USPS shipping - need help

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Posted by Cheryl on January 15, 2001 at 14:23:56:

We've been having a discussion on the Kingsnake.com corn snake forum about shipping regulations.This is a subject that concerns almost all herpers, whether you are the one shipping animals or are on the receiving end. We have decided to target the USPS and launch a mail campaign to attempt to persuade them to accept harmless reptiles for shipment. We need the help of as many people as we can get. Rich Zuchowski has set out a general guideline to help those of you who can get involved. I have posted it, and the address of the Post Master General below. If you can lend your support, it is certainly needed.

Office of Postmaster General
CEO William J. Henderson
475 L'Enfant Plaza S.W.
Room 10022
Washington, D.C.
20260-0010

Generally speaking, writing to bureaucrats at any level is best accomplished
by proper groveling. Like it or not, people in positions like that LIKE to
have their feet kissed and it is often the only way to get their ear. Start
off your letters with a request for an interpretation of the LAW as related to
the shipping of live harmless snakes. Be careful to differentiate between what
is law and what is policy. Then offer a carrot. There are hundreds of existing
breeders of snakes that would switch to the USPS in a heartbeat if they could
get quality reliable service from them. There are probably THOUSANDS more that
are potential customers, but the lack of this service has inhibited an entire
industry. The advent of the Internet as opened a floodgate of possibilities
that the USPS could take part in if they will only take a good hard look at
the potential of this marketplace and drop a policy that is based on nothing
more than personal prejudice and ignorant fear.

OK, there's a bare bones format. Keep it nice, keep it short, and keep to the
point. No one reads long letters. And for God's sake be civil! All it would
take is one or more demanding letters or rants to harden someone against us whom
might otherwise be willing to listen to a reasonable argument.

And an attorney that would research the Postal Regulations and present a
legal argument in our behalf would certainly be helpful.

Rich Z.

Posted by Cheryl

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: We've been having a discussion on the Kingsnake.com corn snake forum about shipping regulations.This is a subject that concerns almost all herpers, whether you are the one shipping animals or are on the receiving end. We have decided to target the USPS and launch a mail campaign to attempt to persuade them to accept harmless reptiles for shipment. We need the help of as many people as we can get. Rich Zuchowski has set out a general guideline to help those of you who can get involved. I have posted it, and the address of the Post Master General below. If you can lend your support, it is certainly needed. : Office of Postmaster General : CEO William J. Henderson : 475 L'Enfant Plaza S.W. : Room 10022 : Washington, D.C. : 20260-0010 : Generally speaking, writing to bureaucrats at any level is best accomplished : by proper groveling. Like it or not, people in positions like that LIKE to : have their feet kissed and it is often the only way to get their ear. Start : off your letters with a request for an interpretation of the LAW as related to : the shipping of live harmless snakes. Be careful to differentiate between what : is law and what is policy. Then offer a carrot. There are hundreds of existing : breeders of snakes that would switch to the USPS in a heartbeat if they could : get quality reliable service from them. There are probably THOUSANDS more that : are potential customers, but the lack of this service has inhibited an entire : industry. The advent of the Internet as opened a floodgate of possibilities : that the USPS could take part in if they will only take a good hard look at : the potential of this marketplace and drop a policy that is based on nothing : more than personal prejudice and ignorant fear. : OK, there's a bare bones format. Keep it nice, keep it short, and keep to the : point. No one reads long letters. And for God's sake be civil! All it would : take is one or more demanding letters or rants to harden someone against us whom : might otherwise be willing to listen to a reasonable argument. : And an attorney that would research the Postal Regulations and present a : legal argument in our behalf would certainly be helpful. : Rich Z. : Posted by Cheryl

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