Buy from pet store or classified ad?

[svolk]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and new to birds in general.

My husband and I are wary to buy from a pet store (we're looking for a Budgie) because we have fish and we know that most pet stores know nothing about fish and do not take great care of them. Most pet stores near me are chain stores, like Pet Supplies Plus or Petco, and I am very leary of those. We have 2 fish stores that we trust that only specialize in fish, but there are no specific bird stores near me.

We found an ad in our local paper from someone who has a bird for sale - a blue and green parakeet with a yellow head. I called her and we set up an appt. to look at the bird this Saturday. He is a male, about 1 year old, supposedly friendly and finger trained. The owner says that she does not have time for him anymore, she has 3 dogs and just went back to school.

Everything sounds good to me, she has a lot of food to give us if we decide to buy him - she is only offering 30.00 for the bird, the cage, and the food. Are there other specific questions that I need to ask, or does this offer sound suspicious?

[The Outlaw]

The offer sounds about right. In all likelihood, this bird originally came from a petstore anyway. Its better to give birds needing homes the first shot. JMHO

[Samm]

Yeah, it does sound like a pretty good deal....if it were me, I'd run him by the AV just to make sure everythings OK before I bring him home. Have her get him out of the cage, and get him to "step up" on to your finger, see if you can touch him, pet him...without him getting spooked. If all thats good, I'd say go for it, Budgies make fun pets.

[~AshlieNicole~]

I I would definetly buy from a classified before I bought from a pet store. The amount of birds that are in need of homes because of either careless owners or owners lives changing and them leaving their fids out of it. I will never buy from a breeder or a pet store again! I bought my zon from a breeder and my conure from a pet store, but he was already 3 years old and had gotten brought back to the store. My poor little Buddy was sitting in the damn pet store for 3 months.

[svolk]

Thanks for the input! We can't wait to get a bird, I hope this offer works out. I'm ready for Saturday to be here! But it does leave me a few days to do more research, which is good.

[Takoda]

actually three months is pretty good for a bird at a pet store. we have a cockatiel in our store that's been sitting there since the store opened, july of 2004.

[Dayna]

I would answer the classified ad. However don't knock all pet stores. I own one and my birds are taken care of better than most people take care of their beloved pets.

Plus I pay people to handle my birds, even the parakeets are hand-tame here.

[greyburd]

I agree, 3 months in a pet store is not bad at all. There is a pet store that I used to frequent (until last week) that has a CAG that's been there for at least 2 years. And they have an Amazon, that's been there for about a year. For the most part, my general rule is to stay away from pet stores when shopping for birds. I look at birds that need to be rehomed and breeders. But you have to watch out, some breeders aren't all that they claim to be.

Good luck with you visit on Saturday. Let us know how things go.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by Takoda

actually three months is pretty good for a bird at a pet store. we have a cockatiel in our store that's been sitting there since the store opened, july of 2004.

Aww, the poor little thing! I hope he finds a loving home soon!