Fish in QT dying

[MitchM]

I haven't purchased a fish for quite a few years, but when I do, I have a few rules:

-get to know your LFS
-plan out which fish you want to purchase
-do not buy a fish as soon as it arrives at the LFS
-find out how the LFS maintains its' tanks (UV filtration or other)
-if you see a fish that you want, find out how long it has been at the LFS
-see if the LFS will take a deposit and hold the fish for you until the fish has survived there and is eating for about 3 weeks

-Then purchase the fish and take it home

The LFS cannot control what condition the fish arrives in, but they obviously have a vested interest in getting you to purchase it.

This has always worked for me, and other than a "big box store", I have always been able to work with an LFS to acquire a healthy fish.
I have never quarantined, but as my systems grow larger and more complex,
for the next fish I purchase, I will be.