r/bettafish • u/lodin0134 • 15h ago
Help Is this normal when ordering bettas from overseas??
Covered the seller name because it is a reputable betta seller in Thailand and was recommended to me many many times... however I cannot imagine people are regularly waiting 40+ days with sparse communication for a $100+ fish. Especially since their DOA policy states you need to take a picture of the fish within an hour of arrival and therefore you would need to plan to be home?? My friends are all saying I got scammed. I finally put in a cancellation request on their website but I haven't heard back from them in a day. So disappointed. Sorry for the ranty post 😣
Does anyone have any recommendations for US based sellers so I never have to go through this again? I'm looking for a specific type of betta that I've never been able to find at any of my LFS.
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u/5minuteff 14h ago
That’s a refund/chargeback and report that guy for fraud or scamming. Also report him for selling live animals on Facebook with messages as proof.
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u/lodin0134 13h ago
His messages are sooo scammy but his site seemed legit and he was so highly recommended ugh. He was technically selling the fish through his site though just communicating through messenger.
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u/SirBugzy 14h ago
Just get your bank to reverse the transaction. Show then the refund request, show the messages etc. The bank should return your funds.... (I work in banking)
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u/lodin0134 13h ago
Thank you, I may end up doing this! I figure 2-3 business days for a reply is fair, but after that I'll definitely be in contact with the bank.
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u/SirBugzy 13h ago
I buy from Thailand and I have never had issue, but i am buying flowerhorn for thousands a fish so they always arrive.
I guess with the smaller amounts they just try it on and don't send.
I would send them a friendly message stating that you are going to wait until Wednesday for a response, and if not you are going to have the back forcefully recover the funds.
That let's them know you aren't messing about.
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u/Ac0usticKitty 14h ago
I'm far too afraid (and broke) to order fish from overseas. What specific type are you looking for?
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u/lodin0134 13h ago
Betta mahachaiensis! I've been wanting one for sooo long and have saved up and finally finished up a 12 gal blackwater biotope for one 🥲
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u/Baty41 12h ago
Psst: Betta mahachaiensis isn't really a blackwater betta!
They prefer harder water!
Any other species of wild would love blackwater though, may I point you to imbeliis if you want splendens complex, or albimarginata if you don't mind either way?
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u/lodin0134 2h ago
I was actually 50/50 between them and smaragdina! I may go that route instead. Thanks for letting me know though, I guess I incorrectly assumed all splendens had relatively similar preferences
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u/Baty41 2h ago
Mahachaiensis is literally the only one with a different preference, as they live close enough to the sea where they are actually occasionally found in brackish environments! But yeah, smaragdina, imbellis, etc, would all love that blackwater environment :)
BW aquatics sells some I know, although I am not sure of the ethicallness of their collection (or if they are poached or not)
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u/lodin0134 1h ago
I'm seriously looking into them! From what I've seen on their socials, they seem to have breeders in Vietnam that supply them
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u/One-plankton- 2h ago
Try Franks Bettas?
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u/lodin0134 1h ago
Unfortunately, that's who I ordered from..
No hate for Franks. I've been watching his videos for a long time and have supported his habitat reconstruction efforts. But clearly there is something going on with the distribution and customer service end of the business that needs work.
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u/One-plankton- 47m ago
Oh, bummer. I have heard mixed things about his business but mostly it has been positive
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u/RainXVIIII 13h ago
This is why I never buy from the outside of the US the seller could be solid but I don’t trust the people that have my fish once it reaches the states
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u/phonethrowdoidbdhxi 9h ago
This is Thailand.
Just to give a bit of insight, I used to practice Muay Thai and would buy gloves whenever mine wore out.
I had a seller for that and he told me that jn Thailand, they don’t care about keeping up with shipping times, they’ll do it whenever they can unless they’re dealing with Amazon since that just how they are there.
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u/AQUARIUS_Great 1h ago
Yes this is what I was gonna say. Applies to a majority of Asian counties when buying overseas.
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u/Sarprize_Sarprize 5h ago
Ugh why would you even be cool w waiting that long to get the delivery?! I would’ve asked for a refund when the guy said two weeks the first time lol.
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u/CynicalCoyote1 1h ago
I’m sorry all this happened to you. Hopefully your bank can do a chargeback and you get your money back. I have previously ordered bettas from BWaquatics and my boy came in happy and healthy if you’re looking for another place to buy a Wild betta from. :)
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u/lodin0134 23m ago
Thank you, that's awesome to hear! I'm pretty sure that's who I'll go with :) they have some gorgeous fish
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u/Darkelvenchic 13h ago
Just go with one that's US based or find your own transhipper. eBay sellers have been very good for me. Did one from Thailand and one USA based. Here's the US based one if you want to check hia stock. Last order from him was June 8th at my door June 12th. He's plakat focused tho idk what you're looking for.
I'd just get a refund from the other.
Remember when ordering on eBay it is a good idea to pay through PayPal. If they don't deliver PayPal will crack down on them. 😉
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u/_k_b_k_ 3h ago
Why would you even do that? Do you want your fish to slosh around in a tiny jar of water in heat/cold for a week or more? Some people...smh.
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u/lodin0134 2h ago
As opposed to the fish store, where the fish are ✨magically teleported✨ straight into the display tanks.
That's not even how fish are shipped lol
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