Date:         Sun, 19 May 1996 20:07:55 -0700
From: David Eaton 
Subject:      This Week's Trick of the Trade

This weeks "Trick" is actually not about raising or breeding Discus, it is about buying them, by mail order.
After you have found a reputable breeder, you can then select and make preparations for buying your Discus. Some people are reluctant to buy by mail order because they don't understand or know the process. Hopefully, the following information will be helpful and give them confidence in purchasing Discus in this way. As we all know, for some, it is the only way to practically obtain quality Discus.
Most breeders have a minumum order to ship Discus. It is usually around $100.00. So be prepared to buy at least a hundred dollars worth of Discus. Remember this does not include the shipping cost that you, the buyer, pays. Realize though that the Discus you are buying are probably discount priced anyway and paying for the shipping is usually no big deal.
The breeder will provide you with several bits of information that is very important to you.

1. Shipping date.
2. Airline to be used(Delta, Northwest, etc.). I only ship using priority services such as Delta DASH or Northwest VIP because your fish get priority and are unlikely to get bumped to another flight. The shipping costs are usually $51.00 to $53.00.
3. Air Waybill number. This number will allow you to track the shipment to find out actual arrival time, etc.
4. Flight information. Ex. Flight 598 Birmingham to Atlanta with expected arrival time of 9:40am.
TIP: Call ahead of time to your airport Air Cargo or ticket counter and find out where you will need to go to pick up your fish. Set aside plenty of time just in case your fish do arrive late. Most importantly, TRY TO BE THERE WHEN THE FISH ARRIVE and get them home as soon as possible.
It's as simple as that!
With the above information, you have all you need to know to receive or track a shipment of fish safely and with confidence.
Until next week,

 
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David Eaton
Southeastern Discus
kccfb@ix.netcom.com
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