AuntieM
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 103
|
Post by AuntieM on Jul 8, 2003 11:34:55 GMT -5
Just curious ... I have noticed quite a few on line sites to buy Bettas and I was wondering how that works. I can't imagine sending fish via snail mail and wanted to know if any of you Betta Lovers have had experience with this and what are your thoughts. Even though I live in the city, I have a hard time getting to a pet store (no vehicle) but I do have a Big K near me, I don't think they have any fish, though.
Thanks, gang .... appreciate any input.
|
|
|
|
Post by BettaBGood on Jul 8, 2003 12:54:25 GMT -5
Great Question, AuntieM! I've been wondering, too.
The other night I came real close to bidding on Aquabid.com, but chickened out at the last minute. I would like a couple of female bettas, but they're difficult to find around here. Anyway, that particular site has links that will allow you to view comsumer comments regarding the seller & service received. HB member comment(s) will be appreciated.
I know one thing regarding the shipping & handling, it appears to cost as much (or more) than the fishies themselves!...
|
|
|
|
Post by Emerson on Jul 8, 2003 16:59:46 GMT -5
Hi,
I haven't purchased any Bettas on line, but have read a little about this on some of the sites that sell and ship their Bettas.
The cost is high because they generally ship overnight or 2-day -- often using FedEx. The fish "fast" for a day or two prior to shipment to lessen waste output, and are placed in a container with medication to reduce stress. The container - or bag - is specially prepared to provide enough oxygen for the trip. This bag or container is then packaged in styrofoam or another protective medium.
Some sites guarantee live receipt; others do not.
I'm not sure I would trust this process, unless the shipper were in the same part of country as I am. But, others here may have actual experience with this and can tell you more about what to expect if you decide to buy online.
sef
|
|
|
|
Post by Betta MVP on Jul 8, 2003 19:19:08 GMT -5
I have purchased several fish from Aquabid with no problems whatsoever. Definitely check someone's feedback before bidding and check the feedback forum there, people will warn you about bad sellers and let you know about good sellers.
The fish that I bought were all shipped priority mail with absolutely no problems. I've gotten 10 females and 2 males through the mail and not one has died or been sick.
I do make sure I know the day they are shipped and when to expect them so I am home when they are delivered. I don't think I would purchase them in extreme hot or cold weather though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Barbels on Jul 9, 2003 1:32:32 GMT -5
I bought my sweet Finny and 7 little Red Cherry Shrimp through AZGardens.com They left Arizona on a Thursday and arrived to me the next morning. The packaging was absolutely beautiful and the critters were great. The shipping charges, however, were astronomical  |
|
AuntieM
Junior Bubble Nester
Posts: 103
|
Post by AuntieM on Jul 9, 2003 8:57:01 GMT -5
Thanks for all the feedback. I went on to Bettatalk.com as suggested in an old posting on this site to check out what it's all about and low & behold, there was an entire section devoted to the care of Betta's for shipping.
I don't know if I'll ever do it, but I feel better knowing how it's done. Of course, I would thoroughly check out any user comments before I would go ahead with this kind of committment.
But, thanks again ... I love this site!! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by BettaLady84 on Jul 9, 2003 13:26:37 GMT -5
Just wanted to let you know that I bought 2 fish from aquabid.com, and so far it has been a very positive experience. I just purchased two more, and they are being imported from Indonesia! Both buyers I've used had excellent feedback, and the two fish that have arrived already were very healthy and extraordinarily beautiful! Sellers such as SEBettas are fantastic, and I'm dealing right now with Jotya and InBs, they are great too and have high quality fish.
|
|
|
|
Post by Betta MVP on Jul 9, 2003 15:52:37 GMT -5
To include a couple more names of great Aquabid sellers, I got mine from Ababa and Aquadream. They packed them really well and did not charge an arm and a leg for shipping. I've got some Cattapa leaves coming from Jotya. He has a great rep and is a super friendly seller.
I've heard horror stories from people who had their fish shipped Express mail, but during nice weather Priority mail is great.
|
|
|
|
Post by orrmk on Jul 15, 2003 21:38:18 GMT -5
I've received a lot of fish through the mail. The first through the mail was an adoption from Rae and I sent her a fish too! I have purchased several from Bettatalk.com, SEBettas.com and one more breeder in my state...all have arrived safe and sound with no problems.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bizca on Jul 15, 2003 22:23:07 GMT -5
How come you can't buy betta's like the one's they sell on aguabid.com in the USA?
|
|
|
|
Post by Betta MVP on Jul 16, 2003 0:46:19 GMT -5
There are lots of sellers in the USA on Aquabid. All of the bettas I've purchased through them have been in the USA.
|
|
|
|
Post by mickey on Jul 18, 2003 1:00:49 GMT -5
hi Holly!!!!! ltns
i have also had semi great expearences haveing fish shipped .... Alee at House OF Bettas shipped me 7-8 guys and 20 females and i had no problems at all matter of fact the girls had the usual fear stripes when they arrived but with in 30 mins were all colored up again ....i also had another persom ship me fish and the first one that they shipped they put in 2 heat packs and it boiled him the 2nd shipment came thru super great .. she shipped them in a lunch cooler ( the kinda that is made of plastic cloth and lined with a seald plastic ) with jsut one heat pack .... this had to be returned but the fish was all nice and comphy when he got here ( he was bagged inside the lunch box...lol) this method seems extreame im sure but remember i live in anchorage alaska and the temps in febuary can get a bit chilly still.... all in all i really have no fear of haveing fish shipped to me year around ( Alee shipped in a styro lined box with heat packs in december i think) and will continue to have them shipped .....
one reason that it seems alot of the places that sell the fancier breeds of bettas are out of the US is that the people there have been breeding bettas for many many more years than we have here in the US and there are just alot more breeders there ..... you can get fish of atleast that quality in the us they are just harder to find .... also guy dont yell about shipping costs ..... the prices you see in the aquabid adds are for lower 48 states normally and are much higher to ship here as everything fish wise is shipped next day air ( still takes 2-3 days to get ehre from the mid west or east coast) but i would never ship any other way that over night to alaska and ill gladly pay the extra shipping to get the fish here happy and alive .... Mickey
|
|
|
|
Post by mickey on Jul 18, 2003 1:02:55 GMT -5
hi Holly!!!!! ltns
i have also had semi great expearences haveing fish shipped .... Alee at House OF Bettas shipped me 7-8 guys and 20 females and i had no problems at all matter of fact the girls had the usual fear stripes when they arrived but with in 30 mins were all colored up again ....i also had another persom ship me fish and the first one that they shipped they put in 2 heat packs and it boiled him the 2nd shipment came thru super great .. she shipped them in a lunch cooler ( the kinda that is made of plastic cloth and lined with a seald plastic ) with jsut one heat pack .... this had to be returned but the fish was all nice and comphy when he got here ( he was bagged inside the lunch box...lol) this method seems extreame im sure but remember i live in anchorage alaska and the temps in febuary can get a bit chilly still.... all in all i really have no fear of haveing fish shipped to me year around ( Alee shipped in a styro lined box with heat packs in december i think) and will continue to have them shipped .....
one reason that it seems alot of the places that sell the fancier breeds of bettas are out of the US is that the people there have been breeding bettas for many many more years than we have here in the US and there are just alot more breeders there ..... you can get fish of atleast that quality in the us they are just harder to find .... also guy dont yell about shipping costs ..... the prices you see in the aquabid adds are for lower 48 states normally and are much higher to ship here as everything fish wise is shipped next day air ( still takes 2-3 days to get ehre from the mid west or east coast) but i would never ship any other way that over night to alaska and ill gladly pay the extra shipping to get the fish here happy and alive .... Mickey
|
|
