Hello, I am a newbie here..
I posted an ad for puppies and within 3 minutes I was contacted (very quick).. wants the little male, but he is in Mexico and can't call to discuss the transaction, just wants to send a money order. I know it's a scam because he didnt ask not one question except price. He said he would be back home in california in 2 weeks and would call me then, but wanted to send deposit now. He is begging me not to sell him to anyone else, well at first I figured its a scammer just sending out emails to mess up someones chance of selling a puppy (thinking you have a deposit coming), but then I started reading the scammer list and what can happen.. ACK.. why do people do this? How stupid?
Why is it so bad here?
Ok i sent this guy my address so now what do I do?
his IP address is very close (except last two numbers) to many of the ones on this list.
soooooooooooooo... ill check back in a bit.. let me know what to do.

thanks dawn

Personally, I would do what I do with every prospective new puppy owner. I would send him an application form, and have him fill it out and send it back. If he meets your criteria, then he will have to come and meet with you. You can tell him you won't take the deposit, but will wait for his application to be returned, and in the meantime, look over the other applications you have. How old are the puppies? There is no rush to sell them if they're still quite young. Why would the fact that he's in Mexico stop him from phoning? Lastly trust your instincts. You are picking the best possible home that you can for your pups. If this guy sounds like a scammer, he probably is. Good luck with finding wonderful homes for the babies.

I suggest that you contact Admin (use contact us links provided on each page of the forum) and check this issue with other forum breeders in the breeder section. Sorry you're having problems, but with the guy out of the country, don't think I'd worry overmuch about his having the address, but that's just me.

Yes, I normally do an initial phone interview. Thats why I insisted that he call me, but when he said he couldn't that bothered me. If I can't get a feel for the prospective owner, I do not sell them. I prefer home visits, but sometimes that is impossible as I do sell out of state occasionally. My contract also states I have the right to refund and refuse the sell of any puppy for any reason.
I normally list on another site, but I thought I would give this one a try this time. I've never expereience buyer scammers, seller scammers YES..
Some of my biggest things are, I want to make sure it is going to a family or grandparents where kids frequent often. I want to be sure the puppy I sell would get as much love as I would give it.
If I don't feel that will happen, I do not sell it.
I have even hand delivered some dogs to peoples homes out of state, to be sure I was selling to the right person.
I am very careful.
I don't do an initial puppy interview on a piece of paper, because that does not help me decide, I need to talk to them over the phone. I have some buyers that call me months later just to chat because we have built an over the phone friendship.
Thats what I am looking for, is to be an extended family to all the pups I sell.

Anyways.... its truly sad, but at least this site is watching for scammers and sends out a msg, i just hope they find a way to STOP it.. (if thats ever possible)

There is a lot of fraud going on !!!! Both buyers and sellers are at risk. Even though that we can't completely stop it, there are few simple things we can do to minimize it.
Please go to our site and read those simple instructions before selling or buying a puppy online.


**link removed. Goes to a website that has pups for sale in it as well. Not permitted on the forum.


***Edited By: lpn169 on 2/2/2009 2:25:44 AM***
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