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Postal rates have
gradually increased since selectaquatics began in 2009. At that
time, 2 groups of six 2-4 month old unsexed could be shipped
Overnight Express for $45-$50. Until June 15, 2019,
those same 2 groups of six 2-4 month old unsexed could be
shipped to most parts of the US for
$85-$90. Shipping cost was determined by the
combination of box weight and distance from Denver.
On June 15, USPS added a dimensional surcharge to every
box, and reconfigured the shipping charges so that the various
box sizes I use here at
Select Aquatics will each be a certain cost, up to a
certain weight, such that the weight of each box was no longer
the determining factor in shipping
cost. The prices given as examples below are for a box
being shipped from near Denver (where Select Aquatics is
located), to New York City.
Destinations closer to Colorado will be slightly less,
those further will be slightly more.
The New Rate
Structure:
Until June 15th, a box that was 14.5 x 12 x 12, with
two groups of six 2-4 month old unsexed, weighing in at just
about 4 lbs cost $85-90 to ship.
This size box is perfect for two groups, and was also
used to ship a single group when extra insulation for the fish
was desired. A single group
in that size box would cost $65-$70 to ship . With the
new dimensional surcharge, that same box is now $108.35, for a
weight of up to 13 lbs.
14.5x12x12 can hold up to two 2-4 month old groups,
weighing 7-8 lbs. The next size box, 15.5 x 15 x 15 is $145.30
for up to 21 lbs.
Prices increase as box sizes increase, so with an order
larger than two groups of six 2-4 month old unsexed, requiring
larger boxes, the postal rates
can be as much as 50% higher than what they had been in
the past. However, there may be the opportunity to keep shipping
cost down by aiming
for the maximum weight for any specific box size, and I
will certainly discuss that with you when you email me with your
order.
Fish are shipped as efficiently for weight and space as
possible, each individually bagged in breather bags for maximum
survival. Current losses
are below .5%.
These price changes affect everyone nationally, and
I am still able to ship up to four pair
or two groups of six 2-4 month old unsexed at the
lower $85-90 cost range for most species at this time.
The cost to ship two pair, or one group of six 2-4 month old
unsexed will stay at $65-70
until rates change again.
None of
these changes affect USPS 3-5 Day Priority Hard Good shipments (Gen
II Pleco Caves, Rapid Grow
Aquarium Plant Fertilizer,
Levamisole
or Sodium
Thiosulfate dechlorinator.)
Ordering:
When you wish to place an order, simply email me with
your order and your ZIP Code, will send you back a quote with
the shipping cost and
and the next available day to ship. When I give you the
estimate in your quote, if I happen to over estimate your
shipping cost by more than $6,
I will refund the entire difference back to you, so
that you will only pay what the Post Office charges me.
The one price shipping cost for the plecos will need to
be adjusted to compensate for the new shipping rates, and I will
post what the new rates
will be prior to the next release of the Green Dragons
at the 2-3 inch unsexed size. That should occur late fall, early
spring.
It would be normal, I imagine, for me at this point to
conclude this by saying that "I apologize for the raise in
postal rates", but I have nothing to
do with them, and am doing my best to work with them so
that I am still able to get these especially beautiful and rare
fish out to you!
Why Not UPS or Fedex?
I receive all of my biological quality Styrofoam boxes
through a contract with a local University, and UPS will not
accept my boxes. As well,
UPS shipping costs are still 2-3x the cost of USPS, and
in recent meetings with them, they conceded that even if I were
to provide
appropriate boxes for them, they would not be able to
charge less than 50% more than what USPS currently charges.
FedEx will not accept
deliveries of live fish from this area.
Thank you for your understanding, and I will keep this
page updated for any changes as they occur -
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not
hesitate to drop me an email, and I will do my best to get back
to you within 24 hours.
Thank you!
Greg Sage
Owner, Select Aquatics
selectaquatics@gmail.com
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