Nope ,not to make quick buck.

He just happens to have some fish I want and I don't want to pay tonnes for shipping :P

I hope it goes well for you, just from our experience there are many fee's they don't tell you about. Especially from Hawaii for some reason compared to an order from LA.

Fees not including shipping from the Hawaii
USDA HEALTH CERT. $37.00
INSPECTION VETERNARIAN $115.00
EXPORT DOCUMENTS International only $45.00
U.S.F.W. GOVT INSPECTION- International only $186.00
REG PACKING: REGULAR Hawaiian/Cardboard $19.00
PACKING: COLD PACK $2.85
PACKING: HEAT PACK $2.85
PACKING: PACK LIST FEE $20.00

Shipping is estimated $55-$75 a box

You don't get to see the fish before your purchase, health, aggression or personality

Also, when a LFS makes an order, its our responsibility to if something dies in transit.

Also I am concerned about a wholesaler that does break the "supply chain", what other things is he willing to do?

Just a few things to ponder

:pop2:

Me too :popcorn:

forgot to mention also;

You need to pay duties and taxes when it is landed, approximately 11% on top of everything.

And have an importers license, as they WILL ask you if it is for personal use, and due to the larger order to make it worth everyones cost, they will know it isn't for just your personal use at customs.

just a few things I run into at a daily basis.

This thread makes really saddens me... :(

To those people wanting to go in on this group order, what will you do if your fish shows up DOA? Wholesalers and collectors generally do not give refunds! Once you factor in all the fees I doubt you will be much cheaper than the LFS. All this risk to maybe save a few bucks? That's outrageous! Plus, there are only so many suppliers out there, all the LFS know who they are, it's no big secret. Any fish that are available from this supplier will also be available to your LFS. Your LFS should be able to special order your fish for you, and if it shows up DOA the LFS foots the bills, not you.

After you've gone through so much effort to not support your LFS (and you have many to choose from in Edmonton), and there comes a time when you are in a pinch, don't expect your LFS to jump up and down to help you out. This is a hobby where helping each other out goes a long way. If many people did what you are proposing, then maybe your LFS will go out of business...then what? I don't know about you, but I really find it to be quite a nice luxury to be able to see my livestock purchases in person before I buy them. I also value the support of my LFS and show this by shopping at my LFS.

Yes, it is despicable. This sort of undermining devalues the livestock we are buying. This collector/wholesaler is shooting himself in the foot...and in Hawaii of all places where all collection for aquariums is currently being threatened. Sigh... :sad:

Thanks Mindy.

+1 to mindy and ken:)

i cant see why your lfs couldnt order them, and maybe im crazy but isnt your tank like inly 20g?? what are you going to do with a golden moray or triggers or butterflys??

Hmmmmmm........ All for local fish stores.... All
For everyone helping every one else out.... Seem a few of the flag wavers and jump up and downers here "Frag" a sh t ton of coral and sell it.
Believe it or not but that too takes away from a LFS bottom line as well....

So let he of no sin cast the first piece of LiveRock, otherwise take a deep breath and climb down off your soap box.

It's just a few fish, if it goes great for him and the rest great...... If not, lessons learned and more on.

Simple




Sent Via The Pirate Ship.......
Garrrrrrrrrrr

Frag sellers are not bypassing the supply chain. They're captive breeding. We certainly like to encourage captive propagation of anything to save removing it from the wild. This is not the case here.