Michael P.

On October 5,2019, I ordered from Walmart's alleged "Next-Day Delivery" for a much-needed personal item. Going to the store was not an option. With expectation, I checked the order status THE NEXT DAY, October 6. The order, as advertised, indeed arrived at the Orlando LaserShip facility, a few miles from my home. For some reason, however and mysteriously, a delay notice was issued, and I have not yet received the order... FOUR DAYS LATER, October 9.

I ordered several clematis rootings from China through Aliexpress. Not one plant survived after a very lengthy transportation period. Not only that, the package was identified as TOYS, a deceitful misnomer for PLANTS. Two other orders of flower bulbs (calla and amaryllis) from China never arrived after 60 days, being detained at Customs. The owner kept writing in a ludicrous manner, "Don't worry. The plants are in transit." I received that message more than once even after I expressed my dissatisfaction with the guaranteed service. The AliExpress Case Management Team was equally vague and slow. The company offered an unacceptable 1/3 refund. I reported them to the Florida Attorney General.

I have received reptiles and amphibians from ReptileCity in questionable containers via USPS previously. But I was recently deeply troubled to receive a notice, one day before delivery, that my two sulcatas were expected the next day. I responded back via email that I should have been advised prior to shipment so that I could have the box held at the PO because of our severe heat. No response. And later I figured why...

When the box arrived, I was upset at what I saw: small USPS Priority Mail box, SEALED SHUT, no holes, in my hot mailbox. One tortoise was active, the other lethargic... for three days. I noted the shipping label: shipped on Saturday, arrived on Wednesday late afternoon in 90+ degree weather.

Other companies have shipped their animals to me with breathable packaging. I contacted the USPS to find out the Regulations about shipping sulcatas. I discovered these regulation infractions by Reptile City:

Pub 52.522.1 Container Construction: "USPS-produced packaging, including Flat Rate containers, are NOT ELIGIBLE to be used."

522.2 Security and Ventilation: "Containers must... provide adequate ventilation for the animals at all times."

522.3 Marking: Each mail piece must bear a complete return address and be MARKED ON THE ADDRESS SIDE with a description of the contents (e.g., LIVE ANIMALS, Live Honey Bees, etc.).

525 Nonmailable Live Animals: Nonmailable types of animals discovered in the mailstream MUST BE REPORTED to the PCSC in accordance with the instructions in POM 139.118. Additionally, the MAILER and the Post Office of mailing MUST BE NOTIFIED to PREVENT FUTURE SHIPMENTS FROM BEING INCORRECTLY ACCEPTED FOR MAILING.

And most damning of all...
525.3 Reptiles: ALL snakes, turtles, and poisonous reptiles are NON-MAILABLE.
(Interestingly, though, Baby Alligators, Baby Caimans, Chameleons, Frogs, Lizards, Newts, Reptiles and Amphibians, Salamanders, Tadpoles and Toads are mailable in NON-USPS packaging/boxes.) Also. For the sake of definition: tortoises are considered "turtles" for USPS mailing purposes..."All tortoises are turtles; they all belong to the order Testudines or Chelonia."

For the time-being, my baby sulcatas are fairing well; however, I will never order from Reptile City again in spite of enticing sales, BOGOs, and free shipping. I cannot support a company who infringes on USPS regulations at the risk of endangering the animals.