Discussions

I have seen lately on eBrandon a lot of dogs for sale that are scams. When you see small dogs, purebreds, for under $600 you may be sure that you're going to get taken. I wish these ads were more obvious to people because I know several of them were charging for delivery and that's where they get your money. But I see you again tonight there's one on that selling a Frenchy for really cheap. I guess it's buyer beware

A rise in these ads has been an unfortunate byproduct of the pandemic... scammers trying to take advantage of the fact that people are asked to stay home and so might be less likely to come and see an animal in person/more desperate to send payment to hold sight unseen:  
https://globalnews.ca/news/7318611/coronavirus-puppy-sale-scams/amp/  
 
Never ever send any form of payment or personal info without first seeing in person, and during code red one should only be making essential purchases and limiting any reasons for having contacts. Please report any ads you see that you suspect are scams. Don’t assume someone else has reported it or that I know about it. I truly can’t get enough reports and they truly do help at addressing promptly.  
 
Thank you to all who help with ongoing reports in helping to keep these ads as limited as possible

I keep an eye on the pets section on a regular basis, and report the ads when they seem like scams. And if they aren't removed fast enough, I email Adam! LOL!

I'm happy to hear that other people are watching that site too. Little dogs, small dogs are very hard to come by right now as I know myself I have been looking for a really long time checking all the rescues checking this site and they're few and far between. So there is always people out there trying to take it vantage

Everything is buyer beware. Never pay in advance and do your due diligence. Doesn't matter if it's a dog or bag marbles you got to be smart. And remember what your parents told you if it sounds to good to be true it likely is!

With the new code red restrictions in Manitoba there is a link I keep seeing with these new pet ads. Now it’s impossible for someone to go to a home and view pups or dogs (cats, kittens) before making a purchase. Although we see pictures, it doesn’t show the pet’s personality, the environment they grew up in, one or both the parents that bred them, etc. These are all things that we should be allowed to see if we are purchasing a pet. It’s a 10 - 18 year commitment. All parties should wear masks. People selling animals should be exempt from restrictions. What do you think?

I raise and sell pups. Very few buyers actually come to see a pup before putting a deposit on one. A few are more cautious and I suggest that they call my vet to check on me. I also tell them to look the number up themselves as a scammer could give them their brother’s number. A recent puppy buyer told me he had checked out my personal Facebook page, looked up ‘friends’ who had pups from me. He did phone my vet to verify who I was and got a reference. I am happy to have people do this. If someone selling a puppy isn’t open and co-operative with you.... RUN. I encountered a scammer while I was trying to buy a dog. He wouldn’t let me come to his home, knew nothing about the breed and insisted on a deposit and that he would ‘deliver’ the dog. I offered to meet him same day with full payment in cash (the picture of the dog was perfect) but he was only interested in getting a deposit. I won’t say here what I told him.

Don’t give the “people” and I use the word loosely, the satisfaction they are looking for. Ridiculous prices for mixed breed dogs. Anywhere from $1000 to $4900. Don’t perpetuate the stupidity. There are dogs looking for a home with many rescues in Manitoba. Let the scammers and greedy people keep their $4900 dogs. Btw most scammers don’t even have the dog. They’ll get your money but there’s no dog in it for you. Covid has created desperate people preying on the emotions of sincere pet seekers.