What ever happened to all the Good online livestock vendors?

[cyberpanther]

I recently got back into the hobby (reef) after a little break from the hobby. I have a 75 gallon reef and a 45 gallon reef, that are completed cycled and partially stocked, all have lots of live rock and live sand. Most of what I used to purchase for my tanks was via online from websites that have since been bought out or shut down such as www.ffexpress.com, www.harboraquatics.com, www.premiumaquatics.com, www.exoticfish.com, etc. I have now found that after re-entering the hobby that most of the good online vendor's that remain are no longer as good as they use to be. To be a little more specific, what ever happened to the majority of websites having a WYSIWYG category where you can actually place your order online and not have to call in like www.drmaccorals.com (although Dr Mac's website and corals are top notch I hate having to call in). The biggest problem I am running into however, is that 2 of the 3 online suppliers that I have purchased from MORE THAN ONCE from since I have been back in the industry, have messed up my order nearly every single time, and have been very slow to respond to my emails, in fact I am still awaiting a response from www.exoticfish.com about 2 out of 3 orders that I placed in the last 2 weeks not arriving completely, and of that livestock that came some was dead due to no packaging to hold the numerous bags in place from being tossed around in transit. Furthermore, when placing an order is it to much to ask that the company update their website to reflect what is in stock? Some websites I have unfortunately found show many, many items in stock even though they may be on backordered for weeks or even a month such as www.exoticfish.com and www.premiumaquatics.com . When I placed 3 different orders with www.extoicfish.com , 2 of the 3 orders had items on backorder even though they show "in stock" on their website. One such order placed with www.exoticfish.com had a Large Xenia as part of the order, and after 2 weeks, and a promise it would be sent this past week, week number 2, the Large Xenia is still on backorder for this in stock item, and I have not recieved any other updates or responses from Jeff, regarding the ship date or my other items. Please keep in mind that I also have been told that 20 Scarlet Hermits, 1 fish, and 1 coral are on backorder as well, even though they show in stock as well. I have also ordered from www.premiumaquatics.com but have since stopped since there Livestock Stock List hasn't been updated since the 12th of last month (almost a month their livestock stock list has not been updated). I guess what I am asking is what happened to these websites that sent them plumetting from the best sites or at least the best in my book, to some of the worst?? Does anyone know of a good online supplier besides the ones mentioned herein, that has decent prices, but more importantly great livestock, that is truly in stock. Thank you.

 

[Ben1]

PA is my favorite online vender for drygoods. For live stock on line I go to the following,
clamsdirect.com, great WYSIWYG online ordering and good care shiping and packaging.

drmaccorals.com,you may have to call but still get WYSIWYG and the stock is good quality.

Other then that if I want SPS frags I go local or buy from some of the hobbiest that do fragging.

For high quality, high price WYSIWYG I go to exotcireefs.us

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

I'd like to run a plug for Chad over at http://www.reefscience.com.

Quality is top-notch, and he's got lots of amazing corals...

Peace,

Chip

 

[Kevin Lloyd]

I didn't mind roesmarineland.com. Ordered there once and everything was ok.

 

[Anonymous]

Here's a few you can check out:

http://www.reefermadness.us/

http://www.atlantisaquarium.net/index.html

http://www.marineaquatics.net/

http://www.blowfishaquatics.com/

 

[sawyerc]

for more common items, liveaquaria.com is pretty good in terms of customer service and availability. They have a 14 day arrive alive, stay alive policy and are very quick to refund your credit card for deaths, without needing to see the body usually or test your water. The only problem is that the orders that I've received from them have had a significant number of DOAs and animals that died shortly thereafter. I would like to think that this is due to the shipping facilities in my area and the fact that the animals have to travel to the complete opposite side of the country (from CA to NH) but I don't know.

 

[Anonymous]

They key thing is to pick up the livestock at the FedEx facility on your end, rather than letting it bump around in the truck for hours. Thats probably the worst part of the trip. You just have to give the retailer the address of the facility and have them mark it "hold for cust pickup." Same works for other shippers.

I can't think of any losses I've had doing that, and I've probably received a couple dozen shipments.