Hi,



I bought a beardie from an online breeder that came highly recommended through a friend of mine who has used them more than once. The beardie was shipped on Thursday and I was told it was to arrive by noon on Friday. It didn't. I tracked it online, and the website said it was to arrive by 3:00 pm, NOT noon. It still didn't arrive. I called DHL, told them I had to leave the house for a few hours but that my shipment didn't arrive in time and it was a live animal and I felt I needed to be home when it arrived so I could get it out of the box and take care of it. She said someone would call my cell phone. No one did. TODAY, three days later, the poor thing finally arrived. It was alive, but barely. Very dehydrated, skin peeling, lethargic, etc. So I misted him, gave him greens and RepCal pellets, turned on his heat lamp and light, and talked to him. He seems to be doing better this evening.



However, I emailed the breeder to tell them the poor thing just arrived and that they need to file a claim or at least complain to DHL. They said they would and they (breeders) were very pleasant and helpful. I even emailed again to ask a question, which they kindly answered.



However, I was thinking that since the beardie didn't arrive when expected, I should get my shipping money back. Especially since he arrived in such poor condition. So I noticed that nowhere on the box does it say the box contains a live animal. So I called DHL to ask them their requirements for shipping live animals. The rep looked it up for me and said live animal shipments, including reptiles, are prohibited. I didn't give her any details, just said I was curious in case I wanted to ship a lizard one day.



So, after all that typing, my question is, do I have a case to get my shipping money back? This breeder MUST have known they were shipping the animal illegally. Therefore, I'm sure they are not planning to file a claim with DHL. What would they say in the claim? My live animal delivered on time and therefore it was sick from being in a box with no food or water or heat for four days?



What would you do?



Gwen

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