2007-04-23 02:41:28 · 6 answers · asked by Ellie 1 in Pets ➔ Fish
Yes, you can buy from the importers and large fish farms in the south if you get yourself a "Vendor's License." It allows you to buy your business related products at the wholesale price without paying any taxes on the items.
You must declare, when you apply for the license, what type of business you are going to be in. In Ohio it is Pets and Pet Supplies.
I did this for a time when I thought I could make some money reselling the fish out of my home to hobbyists that I knew from the aquarium clubs that I belonged to. I quit after a while when I realized that after paying the shipping charges and subtracting the cost of the fish from any money I made I was just barely breaking even without getting anything for the time I spent doing it.
I live near Cleveland, OH and thought that being close to a large city would help, it didn't. Air freight charges are around $35 for a small 17" x 17" box, and you have to go to the airport to pick them up in the cargo sections of the airport.
In the long run, it is not worth it for the casual hobbyist because of the minimum orders that the wholesalers require, some as little as $150 plus shipping by air and some as much as $3-400.
Good luck if you decide to try it. It was a life experience and I'm glad I tried it, but the cost in money, time and effort make it non-profitable.
I was able to acquire some fish that I normally wouldn't have been able to find in the regular retail stores, but as I found out later, if you befriend the managers, they will sometimes order fish for you if you pay their mark-up and pick them up before they put them in their tanks.
2007-04-23 03:37:43 · answer #1 · answered by 8 In the corner 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First answer is correct. You may find a local breeder that have one or two kinds as a Hobby that may sell the young cheap. I know bird breeders that do this as a Hobby and it find homes for the babies. Many Pet Shops order from places like Florida in Bulk. So, as mentioned you have to order a lot of fish and add shipping costs too. When my Sister had her pet shop years ago, it was just a small place. She had like a $300 minimum for Fish orders.
2007-04-23 09:52:39 · answer #2 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Only if you have a business license, a retail store and usually are ready to buy several hundred fish at the time.
MM
2007-04-23 09:47:44 · answer #3 · answered by magicman116 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have to buy wholesale quantities to buy from the "farm". Most independent stores buy from a variety of souses and many breed their own.
This is a typical small wholesaler...
http://bellsouthpwp.net/t/f/tfdfish/
You have to order a minimum of $200.
2007-04-23 10:37:45 · answer #4 · answered by something_fishy 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yep- they're called fisheries. You have to look in your local phonebook. Sometimes they won't sell to non-retailers- each is different.
2007-04-23 12:01:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
aquabid.com is a great auction site.I bought 99% of mine there.
2007-04-24 01:05:41 · answer #6 · answered by libby B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋