Who, if anyone, is responsible, or am I just screwed

[Orchid]

From the things I personally send through the postal service, I would never ship anything live through the postal system using anything other than Express mail. My opinion is that the seller owes you a new shipment of chicks, shipped Express, but whether there is actually any way to get him to respond to you is another story.

I'm sorry this happened to you!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I'll have to check USPS regulations n chicks, but I KNOW that "adult" birds MUST be shipped Express. I *think* the same applies to day old chicks. It is not legal to ship birds older than one day or weighing less than a certain weight (typically about 4+ weeks old).

Okay, here is link to postal regs: http://pe.usps.com/text/pub52/pub52c5_007.htm#ep184002 and http://pe.usps.com/Archive/PDF/DMMArchive0810/C022.pdf

 

[keesmom]

The PO rules are different for businesses vs private individuals also.

 

[WingingIt]

How about offering to pay the difference in the shipping price between express and priority so he can send the replacements via a faster method? I know you shouldn't have to do that, but I'm assuming you would have gladly chosen that option if it had been given, so pitching in an extra few $ to (hopefully) make sure the third batch arrives safely would be money well invested, IMO. It might also make the seller feel better, knowing you aren't saying he did anything wrong intentionally and you are willing to help out with the extra expense of upgrading the shipping.

Good luck

 

[Alas]

You're right, I would have gladly paid for the express shipping if it'd been offered. I'll mention it to him in my next email.

 

[redhen]

My opinion? That seller should have animal control called on them. HOw cruel and sick to not send an animal the FASTEST way possible. Sick...