Courier service

Lilafernim · 10-10-2021, 01:49 PM

Evening all!

As some of you know I’m trying to get a new hamster from a breeder this time but I was having difficulty as they were all so far!

I just found out about pet couriers and I know they’ll reply tomorrow but I’m really apprehensive! Has anyone used these before?

I just want to know how much it might cost for 150mile journey?

Also, just out of curiosity what’s the most you’ve ever spent on getting a hamster? Someone recommended me a Glasgow breeder who charges £80-£100 for a courier service and wondered what the most people would spend to get a hamster.

Pebbles82 · 10-11-2021, 08:57 AM

It's not something that's commonly used really. Breeders may know more about it. That's quite a long journey for a hamster. But doable. I have picked a hamster up from 2 hours journey away before - either in the car with me or on the train. The downside I can see is there's no "personal" handover from one home to the next - ie from the previous owner to the new one. But maybe that doesn't really matter once the hamster has had a couple of weeks to settle. £100 is a lot - but then a trainfare that distance could cost that much too.

If the breeder is ok with it then it's a possibility - but I would only do it if it's a genuine breeder who is registered with the National Hamster Council.

This is the list of NHC breeders in the North

There is Amberhill Hamstery in Glasgow

Club Breeders – Northern Hamster Club

I would think as long as they are in a pet carrier and this is secured correctly - and presumably the breeder would ensure this and only use a suitable pet couriet - it is basically just a journey. But it would need to be just for the hamster - not other pets being transported at the same time - that would be too stressful for a hamster.

Ideally though, it would be better if you could visit and have a kind of "handover" of the hamster when collecting (or the breeder dropping off) as presumably it's a baby hamster. You're in Essex area aren't you? Reckon it would be more than 150 mile journey. It's about 200 miles from York to London. It would be best part of a day's journey probably - that's still doable as they do tend to sleep during the day.

Lilafernim · 10-11-2021, 09:22 AM

The cheapest I’ve found now is £60 for two and a half hours away. They said even if I met them half way £60 is the minimum charge. The hamster itself would cost £15 so £75 in total. I want a healthy hammie, but that sort of money could buy a brand new cage!

I have found one FINALLY on preloved near me. Absolutely perfect, I’ve paid a fiver just to message them and it’s been seven hours and I’m absolutely dying over here wondering if they’ve sold her, or if they’re at work.

This anticipation is killing me, it’s a little girl, 3 months old and getting no attention from the family.

I’m just praying this works out because I’m lost again if this falls through. 100 people have seen it, but I messaged when only 15 people had. So hopefully they treat it as first come first serve and I might have a chance!

Ria P · 10-11-2021, 01:50 PM

I just had a look at the hamster. A hamster called Nibbles? Lovely girl.
Just because a lot of people looked at the hamster doesn't mean that people want to adopt her and you got in there early. Fingers crossed.

No reason why your next hamster shouldn't be fine, with or without a pedigree.

I've lost one at only 10 months not long ago which was a shock and not something one would expect. She was so full of spirit but her life was cut short by an illness.

You've updated your hamster care knowledge in the meantime and now know that kapok, fluffy bedding, hamster balls etc are dangerous things and best avoided.

You'll never know the reason why your beloved hamster had to leave so soon but i'm glad that you are ready to give another hamster the chance of a loving forever home.

Pebbles82 · 10-11-2021, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilafernim

The cheapest I’ve found now is £60 for two and a half hours away. They said even if I met them half way £60 is the minimum charge. The hamster itself would cost £15 so £75 in total. I want a healthy hammie, but that sort of money could buy a brand new cage!

I have found one FINALLY on preloved near me. Absolutely perfect, I’ve paid a fiver just to message them and it’s been seven hours and I’m absolutely dying over here wondering if they’ve sold her, or if they’re at work.

This anticipation is killing me, it’s a little girl, 3 months old and getting no attention from the family.

I’m just praying this works out because I’m lost again if this falls through. 100 people have seen it, but I messaged when only 15 people had. So hopefully they treat it as first come first serve and I might have a chance!

Fingers crossed. I had no idea you had to pay to send a message on preloved!

Lilafernim · 10-12-2021, 12:58 AM

I only had to pay because it was a new ad. Anything under twelve days old you have to pay for a membership to message. I had the same with my partners cat and that was an interesting day getting her!

Yes it is Nibbles! And I can confirm I am collecting her today.

I did get a suitable cage off of Facebook the other day based on what you’ve said. (You wouldn’t believe my luck, after getting a basic correct sized one BOTH an Alaska and a savic plaza came on the next day near my location!). I am also selling daf dafs cage today which is heart breaking, but I keep telling myself I can’t keep a cage as a memento of her 😅

I asked the woman to have her without the setup (as I’d now bought the setup) and she said £15 just for nibbles so I thought I’ll just get it all for £30 as it is a savic plaza. So now I have to sell the cage I got the other day plus any duplicate equipment 😂 but this way nibbles keeps her home.

I am a little worried, on one part. It says she’s not had much attention and every picture is of her inside the cage which tells me she’s not been handled a lot. I hope she’s called nibbles for what she does to food and not hands! Of course even if she does bite I know this is a handling problem, any advice on best way to approach?

I know eating food out of hand helps, and scenting my hand with the bedding. Daf daf never bit us once (except when I heard she had a nightmare and I loved comforting her so I shoved my hand in maybe a bit too soon!) my smaller breeds did at first, but they came to pretty quickly. To be honest my main worry is having a screaming hamster, as my first (Russian dwarf) screamed when we got her if we went near her 😂 that terrified me!

I had also gone on some waiting lists for breeders but the courier turned out to be more than I thought so I was worried. But I was happy knowing I probably had a month to process things. I saw nibbles though and she’s very close, still young, right reason. I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.

I’ll be honest though, I did cry ast night as it is all overwhelming. I hope daf daf in heaven doesn’t see this and think I’m replacing her because (sorry nibbles!) daf daf was so gorgeous and lovely nothing could come close to replacing her. I guess I’m also worried if nibbles does the same things daf daf did, would it upset me or make me laugh like with daf daf? I just really do want to give nibbles the best life and I love having a hamster in my routine. I feel really discoordinated at the moment and I’m excited but nervous.

Anyway, I’m getting her this evening so no picture today as I want to make sure she settles a bit first. I might also think of a new name but nibbles is starting to grow on me 😅 Thank you for all everyone’s help! Hopefully I’ll have some updates soon ☺️

Lilafernim · 10-12-2021, 01:03 AM

Oh and the reason I’m adopting, or buying from breeders is because I read something someone said on here I think. It was very true.

When you adopt a hamster who’s isn’t getting much love. You know no matter what, it’s going to have a better life than what it was having. So if it ends up passing away through unknown reasons you can rest easier knowing you gave it a better life than it was having.

Of course I’d like a bred hamster that is fully healthy, but even if nibbles was from the pet shop, I’m not supporting pet shops by doing this, and I’m giving her a better life too.

Pebbles82 · 10-11-2021, 09:17 AM

If that doesn't work out, check out Happy Hamsters rescue. They have branches all over the country. The nearest to you is probably in the Midlands I think but I am sure they would either deliver or meet you part way. If you message them they can tell you what Syrians are available nearest to you

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