[Tactattcahhaw]

Good luck, Etex.

[Dreqsqse]

For about the last 10 years, I have shipped almost 100% of my domestic orders via FedEx, and can count the losses on one hand - still having free fingers. Etex's shipment - of course - happens to be mine.

Fortunately, in addition to my packing method, I included an extended-life heat pack to get the plants out of here safely, and as it hasn't gone below freezing down there, I suspect the plants will only need water to recover from the delay. (I've shipped plants from Asia and S. Amer. to myself, and that sometimes took as much as 2 weeks to arrive, and even flaccid phals recovered nicely.)

Charles - it would be up to the shipper to make the claim, but despite all recommendations and notifications otherwise, I have had FedEx pay a claim for plants lost to freezing due to a mis-delivery.

[Olphander]

Thanks Ray. After your email yesterday, I am sure plants will be fine on arrival! My newbiness was showing and the tendency to worry over every little thing with orchid plants. I don't have the experience, myself to know how rugged slippers are! Diane

[Raj_Copi_Jin]

well, though not fedex I just had a deal with usps where it took five days for some seedlings from washington state to make it to upstate ny, via priority mail. I also had a package only from indiana also take five (or maybe four) for a priority mail shipment (non-plants), so I have a feeling if anyone wants to make shipments of living things or needs them right away, either they have to pay through the nose for next day or wait until spring. i'll bet that postal workers have been laid off to cut costs, and things are bogging down early as I've never had a priority mail shipment take more than three days (and almost always two) from the west coast, and even from hawaii (when I bought some hawaiian tree ferns).

[Olphander]

Fedex told my husband at 0800 today that the orchids would be held for pickup Tuesday and that location was not open today.At 0900, I received call at home from fedex and that the orchids were at the new location and I could pick the package up today.Left the house 5 minutes later. Got to the new fedex location and was told that the package was on the truck and that they did not know why anyone told me that they were there and waiting to be picked up. He called the driver, who was temporary and new at the job,who agreed to meet me at the Troup post office and give me the package.Now , I have the orchids!!!! They are absolutely fine!7 days in the mail and they look great!! Ray does a fabulous job packing plants! Thanks everyone for reading this!

[Buyingtime]

Thanks goodness!
Sorry - no way I'd use FedEx for plants!

[Dreqsqse]

Rose,

They're certainly more reliable than UPS, and often quicker than the USPS, and in most cases cheaper, too.

Planning helps:

1) Expect issues.
2) Have plants be well watered, but not wet before packing.
3) Wrap plants properly to provide good padding and insulation.
4) Add heat packs.
5) Keep on their asses (no matter who you use) until it's resolved.

[Talicoabilk]

Good advice Ray. Plus, get the name of each person that you speak to. If they will only give you their first name, ask for an employee number if they have one. If they keep trying to be secretive about their identity, ask to speak to a manager. Never hesitate to go over the head of a front-line customer service person on the phone. They are notorious for telling lies. They just want to process your call and make you go away. Information from these people is never reliable. However, a manager will identify themselves and be a lot more responsible and honest about the information that they give you.