You know it's a scam IF......

[TheHolisticNanny]

I've come to the sickening conclusion that 90% of ads/posts on websites selling birds are scams..... So here's my check list.....

Before you reply, look for the following and then don't.

A summary that looks like it was copy and pasted from any reputable bird source about the bird species.

Missing words, improper sentence's, broken english, like the poster is ESL, because they ARE!!

using the word "lovely" 18 times in one post.

LOW LOW LOW price for the type of bird.
(this is the most common one I've run across)

Statements about the birds as in it comes with "registration papers" it's been groomed, or anything else that really doesn't apply to birds....


IF you don't see any of the above and you decide to email, you know its a scam if they reply back saying.......

They are out of the country/state/region,

They are missionaries, the wife/husband/child is deathly ill,

They are willing to GIVE you these birds, EXCEPT you have to pay for shipping and "paper work",

and the BIG one and no no!

They ask for your personal information!!!!!!! USUALLY in the first EMAIL!!!!


alright peeps, this is what I've got, can any one add to it?>

[Greycloud]

Just the word "Cameroon" makes me shiver! Never attempt to purchase EGGS off the internet!

[TheHolisticNanny]

Oh grey cloud, they are getting smarter, the wording is getting more subtle, AND they aren't telling you camaroon any more!!!!! I got a reply this morning from what REALLY DID look like a legit post, they said they were in OHIO!!!!!

Oh no, no eggs............... but I DID look into that as most I think have even out of curiosity, ..... I think you CAN buy eggs from certain breeders.... I think anyway....

[brdfvr]

Originally Posted by TheHolisticNanny

Oh grey cloud, they are getting smarter, the wording is getting more subtle, AND they aren't telling you camaroon any more!!!!! I got a reply this morning from what REALLY DID look like a legit post, they said they were in OHIO!!!!!

Oh no, no eggs............... but I DID look into that as most I think have even out of curiosity, ..... I think you CAN buy eggs from certain breeders.... I think anyway....

I would NEVER buy eggs from anyone but a farmer that sells chicken eggs. For 1, they are cheap (10cents per egg) and for 2 it wouldn't matter THAT much if some were infertile. Parrot eggs are EXPENSIVE and there is NO guarantee that you will be getting a baby from it. Even if you get an incubator, etc.

I worked for a hatchery and we would ALWAYS put in about 50% extra eggs in case some didn't hatch, died due to fungus, bacteria, got stuck in hatching, etc. So even if the egg is fertile, there are SO many things that can go wrong with trying to hatch an egg on your own, I just wouldn't do it. there is absolutely NO guarantee.

[MissV]

Honestly, if the seller refuses or claims they cannot meet you in person someway, you are likely going to be ripped off, unless you are buying from Ebay or Amazon, where the seller will have a rating and history of transactions and feeback you can check out.

This is a good list though. And kind of hilarious.


But I don't see how anyone would trust just sending unsecure payment to someone for something they will supposedly mail to them. This should only be done through proven, trustworthy websites with SSL or other security language encryption, and you should only ever use a credit card and/or paypal to do so.

[hollyhawkz]

You know it's a scam when they say the parrot never bites/has never bitten, and is house broken.

Or has it's a bird and has it's AKC registration and is up to date on all shots.

[LovelySydney]

Originally Posted by Greycloud

Never attempt to purchase EGGS off the internet!

Oh lord that HAPPENS???



Yesterday in my office a lady got a few emails from people who were willing to buy some furniture she is selling on CL. They only needed her bank information to deposit some money - and she was going to go for it!! Im like "hello that is a scam!" well she didnt believe me and talked to 4 other people before deciding it really was a scam. I always wondered how people got away with scams like that but after yesterday and hearing some of the people I work with telling her its completely legit & to just GIVE her bank information, now I understand!!

[MissV]

Originally Posted by LovelySydney

Oh lord that HAPPENS???



Yesterday in my office a lady got a few emails from people who were willing to buy some furniture she is selling on CL. They only needed her bank information to deposit some money - and she was going to go for it!! Im like "hello that is a scam!" well she didnt believe me and talked to 4 other people before deciding it really was a scam. I always wondered how people got away with scams like that but after yesterday and hearing some of the people I work with telling her its completely legit & to just GIVE her bank information, now I understand!!

.........

[TheHolisticNanny]

a hatchery eh? very interesting! I always wonder about breeders I've seen that sell parrot eggs. Maybe I'll start a thread on that!

OH yes scammers are EVERYWHERE>....... parrots to furniture!!!!!... I can post for ANYTHING on CL, and I often do, wether I'm trying to sell my old dryer or trying to BUY one, there's a scammer with a story.....

It's sad to hear about your co-worker(?) who didn't believe you about the scammer with her furniture, and thats EXACTLY how they get you!!!!!!.....

so so sad, but yeah thats one of the reasons I started this thread, a public service announcement.... I've even had scammers contact me about being their nanny!!!!! OF ALL THINGS (because I am a nanny:-).. They suually want to drop off their children to me and pay me an ungodly sum of $ to care for jack and jane while they are IN camaroon or the british isles on "business" they are relentless.... and I'm VERY mean when I reply back to them :-)

[LovelySydney]

I think its a great thread! Sometimes the ads are very obvious, other times very subtle - its good information to know either way. People should be aware of these things, especially when so many are buying/selling/trading online nowadays.