Shipping Chams

So I've been watching you tube vids of people unboxing their chams when they come via delivery. First off, I'm amazed at how long it takes them to get the lil guy/girl out, lol. I know they're recording and explaining but, the anticipation would kill me.
Second, I'm getting a little turned off to the idea of ordering online. The chams come in these tiny boxes. Inside the tiny box they're in tiny plastic cups. I know chams are sensitive animals that get stressed easily. What can be more stressful than a tight bumpy travel. I understand that majority of people who order Rarely experience problems. I just have the strangest feeling, if i order online, I'm gonna receive an unhealthy or possibly Doa cham.

Most good companies like FLChams will give a warranty

jtesagain625 said:

So I've been watching you tube vids of people unboxing their chams when they come via delivery. First off, I'm amazed at how long it takes them to get the lil guy/girl out, lol. I know they're recording and explaining but, the anticipation would kill me.
Second, I'm getting a little turned off to the idea of ordering online. The chams come in these tiny boxes. Inside the tiny box they're in tiny plastic cups. I know chams are sensitive animals that get stressed easily. What can be more stressful than a tight bumpy travel. I understand that majority of people who order Rarely experience problems. I just have the strangest feeling, if i order online, I'm gonna receive an unhealthy or possibly Doa cham.

Click to expand...

Hi,
I can understand your concern but I can assure you that if you order from a sponsor here you should have nothing to worry about. Chameleons and most other reptiles are shipped in insulated boxes. The insulation also gives added rigidity to the box helping prevent collapse during shipment. The seller will also add heat or cool packs depending on the weather. As for the size of the container its better to have the Chameleon in a small deli cup or cloth bag to prevent it from getting tossed around in transit. The Chameleons will actually go to sleep once in the box and should come out eager for their new home
I've shipped out 70+ last year with 100% success rate and I guarantee you the volume of the larger breeders who have been doing it for a long time do it great.
If you were to purchase at a local shop the odds are that the Chameleon was shipped in the same manner to that destination.

With all of that being said I still get nervous every time I ship one out or have one headed my way

The last thing a good breeder wants to do after a year of incubating and raising a Cham is to just toss it in a box and send it off.

Good luck, it's always fun to open up the box and see your new little guy. Pictures never live up to the real thing

I've recieved 2 chams by way of shipping and both were adorably tucked in their sleeping position when I opened the box. Today I get my 3rd lil panther from Komeleoms and it's snowing like crazy outside! Will have pics later.

You can minimize the trip by shipping "hold at location" which keeps the little guy/girl off the delivery truck - and pick up at either a Fed Ex or a UPS location close to home- I did this with my one and only that I had shipped - It's also good to check the weather in Memphis TN before you ship though most good breeders will do this -
When I got my little guy he was dropped off at 6:30 and I picked him up just before 8 am -
With UPS it's a bit more of a chore you have it shipped and then go on line and change it to have them hold the package once it's shipped - with Fed Ex you just need to have it shipped to the location where you want them to hold it -for both you need identification. I had my shipped to my work as it's close to the pickup location - so I had a note on company letterhead that said I could pick it up - they didn't ask for it but since I work in the shipping department and told the driver to be on the lookout for him they were expecting me.

If you don't mind driving, there is sure to be a good breeder here on the forum
within driving distance.
That failing, find one that is not clear across the country and somewhere near
your location.

Chams tend to just go to sleep when they are in the box, and sleep through
most of their ride.

I get very nervous when I get a cham sent via FedEx too, I think we all do,
even most breeders don't delight in the idea, but problems are very rare.

I have had great luck with FedEx, and gotten to know my delivery guy pretty
well, since he also delivers my feeder orders.
Ask for the box to be clearly labeled; "Live harmless reptile", and they will
take good care of it. My driver puts the box up front with him where it's the
warmest, and when I see him carry it up to my house, he handles it like it's
loaded with NITRO!! both hands, very carful

Lastly, stick with one of our sponsors or senior members when buying a cham,
and arrange to be at home for the delivery unless you opt for 'pick up'.

thanks for the info, it eases my concerns some.

Psychobunny said:

If you don't mind driving, there is sure to be a good breeder here on the forum
within driving distance.
That failing, find one that is not clear across the country and somewhere near
your location.

Chams tend to just go to sleep when they are in the box, and sleep through
most of their ride.

I get very nervous when I get a cham sent via FedEx too, I think we all do,
even most breeders don't delight in the idea, but problems are very rare.

I have had great luck with FedEx, and gotten to know my delivery guy pretty
well, since he also delivers my feeder orders.
Ask for the box to be clearly labeled; "Live harmless reptile", and they will
take good care of it. My driver puts the box up front with him where it's the
warmest, and when I see him carry it up to my house, he handles it like it's
loaded with NITRO!! both hands, very carful

Lastly, stick with one of our sponsors or senior members when buying a cham,
and arrange to be at home for the delivery unless you opt for 'pick up'.

Click to expand...

Well, I'm in Brooklyn NY, so, if you do know of a forum member within the 5 boroughs or even Long Island, Id greatly appreciate it

Off hand, I cant think of any, but you could start a thread and ask for breeders
in that area. I'm sure you would get a few hits

Shipping to a fedex hub "hold for pickup" is the way to go. If you get a chameleon delivered to your house in cold or hot weather they have another 2-3 hours of bumpy travel in whatever temperatures it happens to be outside. When they are picked up at the hub they arrive there around 5 am in most cases and are in air conditioned space until they are picked up. They are also avaialble 2 hours earlier than home delivery. I get my bug orders sent to the hub as well. This is the safest method when having any live animal/insect shipped.
You also want to know what the weather is in Memphis and Indianapolis. These are the likely interim destination regardless of where you are shipping. With Fedex you cant be certain which hub they will go through so its best to have decent weather at both locations.
If you get a chameleon and the seller does not offer a live arrival and health guarantee, buyer beware. If they do not stand behind the health of their animals then why would you be willing to chance it?

Psychobunny said:

Off hand, I cant think of any, but you could start a thread and ask for breeders
in that area. I'm sure you would get a few hits

Click to expand...

always a good idea, lol, good thinking