Could this be a scam?

Question

I heard a lot about puppy scams but I wanted to buy a bull terrier [they don't have any here in CT] so I found this Bull terrier on puppyfind.com $700 with shipping included cause supposly there's a dude that drives them here.. Now I don't want to insult the lady so I don't know what questions to ask to see if she is legit. She gave me her phone number, address to where I am going to send a cashiers check as she requested, and she has send me a few pictures I seen like 2 when she was a puppy puppy and she sent me like 3 where she was about 3 months and she is suppose to take some more recent ones soon. How do I know this isn't a scam the price is too good, but she is giving me a lot of personal info, like phone number and address.. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

If you think it's a scam, it probably is.

Frankly, paying $700 for an animal when you can go to any shelter and pay $50-$150 for one is a scam in itself, but whatever.

Answer 2

could be

Answer 3

Never send anyone a cashiers check or wire money for something you have no assurance of receiving.  That's what they have Paypal for.  Anyone running a legitimate business will have a Paypal account for such transactions.  Or they could easily sign up for one.  With Paypal, you are safe!  The funds are transferred between parties and you can even use your bank account, credit card, etc.  The party selling the dog can receive the money directly into their bank account.  If the person doesn't end up delivering you the animal or it's GROSSLY different than what they claimed, your money will be refunded through paypal.  Using a credit card also gives you additional protection through the bank.  If the person doesn't want to do this, DON'T BUY THE DOG!  You could go there in person, what's a couple hundred dollar plane ticket for such an important investment?  And yes if you do the transaction through paypal, ask for more photos or a video and a veterinarian record.  Keep them and that's your proof for what is being promised.  if you send money up front with no safeguard, you could end up with NOTHING, or a sick animal, or something different than what you paid for.

Answer 4

Is the dog AKC registered?  If not, that's a lot of money for an unregistered dog.  

To me, I'd really like to see where the dog came from, what the parents were like, what the breeder's facility was like, etc.  To me it'd be worth looking closer to home so you can see for yourself.

It might be a scam, and it might not.  But if you feel like something is "too good to be true", it usually is.

Answer 5

ALWAYS!!!

see the dog with its mother!!!!

my friend bought a dog from a website and it almost died

dont trust them

go and have a look at it for yourself! fone her and arrange it

Answer 6

It sounds pretty good to me. Just make sure that you don't give out your credit card number. Meet with her first and pay her up front! And don't be afraid to ask questions.

Answer 7

You should do a background check on the lady, and then if she is bad, look at a shelter.

Answer 8

The person should not balk on 'half now, half on delivery' and you still have the option of cancelling your check if the person was bogus.  If you use Paypal you have added protection since they can enforce a dispute if the dog is never shipped.

Answer 9

She could have picked a name in the phone book and gave you their phone number and address. It is probably a scam because there are no guarantees for you. She could actually have the dog but that doesn't mean that you will ever see it. Sometimes pet stores can place a special order and get you the dog you want. Unless you can afford to give away 700 bucks I recommend that you pass on the offer.

Answer 10

It sounds really fishy to me.  Search for a bull terrier rescue.  Sometimes they will ship or "pony express" Volunteers who take turns driving.  DO Not Send a check or cashiers check without possession of a healthy animal.

Hey maybe you and your hot GF want to take a vacation road trip to a Bull Terrier Kennel.  

Answer 11

$700 on a dog?

You must be very lonely.

I give you my sympathy.

<3

Answer 12

how far away is the dog's location? maybe you could negotiate a price lower than $700 and go pick the dog up yourself.  Just a thought. I do not know much about puppyfind.com.  Look for ratings on the website and stuff like that.  Hopefully, though, people on here will be able to give you good feedback on the website.

I also volunteered at a vet's office where one of our clients bred very expensive dogs, registered, and sold them through a website. (She even sold one to Buddy Jewel, who is a famous singer) I do not know if it was puppyfind or not.

Answer 13

its a 50 50, but if shes giving u all that personal info, then just verify it , i think it should be ok.  

Answer 14

I think it is possible that hundreds of people have received those same puppy pictures.

If you could pay on delivery of the puppy that might be okay, but otherwise I would wait and keep looking for a puppy I could see before I bought it.

Answer 15

maybe

Answer 16

WHY can't you just get a puppy from the pound? By paying a breeder you are encouraging breeding and making  less homes for a puppies and dogs in need. So sad. =(