Membership questions? Log in issues? Email info@brewersassociation.org

Author Topic: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative  (Read 5709 times)

Offline dglucasii

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 47
  • I'd rather be brewing
Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« on: July 21, 2013, 07:21:03 am »
In the Dear Zymurgy section of this month's journal, one of the writers talks about shipping with UPS or FedEx and using the identifier for what he is shipping as "yeast samples packed in glass".  Looking on the FedEx website, they list under Prohibited Items that "Biological Products."  Question: What's a good alternative identifier for my "product?"

Offline duboman

  • Senior Brewmaster
  • ******
  • Posts: 1578
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #1 on: July 21, 2013, 07:46:37 am »
I state contents as "Glassware" and never have a problem.

Honestly in most cases it's never even asked. If you set up and account you can actually fill out your shipping info on line and directly print your label. Then all you do is drop off your package and they don't even ask you anything:)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
Peace....Love......Beer......

The Commune Brewing Company-Perfecting the craft of beer since 2010

Offline klickitat jim

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8604
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #2 on: July 21, 2013, 08:10:00 am »
More Beer ships yeast via FedEx

Offline Hokerer

  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • ********
  • Posts: 2654
  • Manassas, VA
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #3 on: July 21, 2013, 08:18:17 am »
Honestly in most cases it's never even asked. If you set up and account you can actually fill out your shipping info on line and directly print your label. Then all you do is drop off your package and they don't even ask you anything:)

Seriously, this is the exact way to do it.  Don't have to lie and no questions asked.
Joe

Offline dglucasii

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 47
  • I'd rather be brewing
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #4 on: July 21, 2013, 09:06:08 am »
I state contents as "Glassware" and never have a problem.

Honestly in most cases it's never even asked. If you set up and account you can actually fill out your shipping info on line and directly print your label. Then all you do is drop off your package and they don't even ask you anything:)

Will do...makes the most sense.
Thanks!

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27070
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2013, 10:03:45 am »
I had heard that the shippers are onto the "yeast samples" thing, and the article makes that even more likely.  I always just say it's "gifts".  I've never had to be more specific than that.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline rainmaker

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 91
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2013, 10:09:50 am »
Honestly in most cases it's never even asked. If you set up and account you can actually fill out your shipping info on line and directly print your label. Then all you do is drop off your package and they don't even ask you anything:)

Seriously, this is the exact way to do it.  Don't have to lie and no questions asked.

I've shipped 30+ trades on beer advocate and this is the way to go. Print, drop off, and no questions asked.  I also like to include an empty can with a few nuts, pennies,  rice, or anything that will rattle.  It helps mask the sloshing sound.

Offline smkranz

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 333
  • Maryland
    • Midnight Homebrewers' League
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2013, 03:54:34 pm »
With the USPS sucking wind these days, you'd think there would be an opportunity to talk to them at a higher level (AHA Board to USPS Board of Governors) to get them to approve (or request approval from Congress if necessary) shipping of beers to competitions.  More income for them, and a no-risk or B.S. alternative for us.

Maybe this has been attempted. 
Steve K.
BJCP Beer & Mead Certified
Midnight Homebrewers' League
http://www.midnighthomebrewers.org

Offline dbeechum

  • Global Moderator
  • I spend way too much time on the AHA forum
  • *****
  • Posts: 2913
  • Pasadena, CA
    • Experimental Brewing
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #8 on: July 21, 2013, 10:09:42 pm »
That's something that has to be changed with an act of congress and there has been some research on that front
Drew Beechum - Maltosefalcons.com
- Vote in the AHA GC Election! - http://bit.ly/1aV9GVd  -
-----
Burbling:
Gnome is in the Details
*Experimental Brewing - The Book*
Tap:
Peanut Butter Jelly Time
Tupelo Mead
Farmhouse Brett Saison

Offline klickitat jim

  • I must live here
  • **********
  • Posts: 8604
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #9 on: July 21, 2013, 10:46:16 pm »
Perhaps just go with 'don't ask-don't tell'
A private company (FedEx) may be easier to apologize to than a USPS swat team

Offline theDarkSide

  • Official Poobah of No Life. (I Got Ban Hammered by Drew)
  • *********
  • Posts: 3041
  • Derry, NH
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2013, 06:40:36 am »
Never had a problem shipping with UPS.  I setup an account, print the lable at home, and drop in the UPS area at work.  Sometimes it's pretty obvious what's in the package, especially when the address has a c/o "XXXXX Homebrew Competition".
Seacoast Homebrew Club - Portsmouth, NH
AHA Member
Stephen Mayo
------------------------------------------------

Offline denny

  • Administrator
  • Retired with too much time on my hands
  • *****
  • Posts: 27070
  • Noti OR [1991.4, 287.6deg] AR
    • Dennybrew
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #11 on: July 22, 2013, 09:51:47 am »
With the USPS sucking wind these days, you'd think there would be an opportunity to talk to them at a higher level (AHA Board to USPS Board of Governors) to get them to approve (or request approval from Congress if necessary) shipping of beers to competitions.  More income for them, and a no-risk or B.S. alternative for us.

Maybe this has been attempted.

IIRC, yes, it has.
Life begins at 60.....1.060, that is!

www.dennybrew.com

The best, sharpest, funniest, weirdest and most knowledgable minds in home brewing contribute on the AHA forum. - Alewyfe

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts." - Bertrand Russell

Offline macbrews

  • Assistant Brewer
  • ***
  • Posts: 172
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #12 on: July 22, 2013, 11:02:11 am »
If asked (and most of the time I am not), I label mine "Competition Supplies" and have never been asked for more info.

Offline james

  • Brewer
  • ****
  • Posts: 361
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #13 on: July 22, 2013, 01:29:06 pm »
One of the other benefits of printing your own labels at home is that it's also slightly cheaper vs paying at the store.

Offline dglucasii

  • Cellarman
  • **
  • Posts: 47
  • I'd rather be brewing
Re: Shipping Woes...need a good alternative
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2013, 05:20:43 pm »
I went this FedEx.  Registered and printed from home, took my package to the location...they didn't ask, I didn't tell.  No worries.
Thanks again to all for your help!