Divers Den

Braves Fan · Oct 7, 2019

So ,, I have a fish on my Want to Buy list ,, not going to tell ya'll which one lol I have been using other R2R vendors to buy my fish ,, with no complaints ,, they have both sent me some really nice fish

but

Divers Den has one of the higher $$ fish I want on their site ,,, Its over $200 cheaper on the Divers Den site than one of the vendors I have been using ,, the other vendor I have been using doesn't have the fish on their site atm ,, and not sure what they sell it for when the do ,, over $200 cheaper is a lot of money ,, at least for me ,,

Its Live Aquaria whom I won't buy from ,,, no matter what ,, but its Divers Den ,, I have read Post in the Forum that Divers Den ,, is being left alone by the new owners of the company ,, other Post have suggested other wise ,, so ,, whats the story ,, should I buy this fish ,, or just wait till the price comes down on the sites from the vendors I have been using and leave the Divers Den fish where its at ,, on their site?

Jon Fishman · Oct 7, 2019

Sounds like, you have some doubts...... and $200 is the current over-under on your moral compass......

Edit: basically my suggestion is to pay the $200 and not have to fear you are going against your anti-La stand

ADAM · Oct 7, 2019

I have bought from the Liveaquaria and Divers Den portion of the site 3 times in the last couple months and usually purchase a couple times a year from them. I personally have only had an issue with one order and they were quick to fix it.
Unless you’re talking about a $5k specimen then $200 is a BIG difference. Liveaquaria and DD also have a pretty good warranty without raising the price sky high. As long as you can get a photo of the dead animal and file within the date limit, they’ve never not issued me a credit the couple times I had a claim.

Braves Fan · Oct 7, 2019

I have bought from Divers Den in the past before the new owners ,, and would order from them again ,, but that was then ,, I guess what I am asking is ,, has anyone used them lately ,,

Mr Fishface · Oct 7, 2019

I have used divers den and LA in the last few months. Both came in fine, any issues like the fish dieing the next day I submit an email with a picture and refund is usually issued the same day. Most my fish come from these guys and I have had a low percentage actually die. And not one has come in visibly sick with ich or velvet so thats something.

Jon Fishman · Oct 7, 2019

Sorry. Now I need clarification......

Is your concern about their relationship to LA due to your desire not to support LA, or due to concern for the shipping/handling-and overall health of the fish coming from DD?

If it’s not a “boycott LA” thing...... absolutely order via DD, because their shipping/returns/custy service etc are known as very good.....

Scurvy · Oct 7, 2019

I have ordered from DD recently. Same at it ever was for me... I know they’re going through changes in pricing, warranty etc towards whats considered more the industry norm.

As for regular LA. You getting drop ship specimens direct from the wholesaler whereas DD fish are held in Wisconsin for conditioning period before shipping.

At the end of the day I believe but could be wrong that the parent company involved is the same regardless of which way you order.

Deezill · Oct 7, 2019

wow all this time I thought Divers Den was Live Aquaria

S2G · Oct 7, 2019

DD usually has top notch fish from what I've seen.

C. Eymann · Oct 7, 2019

This is my view from my experience being on the other side of the counter, take this with a grain of salt.

Hows the LFS scene in your area?
If its limited, then yes, online maybe your only route to getting more rare items.

However if you have good, competent LFSs in your area my best piece if advice is to develop a good report with the employees/owner.
Granted I always strived to provide the best possible care for any creature that I was responsible for, if it was a fish or something that I knew a regular/friendly customer has been wanting I would always pay a bit more attention to it,
Example: I know that really nice guy Bob that comes in often has been wanting a few sunburst anthias, We got some in finally, BUT are they really eating? or are they spitting everything out? Did any of them come in DOA with signs of disease? these are things I will be up front and honest with Bob about and as much as he wants them, I may tell him to hold off for a few days until I can get them actively eating well, but if you are a regular that comes in and acts stuck up or is unpleasant to deal with other than bagging stuff and taking your money, I'm not going to go much further than that with you.

Be like Bob and a good LFS can be an indispensable asset to your success with this hobby and in acquiring healthy more rare fish.

Just my .02

MnFish1 · Oct 7, 2019

Braves Fan said:
So ,, I have a fish on my Want to Buy list ,, not going to tell ya'll which one lol I have been using other R2R vendors to buy my fish ,, with no complaints ,, they have both sent me some really nice fish but Divers Den has one of the higher $$ fish I want on their site ,,, Its over $200 cheaper on the Divers Den site than one of the vendors I have been using ,, the other vendor I have been using doesn't have the fish on their site atm ,, and not sure what they sell it for when the do ,, over $200 cheaper is a lot of money ,, at least for me ,,

Its Live Aquaria whom I won't buy from ,,, no matter what ,, but its Divers Den ,, I have read Post in the Forum that Divers Den ,, is being left alone by the new owners of the company ,, other Post have suggested other wise ,, so ,, whats the story ,, should I buy this fish ,, or just wait till the price comes down on the sites from the vendors I have been using and leave the Divers Den fish where its at ,, on their site?

Im wondering 'why' you won't buy from LA - and why you would expect that Divers Den is any better than the owner of the company (i.e. what methods does Divers Den use that the rest do not. (note - I dont buy online fish - so I dont have any positive or negatives about either 'place'. Im just curious about your question. Frankly - I wouldn't have qualms about buying from either.

But - another question - why do you think the fish is cheaper at Divers Den than other sites - is it the size, the way it was collected, the way its treated - compared to the other sites? Or is it that the fact that its owned by a large corporation means it can undercut the competition (in which case - since it seems you have a moral or some disagreement with LA - why would you buy it)?

Squidward · Oct 7, 2019

$200 cheaper? Better jump on it. I've ordered from both LA & DD. Can't complain. 14 day gurantee.

foxt · Oct 7, 2019

Braves Fan said:
So ,, I have a fish on my Want to Buy list ,, not going to tell ya'll which one lol

You have just got to be looking at that pair of interruptus angels for $7K, right?

I've been buying fish from DD for years, and haven't noticed any change in their customer service or fish quality in recent months. Do your other options give the same level of guarantee?

Thaxxx · Oct 7, 2019

Braves Fan said:
I have bought from Divers Den in the past before the new owners ,, and would order from them again ,, but that was then ,, I guess what I am asking is ,, has anyone used them lately ,,

When did these "new owners take over?
There have been a lot of changes at LA in the last few weeks. Price increases, box charges and ignoring notes you attached to your order.

C. Eymann · Oct 7, 2019

Thaxxx said:
When did these "new owners take over?
There have been a lot of changes at LA in the last few weeks. Price increases, box charges and ignoring notes you attached to your order.

Petco bought Dr foster and Smith/LA about 5 years ago, I believe original staff was supposed to manage the LA side of things, maybe that's changing?

anonomous09 · Oct 7, 2019

I have received two DD orders in the last three months and the fish have all been happy and healthy. Three months later they are still good to go. I would not hesitate.

ZanclusKeeper · Oct 7, 2019

I also just received an order from DD and fish are all healthy and eating well.

Braves Fan · Oct 7, 2019

MnFish1 said:
Im wondering 'why' you won't buy from LA - and why you would expect that Divers Den is any better than the owner of the company (i.e. what methods does Divers Den use that the rest do not. (note - I dont buy online fish - so I dont have any positive or negatives about either 'place'. Im just curious about your question. Frankly - I wouldn't have qualms about buying from either.

But - another question - why do you think the fish is cheaper at Divers Den than other sites - is it the size, the way it was collected, the way its treated - compared to the other sites? Or is it that the fact that its owned by a large corporation means it can undercut the competition (in which case - since it seems you have a moral or some disagreement with LA - why would you buy it)?

Well ,, I looked again ,, the fish was only $120 cheaper and may not be that when its all said and done ,, when you factor in shipping ,, which I haven't done yet ,, not sure how I got this so wrong ,,, my dyslexia must have been kicking in this morning ,, The reason for not using my LFS ,, I have a pretty good LFS in my area ,, they just don't get in the upper end fish at the store ,, not the owners fault really jmo I am sure he orders some of them ,, but they send him ,, what they send him ,, all of my friends buy a lot of their fish online for this reason

Divers Den is ,, or was at one time ,, kinda like a sub company of LA ,, same owners ,, but run out of a different facility ,, Divers Den fish were / are run thru a QT system to some degree ,, you were getting a healthier fish ,, you paid more for it ,, but it was healthier ,, this may not be the case now with Petco being the new owners ,, that's why I was asking if anyone had bought from Diver den lately ,, when it comes to buying fish from LA ,, there are several post in the Forum you can read on this ,, just no way I am buying a fish from them ,,

As to why the fish are cheaper here ,, than over there ,, I am sure there are a lot of factors that come into play ,, one reason would be ,, if the fish comes into the country on the west coast and has to shipped to a vendor on the east coast ,, that is more shipping $$ the west coast vendor doesn't have to charge ,,

Dragon52 · Oct 7, 2019

Deezill said:
wow all this time I thought Divers Den was Live Aquaria

They are but DD is where they keep & treat the fish & watch them for awhile to make sure their healthier. I think that is their Wisconsin Facility.

Thaxxx · Oct 7, 2019

C. Eymann said:
Petco bought Dr foster and Smith/LA about 5 years ago, I believe original staff was supposed to manage the LA side of things, maybe that's changing?

Seems like something, or someone has changed. They may be getting close to being the highest priced supplier now.