I started buying my mice in bulk for my lonely little corn snake. Prior to that, I would get my frozen mice from petco. I switched to getting a big order because I wasn't thrilled with the quality of the ones at petco. I would have to root through what they had to find ones where the three pack wasn't a block of mice. The rat selection seemed much better though. One time I opened the mice and they smelled off. I defrosted one and it smelled really off. I admit, for a minute I thought "maybe it would be ok..." then everything I have learned about feeding F/T kicked in and I chucked the whole batch. thats when I started getting a shipment. Anyway, I think you'll be ok with buying from petco, just choose carefully and don't be afraid to toss away a little money if you have to. Also, maybe someone in your area would be willing to go in on a big order with you?