Too good to be true?

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

I have been looking to re-home a macaw
in I found an ad for a bonded pair if scarlets. I asked about price. When i stated I did not have the amount requested and answered her questions... the price was dropped. Furst response was $950 for cage and both macaws and $500 each for shipping. The ad I respinded to was supposed to be from Iowa. She is in arkansa. The orice was lowered to $300 total for both birds, cage, and shipping.
Is this a scam? I found the ad on Craigslist. The woman also has a pair if blue and gold to sell too.
Leery .... but hoping its true.
I miss Wylie so much and need to fill the void in my flock, but do not want to waste money on a bad deal.
Any advice? I really need feedback since I have no idea what to think.
Tracey

labell · May 27, 2014

Sorry but this SCREAMS scam to me. Advertising on Craigslist is supposed to be local ads that's why they have one for each state and additional areas depending on how large the state is, even CT has 3 and you can drive across the state in an hour and the entire length in less than 2 hrs!

Scarlets have the reputation also of being nippy, is that what you are up for? I would find one local that you can meet. When it's a re-home I think it is really important to let the bird choose you!

Patience grasshopper, the right bird will come.

Terry57 · May 27, 2014

I would be very worried that this is a scammer...since they have now dropped the price to $300 for 2 macs, cage & shipping, they would be losing money as it can't be cheap to ship a cage. You could tell her you are going to drive there to get them and see what she says. My guess is she will make up an excuse since I doubt those 2 birds exist

I am hoping you are able to find a bird to fill that empty hole soon.

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

Wylie was nippy too. She almost bit the end of my finger off. After some click training Wylie stopped biting so hard and stopped screaming for attention. Touch training and ignoring bad behaviors help with temperamental birds and dogs

I agree... I think its a scam too. Two healthy birds reduced to such a price. I would not want to ship them and met any macaw for the first time that has been stressed during shipping either. That is why I search for birds in Iowa.

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

Thanks. I did ask to drive there. No response yet.

Yep... I can be a patient grasshopper

I wish I could own a barn and have the money to rescue unwanted birds. They just need ti be understood.

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

Ok. She sent me 5 pictures. Wants me to send $130 to her daughter & her and her son will drive to Iowa where I will pay the remaining $170.

What bugs me now is they are related male and female unlike what her ad said. I am not certain they are the same birds. Some appear to be babish and bright. Then the last pic.... in a different cage... appears to be two adults.

GW.Joe · May 27, 2014

tlfisher said:
I have been looking to re-home a macaw
in I found an ad for a bonded pair if scarlets. I asked about price. When i stated I did not have the amount requested and answered her questions... the price was dropped. Furst response was $950 for cage and both macaws and $500 each for shipping. The ad I respinded to was supposed to be from Iowa. She is in arkansa. The orice was lowered to $300 total for both birds, cage, and shipping.
Is this a scam? I found the ad on Craigslist. The woman also has a pair if blue and gold to sell too.
Leery .... but hoping its true.
I miss Wylie so much and need to fill the void in my flock, but do not want to waste money on a bad deal.
Any advice? I really need feedback since I have no idea what to think.
Tracey

tlfisher said:
Ok. She sent me 5 pictures. Wants me to send $130 to her daughter & her and her son will drive to Iowa where I will pay the remaining $170.

What bugs me now is they are related male and female unlike what her ad said. I am not certain they are the same birds. Some appear to be babish and bright. Then the last pic.... in a different cage... appears to be two adults.

I would NOT give them any money, ask yourself this question: Would you drive from Iowa to Arkansas (600 miles?) for $130 ??? and then "maybe" get the balance

If you PM me all the info you have on them I will "try" to check them out, but it does not sound right

Also, after looking for a bird over the past few months I might be able to help you look for one

Joe

Terry57 · May 27, 2014

I just found the 3rd picture using Google Image search. It comes back to an ad for a bird for sale in the United Arab Emirates from 2012.
DNA tested birds with home delivery>> in Dubai, Dubai, United_Arab_Emirates | 311832

GW.Joe · May 27, 2014

Terry57 said:
I just found the 3rd picture using Google Image search. It comes back to an ad for a bird for sale in the United Arab Emirates from 2012.
DNA tested birds with home delivery>> in Dubai, Dubai, United_Arab_Emirates | 311832

GREAT Job Terry !! (one of my fav tricks)

GW.Joe · May 27, 2014

You might be able to prove they are fake by telling them you have a friend from the forum that lives near them that will stop by (try and get an address from them)

OR

Tell them you want to send the money to a local small town bank for them to "pickup"

Then watch them squirm....

Don't give them ANY info about yourself.....

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

Yep. I was thinking the same thing. It would cost about $300 for the drive. I am going to remember to do a photo search.

Sterling1113 · May 27, 2014

At this point the $130 'deposit' sounds like a last ditch effort to make some money off the no existing birds..
I've dealt with quite a few scammers on craigslist. It's a frustrating thing. I've boiled down to never agreeing to purchase a bird before meeting them, and never trusting anyone who ships. There's just not enough insurance to back up their word. But I'm also quite paranoid hehe.
Best of luck on your search. You'll find your perfect friend when the time is right.

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

I will do that.
I am going to inform her I can drive there and need an address and phone number. I am going to look ip the post numbers too. They listed a B&G too.

This forum is so awesome! I knew someone would have advice on how to deal with this.

THANKS!!

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

Where can I report this other then Craigslist... I am sending them the information, but sense I should report to another agency too.

tlfisher · May 27, 2014

Funny I haven't got any response since I've asked for an address and phone number. I'm going to report it to Craigslist if you can think of any other agencies please let me know.

Freespin · May 28, 2014

I googled the pics and they are all over the net. Its a fake =D

Freespin · May 28, 2014

If you drag and drop the pics into google image search it will bring up links for wherever it can find the pics. A tip for the future =D

veimar · May 28, 2014

Sounds like typical scam to me. The scammers also wouldn't talk to you and just email. I've dealt with them while trying to buy my first car.

Try to ask for their phone number and address and yes - tell them you have a friend who could check them out for you. I would NEVER buy a bird without seeing it in person. (Not only a bird, just anything) Try CL around your area and in Chicago (if you are not too far from it).

MonicaMc · May 28, 2014

It's almost like a "Where's Waldo?" but with birds! What part of the world have these birds traveled to and been put up for sale? World class travelers? Who would have thought!

https://www.google.com/search?tbs=s...0....0...1c.1.45.serp..8.6.1253.0.cZGprIOKDaA

Kiwibird · May 28, 2014

I agree that this screams scam. Ask her to send a photo of both birds together with a piece of paper taped to the cage with todays date on. See what that turns up. Any LEGITIMATE seller on craigslist would be more than understanding that a lot of scams happen.

When our beardie died, we just wanted her enclosure gone and listed it for free on craigslist (it was a VERY expensive one). Someone contacted us from about 2 hours away who was interested but didn't want to make the drive without being sure it was for real and asked us to do that (the date thing) which we happily obliged to do. No big deal since we weren't scammers.

Edit- Just read the second page of this thread (I missed it before I posted), but in the future, it still holds true if you feel something may be true, ask them to do something that would prove it before making any kind of trip. NEVER exchange money until you take possession though. And always bring a friend along too.

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