Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1554
*I am not in any way connected to the person in the ad. I am not the person in the ad. I don't even know a Cindi.*
I agree with BooBoo. I have found the same, phone number/email.
Here is my take...
First of all, the ad seems normal and views are only views. They don't mean that XXX amount of people emailed them back.
Second, it is a cross. $80 is hardly a low price for a cross pup with a bit of stuff.
Third, the ad is new, and it says nothing about ASAP. They gave no urgent reason for rehoming, it may not be urgent. I have put ads up before a holiday before too (and got some impatient responses at times). No big deal if it is put up before a holiday.
Fourth, something may have come up (not always having access to email/internet, their computer went, family emergencies, etc...and it IS the Easter weekend). Plans happen and sometimes do not get changed because of a simple ad.
Fifth, not everyone feels the need to IMMEDIATELY contact everyone back. That is a greedy, impatient mentality that is very much a problem in today's society, and even more so since the electronic gadgets got into everyone's hands. I am not saying that is you, just a very general observation. The world does not revolve around an impatient person. Maybe in their close knit world where they can manipulate others, but not always in the world outside of that circle. Sometimes people get excluded/put off/ignored for just that reason by someone and then get angry about it.
Sixth, when I put an ad out, I don't always answer everyone immediately, but I will answer. I won't necessarily pick the first one to contact, nor the second, third or tenth. If it is a re-homing reason, often a first reply (or further contact by email, text &/phone) can tell me a lot about that person, and often I have found a lot of people who I feel are just not a good fit either by their first (fishy, demanding, odd, too flowery/sob-story-like...trying too hard...real motive?, other) response or after asking them questions...for many reasons. Sometimes it is a matter of conversing & meeting with a potential buyer until I am comfortable selling to them. Even with all of this, sometimes I feel people were not fully honest and I have unfortunately regretted my decision. I like to take my time when deciding as I feel that I have a responsibility to do so. I doubt this is a desperate situation as you described it as. If I got that vibe from you from your email as you sound here (or could connect your post here to your reply), you would certainly not be in the running. You sound (only going by the tone of your post, that is all I have for a first impression) harsh & rash, excitable, willing to bite quickly, and impatient, willing to drag someone through the mud only because you feel slighted and with no proof. Going by that, you would certainly not a good fit for any animal I have had. Those qualities do not make a good animal owner.
I suspect that you are overreacting and in a panic because you and your friends have not been the chosen ones...or chosen ones yet. On the flip side, don't give money unless in person and the dog is right there in front of you, nor give passwords nor personal info, & block any new unwanted emails.
That is my take. Relax...be patient...you may get an answer yet. If you do, I sure hope you own up & apologize to this person profusely.
If you don't hear from this person, I have learned that many legitimate people do not let you know one way or the other, even if you request it...or sell something out from under you when solid arrangements have been made and communication seemed to be good (usually in this city).
It would be interesting to see if Adam determines if the ad is legitimate or not and how we can tell positively if this simple ad is as you say: "I have in the past seen AD's on Ebrandon similar and they were also a scam". It doesn't read as one, and unless you can determine its IP and source and if it is on a spammers/scammers list, how can you be so positive?