Shipping Dilemma

[REM955]

Here is the current story:
I bought from a guy in California a Woma Python hatchling. Paid in full including shipping and packaging.
Currently, it looks like FedEx dropped the ball and I was supposed to get the python today at 10:30am. Turns out they missed the plane ride and now she is somewhere in Indianapolis and she will get here tomorrow around noon.
I have heard from other parties (breeder/ShipYourReptiles) that the python should end up fine despite the increased time away. Likely will be a bit more stressed is all. I am hoping this remains to be the case.
Here is what has caught my attention: The breeder said that he did not put the full amount of the payment onto the python's insurance; Only about 60% of it. Perhaps this was my mistake in not looking at a full set of terms, but the difference is not going to be my loss is it?
Considering that this did start on Fauna I should keep this over there. Should that be appropriate, I understand. Otherwise, I would like some confirmation that what the other two parties has said is correct, though I have no reason to think they are dishonest.
And criticisms towards my way as well should also be accepted.:O_o:

[Albert Clark]

Wow, sorry to hear this. I take it this was a private sale and not a reputable breeder or breeding facility? Usually SYR/ FedEx is pretty reliable. The SYR minimum insurance is 100.00 but if you paid by Paypal you have another recourse. I really think you and the animal will be fine provided the seller packed the animal correctly. I just recieved a shipment from someone who packaged the reptile with absolutely no air holes in the box or the internal styrofoam. A direct violation of the SYR guidelines. Thank goodness the animal was alive and well. Good luck and give us a update.

[jpsteele80]

I think the animal will be fine but i would definitely check to see if it was overnighted, FedEx doesn't make mistakes like that, there overnight packages have the highest priority and especially being a live animal they make sure to get it there. Check the weather in Indianapolis and make sure its not to hot and if it is call and ask if they can bring the package inside as its a live animal.

[REM955]

Wow, sorry to hear this. I take it this was a private sale and not a reputable breeder or breeding facility? Usually SYR/ FedEx is pretty reliable. The SYR minimum insurance is 100.00 but if you paid by Paypal you have another recourse. I really think you and the animal will be fine provided the seller packed the animal correctly. I just recieved a shipment from someone who packaged the reptile with absolutely no air holes in the box or the internal styrofoam. A direct violation of the SYR guidelines. Thank goodness the animal was alive and well. Good luck and give us a update.
Appears to be a small time breeder. And I did use PayPal.
I will be happy to provide an update. Ideally a happy one. Even the parents who don't care for the animal are not happy with this situation.

I think the animal will be fine but i would definitely check to see if it was overnighted, FedEx doesn't make mistakes like that, there overnight packages have the highest priority and especially being a live animal they make sure to get it there. Check the weather in Indianapolis and make sure its not to hot and if it is call and ask if they can bring the package inside as its a live animal.
It was in fact over-nighted. The breeder said he'd ship it Thursday and I'd get it Friday. I can see on the web site that the service being provided was "FedEx Priority Overnight".
From what it sounds like, they have made sure that the animal was brought inside. I did check the weather and it does match the middle of the temp range in the cage, though.

[REM955]

Update:
I checked the site to see the status. In Chicago/ at O'Hare.
Called in to see if I can pick it up.

The customer service told me they flew it to the wrong airport...

[pet_snake_78]

I don't accept shipments send on Thursdays, too much risk for me.

[bigsnakegirl785]

Appears to be a small time breeder. And I did use PayPal.
I will be happy to provide an update. Ideally a happy one. Even the parents who don't care for the animal are not happy with this situation.


It was in fact over-nighted. The breeder said he'd ship it Thursday and I'd get it Friday. I can see on the web site that the service being provided was "FedEx Priority Overnight".
From what it sounds like, they have made sure that the animal was brought inside. I did check the weather and it does match the middle of the temp range in the cage, though.

That's probably where the problems come from. I've had many breeders tell me they won't ship anywhere near Friday, because packages tend to get lost and delayed. It's best to have them not arrive any later than Thursday.

Sorry you're going through this trouble, I can imagine it's stressful with all these delays. :(

At this point, you'll be lucky to get him Saturday, you may not get him until Monday. This is not a good situation at all.

Fingers crossed no more hitches happen and he arrives Saturday safe and sound! Monday would be far too long of a time....

[REM955]

They have reassured me a number of times already that I will get the package Saturday.
Even so, this is one step below their highest level of service. (From what I read)
No Friday deliveries and consider someone else to deliver...

Worst case scenario I go pick her up at a distribution center today.

[EL Ziggy]

I don't accept shipments send on Thursdays, too much risk for me.

Same here. I never receive shipments so close to the weekend just in case of an error which could cause a package to be delayed until Monday. I hope he arrives in good condition today. Keep us posted.

[Albert Clark]

When I ship I make sure to schedule a Monday thru Wednesday drop off. I won't ship on Thursday at all! All my customers receive their animals on Thursday and no later.

[REM955]

ALIVE!
She has made a lap around the cage, looked at all the hides (no favorites =/), found AND drank water, and decided she would stay underneath the newspaper and do a lap like that.
After 36 hours.

So, what else should I check for in terms of health?
Tongue Flicking
Definitely Alert (Sized me up right when I got her out of the container through the deli cup)
No head bobs/ tail wags yet. (No food given yet. Waiting a week.)

Gah!

Also, the breeder said she was a month old. Doesn't she seem a little big for that?

[EL Ziggy]

That's great REM. I'm glad she arrived safe and sound. Best wishes with the new critter.

[Albert Clark]

Congrats! I really felt the both of you would be fine. This is great. I would just let her destress and unwind. I wouldn't even pick her up. IMO , just observe her closely for the next couple of days. Just give fresh water and spot clean when necessary. Consider feeding based on her last meal and how you feel about her adjustment to the new surroundings.

[REM955]

You know, I have another question now that she has settled down.
She doesn't want to try any of her hides.
She is sitting next to the big hide I intended to just use as a hot spot. -> I did check the temperature and it was set at 89 degrees not too far from it and the temp gun matches. The same area was measured with other temp gauges too.
Or could she just be tired?

Note: I did not secure the temp probe, but it has not moved since last night when fiddling with it.

[serpentgirl123]

So glad that she arrived safe and sound. I had a similar scare not too long ago, shipper did everything right, but the weather delays caused my snake to come a day later. Luckily everything was fine, but whew was it stressful lol. She is gorgeous by the way!

As to your hide question: It might be a bit too early to determine whether the hides are too big or not. Some of mine weren't used to them (breeder never used them) at first, but after the first meal or two, they did. Some never use them, rather just sit on top of them or around them. I have a few like that. But I always provide them on the off chance they might some day.

I would just be patient for another week or two (after the first or second meal) perhaps before deciding to change it up. She just went through a lot and changing the environment and going in and out of her enclosure constantly might not be the best way to de-stress her. Just my thoughts. ^_^

[jpsteele80]

Glad she arrived safe and doing good, it's always a sign of relief to know there safe and in your hands doing well. Keep us update on her

[REM955]

Thank you. She is doing well now that I turned the light off. Seems a bit more secure running around. I honestly would prefer her to be resting, but I think she knows better than me.
Except she is awfully curious about the doors...

[SWDK]

Glad it all worked out for you and the snake in the end. Like others have said, just let things be for a few days and do as little as possible to add any stress. Let the snake get used to its new environment and figure out what hides it likes and when it's ready to use them. Keep the fresh water available and make sure temp/humidity is good and that's about all you should need to do for the next few days. Best of luck!

[REM955]

Thank you all.
Let me share a photo that has me amused.
Everyone who has had a snake: :tired1_2: Yeah. They always try that if they can.
It is sealed off pretty tightly. She isn't going to find anything there.

[bigsnakegirl785]

What a silly snake! Definitely wouldn't attempt opening the door. lol

Sometimes active snakes just don't stay in hides, too. My retic would only use her hides off and on, now that she's in her T12 she uses them during the day and lays stretched out on her basking shelf at night. Any time I put just one foot in the snake room, she comes right out to look, too.

I've also found snakes tend to be especially antsy right after being shipped, they usually settle down a few hours to a few days later. I hear womas are fairly active, alert snakes, though, so she may not calm down too much. lol Beautiful girl and glad you got her home safe and sound!

[REM955]

She's at least sleeping now. In a shadow on the warm side... Still want to get in there and move thermometers around but I don't think she'll let me yet.
But yeah, I plan on waiting a couple days to do anything else. Tomorrow night I will drop in a thawed pinkie to see if she does anything with it.

[macandchz]

rem955-glad your new snake arrived and everything is ok. i've been looking for a new hide for mac. where did you get that one that sort of looks like a skull?

[REM955]

Which one would you be referring to? I know that most of the hides I have are ZooMed. There are the plaster-like ones and I have not seen them anywhere but the reptile specialty shop I visit on what seems to be a regular basis.

[macandchz]

rem- it's the tan one seen in the first 3 pics.

[REM955]

I mispoke. Exo Terra medium hide.
Here's a link to the same item, not where I got it from.
Exo Terra Reptile Cave Natural Hiding Place - Medium (http://www.bigalspets.com/reptile-cave-natural-hiding-place-medium.html?utm_source=Google+Products&utm_campaign=Google+Products+Datafeed&utm_medium=Comparison+Shopping&gclid=CMqQktervs0CFZKGaQodbWMJ2g)