Local Redfoots available for adoption ... Questions.

Hi,

There's a local with three redfoots who says they cannot keep them any longer, and is asking a $100 rehoming fee (each, total, I have no idea yet).

They say the torts are healthy and growing well, but haven't included pics in their ad.

I got in touch via email, and the people sound nice and for real, and say they'll send me pics sometime today or tomorrow.

My questions are:
1) what are signs of a scam or hustle
2) what should I look for in the pics (or torts, assuming I meet them in person)
3) how big and/or pyramided is natural to expect or accept for torts hatched and raised in my neck of the woods (nh, hatched 1/17)
4) what's a fair price for rehoming

I'd love to increase my tribe of redfoots while helping out these people and beasts, but don't want to fund a Nigerian princess, or walk immediately into thousands of dollars of very bills followed by heartbreak ....

Thanks,

Jamie

If there's no pics in the ad I'd already be sketched out. Do a Google image search on the pics and make sure they're not stolen. Ask for a pic with something next to the Tort, like a piece of paper with the date written on it. Or a random object like a book, or hair brush, etc. Don't send money anywhere if they're local. If it's Craigslist be careful, probably 75% of every ad I see on there ends up being a scam. Gluck

Toddrickfl1 said:

If there's no pics in the ad I'd already be sketched out. Do a Google image search on the pics and make sure they're not stolen. Ask for a pic with something next to the Tort, like a piece of paper with the date written on it. Or a random object like a book, or hair brush, etc. Don't send money anywhere if they're local. If it's Craigslist be careful, probably 75% of every ad I see on there ends up being a scam. Gluck

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Thanks ... my plan was to push for pics, a physical meeting before any money moves from me to them, and an inspection of the torts.

I guess my big question is what to look for in the torts?

What's OK in terms of condition, and what should urge me to walk away?

Again, thanks,

Jamie

Look for clear wide eyes, good reflexes, and see if they'll let you watch them eat. Pyramiding is not that big of a deal. I'd be hesitant on a sluggish Tort that's not very eager to eat.

Since they're local, just go over and see the tortoises in person. Scammers usually AREN'T local.

Yvonne G said:

Since they're local, just go over and see the tortoises in person. Scammers usually AREN'T local.

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Thanks!

I guess I'm less worried about a total scam than getting tricked into taking someone's dying torts off of their hands, and paying them for the privilege.

They're about 40 minutes away, so I'm trying to figure out how to make the right decision in a single viewing.

Again thanks for the input and advice so far.

Jamie

Look for bright, shiny eyes, that are open all the way. It helps if they're not shy, but that's not a real tell. Pyramiding doesn't really matter unless it is accompanied with MBD, and you can see that by the deformed-looking shell. Ask to see them eat. They should have a good appetite and go after the food with gusto.

This is a pic of the three torts needing rehoming ....

Jamie

They look full grown, you might have yourself a nice breeding group there

They actually look pretty good. I get the impression that they aren't full grown, but I'm seeing a small picture on my Kindle.

Torts are like Pringles, you can't stop at just one

The people say the torts are 2 years old, but based on what I've seen here, that may be inaccurate.

Jamie

Hard to tell from the pics but they look older than 2. Mine was about 2 when I got him and he was about 4"

They look good. Jump in.

Thanks for all of the guidance and above TFO.

After extensive discussions with my family, Darwin, and my own inner demons, I decided to pass on this opportunity at this time.

I'm still pretty new at caring for tortoises. I'm doing a good job with Darwin (I think ... it seems). More torts won't make him happier or healthier. Other people are apparently also interested in these redfoots, so they'll find a home.

I've decided to focus my efforts and attention on one tortoise for now ... I think it took the real option of adding more to make me think clearly about it and come to (what I believe to be) the right decision.

Again, thanks for all of your help TFO.

Jamie

jsheffield said:

Thanks for all of the guidance and above TFO.

After extensive discussions with my family, Darwin, and my own inner demons, I decided to pass on this opportunity at this time.

I'm still pretty new at caring for tortoises. I'm doing a good job with Darwin (I think ... it seems). More torts won't make him happier or healthier. Other people are apparently also interested in these redfoots, so they'll find a home.

I've decided to focus my efforts and attention on one tortoise for now ... I think it took the real option of adding more to make me think clearly about it and come to (what I believe to be) the right decision.

Again, thanks for all of your help TFO.

Jamie

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I admire your choice in making such a responsible decision! Thank you for sharing & for for being such a great tort dad! (I'm sure Darwin appreciates it too!!)

I recently had an encounter from Craigslist that I didn't feel comfortable with. The breeder was about 45 min away and I let him know that I wasn't sure when I would be able to get to him to see the tortoise. He messaged, "np. Just PayPal me the money and I will hold the tort for you." I told him, "I would really like to see them first. I completely understand if you sell to someone else in the meantime". Well.. he did not care for that. He went on to tell me how much of his time I've wasted; how many happy customers he has; this is a business he is running, and so on. I simply let him know that I didn't know when I could get to him and not to wait for me if has another buyer. Two days later, he messaged me "so?" then again later, "if you paypal me, I will hold the tortoise for you". I decided that I would rather wait and deal with someone less eager.

I am glad I did. I bought my little Redfoot, Hebe, from a guy who insisted I see her before purchasing. She has been a lovely addition to our family. And if we choose to get another down the road, I will call him first.

I think, "go with your gut", is an adequate saying for purchasing off Craigslist or any buying/selling app.

cheers2lizzie said:

I recently had an encounter from Craigslist that I didn't feel comfortable with. The breeder was about 45 min away and I let him know that I wasn't sure when I would be able to get to him to see the tortoise. He messaged, "np. Just PayPal me the money and I will hold the tort for you." I told him, "I would really like to see them first. I completely understand if you sell to someone else in the meantime". Well.. he did not care for that. He went on to tell me how much of his time I've wasted; how many happy customers he has; this is a business he is running, and so on. I simply let him know that I didn't know when I could get to him and not to wait for me if has another buyer. Two days later, he messaged me "so?" then again later, "if you paypal me, I will hold the tortoise for you". I decided that I would rather wait and deal with someone less eager.

I am glad I did. I bought my little Redfoot, Hebe, from a guy who insisted I see her before purchasing. She has been a lovely addition to our family. And if we choose to get another down the road, I will call him first.

I think, "go with your gut", is an adequate saying for purchasing off Craigslist or any buying/selling app.

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That was definitely a scam. I saw an ad for an Aldabra tortoise for $500 a few weeks ago which I figured was surely a scam before even responding. The person said they were just looking for a good home for it and that it was 13yrs old. When I asked for pics they sent me pics of an Aldabra that was about 4" long. They even kept writing and pressuring me to buy it for a week after I told them I knew it was a scam.

jsheffield said:

View attachment 263363

This is a pic of the three torts needing rehoming ....

Jamie

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What you waiting for. Go get them. Lol
They are not fully grown. Look about 7 or 8” max.

Toddrickfl1 said:

That was definitely a scam. I saw an ad for an Aldabra tortoise for $500 a few weeks ago which I figured was surely a scam before even responding. The person said they were just looking for a good home for it and that it was 13yrs old. When I asked for pics they sent me pics of an Aldabra that was about 4" long. They even kept writing and pressuring me to buy it for a week after I told them I knew it was a scam.

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I think I saw that ad as well.. lol