awkward moments at fedex/ups

cairo11 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 07:42 AM

Any stories of awkward moments/ or employees before shipping or recieving frogs at fedex/ ups?

Tony · #2 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 09:32 AM

My local FedEx station has one woman who always seems to be on duty when I need to go there and she has a big chip on her shoulder over live shipments. She has refused my outgoing shipments, stating that FedEx does not accept shipments containing styrofoam (typical foam lined shipping box) and tried to keep me from picking up a shipment of frogs because she was unable to verify if the shipper had a live animal certification. My last two cricket shipments were marked with a delivery exception stating that they arrived too late to go out for delivery. I called and was told that I had to drive out to pick them up (45 mile round trip), then when I got there she told me they were out for delivery and I had to race home to beat the driver there. Now I drive to the next closest FedEx station when I need to, it is an extra 15 miles but I've never had an issue there.

ZookeeperDoug · #3 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 03:01 PM

The lady at the FedEx in El Paso here was really nice. She was really uhm, ok I'll just say it, HOT, too. And flirty. I had to do the old "play with the wedding band" trick. I didn't mention frogs or anything live as I have read some horror stories.

Tony. That sucks. She's probably within her right and doing her job as she see fit but I'd call and complain. Sounds like she's singled you out for harassment. I wouldn't stand for that. Let her boss know or at least THINK, that you have a choice in shippers and that you don't appreciate her harassment.

When I was working in the fish business, I would have to pick up shipments of fish late at night or super early in the morning. They have people picking up all kinds of perishables and other live stuff. I found a little "bribe" went a long way. I'd stop by Krispy Kreme/Duncan in the morning and bring the loading dock guys and the front desk clerks a dozen donuts and or kolaches. My fish boxes were always the first on the forklift and into my cargovan/truck. I will say tho, the people that work in Air Cargo, at least in Houston, seem to be some of the wierdest throwbacks you'll ever meet. Very interesting and strange. Some of the conversations I've had while waiting for fish to come off a plane. WOW.

Boondoggle · #4 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 03:55 PM

Back when UPS didn't really have live shipment rules set in stone, and was more of an "ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies" situation, I was breeding snakes. I'd been told at the time by a UPS employee that things would just go much easier If I didn't tell them what I was shipping...so that was the way I conducted business at the time.

I shipped out a HUGE active Russian Rat Snake I had raised to adulthood. It may have been the largest snake I ever shipped. It was in a large box and very well packed. I put the box on the counter/scale and just as I told the woman that it was stemware, the box shifted violently to the left.

I threw my forearm over the box and we both pretended we hadn't seen that.

BTW the snake reached it's destination on time and safe.

Allyn Loring · #5 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 05:36 PM

I feel I have to expand this to include USPS also!My very first ship out didn't raise any eyebrows ,however the second shipment did!That second shipment it was like, WHAT are you doing, WHATS in that box! WHO let this through the first time!WAIT a minute!SHOW me whats in there!I have to check with the legal department!I'm going to get my boss!I had to talk to the Postmaster attached to that P.O. !!All the while sweating that i was going to be screwed!................................Then wow I didn't know frogs like that even existed ,those are cool , so pretty ,how do I get some,how much do they cost, how do I contact you,what do you do with them,do you eat them?!!!!And I also get the curious person in line behind me..what are you shipping live?So I find myself carrying pictures with me to satisfy the curious!
I'm such a regular there they know me by name...................

ZookeeperDoug · #6 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 05:54 PM

So if you're sending frogs and they ask what you're sending? What do you tell them? NunYA? None of your business? Or do you just lie? Are you honest and hope for the best?

cairo11 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 06:44 PM

Educational material!!! You want me to open it? Ok, but I have some very expensive temperature packs and once the box opens, they be set off..will you reinburst me???..then theyll back the f off...

Ed · #8 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 06:58 PM

As whenever these discussions come up, I hope people have been talking about hypothetical examples as lying as to the contents of a package that is being shipped is a violation of the Lacey Act, under the mismarking regulations.

Allyn Loring · #9 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 07:17 PM

ALL my frog shipments have LIVE ANIMAL in black marker written on four of the six sides of the boxes I send !Honesty is a virtue I personally take pride in carrying with me............!Just to let everyone know!

cairo11 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-03-2011, 07:41 PM

Honesty does pay off...as I always label my boxes with " live tropical frog" and arrows up...and everytime Ive had every shipment accepted up until they hired this girl that seems to be 50% all there.... Not once has she not busted out the blade trying to open every box and making calls and even questioning her own boss who in person proceeses my shipments. And by the all not there remark, I mean does she forger seeing me there the day before and the day before that, or is she just another one out to get me? Should I let her open my box everytime and risk damaging insulation and ship a dead frog?