Shipping spiders in winter?

[Stella Maris]

For those who live in the midwest/northeast U.S., do you buy tarantulas from online sellers during the winter season (ie cold temperatures, snow on the ground)? I know online sellers will not ship below/above certain temperatures; or the Live Arrival Guarantee will be void.

I was thinking of ordering some online but I also don't want to put any animals in harms way due to cold climate.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I don't live in the places mentioned but I think that 'waiting a bit' never harmed no one. I personally quit every 'operation' starting from the second part of November until late March. Doing this, I'm always in the safe area.

With that said, if someone can guarantee you a (really) 24/48 hours arrival, I understand the temptation... still, what if something goes wrong (iced roads, lots of snow, huge delay etc) is to consider.

 

[darkness975]

For those who live in the midwest/northeast U.S., do you buy tarantulas from online sellers during the winter season.

No

 

[Devin B]

I think most good sellers have plenty of insulation and heat packs but Its not work the risk to me.

 

[Scarabyte]

I'm waiting a few months for it to at least warm up some before I order my first T

 

[BoyFromLA]

I'm waiting a few months for it to at least warm up some before I order my first T

What do you have in your mind for your first T?

 

[cold blood]

You can with 1. good packing, and 2. patience. For me the biggest thing is watching both places to determine when a good shipping window is. We get good shipping windows in winter, it just takes flexibility.

Now utilizing "hold for pickup" at the fed ex station is another fantastic alternative (same for those really hot summer periods). It doesn't cost anything extra...when ordering though, you will need to convey the address of the fed ex location you want to pick it up from, to the seller, so be prepared to have that info ready.

With overnight shipping, the heat packs will remain warm for the trip and being that its not being delivered, it won't be exposed to the elements even on the coldest days.

 

[Scarabyte]

What do you have in your mind for your first T?

Grammostola Pulchripes most likely

 

[Kodi]

Grammostola Pulchripes most likely

If you're as impatient as me that choice would be like having a literal pet rock. I love my arboreals.

 

[G. pulchra]

I'll only buy from very reputable shippers during the winter. As an example, wouldn't hesitate to buy one from Kelly Swift.

 

[Stella Maris]

You can with 1. good packing, and 2. patience. For me the biggest thing is watching both places to determine when a good shipping window is. We get good shipping windows in winter, it just takes flexibility.

Now utilizing "hold for pickup" at the fed ex station is another fantastic alternative (same for those really hot summer periods). It doesn't cost anything extra...when ordering though, you will need to convey the address of the fed ex location you want to pick it up from, to the seller, so be prepared to have that info ready.

With overnight shipping, the heat packs will remain warm for the trip and being that its not being delivered, it won't be exposed to the elements even on the coldest days.

I actually have used the fedex pickup recently-where you pick up at the local walgreens-when I bought my violin. It's really tempting to buy the slings I want from Kelly Swift because the species I want are actually in stock.

I guess my concern isn't them being shipped to their destination, but the possibility of delays due to weather or extremely cold temperatures when in transit. I'm wondering if anyone had actually had tarantulas shipped overnight in winter or winter temperatures?

 

[cold blood]

I'm wondering if anyone had actually had tarantulas shipped overnight in winter or winter temperatures

yes, sent and received many times. Only time I had losses was a package that took 3 days to get to the pacific northwest through winter storms....even then I think it was just 2 out of nearly 20 that perished.

 

[mack1855]

As @cold blood stated,good sellers will pack well,and for the weather condtions from point
of shipping to final destination.When I buy,i look at my forcast,and always have the animals
held at my local FedEx facility.
Then it falls on you to get the T as soon as possible.Have the enclosure ready to go,in your warm
T area/room.Overnight shipping only during the colder months.
Be prepared to hold off for a week or so,for the weather to improve.If you pay in advance,most
good sellers will hold your T until condtions improve.
They care as much as you do,for the health of the T.

 

[beaker41]

I’ve shipped in cold weather many times and never had a problem. I probably tend to overpack and end up spending a bit of money on the packaging but so will any reputable dealer. Hold for pickup has been mentioned and can be the best way to go if the recipient isn’t going to be home waiting for the package all day. Mainly what I rely on is superior packaging. I use new square boxes and 2” foiled foam insulation cut on my table saw for an ultra tight fit. I always poke some holes in the corners to make sure the heat pack has enough room to breathe, the reaction uses up oxygen. It’s important to send something big enough, 8”x8”x8” all the way up to 15”x15”x15” if necessary. I’ve run experiments in overnight temps below freezing and a proper box can sit out at -10 all night and never get under 70. It costs more to send larger boxes but as far as I’m concerned if they’re not willing to pay to do it correctly I’m not going to send. I only use heat packs designed for reptiles, they don’t spike in temperature and last 40 hours so you don’t have an issue if there’s a delay. I never send close to the weekend just in case something happens. It can be done properly, it just takes some money and attention to detail.

 

[Garth Vader]

I got my MF G pulchripes last January and there were no issues. She was sent with a heat pack and overnight shipping. It went just fine. It was from Arizona to Seattle so not nearly as cold as other areas. The seller and I also had our eyes on the weather. I believe it was in the 50s for temps.

 

[viper69]

For those who live in the midwest/northeast U.S., do you buy tarantulas from online sellers during the winter season (ie cold temperatures, snow on the ground)? I know online sellers will not ship below/above certain temperatures; or the Live Arrival Guarantee will be void.

I was thinking of ordering some online but I also don't want to put any animals in harms way due to cold climate.

Swifts' Inverts on a day or two before Christmas shipped Ts to Alaska, they all survived. Make sure you buy from someone that is a quality dealer that knows how to pack for such cold temperatures.

If they don't have experience in shipping at cold temps etc, don't buy from them.

It's like delivering a baby, do you want a seasoned OB/GYN delivering a baby or a medical student interested in being a radiologist?