Shipping my first tarantula tomorrow

[AudreyElizabeth]

I'm pretty excited about it, and thankfully it is a very easy-going penultimate male Brachypelma smithi.

Was anyone else excited about the first time they shipped a T, or am I just a dork?

 

[jbm150]

I'm right there with you! I packed up Ts for the first time ever yesterday and I shipped the package this morning. I've been dreading it for sometime, especially considering the genera involved (Phlogius, Augacephalus, Chilobrachys, and Psalmopoeus). I was sure it was going to be a disaster but it went smoother than I could have hoped! Its kind of funny that the only attitude (one threatpose) was from an irminia

I felt such a sense of accomplishment and relief when I finished lol

 

[jonnyquong]

My first outgoing shipment was a MM C. cyanopubescens. My second (and latest) was 200 P. murinus slings using the straw method. I think next time I may just send the whole sack intact, and accept the count quoted by the buyer! I learned a lot with the OBTs. I had put all 200 of them in individual 3/4 oz. deli cups with a teaspoon of substrate (Eco Earth or equivalent) and then had to pack them in the straws. I would at least eliminate the step of placing them in their own containers. I could have saved about 9 hours. (Putting holes in 200 lids, putting a teaspoon of substrate in each container, a couple shots of water with the spray bottle, carefully move each spider into one of the cups; all just to have to move all of the little guys into straws for shipping.)
Gotta say I felt pretty good when I got the emails saying that my packages had arrived as planned! I had a few casualties with the OBTs, and I felt bad, because it was my fault. I should have provided more moisture for the trip. Lesson learned, but it's unfortunate lives were lost in the process. I appeal to the spider Gods for forgiveness.

 

[Terry D]

A.E., Relax, it's not that big of a deal. You'll do fine! I've only shipped one thus far- a mm B. emilia. I was worried like heck something would go wrong beforehand but was feeling pretty good about it once it was sent- especially after it arrived alive and healthy. I'm going to have to do a little more research on packing pokies, though!

While you're at it, if you have any extra juvy females of B albiceps, B annitha, or X immanis, please feel free to send them right this way. Go for it. I have faith in you! There need not be any worry at all.

Terry

 

[PrimalTaunt]

or am I just a dork?

Maybe but only for other reasons. I was excited when I shipped my first (and only one to this point). It was a MM P. irminia with plenty of attitude.

 

[AudreyElizabeth]

LOL Thanks guys.

I'm actually considering delaying shipping a day. I start school tomorrow and won't get out until 2:30 pm. I not sure if I can box him up and and get him to the PO on time, and I'd hate for him to have to sit in a shipping container from now until then if I pack him tonight. I have no idea how the PO works, if I shipped him overnight tomorrow after school would he still go out the same day, or would he sit at the post office overnight? :?

Probably be safer to wait a day huh?

 

[Terry D]

For overnite it would be better to wait. Try to get the package there well before noon- at least that's what I was told here. Good luck!

 

[satanslilhelper]

I usually pack them up the night before I ship and I haven't had any problems yet. I've shipped several all across the country in the last year. Remember to barely moisten the paper towel(padding) since it's winter. I very lightly moisten it at this time of year.

 

[jbm150]

I'm pretty excited about it, and thankfully it is a very easy-going penultimate male Brachypelma smithi.

Was anyone else excited about the first time they shipped a T, or am I just a dork?

I hope yours went better than mine! All but one of mine arrived DOA. I feel like I packed them well and the receiver assured me I did but apparently it was a particularly rough ride. Nevertheless, I feel like garbage about it

I really really hope yours went well

 

[codykrr]

I like to pack the night before, ship first thing in the morning. this ensures it hits the truck ASAP and is on the way to its destination.

 

[The Spider Faery]

First Tarantula Shipping

Was anyone else excited about the first time they shipped a T, or am I just a dork?

I was excited and worried about my first shipping, afterall it was a pet. Jon3800's Avicularia versicolor had just died, and I was willing to part with my versi, so I sold it to him (along with a trade). I found out when the shipment was being sent out from the post office that day, then packed it up (meticulously) and brought it there around that time, so that the T wasn't sitting around all day in storage, and she arrived alive and well! This was the result/review of my first shipping:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAx1r2n1Qhg

In the end, I was happy that the receiver was happy. Good luck Audrey.