MACAW.IS IT RIGHT?OR JUST A GOOD DEAL?! look..?

Question

okay my other one got taken off and all i did is say if you liked macaws??? but oooh well and i am getting a blue and gold macaw and i am getting it for $350$ with...
cage
toys
cleaning supplies
health warrenty
books
and shipping
and much much more
is this a good deal and he is not a scammer i been talking to him on the phone and did my homework on him and the bird and the bird is 5-6months old and he is doing a free DNA test to see if it is a he or she so is this a good deal? and i dont know because i dont know how much they could cost.
Thanks,
some one who loves animals so so so so much!

i know i asked him why was it so cheap?? he said that he getting more people in his store because of the birds are so cheap......and that is everything he told me

he had it on his webcam (dont ask lol) but i am going to look at it before i buy it if i have the money for gas(gas is like 4$ a gallon here)

Answer 1

The is an amazing deal. The bird alone can cost well over $1000 not to mention buying a cage for like $500. It seems kind of fishy for it to be such a good deal but he does come with a health warranty. How long is that good for? If you do get him, take him to an avian vet right away. If you have never had a bird before, this would not be one to start with. Birds are very needy. I would be suspicious of someone who is selling birds (multiple for that matter) at such a low price and when the bird is so young still! Remember, this bird could outlive you!

Answer 2

This is a scam. Please be wary. If you cannot see the bird and pick up the supplies yourself, than do not make the purchase unless you can afford to lose your money. Please do not go alone. It is not safe.
Warning signs include the fact that all the supplies alone cost more than the asking price and healthy, legal Macaws cost much more than this. Also request the band number so you can verify that the bird is not stolen.
If the seller only accepts Western Union, you will not be able to trace your money and it is the same as cash.
If you are determined, pay by credit card so your purchase can be traced.
Many people claim to be in the area, but you may find that the person is actually from Cameroon where these scams are often used. If the person's full name consists of two first names than likely you may become a victim to this scam. They often will supply you with false shipping information and ask for the money early to cover those expenses.

Web cam is not proof enough that this is the bird you are purchasing.

I have talked with many people who have been in similar situations and they have lost a lot of money.
They sensed that it was not right, but once someone has their heart set on something it is hard to dissuade them.
If you do get the bird make sure that you have a written contract stating that the bird's ownership is being passed to you. It must be signed, dated and witnessed.

Answer 3

For $350? I would be very leery about this. If it sounds to good to be true, it usually it is.

I have own an avian supplies store and I sell hundreds of cages. Any cage for a Blue and Gold Macaw is going to be more than what this guy is selling you the bird and other items for. You can check any cage store to see what I mean.

I would question the legitimacy of this seller. If it is for real, I would definitely make the drive to him so that you can pick up the bird and "accessories" before you give him ANY money. If he is really able to give you the bird and everything else then you got a deal.

I would also recommend that you take the bird to a vet right away to make sure you didn't get a dying or diseased bird.

I hate to see people get scammed as it gives pet owners a sour taste in their mouths when it comes to doing business with truly credible stores. Do all the research you can on this before you send any money, you will be glad you had taken all the extra measures.

Answer 4

That is cheap. You need to ask him if there is a return policy if it doesn't work out with you and the bird. $350 is really cheap. But that's a good deal. You need to ask him as many questions about the bird and when you visit spend as much time with this bird.

Also do you know how long Macaws live? They usually outlive humans. I worked at a pet store and this is what I was told. If you don't know, then you need to look up the life expectancy. This is a bird that you will have most of your life and may even want to put in your will incase anything happens to you. Cause he will still be around.

Answer 5

That is very lilkely ot be a scam. A macaw, runes for at elast over 100, then at least 500 for the cage, and god knows how much for toys. I have heard of parrots for rescue being "cheaper" but even they cost around 400-500.

PLEASE if you can see the bird in person. Arrange a meeting. 350 is so cheap teh bird could possibly be a biter, a screamer, or both. I wouldn't go through with it. You get what you pay for so unless you can have ti verified in person, I wouldn't do it. I'd also get him to take the bird to a vet and have him send you the paper work as well for porrf adn to shwo you that you are getting a healthy bird. Poeple can lie over the phone. And a macaw is a big bird, nto all that and the bird would likely cost 100. Please do everything you can to make sure he is legitamate.

Is this your first bird(Just asking since it seems you don't have a lto foe xperience)? If so you might you want to cosider something smaller.

Answer 6

Someone told me once that sometimes you have to pay for quality. I've always remembered that saying and its served me well in the bird world, as well as in the human world (smiling). That being said, I guess I'll give you my two cents....

BEWARE, BEWARE, BEWARE. With birds, if you do not raise them yourself, buy one from a reputable breeder, or know the person you are purchasing from 100%, you should NOT buy it. You stated that the man is getting a DNA test to see if it a male or female, but what should be MOST important is telling the vet to get a blood sample to test the bird for common diseases (Proventricular Dilatation Disease aka MACAW WASTING DISEASE, Psittacosis, etc) . Cogenital diseases ARE not going to be picked up on a normal DNA test, so even if the bill of health comes out clean...you might have more problems on your hand if something develops. Also, think about this...the average cost of a Macaw is about $800-1500. $350 is less than half the cheapest amount, but if that bird is sick and you purchase it...if will spend THOUSANDS in vet bills trying to save the animal......

Other factors on him selling is so cheap, could be that the animal was smuggled, has a bird defect, has mental issues...etc. The possibilities are endless. Before you follow through be an informed buyer! Ask questions like...

Where and who bred the bird? Who/where are the parents of the bird located?

Has he been tested for Polyoma virus, and other diseases?

Do you have pictures or preferable a web cam so that I can se the bird?

Do you have pictures of his current environment?

Was he handfed? If so, by whom?

*Most important* Who is his vet? Is it possible for me to speak with/ obtain medical records from the vet? (Most new babies should have seen a vet by now if he is the age at which you are describing.)

If the owner is not willing to comply with these, than it really is not worth it.

Anyway, im taking up more room here than I think I should...But believe me when I say things that look too good to be true...usually are. And I have my own sad story to go along with that......

Good Luck and be informed!!!!

Answer 7

I'd have to agree with Michele H on this one. I think you'll be a great bird owner and really care for a true bird, but someone is preying on you here. I'd hate to see you get taken.

Blue and Golds are a hot item, and that is WAY to cheap for one, and then to add in all the extras, I smell a rat.

This is NOT to say that YOU are not a good bird owner hon, this is to just say that people who sell birds this cheap, are not true and honest people. That is all we are trying to say. There is a reason as to why this bird is THAT cheap.

I see problems down the road for you and this bird. But it might just work out in the long run. I highly doubt the bird is
5-6 months old too, to top it off, there is no way of telling that.

You might want to ask this guy if the bird is sporting a band on it's leg. This will show a number so you can trace the breeder and get a hatch date as proof of it's age.

No such thing as a good deal, if it's to good to be true, it normally is a scam. Something don't sound right with this deal, or is it just ME that is turning in my stomach about this one???

Answer 8

If this bird is not for sale at a pet store near you, or if the guy is not near you where you can transfer the money for the bird at the exact same time, then do NOT give him the money for the bird.

Those birds are definately not that cheap, especially with all that extra stuff.

You said shipping is included, which is why I have a feeling you are not going to see the bird in person. Ever.

If the bird is even shipped to you, it may not even be the same bird you saw on the computer.

It is pretty common for those birds to sell for at least $1000.

It is very easy to scam somebody through a computer, as they can set up fake websites, names, numbers, etc.

Don't accept this deal unless its somebody you can meet in person and see the bird before you agree to buy it. But again, you want to be careful about who you agree to meet up with from the internet.

Answer 9

Follow the rule; If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

I would be VERY wary of this deal. Is it a smuggled or stolen bird?
Ask about the source and have him hold it until you can verify.
It may be a rescue bird with some very nasty habits.
$350 for bird, cage, toys and DNA test is insane.
Should be closer to $1350.
I go to auctions all the time and have NEVER seen a bird alone priced that low.
You get what you pay for---be afraid, very afraid.

Answer 10

$350 US? That's VERY cheap especially if your getting cage, toys, and so forth that alone is worth 350. But those birds sale for so much more then 350 dollars. I get all my birds from an Avian store (cages along are more then 350) and I saw a baby blue and gold in there not long ago for 1200 dollars. Personally I'd be very skeptical, are these birds American bred or are they being brought in illegally?

By the way didnt you have parakeet questions yesterday?