The distance we'll go for our beardies! (Shipping nightmare)

[disturb3d0n3]

Those of you who haven't read my introduction, I'm expecting a beautiful little leatherback 7 week old female whom I've already named Daenerys. She was shipped wed evening.. somewhere along the way someone screwed up. I was supposed to receive her guaranteed by 3pm. Long story short after multiple phone calls to the USPS customer service and multiple calls to the local post office my little angel is still in St Louis, MO (2.5 hours away from me) granted I could wait till 2am when she finally arrives in Cdale but I can't bear to wait any longer. I'm not even guaranteed she's still alive! All I can do is think the worst.

So I arranged with the postal workers to remove her from the truck and hold onto her. I've been awake since 4am stressing over not receiving her yesterday hoping I would get her today. (I even called into work today) We are now driving a 5 hour round trip to St Louis. Packed a micro-enclosure for her with food and other essentials. I'm already so attached to her and I haven't even met her yet! My advice to others is NEVER ship USPS this experience has been not pleasant to say the least! I've always received my reptiles through FedEx and they've always been superior! Granted the USPS workers have been awesome esp after I mention the word live reptile they jump fast lol.. Has anyone else ever had to endure such a stressful situation?

 

[disturb3d0n3]

One other concern, she's only 7 weeks old I'm assuming the breeder fed her before he shipped her but the thought that a baby beardie who normally eats 3x a day hasn't ate for two scares me to death! I know they're hardy but also so fragile at this age

 

[Esther19]

I am so sorry this is happening to you and your little one. She is probably still asleep and doesn't even know she is late.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

Oh I hope so! I just keep imagining how stressed she is being bounced around in a small box for two days

 

[Gail]

Its not just the USPS, all shipping companies have boxes that end up in the wrong place at times. I'm sure she is fine, its only been 2 days. I've had reptiles that I shipped get lost for nearly a week and arrived safe. A couple days without food won't hurt her, I'd be more concerned about getting her hydrated once she is home.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

We brought water with us, we're about 20 minutes away from the post office. We'll see how she acts and maybe try to let her soak in water when we get home just to be sure if she is dehydrated we can fix it.

 

[Mistyck]

Who did you buy from that thought it would be ok to ship a live animal via USPS? That's inconsiderate of the animal and is a rip off to the customer. I wouldn't deal with a person that doesn't ship either UPS or Fedex...They could have used http://www.shipyourreptiles.com or another similar company, but no...they had to put the animal's life in danger, all to save some money. USPS does not guarantee shipping by a certain time, or date, they can guesstimate, but they do not guarantee anything... How irresponsible of the seller/shipper... :roll:

 

[disturb3d0n3]

She's alive! And so darn cute all the postal workers wanted to see her even talked one into going to the St Louis reptile convention on the 14th

 

[Esther19]

Yay! Thanks for letting us know. Thankfully, it was a happy ending.

 

[beardie parents]

Thank God she's o.k.! I was concerned when I read your first post as I heard something like this but it didn't turn out good because this beardie was left at the post office all weekend long. I agree, tho. I would never, ever ship a reptile via the USPS.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

No problem I'm glad it was too! Everyone will definitely be updated on her progress as she grows

 

[disturb3d0n3]

Yeah I wasn't happy when I saw on the ticket that she was marked 2nd day instead of next, even then she was still supposed to be delivered today by 3pm. I was just imagining the worst! Just so relieved we have her and she's safe

 

[Sauzo]

Bad call using USPS to ship reptiles imo. Even FedEx and UPS can screw up at times. I had FedEx deliver Harley to me and after waiting til 10:30 am and still no arrival, I opened my door and there was a FedEx door sticker on my door. I went ballistic since I was at home and upstairs sitting my living room waiting for a door knock or doorbell and nothing. I called and lost it with their customer service gal since it sounded like she was giving me the runaround. Then in about 5 mins, the boss called me back and said that the driver would be back to my house in 15 mins with the lizard. Sure enough he was and when I opened the box, a bright little red/orange head poked out at me. Since then Harley has been spoiled. It's so very true what we will do for our little beardies. It's almost like they are our kids haha :lol: Anyways glad your little one ended up ok and 2nd day sticker on her box?! That on top of USPS...it is inconsiderate to the animal imo.

 

[disturb3d0n3]

I couldn't agree more!Glad to hear your story had a happy ending I would've been upset too!

I was very hesitant when the breeder said USPS, I even said I prefer FedEx or UPS but he insisted saying that he always uses them and that the others are so expensive. I definitely was a little upset when I saw 2nd Day, especially since it said they charged him $30 (He didn't charge me shipping, but I told him I would've paid extra for FedEx) He also didn't return my call when I left a voicemail telling him I was going to pick her up. Probably not someone I'll do business with again, but I did get a beautiful, spunky little bearded dragon

She's been chowing down crickets like a boss! I also tried our first bath (to also help insure she wasn't dehydrated) She didn't know how to act at first until I put a little water on her head and then she was like oh! I can drink this! And I never thought I'd be so happy to see poop! lol It looked pretty healthy, urates and all

She's currently opening her mouth, I know with my iguana that usually means their cage is too hot... however the basking temperature is only at 104.3 (because I turned it off to get her out, but it has been averaging 110) is she just being silly or should I be concerned?



I decided to put a little water on her and she stopped... but she didn't do that last night and that's where she laid all night.

 

[beardie parents]

I wouldn't worry to much yet. You will get to learn what temps she prefers. When we got Lil Squirt last November 7th I was told she was used to temps between 106 and 108. Squirt doesn't seem to like it as hot now but she turned one year on June 18th.