Delivery problems

[broderp]

The UPS guy delivered THIS:

But did it like THIS:

I was the last stop in the evening. (the truck looked empty when he hauled back up on the truck) I heard some banging and noise from the back. He brought it up to my garage and promptly set it down right side up. As he did, I heard glass just rattling like crazy. I asked he be there while I open it. He tipped it over to the side as in my second picture and I opened the outer box. Again there was so much glass rattling I KNEW it was a total loss. I refused the delivery. I was REALLY ticked off.

I have images of my package being handles like in the opening scene in the move PET DETECTIVE, where Jim Carey is kicking the package on his way to the delivery.

Long story short Amazon is sending me a new one Priority, I missed the 5PM window for overnight delivery. They say it will be better protected and labeled fragile. I sure hope so.....but..

I just recieved a text message from Amazon that my new package has been "delayed" by the carrier. It was scheduled for Saturday...now who knows when.

Anyone else have shipping issues? (Thanks for letting me vent..)

 

[k00pa1]

That sucks, hopefully you get it soon and in good condition.

 

[MelissaB]

That is a CRAPPY packing job for that size of tank! What the heck!?!

I'm having the exact same cage delivered, it was supposed to be today. Instead, I get a call from the trucking company telling me their truck broke down. It should be here tomorrow. Mine is drop shipped from wherever the store gets them from, I think it comes directly from ExoTerra.
The 18 x 18 x 24 I ordered came yesterday, through UPS. But the seller packed it UPS-proof. 2 layers of cardboard box, 5 kitchen garbage bags of styrofoam packing peanuts and then multiple layers of bubble wrap. Good thing, because the outside layer of card board was badly gouged and dented in multiple places, despite huge red FRAGILE GLASS stickers all over it.
I'm sorry your new enclosure showed up damaged. I hope they send you the replacement soon, and that it arrives in one piece.

 

[Zephalia]

That's the craps. Sorry for your trouble. I did have a chuckle at the Pet Detective descriptive though, sorry it was at your expense.

 

[Chameleon Creator]

I have images of my package being handles like in the opening scene in the move PET DETECTIVE, where Jim Carey is kicking the package on his way to the delivery.

I can literally see the whole scene in my head.

Allllrighty then!

 

[Zephalia]

Laaaahoooooo...zah her.

 

[broderp]

Just an update ..I got the second terrarium today via Fed Ex. (The first was UPS) guess what....its also broken.

I'm just livid right now. They ship it on its side, horizontal. Exo terra does not put anything inside so when it bounces....the doors break off. At least that's my theory.

 

[shmeenakoz]

OMG id throw the biggest fit! Hope you get your money back and a free one thats in one pc next round

 

[broderp]

OMG id throw the biggest fit! Hope you get your money back and a free one thats in one pc next round

Oh I did. Amazon is being very apologetic, but that isnt going to cut it. The issue is that NO ONE can physically check and make the people in the warehouse double check and pack it properly and mark it properly do the carrier doesn't screw it up. They should open every one the get, and install some type of foam to fill the inside to provide support for the item. If the next one is damaged, then I will see if they will let me drive over to the distribution warehouse and pick it up. I believe they told me these were being shipped out of Indiana. I'm in Ohio...so it would be a 3 to 5 hour drive.
I can't find these locally. And at only $240, I can't beat Amazons price. Maybe if I keep bugging them, someone will eventually get the idea.

 

[broderp]

Just a quick update:

I was shipped a THIRD terrarium form Amazon a few weeks ago, but it never made it to my house. They Realized it was broken and canceled the delivery and sent it back. Amazon then flagged this item (along with the bigger version) and made it un-orderable pending investigaion. (It has since then been made available, maybe the pictures I sent got them to realize the issue?)



FINALLY got my little guy his new home. This thing is HUGE compared to his other, which quite frankly I thought was plenty adequate for his size.

Turns out Pet Solutions and R&L Shipping KNOW how to ship and deliver this far better than Amazon does....and even with tax, still be about $10 cheaper.

The only negative is that I had to take 1/2 day vacation to meet the driver, and on that day on a whim I called them, to confirm my time window. (They were suppose to call me 1 hour prior, and it was getting late) As it turns out, they FORGOT to call me, but were still about 30 minutes out.

The driver let me open it up while he was there before I signed for it and all was well.

A few notes: This wasn't even double boxed like the Amazon ones were. It only had the outer box over the terriaum retail packaging as shown in my picture above. (with two nylob straps) It was also shipped with he doors taped shut, but not locked. (the outer box looked 'factory sealed' and not like it was opened or checked prior to be ing shipped to me) The box was then placed on a pallet, and strapped with a single strapp attacting it to the pallet. (w/ cardboad peices at the edge to prevent/protect the box and terrarium.

Odd fact: Somehow Pet Solutions is related to/ works with Jack's Pets as the invoice on the outer box said it came from Jacks, and not the manufacturer (Exo Terra) as I was told by Pet Solutions

 

[MelissaB]

FINALLY! You got one in one piece. How weird that yours was shipped from another store. Mine came direct from the manufacturer, it said Hagen Corp. was the shipper on the freight slip. It must depend on where you live, and if they have any stock available closer. Glad it all worked out, and I can't wait to see it all set up!

 

[laurie]

I finally just gave up getting one here. I live in Montana, but it must be outer space to UPS. After the third broken one, I got my money back and my husband made four of them for me. The joke is I no longer use any of them, as I no longer have L.williamsi gecko's.

 

[broderp]

FINALLY! You got one in one piece. How weird that yours was shipped from another store. Mine came direct from the manufacturer, it said Hagen Corp. was the shipper on the freight slip. It must depend on where you live, and if they have any stock available closer. Glad it all worked out, and I can't wait to see it all set up!

The driver said something about Jack's being related to Pet Solutions in some way, but regardless, it's perfect and I'm happy. Thanks again for the tip.

I spent all weekend sick, but manauged to set it up....at least version "1.0". I'm sure I will change it as time goes on. Here is my thread here asking for opinions:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/new-exoterra-terrarium-veiled-cham-126677/

I finally just gave up getting one here. I live in Montana, but it must be outer space to UPS. After the third broken one, I got my money back and my husband made four of them for me. The joke is I no longer use any of them, as I no longer have L.williamsi gecko's.

Were you trying to get one from Amazon as well? After the third one they send me, the didn't even offer to try again until they investigated why they were breaking. I got my money back, and if I'm reading my credit from my account, an additional $50 back. So I can't be too mad any more...

 

[DirtyDubbz]

Your best bet is going to a pet store to get it order it there I have had problems also but for a chameleon screen cages are the best option for safty and correct husbandry

 

[shmeenakoz]

Very glad you got it finally!! I wanted to and was about to order from Pet Solutions but I thought about your story with Amazon and I needed mine ASAP so I just picked up a smaller one at RMS, thankfully they matched a major store price but I still would have saved a ton from Pet Sol. Oh well, next time
Your Cham is gonna be one happy dude!

 

[broderp]

Your best bet is going to a pet store to get it order it there I have had problems also but for a chameleon screen cages are the best option for safty and correct husbandry

Screen cages being the best is a debateable topic. Those who claim this can never provide concrete proof that chams are better off in a proper terrarium (not a fish tank). A properly maintained terrarium can be easier to maintain heat and humidity. Everyone's circumstance is different. I have no issues with moisture or humidity. I deal with the cleaning issues, because I tear down everything and wash it out but thats my choice. I like glass because of the visibilty I get and quite frankly I think they look better in my home than a mesh tank. Glass terrariums are just as safe as mesh (unless it falls) and correct husbandry is not based on what enclosure you use. You can have poor husbandry in a mesh cage, and good husbandry in a glass one. So I respectfully disagree.

I tried to order from a local shop, but none were able to special order this cage or not charge full price or more for it. PetSolutions met the challenge and got me one in a reasonable amount of time and at a price I was very happy with.

Very glad you got it finally!! I wanted to and was about to order from Pet Solutions but I thought about your story with Amazon and I needed mine ASAP so I just picked up a smaller one at RMS, thankfully they matched a major store price but I still would have saved a ton from Pet Sol. Oh well, next time
Your Cham is gonna be one happy dude!

MelissaB gave me the headsup on PetSolutions. If you looked at my thread and pictures with how amazon shipped this, you will see Amazon "double" boxed this poorly and sipped it on it's side. Hagan (Exo Terra) shipped this directly. They didn't use a secondary box, but shiped it upright and on a pallet. This made all the difference.

Definately look them up the next time you are in the market for a new terrarium. I couldn't be happier.

MelissaB: I delieve I misspoke when I said it was shipped from Jack's Pets. Mine was indeep shipped from Hagen. The invoice shows the order was placed by Jack's Pets, who is someone related to PetSolutions.

 

[MelissaB]

MelissaB: I delieve I misspoke when I said it was shipped from Jack's Pets. Mine was indeep shipped from Hagen. The invoice shows the order was placed by Jack's Pets, who is someone related to PetSolutions.

That makes more sense. I couldn't fathom why they would tell you it was coming from the manufacturer, and then send it from somewhere else. I'm just glad they were able to ship it without breaking it. I could only imagine how frustrating that was.

 

[Zephalia]

So glad you finally got your terrarium. What a joke with the broken ones, you'd think they take more care in shipping since it ended up costing them money?

 

[broderp]

So glad you finally got your terrarium. What a joke with the broken ones, you'd think they take more care in shipping since it ended up costing them money?

I'm not sure if I mentioned this previously, but it MUST have cost them money! Not only did they eat the shipping costs both ways (for all 3 attempts and the cost to them for damaging them; they also refunded my $50(on top of a full refund).

I see the item is availbale again, so maybe they learned the lesson?

 

[absolutbill]

Glad you finally got your ExoTerra. For what it's worth, a good friend of mine is a manager for one of the big shipping companies. I asked him about Fragile stickers on boxes they are shipping and he told me they laugh at them. They don't take any extra precautions, no matter what kind of stickers are on the boxes. He said they don't have that kind of time, when deliveries are guaranteed by certain drop times, but I just think it's laziness on a corporate level.