Buying From LFS or Online

[Steve71175]

I have a question regarding purchasing your fish from your LFS or online. From a stress perspective wouldn't it be better to purchase your fish online if they have to be shipped regardless (either to you or to the LFS)? I know my LFS slowly acclimates their new arrivals to their display tanks. If I purchase fish from the LFS I then have to acclimate them to my DT or QT. It seems to me that by purchasing your fish online you are removing an extra step in the process that can reduce the overall amount of stress that the fish experience. Is this correct? Aside from being able to physically see the fish before you purchase are there advantages to purchasing from your LFS that I am missing?

[TheStig]

well the online store sometimes isnt the wholesaler... there are wholesalers that most dealers have to go through (online or LFS) regardless, its really the same amount of channels. sometimes, people create a special relationship with their LFS that they are able to bargain prices with them, as i do with mine. i find it much difficult to create a relationship with online stores compared to my LFS... sometimes i am able to get a fish or coral for cheaper than its listed for and i dont have to pay for shipping...

so really, it goes down to what you're preferred on doing... some say they order online so that they can get fish that their LFS dont have but if my LFS doesnt have it, i ask them if they can get it and for how much. they're usually more helpful as far as comparing prices that other stores have

[lordofthereef]

the online store sometimes isnt the wholesaler...

+1

In fact I think in most cases the online store isn't the wholesaler, thus making the online store method have more stress on your fish IMO (shipped twice rather than once and then just a car ride away from home)

[Steve71175]

The whole "online store isn't the wholesaler" thing wasn't something that I realized. Thanks for the input!

[TheStig]

yeah so i say that you should make good friends with ur LFS owner :)

[atwinparadox2]

If you make friends with the owner of a LFS you will usually get good treatment. I spent boat loads of money in my LFS before it closed and he always let me buy at his prices that he purchased from the dealer. He would call me as soon as the fish came in so he didn't even take it out of the bag. Therefor it cut down on the multiple acclimations and less stress on the fish.

[GTR]

he always let me buy at his prices that he purchased from the dealer.




my LFS <strike>before it</strike> closed


:D

SteveU

[TheStig]

If you make friends with the owner of a LFS you will usually get good treatment. I spent boat loads of money in my LFS before it closed and he always let me buy at his prices that he purchased from the dealer. He would call me as soon as the fish came in so he didn't even take it out of the bag. Therefor it cut down on the multiple acclimations and less stress on the fish.

so you can ultimately blame urself for his failure ahahh :bigeyes:

my dealer doesnt get to me at cost but its substantially less than what other's pay normally or what i see online

[arredondojason]

plus when you by at your LFS you are buying what you see not always the case online.

[GTR]

At least some of the online stores drop ship from the wholesaler so they have no idea what you'll get other than species. I can imagine that "Big Boy" online shops get pretty good treatment from their shippers.

SteveU

[wooden_reefer]

I have a question regarding purchasing your fish from your LFS or online. From a stress perspective wouldn't it be better to purchase your fish online if they have to be shipped regardless (either to you or to the LFS)? I know my LFS slowly acclimates their new arrivals to their display tanks. If I purchase fish from the LFS I then have to acclimate them to my DT or QT. It seems to me that by purchasing your fish online you are removing an extra step in the process that can reduce the overall amount of stress that the fish experience. Is this correct? Aside from being able to physically see the fish before you purchase are there advantages to purchasing from your LFS that I am missing?

You miss the crux.

In a LFS, you can choose those that are less stressed, those that are in the best shape.

Do you have good eyes for the best by looking at them?

Unless you have to order and be commited in advance. Sometimes you do for a small LFS for unusual species.

[addictedtofish]

I always buy fish from my lfs..... 1. they QT, 2. I get to inspect them and watch them eat 3.they know my tank and h20 conditions are top notch and always take care of me if I have any issues. 4. I try to support local business as much as I can.

[ultimatemusky]

I always buy fish from my lfs..... 1. they QT, 2. I get to inspect them and watch them eat 3.they know my tank and h20 conditions are top notch and always take care of me if I have any issues. 4. I try to support local business as much as I can. A+ to supporting local business and getting to see your livestock before investing the money is, as they say, Priceless!!

[wickedfish]

Ordering from any place online wont give you the same price as a whole saler. No, way. As a matter of fact your spending more online because you have to pay for the shipping etc. They have to make there money. No, point of a buisness selling stuff for whole sale price as in stress. Online, someitmes you dont know what your getting untill you recieve it. Pictures are pictures but you sitll dont know. I rather go to a lfs store or call around and check it out. Around here there is plenty and i know of some that q.t there livestock before they put it out. You get the chance to put it on hold, let them feed it. See it colors and if its looking healthy. Just my opinion.

[GTR]

Wicked, we have an over abundance of stores to pick from unlike many parts of the country.

[wooden_reefer]

Ordering from any place online wont give you the same price as a whole saler. No, way. As a matter of fact your spending more online because you have to pay for the shipping etc. They have to make there money. No, point of a buisness selling stuff for whole sale price as in stress. Online, someitmes you dont know what your getting untill you recieve it. Pictures are pictures but you sitll dont know. I rather go to a lfs store or call around and check it out. Around here there is plenty and i know of some that q.t there livestock before they put it out. You get the chance to put it on hold, let them feed it. See it colors and if its looking healthy. Just my opinion.

Yes, I have a 30 year old grudge with a guy called Watt Smith.

I ordered Queen and French angels and got blue and cortez instead. At that time I was in the Mid-west.

Besides, not all fish of the same species is the same.

Now that I live in SoCal, I never never never order livestock online.

[Sweetlou]

I say stick with the LFS - Why chance a fish showing up dead and having to deal with returns/photos of dead fish.. Let the LFS handle all that.. For fisht that your LFS has in stock - You know what you are gonna get.. not off of some stock photo..

[Good4nothin]

I havent bought many fish lately but I normally buy them from LFS's. If I want a fish they dont have they are generally pretty good about getting them in and like SweetLou said I dont have to worry about returning dead fish (although I have never had a problem with that in the past but it is a buzz kill and you lose some time) and even better I get to look at the fish before I buy it. I do buy coral online more than I buy from LFS's because they tend to have fairly bland colors around here.

[cloak]

I prefer buying livestock at the LFS. This way I can make an informed decision. I can stare at the fish for hours on end if I need to. Hardware, either or...