Never ship koi via UPS during Christmas time!

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by Shigure&HiUtsuri Amazingly after being in those bags for at least 72 hours 2 koi to a bag I think all 4 are going to make it. The 2 biggest koi(wide girth about 16") were in the bag with a leak and the huge kohaku was laying on her side when I opened the bag. I got all of them in the QT at about 10:15am without letting any of the old water into the QT pond. Checked them at dusk under their solar blanket and all 4 are swimming around and enjoying the two airstones. In regards to road trips, I'm from SC definately not koi mecca like CA.(Any really nice affordable dealers within 3 hrs drive please recommend) Don't think I can bypass air shipping. The site I used for these koi has really nice wide selection of koi from known Japanese breeders with great prices in the winter. Not top show quality, but with my budget as a young pond owner can't buy those koi anyway. Anyway glad things worked out and thanks for your responses.

I am so glad to hear it worked out for you. I have been worried that you would open a box full of dead Koi for Christmas. That would take away the holiday chear, wouldn't it? Congratulations on the good news.

[bekko]

The title of this thread says it all. Never ship fish at Christmas time. UPS and FedEx staffing and equipment levels are dictated by the Christmas rush and, come Christmas, it is pushed to the limit. I suspect the airlines are under the same sort of stress. It's an accident waiting to happen. I try to avoid the period from about the tenth of December until a few days after New Year's, but the week before Christmas is a definite no-no.

have a merry one
s te veho

[Russell Peters]

Quote: Originally Posted by bekko The title of this thread says it all. Never ship fish at Christmas time. UPS and FedEx staffing and equipment levels are dictated by the Christmas rush and, come Christmas, it is pushed to the limit. I suspect the airlines are under the same sort of stress. It's an accident waiting to happen. I try to avoid the period from about the tenth of December until a few days after New Year's, but the week before Christmas is a definite no-no. have a merry one s te veho

Mr. Sakai will not ship any Koi for a four week period, two weeks before and two weeks after Christmas.
The airlines are too busy with frieght. for the holidays.

[aquitori]

The moral of the story is, never ship on major holidays...Well unless your really wanting it. I have seen many cases where people have ordered something during a major holiday and 95% of the time something always happens. So as hobbyist we have to do what is in the best interest of the fish and not the hobbyist.

[tranquility]

Glad to hear all are doing good....boy I bet you were soo relieved to finally get them and see just what you were dealing with...
Lawanna

[koidreamer]

I am very surprised that shipper shipped at this time of year. The other thing to be aware of is likely weather across the country when they're shipped. If it looks iffy, ask to be postponed. You sure were lucky this time. I lost a beautiful shiro due to fedex and weather several years ago.

[jnorth]

Quote: Originally Posted by nguyen4 Hello everybody Merry Xmas i have a question about Airport to airport, after koi dealer shipping you came to airport to pick up ,how much different with UPS or Fedex and how you can pick up( i think you just show up with some ID and money ?....) do my fish have to go thru airport checking or any types inspection? thank you

You show up with an ID and the way bill number. Have the dealer pay the shipping so you don't have to deal with it when you get there. Check ahead and find out where to pickup air freight at the airport you are having it shipped to. At the airport I use I go to a row of wharehouses off to the side. I park right out in front of the wharehouse and then walk in and pick up my fish. In and out in ten minutes usually. I aim to be there 30 minutes AFTER the plane arrives. They unload passenger bags first and then air cargo so there is no need to be there early.