Vetafarm products - where to buy?

[bleedinggreen]

Curious to know where/how is the the most cost effective way to buy vetafarm products (I'm on the NSW Sth Coast). It there a cheap retailer, or if I had an abn could I buy direct for a reduced rate. I'm mostly interested in the Sth American pellet mix but at 90 odd dollars for a 10kg bag, and considering about half of bird seed is wasted, pellets cost about double what seed costs. If I could get it a bit cheaper it would be great.

Thanks.

[avinet]

The most cosy effective way might be to get your local Vetafarm dealer to order a bag in for you with their next Vetafarm order. That way you don't pay a big freight bill - Vetafarm subsidise freight to shops.

You may be able to negotiate a better price since it will be straight in/straight out and you could quote on-line prices as a implied threat that if they can't be a bit flexible then they will make no sale at all. If they have any sense they will decide a small profit is better than no profit at all. I would expect you could get it down to $80 or a bit less.

Cheapest online price I saw was around $73 but there is freight on top of that. On Ebay there is a bag for $76 but freight is $28. Vetafarm's recommended price is $92.50 - the price on their web site.

To buy at wholesale from Vetafarm, which is approximately half price, you would have to set up an account and they will require a pet industry related business. If you have a plumbers ABN for example then forget it!

I used to own a pet shop for near 20 years and bought a lot of stuff from Vetafarm, and was friends with Tony Gestier, the owner of Vetafarm, so know how they work. And we would automatically give a 10% discount to avicultural club members and AB forum members, so our price of around $90 came down to $81 without argument, even for non-special orders.

cheers,

Mike

[bleedinggreen]

Hi Mike, thanks for the detailed response. If I set up my aviaries as a buisness would they then sell to me at wholesale rates?

[avinet]

They may but I am not aware of any aviaries being supplied at wholesale by Vetafarm unless they are on-selling to the public as a retail operation. At the least your aviaries would have to have a registered name and an ABN from the ATO, and that then means that the ATO is interested in what you are doing - scary! Quarterly returns and all that.

cheers,

Mike

[vankarhi]

I also used to buy bird formula (roudybush) in 5.8kg lots (I think that is the weight).......it was a mighty big bag anyway....I am sure it was almost 6kg bags. Since I don't have heaps and heaps of birds it lasted me a while. Anyway it used to cost me $126 plus $16 postage from one of the online vets.....I think it was vet and pet direct or Aussie vets??? I bought bird formula from one and dog flea/tick and heartworm drops from another. Now I buy neo care from our local bird club for $18.50 per kilo ....... and I am happy with it so far.

[Phill]

Have you tried Hagen Tropican Tracey? I really like it, i've tried Kaytee and Neocare before, but didn't think they compare to Hagen. There is a guy down here who sells it 10 dollars a kilo. Very cheap.

[Laraine]

My local pet shop stocks Vetafarm now, but before that I used to buy it online from Vetafarm. For the cost of the delivery charge it saves running around and using petrol. Go to www.Vetafarm.com.au to view their catalogue online.

[vankarhi]

No Phil I have not used Hagen and probably wont either.........just because I am happy with what I am using now and can get it easy enough through the bird club.

[bleedinggreen]

I've found the pellets on an online store for $74.00 plus postage. Not a bad saving.

[Phill]

Yep Tracey - once you find a brand that you like, it's hard to use something else.

[flossy]

I also am on the South Coast and found that there are 2 suppliers locally that seem to have ok prices.
I just got a large bag of Neocare for $54.50 from the Pet Shop on Bellambi Lane - they have just not long moved there? The last bag I bought of that was $65 so a nice saving.

Also, I bought my Eckie Pellets from there too - the Paradise Pellets - they were less than $20 for the bag - so that wasn't too bad of a price.

I wish there was a Hagen supplier around here, I have heard that it's good. I also like Roudybush - last year I did 50/50 with my chicks. Half on Roudybush, half on Neocare - the weight/growth results were amazing! On average the chicks fed on Roudybush were approx 10-15% larger and weaned in less time.
I was raising about 40 birds - across the board - Alexs, majors, conures, quakers, lorries and cockatiels - so there was a good variety. But the people I was buying Roudybush from said they couldn't get it anymore....so who knows! Is it still available in Aussie does anyone know?

[avinet]

Dec 23, 2010 20:15:35 GMT 10 flossy said:

But the people I was buying Roudybush from said they couldn't get it anymore....so who knows! Is it still available in Aussie does anyone know?

Roudybush is the best, but my daughter (works in a vet surgery) was talking to the importer a week or two ago and there has been some problems with getting supplies from the USA wher eit is made. I think the hand rearing mix is available but the pellets have supply problems.

Apparently it will be late summer, or autumn before good supplies are available again.

cheers,

Mike

[Robyn]

I keep a few different brands including the ones mentioned. It comes down to personal choice i guess. I will use Neo care if i have to but not their regular mix.

I am testing another product that's made in Australia & so far am happy with the out come. The up side is that it's always fresh. Pricewise $99 for 10kg bag + freight. Pellets from these guys are also reasonable at $66 for 20kg & all my birds will eat them. Also if there is a freight depot in your area you can pick up yourself at a cheaper cost. Will be more if delivered to your door.

I do like Hagen's & the price is very good but by the time it comes through customs the use by date is almost out of date & it doesn't smell fresh.

[flossy]

Oh wow that sounds good Robyn. Could you give me their details? Not sure how this forum works, if you are allowed to list the sites or whatever.....but would appreciate knowing the details.

Thanks heaps

[Phill]

Does anyone know any roudybush suppliers in Victoria?

[avinet]

Dec 24, 2010 9:08:20 GMT 10 Phill said:

Does anyone know any roudybush suppliers in Victoria?

Call the importers on [phone]

They should be able to advise you who they distribute to in Victoria

cheers,

Mike