Ordering Online

I did a few years ago. Things came healthy, but very small.

Key is check their feedback.

 

I have ordered on Ebay twice now. Both times I wasn't too impressed because of shipping methods. The last time as I watched the FedEX lady bring my the box, I could already see it was dripping. A couple bags leaked(none were double bagged) and it got the heat pack wet(they don't work wet), so the corals were sitting at about 62 degrees when I got them, some barely in any water... Needless to say I wasn't very happy because they looked stressed as hell and the guy wouldn't do anything about it because the corals weren't "DOA". His exact words were "I can't refund anything because those corals clearly still have flesh on them". I guess it didn't matter that they were completely bleached! But sure enough, a couple died later the next day. He had a 100% approval rating so be cautious of that even. He won't when I'm done with it because he could have packed these much because everyone knows, FedEX is hard on stuff!

Hope this helps!

 

Oh, I forgot to mention. Even if something goes cheap on ebay, shipping is usually a minimum of $45. So does it really make it cheaper? Not usually...

 

I have ordered some sps off eBay before. A few things that i keep my eye open for is location, feedback, time of year. Depending on the location, i don't order from extreme corners of the nation; I order from sellers in the mid-west. Feedback is very important; it tells you actual shipping practices and quality of livestock. And lastly, time of year, i don't order when temperatures are at their extreme highs and lows.

 

We ordered from Golden Basket on e-bay last year and it was great. Super seller and everything was shipped well and arrived fine - in February. They monitored the weather and held off on shipping for a few days until weather warmed up a bit. Would definitely recommend them. Biggest problem was getting outsniped on some items (my wife really, really, really wanted a tiger striped scoly) but I e-mailed him and he sold me one he hadn't yet listed at a fair price. We ended up with several corals and additional shipping was $3/item.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/goldenbasket8/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=25&_trksid=p3984

 

Looks like it can be hit or miss from the above comments, but I have bought coral via ebay several times. Looking at feedback is key and a seller responsive to questions helps. The last three years I have ordered corals right around the new year holiday (when I know I will be home) from 2 different sellers (I'd repeat with either one - one was a business and the other appears to be a big time hobbyist) - they know what they are doing with shipping and that I am in the Midwest. Shipping can be high (as Elliot said), but in some cases sellers will have a minimum amount for free shipping.