Buying Fish Online And Receiving Via Post?

[InsaneHOH]

Hey all!
As new around here, its prob been asked hundred times before, but after a quick search, can't seem to find any threads on it
In past have only ever bought livestock from my LFS's and always considered buying some offline,
Just wondered what peoples experiences are from ordering online and receiving fish via post,
am aware most fish arrive in the UK via courier, but these guys know they are delivering fish to a store,
but as for your local postman bringing it to your door via special delivery, just can't see how they take care of the parcels and how fish can survive being bumped around inside boxes in royal mails amazing postal system?
any info would be greatly appreciated
many thanx
Ben

 

[JoshuaA]

Hey all!
As new around here, its prob been asked hundred times before, but after a quick search, can't seem to find any threads on it
In past have only ever bought livestock from my LFS's and always considered buying some offline,
Just wondered what peoples experiences are from ordering online and receiving fish via post,
am aware most fish arrive in the UK via courier, but these guys know they are delivering fish to a store,
but as for your local postman bringing it to your door via special delivery, just can't see how they take care of the parcels and how fish can survive being bumped around inside boxes in royal mails amazing postal system?
any info would be greatly appreciated
many thanx
Ben

Firstly do some research on the place you are going to buy from and read reviews find if anyone else you know has bought from there whether that be forums or otherwise.

Regarding the postage they usually insulate the fish in a secure insulated container with a heat pack to keep the fish at a relatively stable temperature and ship ONLY by priority next day. If they don't do priority I wouldn't trust them to arrive alive.

I've been told some horror stories on this forum from people who have bought online to find their fish turn up late covered in fluff and half gone. Although I've heard from the other end of the spectrum of people who wouldn't go elsewhere.

Realistically speaking you're likely going to get the same quality fish from a store as you are online. What really is the difference? A store might be in a rush to serve customers and meet deadlines in which they may slip on fish care. Though a pure online fish store could easily just have the behind the scenes of battery chickens in fish sense.

I think good old fashioned fish store shopping is best as you can really judge them up close, which isn't perfect. Though online if you want something very specific .

Also, the postage prices make it very unattractive to mailorder unless it is something you desperately want, for something like a bunch of neons or whatever I really wouldn't bother.

 

[Mikaila31]

Know or greatly research who you are buying from. Some places I would not buy from even seeing pictures of the actual fish. I have bought from places without seeing any pictures of fish.

 

[VickiandKev]

I think buying from other fish keepers and getting it posted is ok, i do agree you really need to know where your buying from with regards to online shops. If buying from a fish keeper ask who they will be posting with. We post quite a few fish and only use APC they are one of the best and take real care of the fish/box... Also ask if the person has shipped fish before as this makes a big difference with packing them correctly. The postage cost for APC are one of the more expensive but the fish will generally be cheaper than a shop anyway...

Hope that helps

 

[InsaneHOH]

Hi all thanx for all the info..
I did have in mind buying some more hard to find fish online and not just some standard fish i could easily find in my LSF
After the above advice, I think i'm going to give it a go for buying online,
I do luckily have 7 LFS's near me, and to be honest, Although i have prob bought from all 7 in the past, The only one i really trust to get a good heathly fish would be www.wildwoods.co.uk/
which seems to be a well known store. Although the highest in price. You can tell all fish are well looked after and they take pride in their stock and don't just sell to buyers to make a sale,
But always seem to find out who's buying what and what set up they have first,
Normally when i'm out buying fish, I can spend well over an hr in one store just watching a couple of fish i might be interested in, This is kinda one of my other concerns from buying online
and not being able to watch the fish for a while first!

Anyways this was the guy that had a couple of fish i was interested in

http/stores.ebay.co.uk/Ste12000-Aquatics


He does seem to be a trusted seller and takes pride in what he does, Does have some bad feedback, But as being a major ebay seller myself,, Do know what people are like out there!
Some real nightmares that can't be trusted and looking to pull a fast one right back at you no matter how good a seller you are,

Has anyone come across him before, Bought anything? Are you on here?

Thanx again
Ben


P.s reading his listing comments, he also does Fish photography, So at least i see the fish i want aswell and not just something similar from his tanks.

 

[mattsr]

Hi- I recently bought my first online fish from "Aquatics to your door"- http/www.aquaticstoyourdoor.co.uk/- and had no problems at all. The fish were securely packed and were all in excellent health- 4 bolivian rams and 9 neons. I recently sold my car, so although I have a couple of branches of Maidenhead Aquatics nearby, I don't want to try transprting fish on my bicycle!!

I was able to specify my preferred delivery date, and the fish were delivered by 9:30 that morning. As for worries about handling in transit etc, the fish in your LFS have probably had a fair bit of that anyway.

 

[InsaneHOH]

Nice one thanx mattsr, Getting more and more tempted with each post,
Just a shame postage is so high, although on the other hand, the amount of time spent and petrol driving around between stores, in probably works out cheaper.
my general concern was for the fishes well being!


Will check out that store you bought from thank you

Does anyone have any further shop recommendations, Saying that, will have a look if a thread already exists or start one if not
Thanx
Ben

 

[RustedKnight]

Ste12000 came very recommended to me. I am yet to hear a single bad word against him.

 

[Essjay]

Anyways this was the guy that had a couple of fish i was interested in

http/stores.ebay.co.uk/Ste12000-Aquatics

I bought some green neon tetras from that seller about six weeks ago. They arrived on time, well packed with a heat pad and all alive and well. I acclimated them slowly as his pH and hardness are different from mine - he gives his in the description. Six weeks later the fish are all still fit and healthy.

 

[InsaneHOH]

Does anyone have any further shop recommendations, Saying that, will have a look if a thread already exists or start one if not
Thanx
Ben

New thread started!


http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/344894-recommend-online-sellers-stores/

 

[nevad]

hi
i know ste personaly
i have bought fish of him but i am near enough to travel to collect
he is a dedicated fish man
he will not send fish if he can not be sure they will arrive safly
ste is in it for the fish not the cash
he is a true breeder not just a trader
if you go to this linkj you will see his new setup
http/www.britishcichlid.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=21
hope this helps
dave

 

[InsaneHOH]

hi
i know ste personaly
i have bought fish of him but i am near enough to travel to collect
he is a dedicated fish man
he will not send fish if he can not be sure they will arrive safly
ste is in it for the fish not the cash
he is a true breeder not just a trader
if you go to this linkj you will see his new setup
http/www.britishcichlid.org.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=21
hope this helps
dave

Nice one thanx Dave,, Will def keep an eye on his sales then,, And wow impressive set up indeed!
Nice to see he make money from a passion. And not just for the money.

 

[elisew]

Just wanted to add my two penneth..

I`ve bought from Ste on quite a number of occasions and haven`t had any concerns or worries at all. The fish have been healthy and well packed and Ste has always been a pleasure to deal with, whether through ebay or email.
I highly recommend him and the fish he breeds/sells

 

[fluvial]

Yet another happy Ste customer.
I've bought fish food from him a couple of times - and about 3 months ago
bid and won a pair of Cockatoo Cichlids from him - arrived by post.

Absolutely stunning fish and grown out very nicely in my community tank.
He is one of my favourite ebay sellers - and my favourite for fish

 

[InsaneHOH]

wicked thanx guys, He has a couple of guys i would really like, so gonna have a bid me thinks if there not to expensive..
So glad a finally joined this forum and started asking questions like this!
been wondering for last couple of yrs as well lol
thanx again
Ben