Overnight shipping costs? for real?

[kbb0118]

I am missing something. Online fish stores generally charge like $30 for overnight Fedex of livestock, including box, packs, etc. Why am I seeing $75 for a standard overnight rate? UPS is just as bad. Is there a special rate if you set up a Fedex business account?

I am going to have to start giving away ocellaris locally if that is the best shipping rate I can find.

[David Grigor]

Correct, business get really nice price breaks based on contracts and quantities.

Even SWE business account isn't anywhere as nice as major vendors. So you really have to use it alot to get the big price breaks.

I'm also pretty sure, the mailorder vendors are absorbing part the shipping rate in the costs of the livestock to make it look better.

[hypertech]

There are business rates. There are also discounts if you use things like Amex Open.

But, you will soon learn that the shipping industry is ruled by volume. When your volumes are high, you get much better rates. They likely get bulk pricing and they also may be eating some of the cost in the livestock prices.

I would think you'd be able to supply LFS if they are normal clowns. I'm sure people would like to see locally aquacultured livestock in the stores - I know I would buy that over an imported clown. If they are special and warrant shipping just clowns, you can look to USPS too. I sent Wes a big box of corals after he moved to CA and USPS was the cheapest and it went well. I paid around $70. I've only used them once though so I don't know the track record for regular shipments.

[Chris Goetz]

Volume discounts... you'll just have to sell more. : )

[kbb0118]

They are just regular ocellaris. I'd much prefer to sell to LFS but nobody seems very interested presently. Liveaquaria seems interested since they are out of stock (which prompted the shipping search). My prices are lower than the other wholesalers even. I may resort to just driving around town with a car full of fish instead of email and phone.

[REEFSTOCK]

Small business you might be able to negotiate 20% off. Fosters can get like 75% Off. Shipping is a killer. :mad_3:

[kbb0118]

I told liveaquaria that shipping was extra so I'm guessing they'd use their own fedex account. Anyway shipping kills any chance of me selling these further afield. I'm going to start filling up my bathtubs with saltwater.

[hypertech]

How much do you sell them for? People are always looking for clowns on here. I'll start telling them to PM you.

[kcooley]

While driving around, make a stop in burnsville with two. I'll save you shipping that way.

[Taklu]

How much delivered or picked up ;)

[kbb0118]

I was trying to refrain from selling them outright because it undermines local fish stores. If I don't sell any wholesale in about a month I'm going to have to resort to offloading them on the FS forum. The problem is I have another 150 fish ready in 3 months.

[kbb0118]

How much delivered or picked up ;)

I will give you a dozen of them for one 18w UV unit ;)

[redlion4]

With respect to F&S / liveaquaris, would they agree to have the shipping billed directly to them using their account - $x.xx / fish and they provide a shipping account. You would just drop off the package at Fedex/UPS and list their shipping account on the paperwork...! I have done that with other things before (not livestock though).

[kbb0118]

With respect to F&S / LA, would they agree to have the shipping billed directly to them using their account - $x.xx / fish and they provide a shipping account that bills them so you just drop off the package with their account number?

I think (hope) so. It would be the smartest business decision for them. I'm waiting for them to get back to me. I'm going to contact some of the other online fish retailers and see if they have any interest. I should be able to sell these little guys, it is just proving more difficult than I thought.

[PLNelson]

See if F&S could send you a shipping tag? In the past, when I've needed replacement computer parts, a box was sent with a shipping tag, just slap it all together and good to go. Maybe they would be willing to do something like that.

[mrbeachbum2]

Kbb, do you have any links to your current set up for clown breading? Thank you.

[kbb0118]

Kbb, do you have any links to your current set up for clown breading? Thank you.

I don't, but just because I am redoing it. It's just a bunch of tanks plumbed to a central sump and a big skimmer. Mostly power cords.

[garfield]

I do shipping here. Where are you shipping them? how many # total?
Do they give you the option of freight collect?

[benihana]

WHen you are discussing the fish with the LFS that you will be shipping to, use their accounts. Just have them send you a call/return tag via email, all you would do is print it off, slap it on the box, and then they would pay their discounted shipping rate. You could either get them to cover the shipping, or agree to take a certain dollar amount off of the price that you are selling them for

[kbb0118]

I think that is how it will go, but I'm just waiting to hear back. I'll update everyone so others can learn :biggthumpup:

[clownnut]

just make sure dont bag all the clowns in one bag. more air than water. something like 60/40. also you need to watch out for is the water quality, they will poop. ammonia can be an issue as well.

[Merkurfan]

are they going to CA or WI? WI is 1 day via UPS ground ;)

[redlion4]

Any success in selling / shipping to DFS or another retailer?

[kbb0118]

Nope. DFS never got back to me :mad:

[Merkurfan]

I know fed-ex employees get half price shipping. Theres gotta be at least ONE on the board that can help you out.

[MAXreefer]

I know fed-ex employees get half price shipping. Theres gotta be at least ONE on the board that can help you out.

Well I work for the airlines and we get at least a 50% discount with FedEx and I would help with a shipping but it can't be on a frequent basis as we are only allowed to use the discount for "personal use"

[REEFSTOCK]

You get 75% Off.

[Merkurfan]

You speak like a former fedex employee.. is that how you got so buff?? :fritz:

[cdness]

Have you considered using SpeeDee Delivery for the tri-State area? They are really cheap for reliable overnight shipping.