MissMTS

I live in Southern Ca, and I am having several fish shipped to me from a breeder in Oregon. I asked him if he thought priority shipping would be okay since I am only one state over and he said yes. I was thinking that I would deffinetly have them by yesterday (he shipped monday), but they weren't here when I got home from work. I don't know when he sent them out on monday, but I am assuming monday morning. My mail doesn't usually come until late afternoon, so the wish will have been in the box for almost 4 days! I am so scared that they won't get here alive. I'm going to be checking my mail all day long so that when they arrive, I can start acclimating them right away. Poor fishies

Martinismommy

Kate, I don't ever recommend priority...(as you know) It is far too risky and you can't track the package....I hope the fish arrive OK....Please keep us posted...

What kind of fish are they?

Lucy

Let us know as soon as they arrive. I've never had fish shipped to me, but I know I'd be as nervous as you!

Shawnie

oh no kate!!!!!! ill be hoping they arrive soon also....goodluck hun!

ray_sj

I've had fish shipped to CA from Arkansas by priority mail. It took 3 days, but it really took its toll on the fish's health. They were alive, but they ended up spending a long time in the quarantine tank to get healthy again. If I have fish shipped again, I would use overnight instead of priority mail.

aquarist48

Best of luck for the new arrivals

MizRamzi

I had fish shipped from NY. It took 4 days and all were happy, healthy and ready to eat. Guess it all depends on the packaging, or the type of fishes. I cant wait til you get em. What kind did you order?

MissMTS

Thanks guys.....they're not here yet. I am really nervous. I have 4 cories, a pair of young rare west african cichids, and a small group of socolofi for my tank of africans. I have had fish shipped priority from people in Northern CA, and I received the fish the next day! I didn't think Oregon would be any different. I will never do this again. I at least wish the guy would have told me that it was going to take 3-4 days BEFORE he put the fish in the mail. If I had known, I would have upgraded my shipping. I have had packages of fish get lost in the mail before and like Ray said, it really takes a toll on the health of the fish. I just hope hope hope they get here okay!

Shawnie

so did he just not mail them yet or are they in the mail since monday? I hope for once , the seller was being lazy and just didnt mail them on time!!! I so hope things work out kate!

MissMTS

No, he emailed me monday night and said that they were in the mail and that I would have them in 3-4 days!!! I sure hope he did a good job packing them! Hopefully he put them in the mail monday afternoon/evening, and not monday morning....

SWilkins

Fingers and toes crossed for you here. Did you get a tracking number? Keep us posted.

MissMTS

Thanks Nope, apparently with priority you don't get a tracking number. I'm just running out to the mailbox every 10 minutes. My neighbors must think I'm crazy, lol.

SWilkins

When I do anything priority (daughter in Texas) I do all my postage online and you get a tracking number with priority mail. It may be different if you go into the post office. I know it is cheaper to do postage online. Don't worry about the neighbors they will get over it....just give them something to watch....LOL. Well to you and best wishes for your fishes.

navyscuba

Oh NO!. I hope they get there soon. My best wishes to your new fishies.

Annadvn

I'm sure they will be fine. As long as the bloke who packed them starved them for 48 hours before they were shipped and packed them in fresh water, i see no reason why they would not be fine.

I ship fish all the time with priority mail and you can have a tracking number with priority, insurance, conformation of delivery all those things! Its how i ship all my fish using priority.

Just some extra time acclimatizing them and they should be fine.

I have to admit i am like you though, when i know fish are coming in the post i stay home and check the mail box and the tracking info every 1/2 hour.

Anna

MissMTS

The mail has arrived and they are still not here. I am getting very antsy. Is there any way for me to check and see where it is if I don't have a confirmation/tracking number? Does USPS priority usually deliver at the same time as the mail comes? Its 1:40 here, so I am not sure if they have a later delivery time?

Shawnie

oh nooooooo ...was hoping to read that you got them!!
without a tracking number, I dont think theres a way to find it but im not sure...maybe try calling USPS to see if there is a package there for you and if one comes before closing, could they call you?

TedsTank

I just got priority shipping....took 3 days but was able the track it every step....it is up to the shipper. Mine used the USPS Priority Click and Ship....in a USPS priority box. Sorry, they will get to you....also mine was scanned in 2 hours after sorting the regular mail!!!

MissMTS

I called and said that unless the sender purchased a tracking number they have no record of the package! I don't know what kind of person ships live fish without at least getting a tracking number for the package. I really hope they get here soon. I don't even want to think about what will happen if they are lost in the mail

MissMTS

Did it arrive after the regular mail came? If so, I feel a little bit better.

MissMTS

The other thing that makes me nervous is that USPS usually puts packages in these little lock boxes and put the key in my mailbox. All I have to do when I check the mail is get the key out and get my package out of the lockbox. All of the lock boxes by the mailboxes are full.

If there is nowhere for them to put the package, will they bring it to my apartment, or will they keep it and try again another day? Also, what if its in one of the lock boxes and they put the key in the wrong mailbox.

I know I'm kind of freaking out, but shipping fish makes me so nervous, even though I have received fish via mail many times before........

Lucy

Don't dwell on the worst scenerio.
Try to remember that the seller wants his customers to be happy. Happy customers are repeat customers.

MissMTS

Thanks Lucy.

The package didn't come. I contacted the seller and he said to wait and see if it comes tomorrow. I guess he has had packages take 4 days before. I am on pins and needles right now.

This has been such a frustrating buying experience. There were some other things that made me unhappy before the fish were even shipped. The fish that I purchased in one of the auctions on aquabid were not held for me (I purchased 4 auctions). Someone at their store sold them to another person. The guy let me replace them with something else, but I am still disappointed about not getting the original fish I wanted. Then he wouldn't accept an e-check through paypal (I guess they take to long to clear and he didn't have room to hold the fish), so I had to give him my credit card info. I just hope that this doesn't end in a complete disaster. Go figure the guy has 100% positive feedback on aquabid.

Amanda

Oh...
I hope they get there soon!!

capekate

Ohh Kate, I would be on pins and needles too at this point!
Im keeping my fingers crossed for you that the fishies arrive tomorrow and.... They have GOT to be fine!
~ kate

MissMTS

Thanks guys. I am torn between being upset about my experience with this seller (knowing that there is a possibility of being out a lot of money on this transaction), and feeling horrible for the little fishies that are stuck in a box somewhere. This guy better be an EXPERT at packing fish. I am so antsy right now I don't know what to do with myself.

Shawnie

ive been thinking of you all nite I hope they arrive today kate!!!!!!!

MissMTS

Thanks Shawnie! Me too!

matt6765

What kind of fish is being shipped?

Shawnie

post #8 has them listed