BETTATALK is the largest betta website worldwide and I receive lots and lots of orders. What does that means? It means I sell, bag, pack and ship more bettas than most betta breeders out there. I remain one of the most active seller on the market and I have been around for quite some time ;). 

I have been doing this for many years now and I have learned a lot. With about 3,500 shipments under my belt, you know I was bound to bump into every possible shipping problem scenario, each being encountered at least once and solved. I have learned a great great deal. I have implemented over the years the safest way to pack and ship bettas. It didn't happen overnight. But I finally earned my black belt in betta shipping ;).

Let the numbers do the talking:

Shipped to date = 30,000 bettas (more or less :) ) 

Arrived alive and well = 29,959 bettas

Arrived dead = 41 bettas

DOA (Dead On Arrival) is a common problem that all shipper of live stock experience. I am however proud to say that I have reduced the number of DOA over the years to just about zero. And the 0.01% of losses left was the results of freak mail stream accidents, not of bad packing or planning on my part.

And that is quite a feat! I may take forever to get the boxes ready, but in the end it is well worth the extra hard work. I use the best boxes, carefully labeled, the best and most reliable heat packs (cause not all heat packs were created equal ;) ), the most expensive tape, personally drive the bettas to the last stop before the airport (even though it is out of my way) so to make their trip even shorter and easier on them. When it comes to the safety and health of the bettas, I never compromise. Also, unlike many breeders out there, I pack my bettas with more water than the standard amount, even if it ends up costing me quite a bit more in postage, which comes out of my pocket since I always charge a flat $25 shipping charge (many other breeders charge $30 to $35 for same service). Some shipments end up costing me $5 to $7 extra (out of my pocket)

We all have bought fish at the store only to find them belly up a few days later. I am proud to report that only 0.04% of my bettas have encountered such sad fate. Careful packing, shipping, as well as detailed instructions to the buyer as to how to best unpack and acclimate their bettas have been key to my success. Oh, and only selling healthy bettas doesn't hurt either LOL.

I always double check all my labels before shipping to insure that I have not made a mistake when copying your info.

I must admit I have nothing to do with this stat, as late deliveries have nothing to do with me. However I have found that the USPO's Express Mail service is currently very reliable. Providing, that is, that the shipper knows how to work the system LOL. Shipments that are delayed usually arrive one day later. Knowing that, the way I pack them, the bettas can live up to 3 weeks in their box (winter time excepted), you can see how one extra day could not hurt them. 

A very very large number of my customers buy again and again and again from me. It is not unusual for a customer to place an order, receive their fish one day and place a second order the very next day! :). I am proud of that repeat business, because it talks for itself. I find that at least 60% of my customers come back and consistently order from me again while new customers join the bettatalk family almost daily, resulting in my business consistently expanding year after year. Note: It is estimated that 30 to 40% of betta buyers only buy one pair and will either keep them as pets (and will not have the need for more for the next 2 to 3 years) or simply give up the fish keeping hobby altogether. Hence a 60% repeat business may very well actually mean a 95% (or more) repeat business.  

Of course not to say that I never mess up an order or that every single customer is satisfied, because that would mean that I am GOD, and last I checked I was still a measly mortal little human being (sigh). I know that no seller can ever achieve a 100% satisfaction. But I seem to be reasonably close :). Also I always do my best to work with my customers in case we bump into some problems.