Buying livestock

[shawn114]

I have never bought any fish online before, is this a good idea or not. Saltwaterfish.com seems to have some pretty good prices. Has anyone got any pro's and con's to buying from them?

 

[hillbilly]

Buying livestock online is like buying a "pig in a poke". You never really know for sure what you bought until it arrives. I think most people have good experences, but some have been screwed for wads of cash. I have never ordered from Saltwaterfish.com . I prefer to buy livestock locally so I can see what I'm buying.

 

[mutley29]

I personally haven't bought from SaltwaterFish.com but a buddy of mine has with no problems so far, i have only bought from my LFS and 2 places online, for the online purchase i would recommend Marinedepotlive.com, if you have specific packaging or delivery needs these guys rock and are very helpful if you call for fish/coral/invert info.
the other is Liveaquaria.com, but i had 2 fish die in one delivery from them, called them up and they re-imbursed me right away.
Hope this helps

 

[kparton]

I've had better luck getting healthy livestock from mail order than I have from local stores. I don't know why, maybe it'a the fact that when you buy online, the fish only has to be acclimated once after shipping (into your tank) rather than twice (into the fish store's tank and then into yours). I like going to live fish stores, but I have been very happy with my ordering.

 

[Anonymous]

Although I order most of my equipment online (crazy deals!) I stick to the LFS for livestock simple because I can see the fish before I purchase it.

 

[Anonymous]

I like to but fish at my LFS. I don't mind paying the extra to see what I am getting before hand. Also, if somthing just does not look right about the fish I can wait for another.

 

[Anonymous]

Only problem is, Wazzel, that sometimes the wait is very long! I get so frustrated, being at the mercy of the LFS' crappy selection, I'm so tempted to order fish from the net.

 

[Anonymous]

I guess I'm lucky with my LFS. If I have a special request he will do what he can to get it for me. I have been a customer of the guy for almost 3 years. I get good deals and service. If they are busy I help out etc, etc. So for me it is a good thing. I know not everyone is that fortinuate with their LFS.

 

[Anonymous]

yeah i guess you are fortunate. the LFS' around me often complain (when i ask for a special order) that they are at the mercy of their distributor, etc. I say, "Well, can you try to get me this fish?" and they say, "Yes but there is no guarantee"

.. two weeks go by and no fish comes in with the shipment. Happened at all 3 of my LFS that I like.

 

[Anonymous]

I have probably made a couple dozen online orders over the years as my LFS doesn't get very interesting stuff. If possible, I like to get fish locally, but almost always buy coral online.

I have great luck with this, and overall have had worse mortalities from local purchases than shipped ones.

One thing I always do is have FedEx hold the shipment at their local office so the box doesn't bounce around in the back of a cold truck all day while they look for my house. Its usually ready by 9 am. Overnight shipping ain't cheap- 40 to 60 dollars.

 

[Anonymous]

I have seen the owner of the LFS place a call to the distribure right then and there when a person asks for something special.

 

[JohnD]

I have ordered clean-up crews several times online and have always had good results.

I second Dan Connors comment about picking up the shipment from the Fedex facility. If you can't take a day off from work to make the pickup, consider at Saturday delivery. Fedex charged me an extra $10, but I thought it was well worth it to get my package from the facility and get it home quickly.

HTH