Buying fish from a distance

[ostrow]

So with new tank in the works I'm thinking of stock. Need 2-3 clown loaches and assorted other fish.

LFS has 2" clowns at $13. Found an online source, regular ebayer with rating through the roof, selling same at $3 with $8 shipping.

This would be a large savings for 3 clowns. $17 versus $39. And this source will "throw in" some small fish I want at no charge.

Any reason not to do this?

I'd be interested in info on experiences with buying fish this way from those who have done so.

Am I allowed to post the merchant's name to ask for reputation???

 

[William]

You are allowed to post his name. On ebay I find it useful to check their feedback +50 is usualy ok +100 is pretty sound +500 safe as houses.

If he's new to ebay then be very wary he may well rip you off. Also you don't actually get to see this fish and so while I'm sure they're fine you can't choose the nicest ones if that makes sense (I know most clowns look alike but still ). As for the small fish he's gonna chuck in I wouldn't do it for that they'll probably just be feeder guppies which he either breeds in large numbers or picked up for cheap. Also do you have a guarentee that the fish are alive when you get them?

 

[ostrow]

No the extras are a hard-to-find (at least here) Blue Variatus which I love ... livebearer, that I asked for and she agreed to throw in.

Ok, anyone bought from a10sweety:
http/www.auctionworks.com/store/default....7627&sfid=24126

Looks pretty reputable.

 

[Great Lakes]

Don't know how it is in the UK, but over here, there are reputeable fish houses that even have free shipping specials on occasion with a certain level of purchase.

I would buy fish from a person on Ebay, but tend to appreciate a seller who does more than the free advertising gimmick there.

 

[William]

GL ostrow is from chicago.

 

[Great Lakes]

Well hell, he ought to take a few hour drive to see the Master then...

If the location thing worked, I wouldn't have made that mistake..

 

[William]

I knew you would say that I have been trying for two weeks now and it appears that it can't be done! I put in a special request so maybe in the next version it will be there

 

[tyvex]

hey all
i have used mail order for my inverts, infact i,m getting more live rock and a little ickle emerald crab by carrier tomorrow.
my main supplier for fish has a mail order side, but i've never yet used it for swimmy things.
if i know the stock and trust the supplier then i would absolutely go for it.
my lfs (well the best one i've found, not so local tho) is a good hour and a half drive, on a good day, each way, but as i said i know his stock is good and i trust him, he wont sell me anything if he recons i dont need it, or is not of good quality(now what other lfs does that?) i find it best to build a relationship with your fish shop and stick to them(if they're good), then you'll get the perks
sorry to ramble
ty

 

[Andi]

ty, I agree with your ramblings B) . My lfs is 40 mins away, Alan (the owner) has always done me proud "dont buy this" etc. He was away last week - I counted 4 dead fish in his tanks, the hired help aint what they should be!

 

[whacky]

Here here,

Find one good lfs and stick to them, as for mail order i think i would check the place out before i ordered from them.

My nearestlfs is about an hour away as a consequence i dont get to go as much as i would like, i used another lfs as i was in the area and all the fish i got from there died and they had a good reputation, at £19.50 a fish i wasnt happy