Anyone else having a problem with shipping eggs this year???

[WalkingWolf]

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Eggs have been wrapped in bubble wrap for a long time with exceptional results. The eggs exchange of gasses does not begin until after they have been set.

USPS began contracting services this year and it has led to many problems.

 

[highline]

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Unfortunately that's par for the USPS. Their delivery confirmation is nothing more than a "delivery confirmation". You are in the dark from the time it leaves your possession till it arrives at the destination post office.

Over the past 3 or 4 years I can remember only a couple of times where I saw any "in between" progress by tracking a number. I get the acceptance scan , the arrived for sorting, out for delivery and delivered but nothing more.

I think that their system is capable of tracking but only works if the package is scanned at every point like UPS and FedEx do. I don't think that each package is scanned at each station. If they are, then the problem is that the system is not online in real time and is not posted regularly.

Unfortunately UPS and FedEx are as rough or worse on packages.

 

[highline]

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If it makes them mad, then more letters. Attention to the subject may make a few Postal workers mad, that comes with the territory. But a little noise might possibly help too. The thing is, if they were able to deliver hatch-able eggs in the past, then they should be able to do it now.

 

[cluckcluckcharlie]

Ive been looking every since my first post earlier today... about Priority Shipping Tracking... Even the USPS site. The samples they show are (4) sets of 4 numbers and (1) set of 2... xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx xx. The number I got from the company I got the eggs from only has (3) sets of 4 numbers, so that number is wrong. HOWEVER haha... I still paid for 3 day shipping and it will be 7 days. $33.00 when stardard shipping is only $14.00 grrrrrrrr. Oh well... it happens (to me all the time)

 

[highline]

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I doubt that they would ban egg shipments. That would be a considerable loss of income for them. But if eggs were insured and an excessive amount of claims were being made (or should I say paid), then you might see a ban. The way it is now, eggs are shipped every day all over the country. And it appears that there's a problem and the USPS is making out like a bandit. I mean, just think of how many "replacement" eggs actually get shipped by breeders just wanting to make things right even though it was not their fault. And how many people order eggs and re-order and re-order trying to get a successful hatch.

I wonder how many people get discouraged and quit because they couldn't hatch eggs and thought it was their fault.

So yeah, they could possibly put a restriction on egg shipments, but standardizing the system might be the best thing that could happen. Even if it were to cost a buck or two more per shipment, wouldn't it be worth it?

Though not by design, the USPS has a great thing going and no one's complaining to the cause of the problem.

 

[highline]

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That's weird. $33.00 sounds like you paid for express mail 1-2 day shipping not priority mail. Which of course makes this worse. Sounds to me like either the package hasn't really been shipped or it's been mis-directed. But in any case the tracking number should at least show it was accepted by the USPS. I'd be asking for a new batch.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Per the USPS website you can purchase "special handling" for all priority packages. I did purchase it this year for one egg shipment just to see if there was a difference. Of course, the USPS person said that it wasn't available and I was ready with a print-out from the website stating that it was. Miraculously, she "found" it on the screen. The funny thing was that there wasn't a special label that they put on it or anything like that. The instructions said to write "special handling" on the package??? WTH??? Anybody can do that....

Unfortunately, I don't think it made a hill of beans difference. Now...in all fairness, I think I made have had a temporary dip in fertility just about that time due to rotating a couple of youngish cockerels in with the girls and I don't think they were getting the job done. Trying with all their might, though!

Yes, I have been replacing eggs this year too and I have had the same thoughts....USPS is being rewarded for poor handling

 

[highline]

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I knew you could insure them but I think insurance only helps if the package is severely damaged. Even then I'd bet collecting would be like pulling hens teeth, pun intended.

You are right, simply writing "special handling" on the box can be done by anyone and it's doesn't help any more than writing "fragile, Handle with Care", so why pay extra for it. But that's the point! If it did work, wouldn't it be worth paying a little extra for?

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

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I knew you could insure them but I think insurance only helps if the package is severely damaged. Even then I'd bet collecting would be like pulling hens teeth, pun intended.

You are right, simply writing "special handling" on the box can be done by anyone and it's doesn't help any more than writing "fragile, Handle with Care", so why pay extra for it. But that's the point! If it did work, wouldn't it be worth paying a little extra for?

YES!!! It would be worth it....that's why I gave it a try. It costs $7.20 extra and I only charge a flat $8.00 for shipping no matter where they go. I am able to secure all my packing supplies at work and pass the savings on to the buyer. I use small but extra heavy duty styrofoam shippers that have a 2-3 inch thick wall and everyone says that they make have a few dents, but have NEVER been crushed like boxes are.

Interestingly, I had someone report 2 broken eggs last week....a first.

She said the shipper was completely fine but 2 eggs were cracked. I'm wondering if I packed them too tightly and cracked them myself??

At any rate...I may go to a different PO and give it a try again. Surely there MUST be something that the PO does to let the handler know.

Another thing I've been looking at is using cardboard "pet shippers". Kind of like the bird shippers but smaller. They have a handle so they can't have anything stacked on top of them. Of course, I guess they could still sling them around by the handle.

 

[bturbo87]

Yeah I ordered eggs and they were shipped on Wednesday and well they were suppose to be be delivered to a post office and well lets just say my tracking says it has been delivered to another post office and I called the post office and the man there was just rude and said nope we dont have them we only deliver to homes and he didnt check or anything the only problem is it is suppose to be sent to my friend because I dont have an incubator and she does. The post office is was suppose to be delivered to is also a feed store and that is were my friend works. So now I am lost, my friend does not have the eggs and I am starting to get scared that they lost my eggs.