Bird scam

[tielmama]

There was an add in my local paper advertising a parrot for sale for $700.00. It went on to say it was a female, with an extensive vocabulary, good with ladies. Came with large cage and toys. I didn't want a bird for $700.00, but I was curious about what kind it was. I answer adds all the time just to see what they say.
Turns out it is one of those scams we have read about on this bird board! It required that you email instead of phone. I did it any way. All I said was, What kind of bird are you selling, and why is she for sale? They replied in not so good English. Said it was a quaker parrot, and being sold because the owner got married and wanted to go out of the state on a honeymoon. She said that she didn't want the bird to STARVE TO DEATH while she was gone. Said she was in Massachusetts. (This is an Indiana paper.) Said she would except a credit card or western union for payment. Then, she would let me know about arrangements to ship the bird. yeah right! One more clue, I opened the picture of the bird, and it looked like a Magna double yellow headed Amazon! I guess they want you to think that you are the one taking them, since they have a much more valuable bird than they said.
I want to call the paper and even the police, but I bet they will think I'm crazy.

[War Pig]

Call the paper and tell them exactly what you said here. I bet they will pull the add.

[tielmama]

OK. I will.

[birdguy]

just a quick question. what is a magna double yellow head amazon? i've heard of/seen yelow and double yellow heads but magna?

[tielmama]

I only know that they are more rare. The man that I got Whiteboy from has one. I looked it up, and it was said that this is the same subspecies as a double yellow headed, but larger. Known for greater talking ability and different coloring. More yellow at young age, and developes more red and yellow coloring as it ages, than the regular double yellow headed.

[Bonesy]

So many scams around, I keep getting them try and fool me but my radar is always alert to them.

If I cant see the bird, I'm not buying it, end of story. Same be it with eggs (if appropriately legal) or chicks. And paying in cash on collection.

[marwa]

Jeez .. I've seen two scam in Craigslist in my local areas .. I thought it not far from where I lived .. as I can go pick it up but they are from out of state like flordia and another state somewhere I can't remember .. I was pretty leery about it when they asked to pay shipping for air freight with the bird and their cage since they say free to good home and make up the story from excuses .. it just didnt sit too well with me... but I'm no dummy as you never know what behind it or what you getting into ..

[tielmama]

Very good marwa. If they want money up front, and it's not a reputable business or breeder, it's probably a scam. They stick everything in the add and in the conversation that might work. The bird NEEDS a home. The bird is PERFECT. They make you think you'll be a hero and get an unbelievable deal at the same time.
By the way, I called the paper. The woman at the desk is going to inform her supervisor, but the add was in for 10 days, and the last day is today. I was too late to stop them. I tried.

[marwa]

Thank you tielmama.. that right ..they have a good way of doing this adding to anything to get the people to take them...or give them a good home.. Oh boy..that not good !! I know you tried your best ..