UPS delay of livestock

[Steve Jewell]

I ordered from Reeftopia on Feb. 23rd. They still haven't filled the order and shipped. I'm going to cancel today. I've sent them 4 emails and 2 phone messages with no response. I'm not sure they are a very good vendor.

 

[Steve Jewell]

I ordered from Reeftopia on Feb. 23rd. They still haven't filled the order and shipped. I'm going to cancel today. I've sent them 4 emails and 2 phone messages with no response. I'm not sure they are a very good vendor.

Finally got a call back today. They are shipping out today minus one fish. We will see what quality I get. Stay tuned

 

[SlugSnorter]

It sounds like UPS has been having delays (could be due to staffing shortages). My livestock order was picked up last night, supposed to come today but now rescheduled for tomorrow, I don't think any of the fishes or corals will make it.

Vendor says they're not responsible for delays or mechanical delays, which is absurd imo. They said they'll work with the UPS to see if they will issue coverage, but that's not guaranteed. What are my chances of not losing out on money in this case? :mad:

UPS does not give a **** about you or your livestock, best bet is to check your suppliers DOA policy

 

[KStatefan]

I've gotten to the point where I will only buy from online vendors that offer alive delivery guarantee regardless of reason. I do have a order from Jersey Corals that shipped out UPS today that is not alive guarantee because it was a prize that I won. Now I'm a little nervous about getting it on time.


I'm 3 hours and 30 minutes away and I would still be willing to drive to pick up an order.

I drove 550 miles round trip last weekend to pick up a livestock order. Did not want to risk it getting stuck at the airport.

 

[Gtinnel]

I drove 550 miles round trip last weekend to pick up a livestock order. Did not want to risk it getting stuck at the airport.

My family already travels a lot so it's not uncommon for me to plan put a trip with the family that takes me near a lfs. This summer we're going to Florida and on the way back I'm stopping at WWC. Next week we're heading to Myrtle Beach and I get to stop at a few stores on the way back.

It's the trade off, my wife gets a trip somewhere and I get to stop at reef shops. I've been to a lot of the ones in the states surrounding me.

 

[fish farmer]

Many vendors have a similar policy of not covering shipping delays, however some are firm in the policy and others try to help as much as possible. Some, though limited, vendors do cover shipping delays, such as @PacificEastAquaculture.

It seems both FedEx and UPS have issues depending on your area, but I try to check weather across the country based on a shippers hub to try to ensure best shipping or get it held for pick up at a hub

I mean, it’s kind of hard to blame the shop or the carriers at this point…it is February and we all know the risks of winter weather and every delivery service has posted longer than usual delivery times….personally I wouldn’t risk ordering perishable items until the weather begins to become more stable. If you absolutely have to order live goods, pay for insurance, and if sellers won’t let you insure your package then imo they aren’t good sellers!

This is pretty much SOP for me due to being in Vermont...winter is still here. At least there are some close vendors that I can chose from Cultivated Reef and Pacific East Aquaculture...been wanting to buy from them once the weather warms. If it is regionally shipped UPS, I think they go through PA. I recently saw that UPS is opening up another regional hub in PA as well.

FWIW I shipped an overnight box couple weeks ago through Memphis to Virginia using Fed Ex, it made it overnight. I sent it on a Tuesday before the end of the week storm.

 

[Woodyman]

My family already travels a lot so it's not uncommon for me to plan put a trip with the family that takes me near a lfs. This summer we're going to Florida and on the way back I'm stopping at WWC. Next week we're heading to Myrtle Beach and I get to stop at a few stores on the way back.

It's the trade off, my wife gets a trip somewhere and I get to stop at reef shops. I've been to a lot of the ones in the states surrounding me.

Have you been to Jam Rock Corals in the MB area?

 

[Gtinnel]

Have you been to Jam Rock Corals in the MB area?

I have not, but since you ask I assume it's worth the visit. Usually when going to anywhere in the Carolinas I go to Nemos Reef in Charlotte, which so far has been my favorite shop.

I just looked up info on it, and it looks good. I will stop on my way back home next week. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[JonEB]

It sounds like UPS has been having delays (could be due to staffing shortages). My livestock order was picked up last night, supposed to come today but now rescheduled for tomorrow, I don't think any of the fishes or corals will make it.

Vendor says they're not responsible for delays or mechanical delays, which is absurd imo. They said they'll work with the UPS to see if they will issue coverage, but that's not guaranteed. What are my chances of not losing out on money in this case? :mad:

Ups is trash for livestock or perishables. They will do nothing for you unfortunately unless the shipping method was guaranteed and insured. Driving to the distribution hub and picking it up yourself has been my only solution in the past.

 

[Derrick0580]

Ups is trash for livestock or perishables. They will do nothing for you unfortunately unless the shipping method was guaranteed and insured. Driving to the distribution hub and picking it up yourself has been my only solution in the past.

I mean the kind of money we are usually dropping on fish and coral, what’s another $50 or so for insurance on the package. If I’m paying for overnight and I don’t get it the next day and the fish survive you best bet I’m demanding my money back for the shipping from whatever delivery company has it!

 

[Tdoan]

Finally got a call back today. They are shipping out today minus one fish. We will see what quality I get. Stay tuned

Sorry to hear that, they where great when I used them. Good Luck

 

[Lyss]

I see these types of threads kinda often and they scare me! So these carriers are really not making good on paid-for, guaranteed overnight service?

I have issues w/all carriers on regular packages from time to time but have never had a delay on an overnight shipment. Just ordered some fish and some corals -- both from different vendors -- that shipped UPS next day air y'day. Got them around 10:00 a.m. today and they are already in the tank doing well.

Have to say I saw this thread y'day and my stomach was in knots since this was my first time ever ordering fish online.

Edit: I realize this could be b/c I'm in NYC, and maybe in other areas the service is just more spotty even for overnight deliveries.

 

[polyppal]

I see these types of threads kinda often and they scare me! So these carriers are really not making good on paid-for, guaranteed overnight service?

I have issues w/all carriers on regular packages from time to time but have never had a delay on an overnight shipment. Just ordered some fish and some corals -- both from different vendors -- that shipped UPS next day air y'day. Got them around 10:00 a.m. today and they are already in the tank doing well.

Have to say I saw this thread y'day and my stomach was in knots since this was my first time ever ordering fish online.

Edit: I realize this could be b/c I'm in NYC, and maybe in other areas the service is just more spotty even for overnight deliveries.

None of them guarantee anything anymore, overnight or not. They know you have no other options (and they make billions of dollars) so they don’t care…

 

[Lyss]

None of them guarantee anything anymore, overnight or not. They know you have no other options (and they make billions of dollars) so they don’t care…

They weren't during the height of covid for obvious reasons, but now I believe they are again -- at least my UPS shipment today was guaranteed, and it's why you pay all that extra for overnight vs. ground.

 

[Steve Jewell]

Finally got a call back today. They are shipping out today minus one fish. We will see what quality I get. Stay tuned

livestock arrived at 10am this morning in EXCELLENT condition!! fish were swimming, all crabs were crawling around, urchin wanted to climb out, snails were trying to crawl out when bag opened, carpet nems opened up as soon as in tank, ricordea is open and nice, Zoas had 20 heads at least and are ready to pop out.

I would give Reeftopia a C- on customer service. Should have much better response time. When I did finally get them on the phone they were extremely nice!
A+ on condition of livestock, packaging (no open bags, well packed), and shipping!!

Overall, I'd recommend using them. Just don't get too worked up when it's been a few days and it hasn't shipped yet.

 

[Roli's Reef Ranch]

I had a cuc order delayed, everything dead. The box missed the truck by 2 hours so I went to the warehouse and they wouldn’t let me have it, just didn’t want to find it I guess.

dang, I would've threatened to report them to the ASPCA... sad and lazy.

 

[CK00020]

And after all that I had to fight with reefcleaners to get a refund, I only got about half.