Ordering Fish online

Gtinnel · Apr 6, 2021

I was at my local PetCo a week or so ago (I basically have no lfs) and they had a purple tang that I liked. I ended up looking at livestock on their website (hoping they would match their online price for the tang, but they wouldn't) and I realized their online prices seem really good and I saw that at $175 they offer free shipping and guarantee fish for 30 days after purchase. So now I'm considering buying some fish from PetCos website. Has anyone ordered livestock from PetCo online before.

Also, before anyone mentions it I am aware that PetCo doesn't have the best reputation but the ones around me are decent so I have some hopes in ordering online from them will be okay. Anything I get would go through QT.

lefkonj · Apr 6, 2021

If you are going to QT you can buy from anywhere. No matter what you are rolling the dice. Petco owns LiveAquaria (at least last I checked they did).

I started buying my fish from tsmaquatics.com, they QT fish for you so it arrives ready to go.

mdb_talon · Apr 6, 2021

I think petcos issues are primarily based off in mny cases employees that have no clue and no real "skin in the game" compared to an owner operated store. I assume they have people that know what they are doing at their central facilities

A 30-day guarantee sounds pretty good.

mdb_talon · Apr 6, 2021

lefkonj said:
If you are going to QT you can buy from anywhere. No matter what you are rolling the dice. Petco owns LiveAquaria (at least last I checked they did).

I started buying my fish from tsmaquatics.com, they QT fish for you so it arrives ready to go.

Agree other than petco no longer owns them.

Gtinnel · Apr 6, 2021

mdb_talon said:
I think petcos issues are primarily based off in mny cases employees that have no clue and no real "skin in the game" compared to an owner operated store. I assume they have people that know what they are doing at their central facilities

A 30-day guarantee sounds pretty good.

That was kinda my line of thought. Generally speaking the fish at my local Petco look healthy, but I've seen threads on here about Petco stores that are horrendous. I assume it is usually based upon how much the store employees know/care.

I also am assuming that they ship online orders from the same facility that ships them to the stores, although I don't have any idea if that is true.

david613 · Apr 7, 2021

Gtinnel said:
That was kinda my line of thought. Generally speaking the fish at my local Petco look healthy, but I've seen threads on here about Petco stores that are horrendous. I assume it is usually based upon how much the store employees know/care.

I also am assuming that they ship online orders from the same facility that ships them to the stores, although I don't have any idea if that is true.

totally ditto . the petco by us in brick nj was amazing when they had the right manager incredible fish and coral at great prices . I also have been looking at ordering online from them with the 30 day guarantee . I think I'll take the plunge am just waiting for them to get my choice fish back in stock.

ridgeburyreefer · Apr 7, 2021

Learn the employee schedules LOL go when the rookie is working and have them price match.

I’m not paying twice the price IN STORE when THEIR. Website lists it cheaper. This tactic has worked w manager approval several times.

CMMorgan · Apr 7, 2021

david613 said:
totally ditto . the petco by us in brick nj was amazing when they had the right manager incredible fish and coral at great prices . I also have been looking at ordering online from them with the 30 day guarantee . I think I'll take the plunge am just waiting for them to get my choice fish back in stock.

Wow - I just snapped back like 20 years! I was born and raised in Toms River. I think my family makes up half of Riverside Cemetery. That tree runs deep. Do you live in Brick? I don't even think there was a Petco there when I left. It feels like forever ago. The only pet store I can think of was by the Home Depot in Toms River on the corner of Rt 9 and Old Freehold Rd.

david613 · Apr 7, 2021

yes petco is on rt 70 near gardenstate parkway. The head aquarist there (yes there is such a thing in petco) named Andrew was the amazing. I think this petco had rating of 3rd or 5th in nation with saltwaterfish in the petco chain.

Gtinnel · Apr 7, 2021

david613 said:
totally ditto . the petco by us in brick nj was amazing when they had the right manager incredible fish and coral at great prices . I also have been looking at ordering online from them with the 30 day guarantee . I think I'll take the plunge am just waiting for them to get my choice fish back in stock.

If you do order from them please let me know how it went. I have a few things I need to get for my QT and then decide which fish I want and wait for everything to be in stock.

ridgeburyreefer said:
Learn the employee schedules LOL go when the rookie is working and have them price match.

I’m not paying twice the price IN STORE when THEIR. Website lists it cheaper. This tactic has worked w manager approval several times.

Probably a good idea but I swear the aquarium manager lady must live there. Honestly I don't think I've ever been there and her not be working, I guess I'll have to learn her lunch schedule LOL.. with the purple tang it wasn't a bad price in store but it was $70 cheaper on their website.

LSU-reefer · Apr 17, 2021

I’ve bought all my fish at petco, just simply for convenience and I agree the prices are good and have not had any issues with them.
if you talk to them you can get their delivery schedule and get the fish out of the bags.

Gtinnel · Apr 17, 2021

I've asked when they get deliveries but the problem is they won't match their online prices which is much cheaper for one of the fish I want. They will actually order fish that I ask for, but still not at their online prices.

jaganshi066 · Apr 17, 2021

Gtinnel said:
I've asked when they get deliveries but the problem is they won't match their online prices which is much cheaper for one of the fish I want. They will actually order fish that I ask for, but still not at their online prices.

They always marched their IMO line price for dry stuff I’ve bought there. It’s ridiculous and seems a little sneaky to be honest that they wouldn’t match it. Is someone pocketing the rest haha

kutcha · Apr 17, 2021

if you are getting your online price from PETCO's website they have to honor the online price but only if it is their website.

Gtinnel · Apr 17, 2021

kutcha said:
if you are getting your online price from PETCO's website they have to honor the online price but only if it is their website.

Everyone I've been to won't match their online price on anything alive.

mdb_talon · Apr 17, 2021

kutcha said:
if you are getting your online price from PETCO's website they have to honor the online price but only if it is their website.

They dont have to. Their policy specifically states live animals are not included in price match.

kutcha · Apr 17, 2021

mdb_talon said:
They dont have to. Their policy specifically states live animals are not included in price match.

doesnt state any were they exclude live animals.

https://www.petco.com/price-match

Petco.com Price Match Policy

Petco.com will match regular and sale prices found at Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores. We do match prices available to the general public (i.e. not any special prices available to members of subscription or membership programs) at the following select online retailers (amazon.com, chewy.com, jet.com, petsmart.com, walmart.com, wag.com, target.com). We do not match prices at other retailers that are not previously listed.

mdb_talon · Apr 17, 2021

kutcha said:
doesnt state any were they exclude live animals.

https://www.petco.com/price-match

Petco.com Price Match Policy
Petco.com will match regular and sale prices found at Petco and Unleashed by Petco stores. We do match prices available to the general public (i.e. not any special prices available to members of subscription or membership programs) at the following select online retailers (amazon.com, chewy.com, jet.com, petsmart.com, walmart.com, wag.com, target.com). We do not match prices at other retailers that are not previously listed.