James,
Did you say $51???. I never thought to ask? That is outrageous! No wonder they are asking for postage. I'll have to think about this.

Peg

Historically, they have shipped overnight.  FedEx's cheapest overnight for a three pound package (think about weight of the box, the cuttings and all the damp rags and this might be a bit conservative) is $51 to Houston. 

I don't know if they are willing to explore other options in shipping.  I ship a flat rate box (no weight limit) to my daughter via USPS Priority Mail (usually 2 days) for $8.95.  It is about the same size as the FedEx box UCD already ships in.  This service is normally 2 days and no more than 3 days to get anywhere in the U.S.

~james

Here is what I just sent UC Davis

Hi folks,
I love reading here and have learned quite a bit from the short time I have been a member.
I would like to very humbly caution all of you that the resources at NCGR should be treated carefully and less commercially.
This posts title could have been called "UC DAVIS Request".
Writing Angelique e-mails about shipping methods, costs, etc., must make here feel a bit like a store clerk.
I breed Cucurbits and have only ever dealt with ARS-GRIN. In the last few years the proliferation of garden forums and the NPGS' own mouth watering site that lists seemingly unlimited varieties of plant material has started to change the once generous nature of this program.
http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=4789&highlight=usda+grin
http://idigmygarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=419
http://idigmygarden.com/forums/showthread.php?t=468
Above are just three posts that I can remember of recent and acrimonious discussion. It seems most POVs are expressed in them in one way or another.
I am not trying to parent anyone here. But I do think it would serve us better, not to be the straw/website that broke the camels/NPGS Davis' back.
Brian

I called FedEx and canceled my account. Much too expensive for me. I also emailed Angelique to cancel my order unless they have a cheaper means of shipping. I'm willing to pay up to $20 shipping but that's it.

Ard.
I, for one, have nothing but the highest praise for UCD's program of supplying Fig cuttings. And I'm sure the other posters here agree.

It is a question of FedEx charges' affordability. I'm sorry that I found it necessary to email Angelique adding to her work load but she is the only contact I had. 

Peg 

Peg919
 
I'm with you a 100% on that one, for what that's worth!
 
Cecil

One of the options Davis gave was to send them a pre-paid self-addressed USPS container.  I'm not familiar with the Post Office price structure for prepaid priority, but I don't think it would be in the fifty dollar range.
I've never ordered from Davis and don't know what size would be suitable ( or what sizes are available from the Post Office), or where to send it (to Ms Crowell?).
It seems as if it would be a cheaper alternative to FedEx, but more involved than just sending them a check.
Edit: Just saw James' post. Eight and change sure beats 51.

Went to the post office today and got a flat rate priority mail box.  I didn't realize that those boxes were free - I thought you paid the postage up front.   There were two sizes to choose from - one about the size and shape of a shoe box ( about 11 inches long) and the other longer (about 13 inches long) shaped like a shirt box.  Not knowing how large the cuttings are, I got the 13 incher. 
I bought $8.95 worth of stamps and self-addressed it.  Now I have to wrap it and send it.  They have to store it for months, and send it back with my order.  It seems a very cumbersome process on both ends. 
Are they stopped by law (federal / state) from asking for money?  I know I wouldn't mind a reasonable charge.  Or a "donation" request - so much ($) for priority mail, so much (more $$$) for FedEx.  Other types of plant material might need faster transit times, but dormant fig cuttings are fine with the Post Office. 
It seems that they are trying to manage their costs by cutting down on the number of people authorized to get cuttings.  It's a shame - the majority of fig germplasm available in this country is here because of guys in backyards. 

I have discussed it with them, and they have no mechanism for taking money or payment. I know, it is hard to believe that there is a part of government that can't stick its hand out, But that is the reason they are pursuing a sort of circuitous route.

So, what happens if you send a check to help defray their costs?  Don't they cash it?

No, they don't, because they are not set up to do that. I've suggested FedEx gifts cards, and such, but they apparently have no mechanism to eal with payments.

I'm in a mess with FedEx. I tried to cancel my account online but that is not possible. I phoned the next day and asked for it to be canceled. Just in case UCD did not cancel my order I didn't want to be hit with a big bill.

On Sat. evening I received an email from FedEx saying my account was suspended for NON PAYMENT! Plus a whole page of instructions to follow or phone again for assistance.

I have a pristine credit rating and I don't want this to destroy it. This whole thing hasn't been worth the trouble.

Peg, Hope you manage to get it straightened out - especially with FedEx.
I've been thinking about this.  Davis still has to provide boxes to ship FedEx.  Not terribly expensive, but still an expense.  If they put in a USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate (or Priority Mail ) option for shipping, the boxes would be free from the Post Office and delivered right to them.  People who order could send a Priority Mail label (self-addressed) with $8.95 worth of stamps in an envelope.  The label and stamps could be filed with the order (or shipping payment noted ) and slapped on a box at shipping time. 
Anyone who needs or wants quicker shipping could still go with FedEx.
Does this make any sense, or would stamps fall into the same catergory as cash and checks?

One can also have an account with USPS (all is needed is the famous credit card).
Not sure if shipment can be charged to it from the 'second' sending party, but one
can (slow) mail a pre-addressed /paid, home printed shipping label (for a locally
very easily available USPS flat rate box). There is still the headache of keeping
(filing) these labels till ship time. One other thing; USPS Priority Mail is delivered
within 1-3 days (depending on distance). It should be OK with dormant fig twigs.
If the box /label is marked as 'Perishable'; USPS usually do protect the stuff
from any extreme temperatures during transit.

This (FedEx thing - no relation to the Fed gov) may be a classical example of how
our ever increasing (at least past) federal taxes were being wasted (~5.6:1 ratio)
 by our (dumb - either party) gov. Applies also for the my state/town taxes.
But one would expect much, much better from any (supposedly smarter) univ.

George (NJ).
P.S. This post was edited for some clarifications (but not changing the main thought).

George(NJ).

You got this one right!

This (FedEx thing - no relation to the fed gov) may be a classical example of how
our ever increasing federal taxes are being wasted by our (dumb - either party) gov.
But one would expect much better from any (smart) univ.

George (NJ).

I can understand how UCD's hands are tied by the Feds, but it sure is a downer. I looked forward to this as a means to obtain variety and then share with others. I have nothing big enough to trade yet and hate asking for cuttings when I can't trade. Maybe it's my old Yankee upbringing. SSE isn't an alternative for me either. I'm not looking for other seeds or plants. Just fig scion.  

Peg (CT)

Ms Crowell sent the address for the stamped, self-addressed box today:

Germplasm Repository
One Shields Avenue, UCD
Davis, CA 95616

I went back to the original e-mail and realized that I had made a mistake.  What they had requested was an EXPRESS mail box, not Priority.  So viability of the plant material is probably a reason for using FedEx and it might not be a choice on Davis' part.  There are so many rules and regulations.  Common sense doesn't always seem to count for much. 
But I agree, George, FedEx isn't necessary for dormant fig cuttings - we used to send them regular mail (way before all the "new" services, LOL) - but it might be for other material. 
And if you think filing the labels until shipping time would be a headache, picture filing the boxes!

When can we send UC Davis the prepaid USPS container?

Thanks,
Cecil

Cecil,  Ms Crowell just gave the address, but I'm sending mine this week.  It has to be wrapped or it will go Priority, and you'll end up paying $8.95 to send an empty box.

Thanks Fignut,
I had also inquired about sending them to me VIA USPS
Here is what they just sent me!(PS 1st time for me also.)

Hi All,

I spoke to Jeremy Smith today.  Here's what we worked out.

UCD will ship in any manner one deems appropriate.  Basically if you feel 2nd day or Ground is okay, they'll ship it that way.  I suggested the following to make everybody's life (including theirs) a bit easier:

UCD will order free, flat-rate, Priority (not Express) boxes from the Postal Service.
If you want your order shipped Priority Mail (2-3 days), send an $8.95 USPS stamp (not the entire box) to UCD (the address Fignut gave) attention Jeremy Smith.

DO NOT SEND CASH
DO NOT SEND CREDIT CARD INFO.

Although we did not discuss this, you might want to include shipping instructions with your order and a hard copy of your order (label it duplicate) with your postage.

EDIT:  This method will work for Figs.  If you are asking for other material, check before hand to make sure they will fit in the Priority Mail box.

~james

 Here is where it all goes.

James,
Great news! I wonder if I can get my order reinstated. I emailed Angelique asking if I can do so and sent a copy. If she will do it I'll send Jeremy the $8.95 stamp.

Thanks, James and everyone for all you trouble and success in making this possible.
Peg

James,  Thank you.  Hopefully they will get a good response, save some money, and not need to limit who can order cuttings.

Happy Thanksgiving, All!

Thanks very much James!
 
We needed that.
 
Cecil