Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I currently ship using styrofoam insulated shipping boxes I buy from Superior Industries. Before shipping costs went so high I routinely used their 12 inch box to ship one to six small snakes at a time. A couple years ago they started selling a smaller 7x7x7 box. I thought that seemed really small but I have been using them for shipping one or two small snakes and they work great. I do make stealth air holes in all the small boxes I ship. A couple times recently I have had the dreaded Fedex ____up where they lose the box somewhere in the ozone layer overnight and it gets delayed a full day. The snakes were fine. They would probably be fine in a box for many days if it did not get exposed to extreme temperatures. The shipping companies charge based upon weight and cubic inches of the box. The one pound classification is for boxes less than a pound and less than 192 cubic inches. The 7x7x7 box is 343 cubic inches so it gets charged as two pounds even though it weighs less than a pound. I have been thinking about buying boxes that are 8x6x4 (exactly 192 cubic inches) and cutting insulation to fit them. I hate that I have to charge buyers so much for shipping. I usually charge enough for shipping that I lose a couple dollas on the deal. Going to the smaller box will save a few dollars. I know that a single small snake can ship safely in a very small box but I am concerned that buyers may view such a small box as too small and unsafe. Perception is reality. What are your thoughts on this? If I shipped a single small snake to you in a box that was 8x6x4 would that "seem" too small to you? And, what do you think about the shipping package you have gotten buying reptiles from other sellers? Anyone using really small boxes?
Thanks,
Jeff
ps....I did not put this on the shipping forum because I want to know what high class Rainbow Boa people think rather than the opinions of the unwashed masses.

Well, first off I did take a shower this morning so am all washed and clean!!! Honest!!!

IMO the smaller boxes are fine, anything you can do to cut costs (and pass that savings on to your customers) should be viewed as a good thing. My recent shipment of 4 yearling monstertail BCI's from Jeff Ronne came in smallish box, probably a 9" cube?? Not much extra room in there but then again, extra room is not necessary.

I use the same 12x9x6 shipping boxes and have been thinking I should get in a order of the smaller ones for the smaller shipments.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I recieved a yearling Thayeri Kingsnake in a 9x6x4(or close to it) box from a breeder getting out of breeding. The package seemed fine to me. I think that as long as tere is room for the styrofoam and some loose padding then it will look fine.

Sean.
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1.1 BRB
1.1 Triple Het TPRS's
0.1 Silver TPRS
1.1 Amel Bloodred Corns
0.1 Abbott Okeetee Corn
0.1 Blizzard Bloodred Corn
1.1 Thayeri Kingsnakes
0.1 Reeve's Turtle
0.2 Amstaff's
1.0 Pudytat

I think that size seems fine for 1 or 2 small snakes, especially if they're in the deli cups and have newspaper packing and insulation sheets cut to fit the box.

Things that give me a better feeling about a transaction is clean containers and packing materials, absorbent materials in the snake's actual enclosure, some newspaper or something so the snake wont bounce around and any kind of documentation or paperwork. The size of the shipping box may initially raise the occasional eyebrow, but finding the snake secure and healthy in clean surroundings with feeding records will quickly dispel any thoughts of the box size. I personally think that size box is fine.

my .02
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Julie

Surrounded by a bunch of BRB, some Ridleyi, a few Grey Banded Kings, Australian Cattle Dogs, a Belgian Malinois, assorted Mustelids and an incredibly tolerant male human.

LOL, Hey Julie, are you using my packaging to describe? Sounds exactly like what I sent you with your babies!!!
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
26.49 BRB
20.21 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Jeff,
First off I think that a one or two baby snakes would ship just fine in smaller boxes like you described.
As for your concerns about buyers reactions to the smaller boxes, I think the best thing for that, is to let them know up front what size box will be arriving and why you use the smaller size.
I belive that most customers would appriciate that you are being conscientious of the shipping charges that they will ultimately have to pay. Secondly it allows them to voice any concerns or questions that that they may have about the smaller size up front and then they could always decide, up front, to pay extra for a larger box if their concerns are that great.
I believe that customers who get all the info first and know exactly what to expect from you are usually pretty happy customers at the end.
Take care, Milo

hey thats a good point let them know first off if you think they might have an issue with smaller boxes, then its on them if they dont trust a small box let them pay the little extra
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-Stephen-

0.1 soon to be wifey (hopefully)
1.0 rotwiler/chow (Boomer-wifey's pooch)
1.0 norm corn (Jake aka grumpy old terdhead)
0.1 col redtail boa (Dixie-my baby girl)
0.1 ball python (Bella- wifey's baby girl)
0.1 Brazilian Rainbow Boa (Saphira)

hopeful for not to distant future:
--Brazilian rainbow boas
2 or 3 more? maybe a breeding trio or two pair
-- something for the wifey... my list got to big...

Jeff,

As long as the snake arrives healthy, I don't think the size of the box would even be a factor for me. I can't imagine the difference in volume would put the snake at any greater risk.

Thanks,
Ed

>>I currently ship using styrofoam insulated shipping boxes I buy from Superior Industries. Before shipping costs went so high I routinely used their 12 inch box to ship one to six small snakes at a time. A couple years ago they started selling a smaller 7x7x7 box. I thought that seemed really small but I have been using them for shipping one or two small snakes and they work great. I do make stealth air holes in all the small boxes I ship. A couple times recently I have had the dreaded Fedex ____up where they lose the box somewhere in the ozone layer overnight and it gets delayed a full day. The snakes were fine. They would probably be fine in a box for many days if it did not get exposed to extreme temperatures. The shipping companies charge based upon weight and cubic inches of the box. The one pound classification is for boxes less than a pound and less than 192 cubic inches. The 7x7x7 box is 343 cubic inches so it gets charged as two pounds even though it weighs less than a pound. I have been thinking about buying boxes that are 8x6x4 (exactly 192 cubic inches) and cutting insulation to fit them. I hate that I have to charge buyers so much for shipping. I usually charge enough for shipping that I lose a couple dollas on the deal. Going to the smaller box will save a few dollars. I know that a single small snake can ship safely in a very small box but I am concerned that buyers may view such a small box as too small and unsafe. Perception is reality. What are your thoughts on this? If I shipped a single small snake to you in a box that was 8x6x4 would that "seem" too small to you? And, what do you think about the shipping package you have gotten buying reptiles from other sellers? Anyone using really small boxes?
>>Thanks,
>>Jeff
>>ps....I did not put this on the shipping forum because I want to know what high class Rainbow Boa people think rather than the opinions of the unwashed masses.

1. Would a smaller box be easier for the shipping company to misplace? (probably not)

2. Would a smaller box be more vulnerable in transit ? (with the Styrofoam cut to fit properly probably not)

These may be concerns of the buyer.

I received a neonate tiger retic in a VERY small box that was nearly crushed, deli cup open and snake loose in box.

Luckily no damage was done to the snake. The guy (I will call him idiot) forgot to use Styrofoam making the box very vulnerable to becoming damaged in transit.

I would say if you could "test" your shipping box to make sure they are tough enough to not be easily smashed, there is no harm in using a box that easily accommodates a snake. Less space equals less room for the snake(s) to be jarred in transit.

I know you would obviously use the Styrofoam and not just ship a box without support. But the buyer may need reassurance.

The last thing you want to do is put a black eye on your reputation over something as silly as a customer who likes to talk crap over an issue that didn't endanger the snake in any way what so ever.

Which is what could happen if you surprise them with the smaller box and they develop a tude about it or try to make stuff up.

>>I currently ship using styrofoam insulated shipping boxes I buy from Superior Industries. Before shipping costs went so high I routinely used their 12 inch box to ship one to six small snakes at a time. A couple years ago they started selling a smaller 7x7x7 box. I thought that seemed really small but I have been using them for shipping one or two small snakes and they work great. I do make stealth air holes in all the small boxes I ship. A couple times recently I have had the dreaded Fedex ____up where they lose the box somewhere in the ozone layer overnight and it gets delayed a full day. The snakes were fine. They would probably be fine in a box for many days if it did not get exposed to extreme temperatures. The shipping companies charge based upon weight and cubic inches of the box. The one pound classification is for boxes less than a pound and less than 192 cubic inches. The 7x7x7 box is 343 cubic inches so it gets charged as two pounds even though it weighs less than a pound. I have been thinking about buying boxes that are 8x6x4 (exactly 192 cubic inches) and cutting insulation to fit them. I hate that I have to charge buyers so much for shipping. I usually charge enough for shipping that I lose a couple dollas on the deal. Going to the smaller box will save a few dollars. I know that a single small snake can ship safely in a very small box but I am concerned that buyers may view such a small box as too small and unsafe. Perception is reality. What are your thoughts on this? If I shipped a single small snake to you in a box that was 8x6x4 would that "seem" too small to you? And, what do you think about the shipping package you have gotten buying reptiles from other sellers? Anyone using really small boxes?
>>Thanks,
>>Jeff
>>ps....I did not put this on the shipping forum because I want to know what high class Rainbow Boa people think rather than the opinions of the unwashed masses.

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Roberts Realm Of Reptile Research
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Thanks,

I opened my mouth and out flowed a melody black.

Good question.
The only thing that makes me wonder is whether the extra air within the larger box makes the safety of the snakes better due to the empty (although stuffed) space because of the air being a buffer for both heat and cold. I tend to believe the air pockets would create a more "forgiving" margin of error from extreme temps if delayed during transit.

>>I currently ship using styrofoam insulated shipping boxes I buy from Superior Industries. Before shipping costs went so high I routinely used their 12 inch box to ship one to six small snakes at a time. A couple years ago they started selling a smaller 7x7x7 box. I thought that seemed really small but I have been using them for shipping one or two small snakes and they work great. I do make stealth air holes in all the small boxes I ship. A couple times recently I have had the dreaded Fedex ____up where they lose the box somewhere in the ozone layer overnight and it gets delayed a full day. The snakes were fine. They would probably be fine in a box for many days if it did not get exposed to extreme temperatures. The shipping companies charge based upon weight and cubic inches of the box. The one pound classification is for boxes less than a pound and less than 192 cubic inches. The 7x7x7 box is 343 cubic inches so it gets charged as two pounds even though it weighs less than a pound. I have been thinking about buying boxes that are 8x6x4 (exactly 192 cubic inches) and cutting insulation to fit them. I hate that I have to charge buyers so much for shipping. I usually charge enough for shipping that I lose a couple dollas on the deal. Going to the smaller box will save a few dollars. I know that a single small snake can ship safely in a very small box but I am concerned that buyers may view such a small box as too small and unsafe. Perception is reality. What are your thoughts on this? If I shipped a single small snake to you in a box that was 8x6x4 would that "seem" too small to you? And, what do you think about the shipping package you have gotten buying reptiles from other sellers? Anyone using really small boxes?
>>Thanks,
>>Jeff
>>ps....I did not put this on the shipping forum because I want to know what high class Rainbow Boa people think rather than the opinions of the unwashed masses.

Thanks for this post, as hopefully I will need boxes in a year.

I would think the smaller boxes would be fine - especially if they are still lined.

It is the extreme temps that will cause issues, and I do not feel the box size will make that much of a difference in the extreme temps. A larger box with more Styrofoam will take longer to get hot or cold , but will also take longer to get back to regular temps too.

The stealth holes you put in are great - and I plan to copy it when I ship!

BTW - I had a class in package engineering in college - the good news is that everyone on this forum has packed the snake I have bought very well!
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Mike

7.13 BRB
1.2 Spotted Python
1.0 Cal. King