Bonding before buying

Hello parrot forum members! I was wondering if you guys had some advice for me. I'm a first-time parrot buyer and just put a deposit on a baby bronze-winged pionus that I found at a (very reputable) bird store. It'll still be another month or so until he's weaned so I can take him home. The lady selling me the bird was insisting that I come to visit 2-3 times a week to sit and bond with the bird, but I don't have access to a car and there are no buses or trains to that particular area, making it very difficult to visit.

My question is: is it true that my bird will be too "wild" when I go pick him up in 4-6 weeks? Or that he won't be as well-socialized or be able to bond well with me when I do finally get him? He IS being hand fed at the store. I know that it takes a lot of love, patience and time to gain the trust of your bird and build a great relationship -- at home or in a store. I want to welcome this little bird into my home --but am I being unfair, especially if there is potentially another buyer who COULD visit him a lot while he's being weaned?

Can you visit him at all? Perhaps the 2-3 times a week would not be practical for you, but you could you get a ride with someone else to visit him occasionally?

Not visiting will not cause any problems, but if you can visit it would make things go a lot smoother in the long run.

Wonderful to have you joining us......
I agree with AD visiting the bird, would be a big advantage.
Here is my story........
I was given a breeder's name etc, (highly recommend, with years of experience)
Told him I wanted to hand rear an AG. We kept in contact weekly.
Unfortunately, I was hospitalized, for weeks.
I too was unable to "visit" my new bird, I was devastated.
I kept in contact with the breeder, daily, he kept me updated, on her progress etc.
Actually I had never seen Mishka, until the day he delivered her to me.
Mishka was 6 weeks old. Perhaps two advantages I had was, I have had experience with AG previously, AND I work from home.
I was with her 24/7 from the beginning. During the week, business hours, I guess I am out for about 6 hours all in all.
She is now 2 1/2 years old. Thankfully today, Mishka is a very happy, content trusting companion.
We have a fantastic relationship, I could not imagine my life without her.
Hope you mange to see the bird, if not, don't worry to much.
Continue gathering as much info as possible, so much to learn, especially having never had a bird previously.
Let us know if you were able to visit, holding thumbs......

I agree with AG & Antoinette. It's not a neccessity but wil help. It's also a good opportunity to ask questions, learn how to handle your new baby and just get some hands-on experience before you bring him home.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice! I could probably visit him every other week...and, in the meantime, prepare in every way possible for his arrival by doing research, asking questions, parrot-proofing my apartment, etc!

Another vote for visiting before your new family member comes home. We did that with our RFM and are doing the same with my new little CAG, Ruby.

Jade didn't miss a beat when we brought her home. She was nervous during the 60 mile car ride home, but was comfortable sitting on my hand (stuck through the bars of the travel cage) until we got home. When we opened her cage in the house for the first time, she flew around to explore, but settled right in and wasn't nervous at all.

Max, our Alex, didn't get that. He had a longer drive to get home and is a much more independent bird, but his adjustment time was a bit longer - about 2 weeks- until he was comfortable.

Again, it isn't necessary, but it helps if you can do it.

Could you make a recording of your voice and the people in the store could play it for the bird. It could help some.