Buying fish online: pickup vs delivery

[Jasper05]

I am starting a new tank and I like the idea of buying fish that have been quarantined. I live 2 1/2 hours from TSM aquatics. Is there an overwhelming benefit to pick up a fish over shipping, or are the differences marginal? I am contemplating if it's worth the drive or not...

Another question... Does TSM usually have a low inventory or is it pandemic related?

 

[DC Reefer]

I think picking up would almost always be better than overnight delivery, but not sure I would do a 5 hr roundtrip. Would be driven by how delicate the fish were, the $ value and the number of fish. I think most places are having fish inventory problems due to pandemic which is driving the prices way up also.

 

[joseserrano]

Pick up way better

 

[Kerrihar]

Yup, always prefer pick up. You have no control over what happens in a delivery situation - rough handling/sudden extreme temperature changes are common.

 

[Brett S]

For the fish 2.5 hours in a bag in your car would be considerably better than 12+ hours in a bag in multiple trucks and warehouses. But for you 5 hours in a car isn’t ideal.

 

[Jasper05]

I think picking up would almost always be better than overnight delivery, but not sure I would do a 5 hr roundtrip. Would be driven by how delicate the fish were, the $ value and the number of fish. I think most places are having fish inventory problems due to pandemic which is driving the prices way up also.

You summarized my dilemma. Im only doing a 40 breeder with low end fish, and 5 hours is a lot (would probably cost more in gas and tolls than to ship lol, but I dont care about cost in this scenario). My plan would be to add 2 clowns. And then to cut on down on driving, if I did drive, add a basslet and blenny together, instead of separately, 2 months later. I may add one more fish down the road.

 

[DC Reefer]

You summarized my dilemma. Im only doing a 40 breeder with low end fish, and 5 hours is a lot (would probably cost more in gas and tolls than to ship lol, but I dont care about cost in this scenario). My plan would be to add 2 clowns. And then to cut on down on driving, if I did drive, add a basslet and blenny together, instead of separately, 2 months later. I may add one more fish down the road.

One thing I didn't think about, with all the QT stuff going on it would just be good to get out of the house for a bit. That may push me in the driving direction...

 

[KStatefan]

I would pick up but driving does not bother me but I normally drive in no traffic areas.

 

[dennis romano]

During this time of year, you cannot trust any shipping company with shipping live fish .Between weather issues and amount of product they move, I would not trust any of them.