Please read

[Kimt]

Steve - I am so sorry to hear this - the service you provided has been excellent. I was a bit worried about using a courier at first, but that worry was soon gone and I reccommend you to all. Hope you sort something out.

[SWAnimalCouriers]

Originally Posted by paulj

Hi steve
Well what a shame things have come to this. How come. the minorty of people can ruin things for the magorty of us. If the postman delivers and paggage and it`s wrong do we shout at the postman no we don`nt...
If people don`t think that an animal is`nt well then DO NOT SENDD IT

Basically the following are the brief details of some of the problems that have led to it :

1. Collecting "5 skunks and a squirrel" and meet at a services ended up being 60 animals with a threat from the sender saying if I didn't take them they would be left outside as he didn't have space. was due to arrive exactly on the delivery time and had the person receiving them asking me in a round about way to break the speed limit to get to him earlier than the already agreed time.
2. Picked up beardie from the person that booked the job. Beardie looked underweight and had been fighting as it had cuts. She was gravid, I had previously told the sender that she should not be sending it but had the attitude that if I wouldn't someone else would. She posted on the courier section not advising any of this to the next poor unsuspecting courier so I said I would do it if she agreed I will take no responsibility. She said this was fine with her and buyer as he wanted asap. He didn't know any of the above on delivery said he wasn't in any rush and has since been back and forth to the vets trying to sort her out but not looking good.
3. Picked up Boa that was in a faunarium that had the lid duck taped down (i thought this was an over the top attempt to prevent escape) and with quite a bit of tissue paper in the box. Boa seemed fine but a little thin IMO. Delivered and receiver was happy. Not an hour later receiver had been in contact saying her jaw had dropped and she could barley breath and had severe RI. She has since spent £x00's on vets treatment. She has now also started showing signs of mites. Due to this, two other customers that had jobs on the same day were affected (although the snakes have never shown signs) one still has her boa in quarantine the other left his snakes with me for a week (which I offered) while he re arranged his collection and made his quarantine area up. So I had to move my snakes to my friends shop then move his in to make space.
(none of the above have blamed me in anyway and I have helped where I can)
4. I have had someone else trying to book for the guy from the first incident and because he has messed me around previously and cannot be flexible for time I am reluctant to do this on the £44 and only do it on mileage (and I gave him a bloody quote for this to!) now I get spoken to like I am an idiot and made to feel like I'm 5 y/o and don't know what I am doing.
5. Had someone but an "Albino Spotty Python" from someone and used me to courier. I wasn't informed that it was to be an albino. I was handed a normal coloured Spotty Python on collection and it wasn't until I delivered that the guy told me he was expecting an Albino and looks like he had been conned.
6. Add to the this people treating me like crap and making me feel bad for not being able to fit their job in and a few other incidents.

It's all seriously demoralising when your working 36 hours + over a couple of days plus at least 15 hours a week on paperwork for a second job that is only meant to be part time and is certainly only part time money.

And quite frankly I have other problems in life at the moment that need my attention. I don't mind spending a lot of time on making this work for people that appretiate what I do for a very cheap price but people who throw it back in my face can go pay full milage rates.

At the moment the next to runs will go ahead as planned and I am planning to take october off to re-access the services and see if I can find a viable way around the bad side of it to continue work for the better customers.

[cdcfckb7]

hi steve
cant belive its the minority spoiling it for the majority as usual. u were great delivering my boa from mansfield to dundee couldnt have any higher praise for you and would recommend you to any one. considering what it would have been if i wer to travell down to pic it up thanks and all the best

[abandonallhope]

Never had any dealings with you myself but have only ever heard good things.

It is a shame to hear that you've reached this decision, but I hope you'll reasses and give it another shot.

The trouble is you always get good and bad customers in any line of work.
Perhaps as a way to combat some of the issues you could have a form that both parties would have to sign, maybe along with a photo of the animal you are collecting.

Also perhaps a no assholes policy, they need you at the end of the day, not the other way round. If they are going to give you grief, ignore them.

Best of luck what ever you decide to do.

[purple-vixen]

I have to say, I am disgusted to read about your experiences mate. Twice now you have provided me an amazing service, calling ahead before you arrive, second time to apologise for running 10 minutes late with the Tokay? Like it matters hon, 10 minutes is nothing to most people!

More than anything it was so nice to give you a strong coffee after you brought my cresties from Sparkle in Scotland and have a nice chat.

I also hope them waxworms came in handy!

I have to say, try not to let it get you down, and I still am in disbelief that someone would knowingly send a Boa with RI in the same van with other animals without telling you!

I'm mortified, truly, that anyone would treat you like described! You are so bloody nice!

Well I hope that in the future, you sort something out.

All my support is with you, you're a diamond.

Jac xx

[bozwell]

hi steve
just want to say cant beleive the nerve of some people dont they realise that at the end of the day you are helping alot of people with the service you provide. not only that the hard work you put into it well i say hats off to you becuase the work you do i would never even attempt

your a brilliant man for doing it and the only courier i'd trust to transport my animals you've picked up and delivered to me in the passed and i've been 110% happy if not more

thats also why i have you booked for next weekend for two more jobs i really hope you can find a way of still doing it because i definitly need your services again

so whether its 6 in the morning or 12 at night i dont care lol cos i know the animals will arrive safe and sound .see you next weekend and you'll be more than welcome to have a cuppa and a chat

kim & karl

[biohazard156]

Steve, I am so sorry to hear that this has happened. Some people never realise until it's too late, what great work you have been providing.

I am enternally greatful to you for the times you have been here collecting animals, and I hope that we could continue to work together when you have finally sorted out what service you will be running. I would be sorry to lose the oppertunity to be able to recommend a courier so highly.

I don't think anyone appreciates what a difficult job it must be to do what you do. I know from travelling from Edinburgh to Bristol and back in a day was exhausting, and that was only collecting my animals, so multiple stop offs must be a logistical nightmare.

I look forward to seeing you on Saturday and Sunday!

Anna

[dracowoman2]

Steve, really sorry to hear about this, you have only ever been professional and consciencious in your work, and I am more than happy to have worked with you on several occasions now. At the end of the day people need to realise that you are the COURIER not the person responsible for whay the buyer or seller perceive to be the problem, that should be sorted out between them, your totaly involvement should be to deliver the animals. That said people should not be selling sub-standard animals to unsuspecting customers and expect you to deal with the grief. I totally agree with your thoughts about checking out potential customers in advance, and you are more than welcome here for coffee and a rummage about any time, would love to continue to work with you if you decide to go ahead.

if you need any help with writing any T's and C's or anything else that i can do feel free to drop me a mail or a text, I believe that you deserve the support!

Claire

[Catherine896]

So sorry to read this I hope you manage to work out a way to carry on as you are providing an amazing service.

I have been so impressed every time I have used you, I cant fault anything you have done.

Completely shocked that people could do things like that, its just disgusting. Still have my boa in quarantene after the R.I issue

Hopefully something can be sorted to try and stop this happening again, Im sure there are lots of people here that will be needing you in the future! Me included lol!

All the best for whatever you decide to do!

[oakelm]

I am really shocked at some of the st you have had to put up with, I cant believe people can be that unreasonable especially the 60 critters, talk about pulling on the animal lover heart strings in you.