Buying Direct

[clowns101]

Has anyone here had any problems with getting fish transhipped in large amounts?Im still looking into large transhippments and am a little worried about them.Anyone got pics of how they looked when they arived?

Thanks,
Austin/clowns101

[jd474]

In short, I wouldn't transship at all. We tried it for a few months doing orders for an LFS, and it was a waste of money. The cost of the fish is really enticing, but there is such a high DOA rate, and shipping is ridiculously expensive, it really isn't worth it, IMO. Maybe we just had bad suppliers, but seems to be the case with others I've talked with, also.

[clowns101]

Okay!I will see.The guy told me he would "select" only the best and healthies fish but we will just see if I order.

Anyone else?????

[LisaD]

I would only do it if it was the only way to get a group of particularly prized (to me) fish otherwise not available in the hobby. so normally, I'd never do it.

[clowns101]

Ya I thought the same thing.But afer seeing those cheap Morish Idols...I didnt know what to think.

This is what he said after I asked about DOA:

"Well...When you buy your fish so cheap you are able to recover from the SMALL die off that occurs.The fish will arive stressed but will GENERALLY live."

To me thats what had me asking questions.Also wants me to spend 10,000 to get these prices!

Does anyone have details to support this "fact"???

[flameangel88]

The price on the price list is ridiculously low but after you tag the shipping cost, DOA & DAA then you will realize why lfs charge so much. Last year I'd the opportunity to stop by one of the lfs when their shipment comes in and it's pretty sad to see how the fish comes in and many are DOA. Collection point is also a big factor. Also, they get fish they didn't ordered, ordering small and they end up getting 2 large in a box which drives up shipping cost, and their fish name is not the same as the book. Unless you've a lot of money to test out different wholesalers otherwise it's really not worth it. I think some require minimum 10 boxes.

[clowns101]

Well I guess I wont order from this guy.Sounds so good but who knows!Anyone order from River Wounders?

[criccio]

If bringing in fish is anything like corals, don't bother. You'll get a bunch of fish you didn't order and any DOA's will be credited towards your next order of which you will never place because you'll be so PO'd over the first crappy order. Again, that's with corals though, fish dealers may actually be credible.

[clowns101]

I dont know but the more and the more I look at it I think Ill forget about it!What happend to the coral order that you got?Did the corals die or what???

[criccio]

I've never done it, but a friend has done with a few different dealers and he usually ends up getting stiffed one way or another.

[michealprater]

I had thought about this too but never heard anyone say it was worth while.

[clowns101]

I wont do it then.I will have to find someone else then.Have you heard about doing this with anemones?If so what was it like???

[Amoore311]

You'd be lucky to get even a credit.

A buddy of mine trans ships corals every couple months. He isn't covered at all for DOA livestock.

You also can end up getting charged up to twice the amount you though you were going to pay.

For instance:

Let's say aussie orange torches are going for $50 a head on Tuesday. You place the order for a bunch of torches and many other things. The order total is about $3,000 since you typically need a high $ purchase to get them to ship anyways.

If the price changes before your items ship, you are forced to pay the higher price. If you don't pay it, they will not ship your entire order and you get nothing.

They will also just send our what they have in stock, and cancel any back ordered items. Lets say you order 25 zoa colonies, at the time of shipment only 10 is in stock. They will just ship out the 10, and most times won't even tell you. The only way to know ahead of time is to check your credit card statement, since you won't be charged for the 15 missing colonies.

[clowns101]

Ya seems like theres more downs than anything.I just dont know the guy was like "I can get yo usome of the best fish".I was like yea right but I will work with others then!

[michealprater]

Ya seems like theres more downs than anything.I just dont know the guy was like "I can get yo usome of the best fish".I was like yea right but I will work with others then!

Tell him to prove it with a sample order.

[clowns101]

What do you mean by a sample order?I think I know what you are talking about but if I tell him its a sample order hes just going to MAKE SURE its the BEST live stock to send to me because he wants my $10,000!

[Bret61081]

Where are you looking to tranship from? We used to all the time when I ran a LFS. on average you loose 2-3 fish per box. Some were better some worse. All depends on the shipping. We had boxes where we never lost a fish and some that came in almost completely dead. Anemones are very hard shippers. Carpet anemones are the worst! Most are shipped with very little to no water so they don't expel waste during the shipment. Also you have to remember you can order 500 fish and you only get what they have in at that time! I used to always do large orders and would only get about half of what I ordered.

[michealprater]

Over all it sounds like a waste of time. At one time I Did alot of research and had several contacts. Luckily it proved to be a waste and I never tried. Are u running a shop or have a huge tank?