what shipper do you perfer?????

[Troylee]

couldn't agree more kev..... just my luck it's been a real bad week for me i lost a few pieces in the tank, fed ex lost my box and now whats number?3 they come in 3s right???? " i would say a minor problem with a vendor but im not gonna let it get the best of me" THIS IS WHAT IM GUESSING!!!!prolly a tank crash since i just changed my water for the first time in a year...... yuup i did it again....de-rail!!!!!!! haha 1smile1

 

[slkotara]

My Fed Ex Guy is the best he has my # and I have his so if I need my packages I can call him and meet him somewhere or if he has a busy day he can call me and I will go meet him to help save him a trip way out here in BFE.

 

[Troylee]

me wishes my fed ex guy was like that!!!!!!! i got a c-note in my hand for him if he pulled something like that....1smile1

 

[Reef Pets]

FedEx all the way for me! I have used UPS and USPS and with the quantity of packages I ship FedEx has been the most dependable. I ship upwards of 100+ Overnight packages per months so I have experienced about everything FedEx, UPS and USPS has to offer. Still in the end FedEx is my choice.
Liquids are allowed when shipping USPS. If you tell them that its a liquid they will confirm with you that it will not leak. So, when I shipped with USPS I had a stamp made that said Liquid Saltwater and stamped the box 4 or 5 times in different locations. I probably shipped 6000 or more packages with USPS and never had an issue with the package containing liquid. The only problem I had was that they are by far the least responsible way to ship.

 

[btkrausen]

UPS for a couple reasons...

1. UPS lets me overnight anywhere in the US from Honolulu. FedEx is limited and USPS doesn't at all.
2. I get a way better discount with UPS then anyone else. FedEx is 3x the cost for me personally.
3. No problem shipping fish and coral. No need to avoid the "Whats in the box" questions.
4. I've had great experience with UPS.

As with anything you always hear about the bad and not the good. Yes, even I will complain about the one package that was screwed up. And yes even I forgets to mention the 40 packages before that that went without a single issue. Shipment mistakes happen. I doubt any more or any less with a particular business. They are all about the same. It will happen... eventually.

Kevin

Do you guys use UPS for your shipments? Just curious, as I'm 15-20 minutes from their world hub in Louisville.

You should see how many UPS planes come in and land at the airport. For every commercial plane that takes off and lands at SDF, there are about 20 UPS planes doing the same thing. I like to go by around 10-11pm, and you can just see the UPS planes lined up in the sky ready to land at their world hub. Its crazy.

 

[Tenacious716]

FedEx (IMO) is by far the safest way to ship when it comes to live goods; UPS is known to play soccer with the packages (I've been behind the scenes) and FedEx usually delivers earlier in the day which is obviously important. JMO

 

[drainbamage]

to add in, as I'm still breaking into the shipping side (instead of the receiving side, hah) whats the comparison on pricing? Unless I'm missing something it seems like USPS is about half the price (roughly $30) that fedex and ups are (both roughly $60.) Is it just set up that UPS and FedEx are more commercial friendly and drop discounts for frequent shippers?

Typically I like the way packages from fedex arrive more than UPS or USPS, but I've had bad shipments from all three (busted boxes and whatnot) so can't really say anyones been perfect.

 

[reefpeeper]

I just used ups for overnight and the **** box sat at the ups store a whole day before it was picked up. Now it is a two day package. I used usps also in the past and they are way cheaper than everybody else. I think every company screws up at some point

 

[CJO]

I've had good and bad from all three. The UPS guy will give me a call if I leave a note to meet up.

Someone who shipped me corals said that they only use USPS because they have climate controlled facilities for the packages, whereas the rest are not. I'm not sure whether that is true or not.

CJ

 

[benny z]

fedex

 

[FRAGJUNKY]

I switch back and forth between FedEx and USPS.

FedEx has the reputation for being the most reliable and I've never had a FedEx shipment delayed. But, I did take one box to a drop off center and instead of taking my box and placing it on the shelf gently, the lady took the box (it was a 4x6x6 box) and despite the fact that it says in big red print "PERISHABLE THIS SIDE UP"... she rolled it across the floor like a bowling ball and it landed by the foot of the shelf with a bunch of other boxes! I know it goes on behind the scenes but c'mon! So much for better service with a much higher price tag...

USPS on the other hand.. they have this guaranteed overnight delivery time now. Most zip codes fall into the next day by 12pm or next day by 3pm. If it gets there past that time they give you a refund, no questions asked. Ive only had 1 package delayed and it was due to the weather but it got there and the shipping cost was reimbursed. The cost however, is about half of what it costs to ship FedEx -- and you don't need to send a million packages a week to get that price like you do with FedEx.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

I use usps and when I come in the ladies are always curious as to what I am shipping. They like to hear my live coral stories. Also are you sure there is a no liquid policy? They ask me and I say yes and then I say that I have it packed very well so there is no leaks. I have shipped live coral from 4 different area usps stores around me. I have had the best luck with usps as well. Go figure.

 

[Troylee]

I'll give USPS a shot and see what happens.... You can't hear the water since I use specimen cups and I don't think they would ever leak unless it got completely squashed...

 

[shred5]

I took ups because fed ex made a mistake once.. One of my packages was dripping a little water so they held it and did not deliver it..
That was the only problem I have had with any shipper when it came to livestock.

Dave Polzin

 

[FRAGJUNKY]

Ive read thru USPS shipping regulations about 10 times now and there is nothing regulating the shipment of live coral. They do require that it be packaged appropriately but nothing in thier rule book says that you can not ship. Incase anyone wants to read through.... 526 Mailable Live Animals

Also, something I find a little odd is that you CAN send tadpoles and fish, which obviouslly need to be in water, yet their signs at the post office say no liquids... Honestly I think the cashiers are the biggest problem.. each one has thier own rules and whats ok and whats not ok... Anyway, I just say no when they ask if there is liquid.. I've never had a problem.. as long as you package it well and your stuff doesn't leak.

 

[KLR]

Thought this was interesting.

In fedex policy you can not ship live animals without retail and pet shipping license,same for UPS,but the catch is

Fedex considers corals animals,ive had a few packages turned down for this reason but UPS does not consider corals animals. Another reason why I like UPS.

 

[Troylee]

I gotta switch fed ex is killing me.... 75$+ every time I ship it's not good and I have only shipped 4 boxes in my life and 1 was delayed and killed... gotta refund the guy today....

 

[btkrausen]

I mentioned on another thread, but if anybody has trouble with UPS, where they are holding in Louisville, feel free to let me know, and I'll do what I can to either pick and keep alive or whatever you need. I can get to the hub in about 20 min or less from home, and 10 min from work. Always happy to help.

 

[Troylee]

Now we just have to cross our fingers it gets stuck at the hub lol.... I will definitely keep that in mind...

 

[Reef Breeders Verified Sponsor]

I know my usps guy, he knows what Im doing and lets me ship phyto all the time. Whenever it gets marked liquid it never arrives I have to resend it, and it is no fun having no phyto left over for your tank, believe me.