be open in all states - live stock and food requirements oddly enough keep them in the essential open category. So if you need something to keep your tank up and running LFS is first choice. I wouldn't go window shopping and buy corals but if you need something - LFS should be first.
2. Fish and corals. I put this right up there with Mother Nature, Winter, and weather in general. Due to the current global situation with the virus there is no reason to be buying fish or corals. As with weather I know there is a higher probability that a delay will happen putting the livestock at risk. I don't need to deal with the elevated risk of loss or hassel trying to get a refund if they are low staff, working from home, etc.
So - yeah - shipping is going on. I just do not see the urgency of stressing a system that is already under duress due to the pandemic that is running amuck around the world. Just my moral compass and thinking but your mileage may vary of course.
Brandon Smith
AquaticArsenal.com
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2017
- Messages
- 1,302
- Reaction score
- 8,403
- Location
- Greenville, SC
- What state or country do you live in
- South Carolina
Every package that I have shipped out this week and recieved were all on time with FedEx. I have better luck recently then before this crisis honestly. I do agree that the person ordering the livestock need to use their best judgment as well. The same info Aquatic Arsenal posted earlier in this thread hasn't changed at this time either.
DothanReefer
Well-Known Member
I haven't ordered any livestock, but I've placed multiple orders with BRS, SaltwaterAquarium.com and Marine Depot over the last 2 1/2 weeks. I've ordered everything for a new 100g Waterbox, including the tank itself. And I mean everything, tank, pumps, lights, skimmer, ato, RODI 4stage, testers, salt, lights, rock, sand, everything but livestock...its all arrived on time or early. I've had no delays. I live in rural southeastern Alabama and the closest fish store is 4 hrs away as far as I know.
Now, to start a cycle.
Now, to start a cycle.
JOHNSTARKE
New Member
I manage shipping and get discounts for many fish and coral companies. We just sent out the new guidelines for all carriers today. Here is the most up to date info for all companies. Most important to note is the suspension of guarantees by UPS and FedEx. They are still shipping packages but if it is late there is no recourse currently.
John
Below are some resources for how each carrier is responding to the Covid-19 Pandemic. We recommend you visit them regularly in order to keep up to date.
Unfortunately, I did not locate one website page for each carrier that seemed to have all the information that impacts both you and your customers. Therefore, I have provided multiple links per carrier with information that appears relevant in the current situation.
USPS
Residential Customer FAQ: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-for-Residential-Customers
Commercial Customer FAQ: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-for-Business-Customers
Residential Service Disruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/residential/welcome.htm
Commercial Service Disruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/business/welcome.htm
International Service Interruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
Some highlights:
To reduce health risks, we are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures.
While maintaining a safe, appropriate distance, employees will request the customer’s first initial and last name so that the employee can enter the information on the electronic screen or hard copy items such as return receipts, PS Forms 3811 and 3829.
For increased safety, employees will ask the customer to step back a safe distance or close the screen door/door so that they may leave the item in the mail receptacle or appropriate location by the customer door.
Priority Mail Express International guarantee suspended to certain countries
Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to China, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. These suspensions will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers.
FedEx
Main page: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/coronavirus.html
On this page is a link to service impact information that links to a document that is not a webpage but instead a PDF document. As this document could be replaced with a new document, I will not link here but you can visit it on the above page and you should be taken to the latest update.
Some highlights:
Global Suspension of Money Back Guarantee
The impact of COVID-19 is causing local, state, and national governments around the world to issue work and travel restrictions on a daily basis which are impacting our ability to meet our high standards of service.
As a result, we have made the decision to suspend our money-back guarantee for all FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight and FedEx Office services effective immediately until further notice. Because FedEx is an essential transportation service provider, we will continue operating as government restrictions and regulations allow.
Signature Suspension Notification
To help promote the safety of our employees and customers, FedEx’s Signature guidelines are being temporarily adjusted for all shipments within the United States, with the exception of Adult Signature Required (ASR) shipments. In efforts to minimize physical interactions, customers may be asked to verify recipient name in lieu of a physical signature. FedEx is still collecting recipient information; therefore, surcharges for these services will continue to be assessed. For shipments with the adult signature service option selected, couriers will still request a physical signature and require a government issued photo ID.
UPS
Corona Virus page: https://www.ups.com/us/en/about/news/important-updates.page?
UPS Main Site: https://www.ups.com/us/en/Home.page?#news_all
Scroll to the bottom for the new updates. There is information here relevant to shipping but I did not find it on their Corona Virus page.
Highlights:
Effective 4/5/2020, UPS will be charging a Peak Surcharge for Shipments from China/Hong Kong into the US and other countries. As Webship does not support UPS Inbound at this time, no updates to Webship are required.
https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/peak-surcharge.pdf
UPS Service Guarantee Suspended
Effective March 26, 2020 and until further notice, we have suspended the UPS Service Guarantee for all shipments from any origin to any destination.
Learn more.
DHL
Corona Virus response page: https://www.logistics.dhl/global-en/home/global-news-alerts/global-messages/coronavirus.html
DHL Main Site: https://www.dhl.com/en.html
On this page is additional information related to the impact of the virus including a link to the new Emergency Situation Surcharge that is not on their Corona Virus page. Therefore, we recommend checking the main site for new updates.
John
Below are some resources for how each carrier is responding to the Covid-19 Pandemic. We recommend you visit them regularly in order to keep up to date.
Unfortunately, I did not locate one website page for each carrier that seemed to have all the information that impacts both you and your customers. Therefore, I have provided multiple links per carrier with information that appears relevant in the current situation.
USPS
Residential Customer FAQ: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-for-Residential-Customers
Commercial Customer FAQ: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Coronavirus-Updates-for-Business-Customers
Residential Service Disruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/residential/welcome.htm
Commercial Service Disruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/business/welcome.htm
International Service Interruptions: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/service-alerts/international/welcome.htm
Some highlights:
To reduce health risks, we are temporarily modifying customer signature capture procedures.
While maintaining a safe, appropriate distance, employees will request the customer’s first initial and last name so that the employee can enter the information on the electronic screen or hard copy items such as return receipts, PS Forms 3811 and 3829.
For increased safety, employees will ask the customer to step back a safe distance or close the screen door/door so that they may leave the item in the mail receptacle or appropriate location by the customer door.
Priority Mail Express International guarantee suspended to certain countries
Due to airline travel restrictions and cancellations, the U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended the guarantee on Priority Mail Express International destined to China, France, Great Britain, Hong Kong, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. These suspensions will be in effect until further notice. The Postal Service is taking all reasonable measures to minimize impact to our customers.
FedEx
Main page: https://www.fedex.com/en-us/coronavirus.html
On this page is a link to service impact information that links to a document that is not a webpage but instead a PDF document. As this document could be replaced with a new document, I will not link here but you can visit it on the above page and you should be taken to the latest update.
Some highlights:
Global Suspension of Money Back Guarantee
The impact of COVID-19 is causing local, state, and national governments around the world to issue work and travel restrictions on a daily basis which are impacting our ability to meet our high standards of service.
As a result, we have made the decision to suspend our money-back guarantee for all FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight and FedEx Office services effective immediately until further notice. Because FedEx is an essential transportation service provider, we will continue operating as government restrictions and regulations allow.
Signature Suspension Notification
To help promote the safety of our employees and customers, FedEx’s Signature guidelines are being temporarily adjusted for all shipments within the United States, with the exception of Adult Signature Required (ASR) shipments. In efforts to minimize physical interactions, customers may be asked to verify recipient name in lieu of a physical signature. FedEx is still collecting recipient information; therefore, surcharges for these services will continue to be assessed. For shipments with the adult signature service option selected, couriers will still request a physical signature and require a government issued photo ID.
UPS
Corona Virus page: https://www.ups.com/us/en/about/news/important-updates.page?
UPS Main Site: https://www.ups.com/us/en/Home.page?#news_all
Scroll to the bottom for the new updates. There is information here relevant to shipping but I did not find it on their Corona Virus page.
Highlights:
Effective 4/5/2020, UPS will be charging a Peak Surcharge for Shipments from China/Hong Kong into the US and other countries. As Webship does not support UPS Inbound at this time, no updates to Webship are required.
https://www.ups.com/assets/resources/media/en_US/peak-surcharge.pdf
UPS Service Guarantee Suspended
Effective March 26, 2020 and until further notice, we have suspended the UPS Service Guarantee for all shipments from any origin to any destination.
Learn more.
DHL
Corona Virus response page: https://www.logistics.dhl/global-en/home/global-news-alerts/global-messages/coronavirus.html
DHL Main Site: https://www.dhl.com/en.html
On this page is additional information related to the impact of the virus including a link to the new Emergency Situation Surcharge that is not on their Corona Virus page. Therefore, we recommend checking the main site for new updates.
Last edited by a moderator:
