Preordering Fish At The Lfs???

[tent-tacal]

i just came fro my lfs(just window shopping)and they have this new thing.one can order any fish(products as well)with a 50%down payment and the fish(or product)will be sold almost at cost.now thats a good deal!but..preordering fish cant be too smart right?what if the fish doesnt look healthy?how do you know if its eating ?but im thinking thats got to be the same as ordering a fish online right?what do you guys think?oh by the way,i am totally taking advantage of the deal and getting all my supplies from there!

 

[JRechcygl]

Like I've mentioned in other threads I'm a fish room manager at a store in WI. I do something similar to that. I don't require a down payment, well mostly regulars take advantage of the program. Essentially I offer them a good price if they pick it up in the bag. If its a special order and they want me to hold it for awhile I have no problem but they don't get as good of a price but still very good. If I didn't work at a shop I probably would try to find a store that did something similar to what you mentioned. But thats just me.

 

[Freed]

So you pay for it and it gets to you half dead and/or with ich, velvet, etc. What then?

 

[tent-tacal]

exactly my point.i guess ill ask that exact question when i go pick up my dirt cheap canopy:rollface:

 

[JRechcygl]

Most reputable wholesalers are not shipping infested fish, but I suppose that's a possiblity. Thats why you either work something out with the store and explain your concerns or VERY carefully inspect the fish, then QT them. Will they hold the fish for you?

 

[Zann]

my local lfs doesnt require a down payment and gives good prices cheaper then buying and paying shipping your self . if your going to buy just one or two fish it is the way ot go if your lfs does that.

 

[tent-tacal]

no they wont hold the fish.

 

[JRechcygl]

I would look around for a store that will, or say you want a guarantee on the fish. I suppose a cheap fish usually voids a guarantee but thats the risk you take. Maybe, give it a shot with a less expensive one. Keep in mind that fairy wrasses can be poor shippers so they might not be the best canidate.

 

[tent-tacal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13015992#post13015992 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zann
my local lfs doesnt require a down payment and gives good prices cheaper then buying and paying shipping your self . if your going to buy just one or two fish it is the way ot go if your lfs does that.

i guess the reason for the down payment is because people order fish and bail.(change their minds without notice)it makes sense.

 

[snorvich]

Do you really want cheap fish? Or do you want something special? I guess if your fish are constantly dieing after a few months, cheap is the way to go.

 

[laud]

Now we know the reason for such high prices on livestock. To get a fish outta the bag, the risks become the same as the LFS's risk, when they do their ordering.

Now if you pay full price, a customer should expect a lot more, that's for sure.

 

[Tswifty]

I'm big on fish out of the bag before it hits the LFS water... and I think it's a big bonus if you get a discount. Honestly your getting a discount on a fish that won't be introduced to another, more than likely contaminated water source, and won't have to undergoe more than one stressfull acclimation in a short period time.

If you're worried about the condition of the fish. Everytime I have done it the bag is clear and you can see through it. If the fish is floating upside... probably a good idea not to buy it.

In my mind you're taking same risk as ordering a fish online. The only exception is LiveAquaria's Diver's Den where they have an elaborate QT process that they put the fish through before offering them for sale (but you definitely pay extra for it).

Anyway, that's my opinion.

I know a local reefer who makes it a point to show up on delivery days at the LFS to leaf through the box before they drop them in the tank :lol:

 

[snorvich]

And how does he have room for an increasing number of fish?

 

[tent-tacal]

when i worked at a petstore a few years ago,every fish delivery day was like a mad house with all the reeferheads swarming over the syrofoam boxes.sometimes by the end of it there were no fish to add to our tanks!:rolleye1:

 

[Otto2]

Seems like every fish store by me says they will preorder fish for customers. Then when you actually go ahead to order,for some reason they cant get that fish in.

 

[tent-tacal]

lol wow that sux.:rolleye1:sometimes that would happen at the lfs i worked at.i remember a costumer waiting 2 months just for a medium hippo tang.