Best place to buy online?
- Thread starter degibson84
- Start date
Rea17
New member
:headwally:
Why does this debate keep coming up? I would like to see more first-hand ordering experience shared in these types of threads than just price comparisons and taking turns slamming different companies. We have seen a lot about LA, DD, Petco, BZA, and NYA. What about saltwaterfish.com? Petsolutions? These sites offer saltwater fish but I haven't seen anyone share experience. I haven't ordered from either but would be interested in what people have to say.
My personal ordering experience is limited to Liveaquaria, Diver's Den, and BZA. I have had great success with Diver's Den, so-so with Liveaquaria, and great with Blue Zoo. BZA tends to be more expensive on some things but their free shipping threshold is much lower, so you can make up the price difference there (depending on what you order).
Why does this debate keep coming up? I would like to see more first-hand ordering experience shared in these types of threads than just price comparisons and taking turns slamming different companies. We have seen a lot about LA, DD, Petco, BZA, and NYA. What about saltwaterfish.com? Petsolutions? These sites offer saltwater fish but I haven't seen anyone share experience. I haven't ordered from either but would be interested in what people have to say.
My personal ordering experience is limited to Liveaquaria, Diver's Den, and BZA. I have had great success with Diver's Den, so-so with Liveaquaria, and great with Blue Zoo. BZA tends to be more expensive on some things but their free shipping threshold is much lower, so you can make up the price difference there (depending on what you order).
A couple of you would be wise to read the User Agreement. Mature disagreements are welcome. Personal attacks are not.
I have been on these boards for many years, and have seen many companies come and go, and I can tell you that there is a reason the supply chain exists as it does. I don't see that changing.
As for this thread, I am not sure if it even serves a purpose. There are many online options, and selecting the "best" is a matter of personal preference. The Vendor Experiences forum is better suited for this type of discussion. However, given the possibility that this thread may have some virtue I am missing, I will not close it...yet. Further discussions down the road traveled above will force the lock, however.
I have been on these boards for many years, and have seen many companies come and go, and I can tell you that there is a reason the supply chain exists as it does. I don't see that changing.
As for this thread, I am not sure if it even serves a purpose. There are many online options, and selecting the "best" is a matter of personal preference. The Vendor Experiences forum is better suited for this type of discussion. However, given the possibility that this thread may have some virtue I am missing, I will not close it...yet. Further discussions down the road traveled above will force the lock, however.
Deinonych
New member
I was concerned about this as well, but fortunately the change has not impacted any of the livestock I have ordered from them. I do miss having FedEx deliver, as I know my FedEx driver very well. With UPS, it seems like it's a different driver every time.
I think it's just where I live. I can't even count on the UPS driver to attempt delivery. So I started having them hold everything for pickup; sometimes they find my box, sometimes they don't. :uhoh3: Fedex is the exact opposite here. Very professional, courteous service. I never have any issues. Perhaps if I lived in a different location, the exact opposite would be true. :twitch:
Just for grins, and old Flying Fish Express email I still have:
From: CustomerCare@ffexpress.com[SMTP:CustomerCare@ffexpress.com]
Sent: Monday, September 27, 1999 8:30 AM
To: flyingfish@ffexpress.com
Subject: Flying Fish Express Newsletter
--------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe or make changes to your subscription, use the form at
http://www.ffexpress.com/manifest.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello;
We have some new reading for you this week. Michael Paletta's newest
article - "Managing Common Diseases" - in now online. In it, he talks
about the use of garlic oil for curing Ich! You can access it from our
home page or directly by going to
http://www.ffexpress.com/paletta/commom_diseases.html
WEEKLY SPECIALS
---------------
1) Bicolor Dwarf Angels, 1" to 3" - $12
2) Bright Red Flame Hawks, 2" to 3" - $29
3) Blueface Angels, 3" to 5" - $59
4) Sailfin Tangs, 2" to 4" - $15
5) Six Line Wrasses, 1.5" - $9
6) Purple Tip Sebae Anemones, 3" to 4" - $9
7) Green Ridge Hammers, 3" to 5"
$19 each
2 for $35
8) Mushrooms - Reds, Blues, Hairy Greens, Metallic Greens, 4" to 6"
$19 each
3 for $49
6 for $89
9) Blue Stripe Tuxedo Urchins, 2" to 3" - $9
10) Pacific Cleaner Shrimp, 1" to 2"
$9 each
3 for $25
6 for $45
Sale prices valid Sept. to 27 Oct. 1 -- must ship by Oct. 4
5 DAY ARRIVE ALIVE, STAY ALIVE GUARANTEE
----------------------------------------
We never bring in inferior stock for our sales! Every one of our specials
is the same high quality stock that we sell every day and you are always
protected by the only 5 Day Arrive Alive, Stay Alive guarantee in the
industry.
You can't go wrong when you save with Flying Fish Express.
Flying Fish Express
Marine Livestock SuperStore
Best Quality, Best Selection, Best Prices
http://www.ffexpress.com
1-800-239-7121
From: CustomerCare@ffexpress.com[SMTP:CustomerCare@ffexpress.com]
Sent: Monday, September 27, 1999 8:30 AM
To: flyingfish@ffexpress.com
Subject: Flying Fish Express Newsletter
--------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe or make changes to your subscription, use the form at
http://www.ffexpress.com/manifest.htm
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello;
We have some new reading for you this week. Michael Paletta's newest
article - "Managing Common Diseases" - in now online. In it, he talks
about the use of garlic oil for curing Ich! You can access it from our
home page or directly by going to
http://www.ffexpress.com/paletta/commom_diseases.html
WEEKLY SPECIALS
---------------
1) Bicolor Dwarf Angels, 1" to 3" - $12
2) Bright Red Flame Hawks, 2" to 3" - $29
3) Blueface Angels, 3" to 5" - $59
4) Sailfin Tangs, 2" to 4" - $15
5) Six Line Wrasses, 1.5" - $9
6) Purple Tip Sebae Anemones, 3" to 4" - $9
7) Green Ridge Hammers, 3" to 5"
$19 each
2 for $35
8) Mushrooms - Reds, Blues, Hairy Greens, Metallic Greens, 4" to 6"
$19 each
3 for $49
6 for $89
9) Blue Stripe Tuxedo Urchins, 2" to 3" - $9
10) Pacific Cleaner Shrimp, 1" to 2"
$9 each
3 for $25
6 for $45
Sale prices valid Sept. to 27 Oct. 1 -- must ship by Oct. 4
5 DAY ARRIVE ALIVE, STAY ALIVE GUARANTEE
----------------------------------------
We never bring in inferior stock for our sales! Every one of our specials
is the same high quality stock that we sell every day and you are always
protected by the only 5 Day Arrive Alive, Stay Alive guarantee in the
industry.
You can't go wrong when you save with Flying Fish Express.
Flying Fish Express
Marine Livestock SuperStore
Best Quality, Best Selection, Best Prices
http://www.ffexpress.com
1-800-239-7121
Hey, those are some good prices! 
But I can one up you! Back in the day, I could buy 4 assorted damsels (or condies) for only $10!
But I can one up you! Back in the day, I could buy 4 assorted damsels (or condies) for only $10! Iowafisher
New member
Both have 14 day guarantee. Petco customer service sucks. But will ship you a single fish if one dies at no shipping cost. Live aquaria will charge you shipping
Iowafisher
New member
I have done 2 separate orders from petco was very happy with both. One order from live aquaria. 2 fish had visible ick in the bag. The only people I would order from beside petco is vivid
Speaking of Vivid, I was there last week for the first time. They have limited in store fish, however they do have a lot of coral!
Iowafisher
New member
How did the coral look? Herd they frag a lot of there stuff in house
They looked awesome! And you're right. They clearly put a lot of time into fragging. While it's not a big shop, it's very nice. Its nice to see shops trying to be responsible. One of the nice things about Southern California is that there're a lot of really good LFS. Some not not so good ones too.
