Thinking about placing a order

[Tsmith1203]

I've been coming back and forth to this section to see if anyone has started a group order and havent had any luck. I also see others coming here to view the post, so I figured why not just ask to see if anyone would be interested in making a group order. The only thing is I don't know what place would be best to order from. So if you are interested and have an idea of where you would like to order from let's make this thing happen.

[350gt]

To order what? I have a few things in mind that i can use....

[Tsmith1203]

I was actually thinking about ordering a clown tang and a male lyretail anthias.

[Dean]

No experience other than bad with getting fish online but have read a lot of good things about Live Aquaria on other forums. I may join in on a group buy if you can muster enough participants.

[Pennies2Cents]

I usually do a group order for Nori around this time. :)

[Tsmith1203]

Well we have 3 people total. If no one has anything good to say about ordering fish online i'll just order an elegance coral or somethin else. Just wanted to see who would be interested in placing an order together. I've heard of some places taking off the shipment fee if you place and order over a certain amount

[ramsey]

Liveaquaria is awesome. I've ordered several times from them, both coral and fish. The couple of loses I've had with fish were credited to my account with no questions asked. They're the only place I would order fish from online and one of the few I'd order coral from. They have a 14 day guarantee on most fish and coral, a 30 day guarantee on their aquacultured corals and free shipping over $225.

[Ratattooy]

I'd be willing to do a group order as well


Airborne

[Tsmith1203]

Ok 4 people now so let's agree on a site to order from. #1 site right now is live aquaria. And I say we place the order on the 15th. Any other suggestions?

[Bill S]

I just received a Live Aquaria order this morning. And... I'm just not impressed. This is why:

A Juvi Majestic Angel has been on my list. I've been signed up for email notification for months. I've tried some LFSs, but these are kind of hard to find. So, last week I finally got an email that one was in stock. I ordered for Monday shipment, along with some other fish to get up to the "free shipping" amount. Heck the dang fish was $100 by itself. Then I received a notice about what they do if something's not in stock. To back up a bit - I quarantine EVERYTHING, and it's a long process. So, if the freakin' angel gets backordered, they still send the rest! So, Monday morning I call them to make SURE the angel is going to ship. The customer service rep says "I'm sorry, but we have no contact with our California vendor, until they actually ship it". Ugh oh. "California vendor"? WTH is that?

So, I persist, and ask for a supervisor. I get - this is "funny" - the Pharmacy Supervisor! But, she does manage to find the answer (yes it will be shipped), and called me back. Then I got the UPS Tracking info. Wanna guess who the shipper is? Quality Marine in LA (https://www.qualitymarine.com/). A wholesaler! Yes, Liveaquaria is just a business relationship between Dr F & S and a wholesaler!

So here's the bottom line. If a LFS can buy from Quality Marine (and they should be able to), they have access to the SAME fish that Live Aquaria does. Probably at a better price. I guess I shouldn't feel this way, but I kind of feel like I've been duped. That's all.

P.S. "Diver Den" is a different deal - that's in Wisconsin, and is run by Dr F & S.

[Ratattooy]

Saltwaterfish.com is descent. I've ordered corals and fish from there and the ones that were DOA, they give store credit...


Airborne

[ramsey]

I just received a Live Aquaria order this morning. And... I'm just not impressed. This is why:

A Juvi Majestic Angel has been on my list. I've been signed up for email notification for months. I've tried some LFSs, but these are kind of hard to find. So, last week I finally got an email that one was in stock. I ordered for Monday shipment, along with some other fish to get up to the "free shipping" amount. Heck the dang fish was $100 by itself. Then I received a notice about what they do if something's not in stock. To back up a bit - I quarantine EVERYTHING, and it's a long process. So, if the freakin' angel gets backordered, they still send the rest! So, Monday morning I call them to make SURE the angel is going to ship. The customer service rep says "I'm sorry, but we have no contact with our California vendor, until they actually ship it". Ugh oh. "California vendor"? WTH is that?

So, I persist, and ask for a supervisor. I get - this is "funny" - the Pharmacy Supervisor! But, she does manage to find the answer (yes it will be shipped), and called me back. Then I got the UPS Tracking info. Wanna guess who the shipper is? Quality Marine in LA (https://www.qualitymarine.com/). A wholesaler! Yes, Liveaquaria is just a business relationship between Dr F & S and a wholesaler!

So here's the bottom line. If a LFS can buy from Quality Marine (and they should be able to), they have access to the SAME fish that Live Aquaria does. Probably at a better price. I guess I shouldn't feel this way, but I kind of feel like I've been duped. That's all.

P.S. "Diver Den" is a different deal - that's in Wisconsin, and is run by Dr F & S.

I could care less about that. If I get a DOA or something happens to the fish within 14 days, I get my money back. I haven't found a LFS that has that kind of guarantee. However, you have the luxury of making sure a fish looks good and eats at a LFS. I buy from both.

[envy]

I could care less about that. If I get a DOA or something happens to the fish within 14 days, I get my money back. I haven't found a LFS that has that kind of guarantee. However, you have the luxury of making sure a fish looks good and eats at a LFS. I buy from both.

+1

bstreep Did the fish come in healthy? If so what seems to be the problem with Live Aquaria? You got what you wanted. A healthy fish no problems with him and you more then likely paid a lot less then what a LFS would of charged you if not you would of gone through a LFS.

I have ordered from here in the past and I have never had a problem with the items I ordered.

[Bill S]

+1

bstreep Did the fish come in healthy? If so what seems to be the problem with Live Aquaria? You got what you wanted. A healthy fish no problems with him and you more then likely paid a lot less then what a LFS would of charged you if not you would of gone through a LFS.

I have ordered from here in the past and I have never had a problem with the items I ordered.

No, their prices are NOT lower than with a LFS. In many cases, they are significantly HIGHER than some LFSs. And as noted above, I don't get the opportunity to SEE the fish before I get them, nor is there any indication that they are healthy or eat. I bought them because 1) they had the fish (singular) I wanted, and 2) I thought these fish were brought in, acclimated, and held at a facility similar to a large LFS. Instead, Dr F & S have virtually no control over the process, the fish probably/possibly just came in from overseas. Basically, what I'm saying is that it appears to me that the very same fish should be available from one of our LFSs at a similar price, with somewhat less risk. Yes, I'm aware that they offer a 14 day guarantee. It's a guarantee I don't want to have to use. Heck, it takes weeks to quarantine a fish! A dead fish is a huge cost to me (financially, timewise, and the whole "killed a fish" thing) - much more than what I pay. A dead fish means it will take me a month to replace it - assuming I can buy it. Many here know, I'm not really that "price sensitive".

So, it comes down to this: I feel guilty not trying harder to buy locally. And now I know that LA fish come from Quality. So, if I see a fish on LA, I should be able to get that same fish from a LFS that buys from Quality. That's all. Now, if one of our Sponsors chimes in and says they can do the same, it might work out for all.

[ramsey]

Prices vary. LA is more expensive for certain things, but cheaper for others. I don't think anyone wants to use the 14 day guarantee but it's nice to have because things do happen. What you say is contrary to what I have read, but it wouldn't surprise me. To be honest, I would rather get it directly from the wholesaler in most cases. It's skips a step in the process which I would think reduces the stress on a fish. Their real jewel is the divers den which has fish and corals listed that I've never seen at any LFS. Like I said though, I buy from both them and LFS.

[Bill S]

What you say is contrary to what I have read, but it wouldn't surprise me.

In what way? I mean, I've got the receipts that SHOW that this is where they come from. And yes, for many years, I've preferred to buy fish "in the bag" when they arrive at a LFS. I spent 8 years working in a LFS. A century ago.


Their real jewel is the divers den. Oh, no doubt. I think, however, that the lines between LA and Diver's Den are blurred. And I think they are VERY different.

[ramsey]

In what way? I mean, I've got the receipts that SHOW that this is where they come from. And yes, for many years, I've preferred to buy fish "in the bag" when they arrive at a LFS. I spent 8 years working in a LFS. A century ago.


My bad, it seems you're right. I read about their facilities and watched some videos but I guess it was just the WI facility. Also, I think their "certified captive grown coral" comes from WI but is not part of DD which is why I was confused. Either way, I've never had a bad experience with them and everything I've ordered came in looking very healthy. I get what you're saying though. It would be nice if all their livestock was qt'd and treated before being sold.

[timmizic]

I'm in on a group order for fish or coral. Austin Aqua Farms has a great reputation for corals. Either way put me down as a Go.

[Ratattooy]

Group buy for mp10s


Airborne

[Tsmith1203]

Lol thank you all for the conversations. So it sounds like LA is not the place to order. How bout we do this...everyone type in a place they would like to order from and have had success ordering from and I will talley the votes and that is where the order will be placed from. Let's get the voting started...

[BBQHILLBILLY]

I usually do a group order for Nori around this time. :)

I would be interested in a group order for nori in a couple weeks lmk

[profntbtr]

i personally, would like to give sealifeinc a try, they catch all their own stuff and it's diver direct

[Tsmith1203]

Sealifeinc - 1 vote

[Bill S]

I had a wonderful experience with www.sealifeinc.net. Again, I wanted a specific fish - a Rock Beauty that was EATING. They are notoriously difficult to get to eat (they only eat sponges in the wild), and they release those that won't eat. Good folks to deal with. But, a limited supply.

Hey, really, I think I'd order from LA again - but I just feel a bit deceived, that's all. So far, so good. As long as you KNOW what you are getting into, that's fine. But I still feel like IF y'all want to put a Group Order together for them, why not see if there's a LFS that could do the same thing, from the same supplier?

[Bill S]

I just found this article from LA. Buried a bit. Some good info.

http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=119

But now it bothers me that the Majestic Angel I got is from Indonesia, as are all but one of the other fish I ordered - a place they say they like to avoid (along with the Philippines).

[Tsmith1203]

I just checked www.sealifeinc.net (http://www.sealifeinc.net/) they dont have a lot of fish to offer so I guess it depends on what everyone wants. Just waiting on the votes. If you are really interested in placing a group order please vote what site you would like to order from ASAP.

[Dean]

I had a wonderful experience with www.sealifeinc.net. Again, I wanted a specific fish - a Rock Beauty that was EATING. They are notoriously difficult to get to eat (they only eat sponges in the wild), and they release those that won't eat.

That's awesome. Definitely worth paying a little more money for a fish that has that much more of a chance for survival. More wholesalers should follow their example.

[Tsmith1203]

Well I havent heard any votes lately. Is everyone backing out of the group order now?

[profntbtr]

you know my vote

[Tsmith1203]

you know my vote
Yea I got u down but ur the only one with a vote so far.

[ramsey]

I may be down for a few things from sealifeinc. What area are you in and what day of the week do you plan on getting the shipment? I've ordered corals from them in the past and was really happy with my order.

[alton]

I may be down for a few things from sealifeinc. What area are you in and what day of the week do you plan on getting the shipment? I've ordered corals from them in the past and was really happy with my order.

I would go in on a sealifeinc/KP Aquatics order

[Tsmith1203]

Sealifeinc - 3 votes

[Tsmith1203]

I may be down for a few things from sealifeinc. What area are you in and what day of the week do you plan on getting the shipment? I've ordered corals from them in the past and was really happy with my order.
I stay by seaworld and I was going to collect money and place the order next week thursday. May 15th but i have to see if sealifeinc has anything i really want now that it seems to be the number one choice.

[ramsey]

I stay by seaworld and I was going to collect money and place the order next week thursday. May 15th but i have to see if sealifeinc has anything i really want now that it seems to be the number one choice.

That's a bit too far for me for the couple of things I wanted. I'm going to sit this one out. Thank you though.

[alton]

Ramsey I could possibly pick it up for you and deliver either to here or meet you at our office in New Braunfels? TSmith we actually place our order with KP and tie it with your original order and then we just pay you for shipping. If we can get 4 that knocks it down to $10 each

[Tsmith1203]

I'm i think I'm a honestly sit out on this to bc sealifeinc doesn't have anything I want right now. And that seems to be the favorite spot right now.

[Tsmith1203]

I'd be down for reefs2go. Unless someone has had a bad experience with them.

[Tsmith1203]

Never mind their sold out of everything in interested in too.

[Tsmith1203]

Anybody order from saltwaterfish.com

[Tsmith1203]

Seems like interest of a group order has died quick. Does anyone still have interest in placing an order together. If sealifeinc is the favorite website that everyone wants to order from I will have to backout because currently they only have a limited selection and dont have anything i am lookin for. I know some people had issues with liveaquaria but id still be down to give it a try. Let me know as soon as possible id like to place this order thursday

[LuckySingh]

If u r not in hurry I might be placing an order from live aquaria and possibly will be free shipping in about a month from now.

[Tsmith1203]

If u r not in hurry I might be placing an order from live aquaria and possibly will be free shipping in about a month from now.

I'll keep this in mind and I may order with you depending on this group order outcome. If no one wants to order this month I'll just hope on with you next month and just get the small things I need from LFS. (like my purple up, salt & food)