Problems with FedEx Malicious Destruction ?

[Star Creek]

I wonder if anyone else has had a problem with this. My vet received our shipment of cooled semen today from an out of state stallion and when preparing for my mare's AI this evening, found that the container had been opened and the semen maliciously poured around inside the container.

Has anyone else had this happen ?

Such a bummer. My first time breeding my mare and we've not had an easy time. All the stars were aligned today after much hard work and $$$ -- and now some creepy creature at FedEx destroyed the shipment.

We are in the Bay Area of California. If anyone else has had a like experience lately, I would greatly appreciate hearing what happened.

My very best wishes to all for happy and healthy mares and foals.

[rideagoldenpony]

Last year I shipped semen cross country to one of my best friends for her mare.... timing was PERFECT, semen arrived and she put it in her tack room. The vet comes, they get the mare sedated and all ready to inseminate, open the Equitainer........ and there was NO SEMEN! Not only that, the isothermalizer and paperwork was all gone out of it too, and the zip tie on the latch wasn't there. VERY frustrating!!!

Other than that one instance, I've not had problems with FedEx opening packages. Though somewhere, at some FedEx location there is a tube style isothermalizer laying around!!!! :o

[Signature]

We have never have a problem like that, knock on wood - but that is totally crappy and I wish people realized how much loss of time and expense they are causing when they do stuff like that. Belief in "Do unto others" is really starting to show a decline over the recent years....

So sorry that happened to you, I know I would go berserko!:mad:

[Daventry]

As a Stallion Owner, this has happened to use twice over the years. Ironically, both were during out very first year of shipping semen. The first incident was when a disposable shipping container arrived completely beat up and both syringes inside were busted to. I have no idea what they did with it...maybe kick ball? :no:

The second time was our Equitainer having shown up and had obviously been tampered with. The ballast bags were inside of the cup with the semen and things just didn't look right. The semen looked dead under the microscope but they inseminated anyways.

Both times, we went after Fed-Ex HARD for compensation and, while I don't remember the amount for the disposable shipment, we got a $1,000 US cheque on the Equitainer shipment. As well, all shipping charges were reversed at both ends. The $1,000 helped cover the veterinary costs the mare owner ended up incurring.

Just don't take no for an answer from them. You are going to have to keep climbing up the Fed-Ex ladder until you can speak with someone important and make sure you explain everything well and all of the costs involved. We only had the shipment insured for $100 but, from Fed-Ex speaking with the Mare Owner, were able to prove damage to the containers, whether it be Fed-Ex or customs. So, they covered the costs of a useless shipment. You should definitely be fighting to get a claim from them.

[goodmorning]

At the vet clinic I used to work at, we shipped both fresh/frozen on a regular basis - we ran into trouble 2x in the 5 years that I can remember. The clients tried to get a claim but only one was able - what I remember it coming down to was that that packaging slips were not put on 100% correct, all stickers not in their respective places, so that someone had to basically look for the tracking #/code and therefore the shipment was 'tainted' - opened in a rush to identify where exactly it was going...

I have a friend who works for FedEx and he said about 99% of the people in his branch know what a semen shipment looks like (often joke about the mushroom containers!), and that it is not something you open to find the information! :eek: But there are the few newbies who have no clue...He said the managers even make it a point to make known what a semen shipment is.

How disappointing to have everything timed so well and have that happen :(

[Star Creek]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I'll pursue FedEx with vigor.

Best wishes !

[holsteinersrock]

Yup, we have had it happen over the years (twice) that containers were tampered with while in transit with FedEx, and therefore meticulously duck tape them, lock them with plastic ties and write "LIVE SPERM" on them!!!

Anna

[Dressage_Diva333]

I havn't shipped semen yet, but is it possible to put combo locks on the Equitainers? Like, would FedEx allow it?

[Star Creek]

Yup, we have had it happen over the years (twice) that containers were tampered with while in transit with FedEx, and therefore meticulously duck tape them, lock them with plastic ties and write "LIVE SPERM" on them!!!

Anna

Anna,

Would you believe that the equitainer was all of the above ? Duct taped, locked with plastic ties and well labeled all around. Still they opened and destroyed the shipment. Losers. The lock question is a great one. Thanks again to all.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I used to duct tape the heck out of them, but I was told that they no longer allow duct tape as it was damaging their machines. Now I use other types of tape.

[Stacie]

I used to duct tape the heck out of them, but I was told that they no longer allow duct tape as it was damaging their machines. Now I use other types of tape.

The container I received last week was definitely duct-taped.

[Fairview Horse Center]

Nice to know. I will definitely go back to the duct tape until I get lectured again.

[Foxtrot's]

I had two shipments of semen go astray with Fedex. The first one arrived too late and mare did not take. Second one arrived late, but mare took anyway. So I complained to Fedex on the first one. They were very helpful. I sent a bill for every cost I had - collection, vet, meds, etc. Gave detailed descriptions. They paid up willingly and even sent a gift basket to apologize. About $400 I think, and cancelled the shipping charges.

Complain - so they know what is happening to their shipments, or there will be no improvements.

Good luck.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I insure all of my shipments for $750.00. Not only does that help with pressuring them to find a missing shipment and re-routing it quickly, but it will cover expenses if it gets there too late or not at all.

[Star Creek]

My vet locked and taped the equitainer and sent it back to the stallion's farm. When the FedEx'd container arrived back at the stallion's farm, it wasn't even latched and the cooling cans and isothermalizer were gone.

Claims in to FedEx for both shipments. Wish us luck.

[AdAblurr02]

My vet locked and taped the equitainer and sent it back to the stallion's farm. When the FedEx'd container arrived back at the stallion's farm, it wasn't even latched and the cooling cans and isothermalizer were gone.

Claims in to FedEx for both shipments. Wish us luck.

That sounds like it is a person on your end of the shipping cycle. Hopefully you have photographic evidence of the condition before it entered their "stream" on the trip back, that would be a powerful bit of evidence!

We had one FedEx shipment of fresh cooled arrive in barely-there condition - collecting vet at Texas A@M was called and his bench sample was still terrific - as was the "waste" he'd tossed in the trash basket. Mare was inseminated even so, with the way substandard dose - she took. Resultant filly is referred to as the Miracle Foal.

[CathyKb]

:mad:Any suggestions on filing a claim sucessfully with Fedex? Would love to hear what to do and what not to do. I need to file a claim, collection sent priority overnight suppose to arrive Friday (would have been perfect since my mare ovulated Friday evening) and didn't arrive until Monday and of course missed the mare's ovulation and the semen arrived dead.:mad:

[Fairview Horse Center]

Did the shipper insure it? If so, collect your vet bills, collection fee and shipping bill and send copies along with the claim.

[MaggieMagoo]

Hi, I don't nomally post on this board but...

I used to work for FedEx and all of us package handlers made it a point to hand over the live semen containers to the new guys and have them guess what it was. The look on their faces were priceless! But unfortunately you can screen for sick/stupid in a manual labor job where it can get up to 130 degrees in a trailer that is stacked manually and now because of equal opportunity hiring any yahoo (whether or not he/she can ACTUALLY do the job) is hired and they have to wait for them to quit, they can't fire them because that is discrimination. ... anyway....

I'm sorry that you have had bad experiences with FedEx shipping, I hope you get through all the claims and get your lost money back! It was probably some idiot who thought it would be funny to gross some one out.

[Showsheen]

Okay...I HATE FED-EX-HATE THEM!!!:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
They cost me thousands of dollars and more time and energy and frustration than I can count. About seven years ago I was breeding three, yes, three mares by shipped semen. Fed-ex could not get it right. I started in April and they messed up more then half of my shipments-which caused me to miss cycles completely! Overnight is overnight, not three days later-Hello!!!!
I wound up shipping all three mares mid-July down to Virginia to live cover a different stallion and luckily in August they were all three settled in foal. Oh my God! What a nightmare and boy did my costs mount even before the foals were on the ground I was into each of them for over $20,000 a piece.
You know who did come through for me? The Us of A postal service. They sent a shipment of semen overnight on Saturday and delivered it to me on Sunday for a breeding from Oregon. Very impressive, on time and mare got in foal.

[Fairview Horse Center]

I have to say that I have had no FedEx shipments not be delivered on the day for about 7 years except for one that I was given the wrong zip code for, and then it was available that the breeder could have driven 2 hours away to pick it up that night, and chose to not go. It was re-routed and delivered first thing the next AM. I now check all adresses to make sure that the zip matches the vet's office from their webiste or some other means of verifying it. I used to rely on copy and paste from an email so I didn't make a mistake.

First, I use the online shipping program to enter and print the label. Bar codes are less likely to be misread. I always make sure to insure for $750. Then (this will not be popular, and may not really make a difference, but) I drive it to the main FedEx hub - about 45 minutes from my farm, and drop it off at 8PM. I want it dropped off when mainly just Express shipments are processed - slower, and less confusion. PLUS I track them all online from the evening, quick check in the early morning/middle of the night to make sure it got out of the sort facility, then again, first thing to make sure it is where it is supposed to be - at the local office and on the truck for delivery.

If not, I begin calling right away, as soon as they open their doors, call the mare owner, they start calling. I become a royal PITN. I make sure to tell every person I talk to STRONGLY that if not delivered that day, it will cost FedEx $750. Take their names. That makes them FEEL responsible, or that it may come back to haunt them if blown off.

[Daventry]

I always make sure to insure for $750.

Sigh, looks like we're going to be doing a claim today on a shipment for two mares and the plane in Denver did not leave yesterday due to mechanical error.

Could a Canadian Stallion Owner pipe in here. If I, in Canada, put a total of $750 on the Fed-Ex waybill, does the US Mare Owner not get dinged for it by US customs when it crosses the border?

[Fairview Horse Center]

My Canadian shipments are the only ones I do not insure for that very reason. I send in a disposable, and declare the box cost.

[Indy-lou]

I have been shipped the wrong semen (was even tempted to use it as mare was ovulating!), received another shipment a day late, and had another completely lost. All three were FedEx. And of the three mentioned above, two had been tampered with. That was two years ago, and knock on wood, things have been OK since, though I refuse to try for same day air shipments any more. Next day has to be good enough or we try another cycle. A fellow local breeder has had a nightmare season this year with FedEx and has given up in frustration trying to get compensation. I'd like to be clear about the insurance issue. Is it the stallion owner/shipper who insures the shipment? As a mare owner, should I be asking the stud farm to insure for my costs if there is a problem with the shipment? How much additional is charged by FedEx for insuring the semen over and above the usual equitainer cost? Insurance is the usually the last thing we think about when the vet is standing there with his/her green OB sleeve and says "call now", but I think having this worked out with the stud farm in advance is the answer. Just want to know what to ask and how much it should cost?

[Fairview Horse Center]

Whoever is shipping the semen needs to decare the higher value when preparing the label. I try to cover not only a lost Equitainer ($250), but the collection cost ($125) and mare's vet bills too ($375). I insure for $750, and it costs $4.80. That is included in the mare owner's FedEx bill.

[Star Creek]

After sending our claims and 32 pages of description and supporting documentation to FedEx's executive offices & claims group,

FEDEX HAS NOT ONLY CALLED ME DIRECTLY TO APOLOGIZE BUT ALSO PAID ALL OF OUR CLAIMS WITHIN A WEEK OF OUR SUBMITTING THE CLAIMS !!!!

:D Go FEDEX !!! :D

Some lessons and my strong suggestions for future shippers (some already told by prior posters here):

1) Signup online www.fedex.com to be a FedEx customer (at no cost!) and use the online shipping system to prepare your waybills, insure them, pay for the shipments and then track them. If you need any help with signing up or learning how to prepare shipments, their call in support people are great at walking you through preparing and, god forbid there was a problem, locating shipments. Having a FedEx customer ID is definitely a plus if you have problems.

2) Make CERTAIN whoever is shipping the container (the stallion farm, vet, other) pays for the appropriate additional insurance amount on all shipments. For example, if you are receiving a semen shipment, have the shipper insure the shipment in an amount that covers not only the container but all collection, lab and mare vet fees associated with the insemination for which the semen is intended. The cost of the additional insurance is $5 per $1000 of coverage. Such a small price to pay to at least get your costs reimbursed if the shipment is delayed, lost or destroyed.

3) If you do have a serious problem with a shipment, call 1-800-GO-FEDEX, provide the call center with your tracking number and then tell them you insist on speaking with someone in Customer Advocacy in Kamloops. If it is a serious problem (shipment lost, delayed or destroyed) don't waste time discussing the problem with someone in the main call center. For our types of urgent care shipments, I have found that a general call center employee if unlikely to be able to escalate the process enough to make a difference in the outcome -- but the Customer Advocacy people in FedEx's Kamloops Center can.

4) If you have a claim, file your claim very, very promptly (definitely within a week) to get the best response. Follow the instructions at:

https://www.fedex.com/ClaimsOnline/go/home?cc=US&language=en

Include a complete description of what happened, documentation of all expenses and the FedEx claim form. You can now even file FedEx claims online if you have signed up as a FedEx customer.

The main thing to remember on shipments is to INSURE for the amount of expenses you will lose if something goes wrong with the delivery !

Thanks again to everyone here for all the information and support. I greatly, greatly appreciate all the comments and suggestions.

My best wishes to all for happy, healthy horses.

Star Creek Farm

[showjumpers66]

I have to be honest and say that I have had more problems with the veterinary hospitals or mare owners then Fed-Ex. A big one is that they don't insure the container when it is shipped back to our farm. We had a container caught in a conveyer belt and was chewed to pieces, but since it was not insured, Fed-Ex will only cover it for $100. I had a brand new container returned and it looks like someone used it as a stool with the lid open twisting the hinge totally out of shape. It was obviously on their end as the lid was duct taped shut when I received it. I receive the containers back missing the isothermalizer cups or coolant cans or someone has taken them out and dropped them causing huge dents. Sometimes, the container shows up after 2 or 3 weeks with a dose of semen still in it along with an explosive growth of mold. Yuck! I had to throw out the isothermalizer cup as I could not get the mold out of its pourous lining. The majority of the containers are being shipped back to me by veterinary hospitals or breeding facilities, so it puts me in the uncomfortable position of holding the mare owner accountable for something that they don't have a lot of control over. It is a lose-lose situation all the way around.

[CathyKb]

First of all I haven't done cooled semen in several years and had my 1st two shipments from FedEx messed up. The first shipment was left on the truck and took almost 3 hours to track it down and have it re-delivered, the second was overnighted on a Thursday for a Friday deliverly and due to FedEx was not delivered until the following Monday. I have filed a claim with Fedex. The stallion station only insured the cost of the container. I am out $$ for the collection, vet costs of several hundred dollars, on maybe a missed cyle. FedEx said their liability was only $100 since additional insurance was not bought. Fedex has told me two different answers, one said you could not insure for the semen and vet costs and the claims guy said you could. So I am soo confused and upset. Also one Fedex person told I could not file the claim since I am the 3rd party,(stallion station sending semen to vet clinic) even though I pay for everything and then another told me I could file the claim, which I did. I finally got thru to the claim adjuster for my case and he was sooo hateful. I really do not know why this happened to me on both my shipments, but it really makes me think twice again for using FedEx.

[CathyKb]

Thank you Star Creek for the information.