Bumming Big Time

[jpc763]

So I bought some frags that were shipped via USPS to Colorado. They shipped Express Mail overnight and were supposed to arrive today before 3pm. This is the first time I have bought anything alive (except Chaeto).
Well it is now 5:15 and the mail man has come and gone. No package

Colorado weather is mild right now. Mid 50's, but it dips into the 30's at night. Tomorrow (Friday) is supposed to be 10 degrees cooler with a chance of snow.
So the package contained Zoos and a Favia. Heat packs are supposed to be included, but it will be 40-50 hours between packing and receipt.
I figure that the Zoos will make it, but what about the Favia?
I am really bummed about this and probably will not order anything again. I will just have to rely on the LFS.
This just sucks.

 

[fatcat]

Did you get them from SWF.com????????

 

[amyandbrandon2]

USPS is just terrible! Theres still a chance that everything will still be okay! My Zoas, and shrooms made it three days in 30 degrees and below so just keep on the positive side! It might take the Zoas a few days to adjust to your tank if they aren't doa. It took mine 4+ days to fully open all the way after being shipped.
Let us know when they get to you, and if they make it

 

[groupergenius]

This is why all of our livestock shipments should be insured.
Sure, the loss of life is bad enough. But losing one's money because the carrier dropped the ball is double pain.

 

[bronco300]

unfortunately this happens...hopefully it doesnt steer you away from getting corals from fellow reefers, etc....but thats just try a different shipping company then like ups or likewise that has some better guarantees usually

 

[jpc763]

I did not buy them from SWF.com. It was a Tyree Favia from a fellow reefer. He got the package to the shipper before the cut off. USPS just did not follow through.
Here is the message I get when putting the number in... Same message since yesterday.
Status: Electronic Shipping Info Received
The U.S. Postal Service was electronically notified by the shipper on March 12, 2008 to expect your package for mailing. This does not indicate receipt by the USPS or the actual mailing date. Delivery status information will be provided if / when available. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.
J

 

[bronco300]

yea, usps isnt good with updating their info until after you receive it...are you sure you were in the next day zone? usps doesnt always guarantee express to be next day

 

[jrthomas40]

like bronco said you have to make sure when shipping usps that the place being shipped is in the overnight zone and usually it will say when you do the quote what day the express will be delivered on

 

[bronco300]

or it'll say overnight to most areas underlined...you click on that and you can input the shippers address and yours and it'll give you timeframe.

 

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by Bronco300
http:///forum/post/2517394
yea, usps isnt good with updating their info until after you receive it...are you sure you were in the next day zone? usps doesnt always guarantee express to be next day
Yes, it said that it would be delivered by 3pm today when I ran the quote. The shipper was in Florida.

 

[nacl freak]

Same thing happened to my shipment. I purchased from fellow reefer on this site. Shipped out USPS on a Mon., received Thur. afternoon. Never could track. Received same message you did. Two of the three frags did not make it

shipped from FL. to AL

 

[renogaw]

i'll be honest, i've had issues shipping into florida, there's something about their post offices that delay shipments.
BUT, USPS guarantees the shipper at the time of dropping off at the post office the date and time it will be delivered. your shipper needs to go get his/her money back and reimburse you for it.
this date is also on the express delivery slip--when you get the box check to see when the post office told your shipper it would arrive, and see if your shipper dropped the ball.

 

[jpc763]

Thanks all for the input. The status has chaged to reflect that the package is now in Denver and I expect it to be delivered today. I will check the receipt and discuss with the carrier today.
I expect the zoos will make it. I really hope the Favia makes it

 

[amyandbrandon2]

Originally Posted by jpc763
http:///forum/post/2517677
Thanks all for the input. The status has chaged to reflect that the package is now in Denver and I expect it to be delivered today. I will check the receipt and discuss with the carrier today.
I expect the zoos will make it. I really hope the Favia makes it

We'll keep our fingers crossed for you

Make sure to keep us posted!

 

[jpc763]

So the box arrived at Noon. I have spent a little over an hour carefully unpackaging and documenting.
First of all, they were packaged very well. Double bagged, styro lined box and a heat pack (with no more heat in it). The water temp was 64 when I measured it.

I think the Zoos are going to make it. They are closed but looking like they will open.

The Favia, I am not sure.

Here is a pic.

Sorry about the crappy pics. My good camera took today off.
The good news is that none of the cleanup crew have been around so at least they don't think the coral is dead!
We shall see.

 

[jpc763]

Here are two more pics. The Zoos are definitely alive

The Favia is looking better and better. It is puffing up a little. Anybody know what the white things coming off of it are?

Thanks, John

 

[coraljunky]

I think we got lucky this time John. I shipped out more frags yesterday and had a few words with a postal employee. Needless to say, it was enough for me to open a Fedex account. Keep me posted. I've had dead coral sent to me before, I know how it feels to lose money. I back every frag I sell/trade, even shipping.
Justin

 

[amyandbrandon2]

The zoos seem to be adjusting to their new home quite well!

Sorry I can't help much with the favia, but I'm sure someone will chime in.
Congrats on your coral! You'll have to start a diary thread so we can see what they look like in a few months!

-Amy

 

[jpc763]

Originally Posted by amyandbrandon2 http:///forum/post/2518730

The zoos seem to be adjusting to their new home quite well!

Sorry I can't help much with the favia, but I'm sure someone will chime in.
Congrats on your coral! You'll have to start a diary thread so we can see what they look like in a few months!

-Amy
Amy, you asked and here it is! These two new corals are not in there, but all my other stuff is!
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/281394/my-55g-tank
Originally Posted by coraljunky http:///forum/post/2518482
I think we got lucky this time John. I shipped out more frags yesterday and had a few words with a postal employee. Needless to say, it was enough for me to open a Fedex account. Keep me posted. I've had dead coral sent to me before, I know how it feels to lose money. I back every frag I sell/trade, even shipping.
Justin
Justin (Coraljunky) was the seller. The stuff is awsome, the prices were great, the packaging was fantastic. If only USPS were as good as Justin is! I would buy from him again in a minute.

 

[cmaxwell39]

The post office is the worst about it,but the other shipping companies are not without fault. I bought some zoos from a guy and he wouldn't ship them USPS because they wouldn't guarentee overnight delivery. I had to pay extra for UPS shipping and it took UPS two days on what was supposed to be overnight guarented shipping. I think all the frags made it, although it has been almost two weeks and they are still not opening up all the way. Each day is a little better though so I think they are going to make it. It is such a bummer to pay good money for overnight shipping to have the shipping carrier drop the ball.