Buying Fish Online - Page 2

Crakeur · 02-24-2004, 11:19 AM

it's always better to buy locally. you can see what you are getting and you can determine if the fish is healthy and eating. you are also helping keep a dying breed from becoming extinct.

that said, there are a few online retailers who I have bought from.

liveaquaria is one of the best in my opinion. they have a very long guaranty period and they refund your money (as opposed to the credit method) if you have the corpse (they've never asked for proof, just a confirmation of the corpse being visible). they claim they pack their livestock to last for 3 days in the bags and I have put them to that test once, thanks to a completely screwed up shipment. Everything lived.

I've bought from a lot of places and had very few bad transactions. The problem with the lfs is you are stuck buying what they have or waiting for what you want.

SeaShel · 02-24-2004, 02:25 PM

Although I would love to have the ability to always buy my fish locally, it often is not the case.
I can agree with liveaquaria.com being the best to get fish from. Their guarantee is definitely honored when needed (I got a credit the next day).
I can honestly say that I have had more fish die that were from several different local dealers even after observation while in-store, than have died from the online purchases. And the local dealers give no guarantee!

Best of luck on your decision.

mgregory · 02-24-2004, 02:57 PM

I would have to agree with the other posts. I have had very good luck with Dr Foster and their associated live sites.

Wit,

Pikes is a must but I thought it sounded weird, buying fish for the tanks and my stomach!!!

Mark

nigle · 02-24-2004, 07:01 PM

Oi!

IMO unless there is NO PLACE TO BUY fish locally and you HAVE TO buy on line, then OK, otherwise I can't see ANY benifit to do so.

Fortunately there are probably 15 stores with an hour drive of my house and probably more than that I don't even know about where you COULD buy fish. Now the question is weather I WOULD buy from most of them, and the answer is probably NOT!

My 'nice' LFS in Hobart, is run by people in the business that have had salt water for over 15 years BEFORE they got into retail, and the reason why I keep with them is not only the fish or coral, but the INFORMATION that comes along with. Other places in the area will sell 'product' as if it was a burger and fries, 'Just get it out of the store!' If the places that you have are like that then 1. sorry for that, but 2. MAKE THEM TALK TO YOU! If you know about the fish you want, and you ask questions that you know the answers too and they can't answer them then you 'politely' tell them they are idiots. If they are going to sell the product then they should KNOW THE PRODUCT!

One of my biggest 'beefs' with this [salt water] industry is that many of the stores still treat it like fresh water......you buy , it dies, you buy more! Salt water fish can live for decades, even $4.00 chromis.

I'm getting excited again, sorry.

Cheers!
nigle
!~!

02-24-2004, 11:19 AM	#16 (permalink)
Crakeur Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In the sump Posts: 298 View Gallery Karma Komment	it's always better to buy locally. you can see what you are getting and you can determine if the fish is healthy and eating. you are also helping keep a dying breed from becoming extinct. that said, there are a few online retailers who I have bought from. liveaquaria is one of the best in my opinion. they have a very long guaranty period and they refund your money (as opposed to the credit method) if you have the corpse (they've never asked for proof, just a confirmation of the corpse being visible). they claim they pack their livestock to last for 3 days in the bags and I have put them to that test once, thanks to a completely screwed up shipment. Everything lived. I've bought from a lot of places and had very few bad transactions. The problem with the lfs is you are stuck buying what they have or waiting for what you want. __________________ It's not the size of the nose that matters, it's what's inside that counts! If I wanted a joke, I'd follow you into the john and watch you take a leak. You know when you're telling these little stories? Here's a good idea: have a point. It makes it so much more interesting for the listener! Women have choices, and men have responsibilities

02-24-2004, 02:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
SeaShel Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Although I would love to have the ability to always buy my fish locally, it often is not the case. I can agree with liveaquaria.com being the best to get fish from. Their guarantee is definitely honored when needed (I got a credit the next day). I can honestly say that I have had more fish die that were from several different local dealers even after observation while in-store, than have died from the online purchases. And the local dealers give no guarantee! Best of luck on your decision.

02-24-2004, 02:57 PM	#18 (permalink)
mgregory Midas Blenny Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Idaho Posts: 113 View Gallery Karma Komment	I would have to agree with the other posts. I have had very good luck with Dr Foster and their associated live sites. Wit, Pikes is a must but I thought it sounded weird, buying fish for the tanks and my stomach!!! Mark

02-24-2004, 07:01 PM	#19 (permalink)
nigle Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gary, Indiana Posts: 292 View Gallery Karma Komment	Oi! IMO unless there is NO PLACE TO BUY fish locally and you HAVE TO buy on line, then OK, otherwise I can't see ANY benifit to do so. Fortunately there are probably 15 stores with an hour drive of my house and probably more than that I don't even know about where you COULD buy fish. Now the question is weather I WOULD buy from most of them, and the answer is probably NOT! My 'nice' LFS in Hobart, is run by people in the business that have had salt water for over 15 years BEFORE they got into retail, and the reason why I keep with them is not only the fish or coral, but the INFORMATION that comes along with. Other places in the area will sell 'product' as if it was a burger and fries, 'Just get it out of the store!' If the places that you have are like that then 1. sorry for that, but 2. MAKE THEM TALK TO YOU! If you know about the fish you want, and you ask questions that you know the answers too and they can't answer them then you 'politely' tell them they are idiots. If they are going to sell the product then they should KNOW THE PRODUCT! One of my biggest 'beefs' with this [salt water] industry is that many of the stores still treat it like fresh water......you buy , it dies, you buy more! Salt water fish can live for decades, even $4.00 chromis. I'm getting excited again, sorry. Cheers! nigle !~!

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