Nowadays, it's becoming a common occurrence for hobbyists to shop for their
essentials online rather than at a traditional pet shop. Although you may
be drawn in by the vibrant colors of the pictures of the online products,
you may still be unsure about committing to a purchase that you cannot
fully evaluate. How will you know that your internet fish will arrive
healthy and safe?
The biggest drawback to buying fish online that you are unable to point out
exactly which fish you want. In most cases, the buyer views a general photo
of the species and has to trust that the when the fish arrives it looks
just as it did in the photo. For this reason, it is important to seek out a
website with an educated staff, a good reputation, and a risk-free
guarantee.
As a shopper, you want to make sure that you that there is safety in your
purchase; you also want to be assured in the health and safety of the fish.
Fish are very vulnerable to stress and shipping be a trying experience.
Stress is minimized by tactics perfected by the industry; cardboard
shipping boxes are lined with Styrofoam inserts which protect the carefully
sealed bags. You must also consider that the fish that are on display in
your local pet store are also shipped from location to location through
distribution points until they reach their final destination; however, when
you order from an online retailer, the product is shipped directly to you,
meaning less stress and better health.
Internet purchasing allows for better selection. When you buy online, you
are selecting your fish from the healthiest available stock; the second
ranked picks go to local pet stores, and those that don't make the cut end
up in discount megamart stores. Online shopping also provides for obtaining
species that may not be available in local stores.
To guarantee satisfaction, there are a few important tips to keep in mind.
Demand a Guarantee - Look for a site that offers a guarantee of at
least 10 days from the time of shipping. Since you have not even seen
the product, it is in your best interest to seek reimbursement if you
are not pleased.
Seek out Experience - Trust those with knowledge and experience. Look
for a site that offers extensive species profiles and care articles.
Avoid sites with brief, "catalogue-style" descriptions.
Order with Others - Since the shipping process is specialized for
maximum protection and insurance, it can be somewhat expensive. To cut
costs you can share shipping charges by making group orders.
Online shopping is quick and easy. Now that you feel safe with the process,
you will no longer need to travel to a pet store.