To ship or not to ship??

[JeniHaas]

What's the general attitude towards ordering pet tarantulas online and having them shipped to you? Should I try the Internet option if I cannot find a certain type of tarantula at local pet shops or breeders? And good tarantula websites, breeders and/or pet shops I should I be aware of: I live in the San Francisco/Bay Area of California. Thanks all for the MUCH needed info and advice!!

-J Ha

 

[pennpets]

I have found, as a seller of Ts, that pretty much the only way for many people to get the Ts they are looking for is to order online. Any reputable seller will offer overnight delivery, and at least some form of LAG (Live Arrival Guarantee), will not ship during adverse weather -too hot or too cold. Until the delivery business (FedEx, USPS, etc) decides that shipping Ts should be "legalized" we will all be working under a handicap of sort in trying to further, and enjoy, our hobby. Good luck on finding the tarantula of your dreams.

 

[JeniHaas]

Got your response post. Who is the breeder you speak of? Is shipping a hefty fee? plz reply back when u can.
Thx so much!

-jenihaas

 

[Sabeth]

Jamie's Taranutlas (jamiestarantulas.com) is where I got both my Ts from. For $17 you get a 72-hour guarantee on the T (1-3 day shipping). Both of mine arrived in excellent condition!

 

[spiderengineer]

personally online dealer are better then pet shop. keep in mind not all online dealers are reputable so you have to do your research on them, but reputable online store will have huge selection, cheaper price (if you are buying in bulk purchases), and are captive bred healthy specimens. while pet store their is a high chance they are wild caught and usually are kept in bad conditions and thus could be sick or dying when you purchase them.

 

[Scoolman]

Buying on-line from breeders/dealers is definitely the way to go. As for method, that's one you have to research for yourself and choose what's best for you. Do not ship Ts postal, unless you want a world of trouble.

 

[Atx13]

Buying on-line from breeders/dealers is definitely the way to go. As for method, that's one you have to research for yourself and choose what's best for you. Do not ship Ts postal, unless you want a world of trouble.

In my area, you can't knowingly ship Tarantulas via FedEx, UPS or Usps...

 

[Sabeth]

So what is an okay way to ship a T?

 

[Atx13]

in my case.. which ever way you dont get caught, lol.

 

[Sabeth]

Oh, okay. Then, unless someone finds out what is in the box, you're good I guess.

 

[Atx13]

Yeah, every package i've received has been through usps... from some of the biggest dealers in the hobby .

 

[Sabeth]

Same here. You can't tell from the box what's really inside.

While we're on the subject of shipping, can just anybody ship a T? I mean as far packaging it correctly so it will be safe during transit. My Ts both arrived in a small container with minimal ventilation, wrapped in wet paper toweling and packed in so they wouldn't bounce around and get hurt. Is this something anyone is capable of doing or is shipping something only experienced keepers should try?

 

[Atx13]

If you copy the method of someone who was successfully shipped you Ts, you should be o.k.. i've sent several packages without issue, by simply copying(to my best of ability) what i had seen before.