Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have purchased an adult snow corn, and had him shipped on Wednesday for Thursday arrival. But as you can see, today is Friday and I still haven't received him.

UPS says they delivered it. But to where, no one knows. So after calling UPS for a total of 6 times, I finally lose my temper and asking to speak to the manager, I am finally able to start an investigation into where my package has gone. And to send the driver back out to get it and get it to MY house.

Is shipping snakes prohibited by UPS? I have searched and searched, and I can't find written proof that non-venomous snakes are prohibited by UPS.

Just had to vent my frustration over it all. Each time I call, I get a different answer, and frankly its making me quite angry. Because it's my money out there on someone's doorstep..and UPS is taking their sweet time in processing my claim. The last time estimate I heard was, "it could be Monday before we find it". Lovely. I think the only things on my side are : good weather and the fact that it's an adult snake.

Sorry for ranting, just had to blow off some steam before I drive the 25 miles to the UPS depot and start something I might regret later.
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~*Taceas*~
rain@mainecoon.net

"And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti." - The Boondock Saints

After not finding a darn thing about snakes on their web site, I emailed UPS customer service. this is the reply I received.

"Thank you for your inquiry. Some live animals may be accepted
for shipment to U.S. domestic destinations with prior approval
by UPS. The following kinds of live animals are not handled in
UPS domestic ground or air services:

Live birds (including poultry)
Live warm-blooded animals, including, but not limited to, mice,
rats, rabbits, dogs, cats, hamsters, or guinea pigs.
All snakes, poisonous and non-poisonous
Poisonous reptiles
Poisonous insects
All spiders"

Also, I contacted my local UPS branch manager and he is not willing to work with me on this.

I think I may be getting somewhere on this.

I called back and asked about the status of my tracer, and the girl I talked to said it'd be 8 days before anything for certain is found out. I'm like "8 days?!".

So I told her there was a live animal in shipment, she asked what kind..so I kind of fibbed here, I said a tortise. What it is shouldn't matter, the fact remains that it's alive and lost due to their error.

It's their ignorance (UPS and other shippers) on the matter of snakes that make people have to sneak around to get business done. They need to print up some papers that the sender has to sign stating that the snake is non-venomous and that they hold sole responsibility for anything that may occur in transit. Just a "Free Get Out of Jail" card so to speak.

Anyway, I got to speak to a supervisor which called the center that my route truck is based out of. They then notified the driver and I should hear something back within the next 30 mins or so. Hopefully he remembers where he forgot it. =P

Wish me luck!
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~*Taceas*~
rain@mainecoon.net

"And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti." - The Boondock Saints

.

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alstiver@hotmail.com

1.0 '01 hypo snow
0.1 '02 ghost (pastel)
1.1 '02 bloodred