Internet or Store?

[sting_ray29]

What is bettter? internet or store for getting fish? What about sipplies? Have found fluval 404 for only 99$ and $200 in store!!

 

[carrie1429]

I prefer buying fish in stores. Buying off the net can be cheaper but sometimes the fish don't always live through the shipping. I buy my supplies off the net though, a lot cheaper than buying in the stores.

 

[fireeater]

I too would rather buy my fish from the lfs. Unless there is a fish that I cannot get anywhere else.
Buying from the lfs can save tons on shipping costs. Plus you can watch the fish and make sure he looks healthy.
I shop and comparision buy on supplies. I'll tell my lfs that I can get this or that product for this much online. That way they can decide to meet or beat the price.
Most times they do beat the prices just so they can get the business. A sell is a sell.

 

[nacl-h2o]

I get my dry goods and equipment online. I get some livestock on the net, mostly when I need to get more than a few things or when someone will pool an order with me. I get some livestock at the LFS on special items or when I have a store credit.

 

[mmslue79]

I have all the luck in the world when it comes to ordering fish online. I would buy a fish in the store if I new there would be variations on color. Like I bought one Electric Yellow Lab Cichlid online and one in the store, they look exactly the same. HTH

 

[wamp]

I have had better luck with fish online rather than fish from LFS. Most I have gotten usually come with a guarantee like this place does and I have never had to use it. There are very few LFS that have any guarantee on their fish, espicaly not 6 days! Now, If I were a business, and had employees who knew what they were doing, had healthy stock, and was sure of customer happiness I would not hesitate to give a guarantee... so, why do most LFS not give one but online retailers do? Simple, better quality livestock, less stress from going to so many tanks before yours and just plain ol' better care.
Just my experience here....

 

[pupchow]

Hrmm, or maybe vendors online know that the people that would order fish online is probably already pretty serious about the hobby... and in general knows at least the basic for fish keeping. So they would risk the guarantee?

 

[bluemarlin]

I buy everything online! Period! I buy livestock online, dry goods online and filters and accessories online. It gets shipped right to your door! I have always received well well packed shipments and I have only had one time when my shipment was messed up because they shipped it to my old address. Oooops. That was a 2+ hour drive and nothing would have survived. They replaced everything and shipped it to my correct address.
For what its worth, I give a big two thumbs up to the online stores.

 

[iechy]

I also have had good luck with ordering online. I'd say about half of my setup (equipment and livestock) came from the net. The only time I definately go to LFS is when I hae something particular in mind. I always order small fish because I like them to grow up in my tank and once I asked for a small fish and I got what must have been the biggest fish they had in the store instead but it was healthy and there were no problems with it so I would recommend it. It is most beneficial when you need alot of stuff. When I was first setting up I ordered online and saved probably over a hundred dollars on various little components like heaters etc.

 

[sterling]

I got my Twin Spot Gobies online, and was very happy with them and with the service from the company I used.
I also have gotten alot of my corals off of ----. Can find more unusual pieces and prices are better and if you get multiple things the shipping is worth it.
I just won a couple of things off of ---- and one item I REALLY wanted was won by someone else, but when I e mailed the retailer about shipping the things I did get, he said he had another of the polyps I wanted and would send them for what they went for in the auction. That was great!

 

[sting_ray29]

I agree with Carrie1429. I am planning on getting my equipment online and one time I went to a a FS and asked a guy their a couple of questions... he tripped and said if I was going to buy my supplies online then I should leave the store... Let's see, I can either get my canister filter at the store for 175$ or order it on-line for $99....... Stupid people

 

[sal t. nutz]

I am a big fan of the internet, however, I beleive in supporting local business also. But a lot of the LFS out there are a total rip off, making sometimes 1000% profit on things. I will always give my LFS a chance to price match the internet+shipping. If they want the business, they will take the offer. Otherwise I buy from the internet. If they are making even $1 profit on whatever it is, it is in their best interest to take my offer. $1 is better than $0 right?