Buying a box turtle

[HMJ003]

I am looking to purchase an adult box turtle. Has anyone purchased from either Elizabeth Hills or Mhiz Cleopatra? I am trying hard to avoid scammers and want to research reputability. Thank you in advance!!! Both women were found on Tortoise and turtle lovers (rehoming).

I appreciate any help.

 

[zovick]

I am looking to purchase an adult box turtle. Has anyone purchased from either Elizabeth Hills or Mhiz Cleopatra? I am trying hard to avoid scammers and want to research reputability. Thank you in advance!!! Both women were found on Tortoise and turtle lovers (rehoming).

I appreciate any help.

I have been around for many years and have never heard of either of those persons, nor ever heard anything said about either of them, good or bad.

Where did you find them?

 

[HMJ003]

The group "turtle and tortoise lovers (rehoming)" was found on facebook. Because I know there are so many scammers I want to be cautious.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

We don't usually recommend facebook groups and can't guarantee you a definite answer whether the sellers are reliable or not. Here is one experience: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/beware-of-facebook-tortoise-adoption-groups.214910/ You could try the forums search tab and try to search whether anyone has mentioned the group/sellers you are referring to.

 

[jaizei]

Prob scam.

Most of the posts can be construed as just sharing tortoise pictures and not offering the animals for sale. But when someone directly asked if they're for sale in this post they say message them. Those pictures were posted here 6 months prior. If the animals weren't for sale, that can be said publicly. Even if they had those animals and were selling them, using the pictures from 6 months before, presumably from someone else selling them, is scammy on its own. Some of the other pictures that seem to be for sale, can be found on other sites.

Also, most of the posts by other members are suspicious. Most posts not by those 2 are thankful posts testifying as to how honest they are.

 

[HMJ003]

I really appreciate the input. I do think its better not to trust this. Anyone know a reputable place to purchase a boxie? Im hoping to start with an adult as I havent cared for a hatchling before.

 

[The_Four_Toed_Edward]

You could check out the for sale section on this forum, though box turtles are quite a rare occurrence there: https://tortoiseforum.org/forums/for-sale.26/

I don't know anyone selling box turtles currently.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

Sorry but the profiles are lacking in real posts. As for other member's posting and praising that is another scam tactic. I'm not saying for sure if that is what this is, but it does send reflags to me.

It's also not unusual to have the scammer be an admin so you can't even trust that. Their profiles have very similar posts and style. Being that they have only been on that page for 6months. Trust your gut.

 

[Megatron's Mom]

You can also check out Morphmarket. Be very very picky on FB, some of the tortoises that Mhiz post are very very pyramiding and they are so itty bitty.

 

[HMJ003]

Thank you all for the advice. I think it was wise and I did not purchase.

 

[zovick]

Thank you all for the advice. I think it was wise and I did not purchase.

Try looking on the Fauna Classifieds or Kingsnake.com
Most of the people on those sites have been around for years and are reliable (but you should still use due caution)

Here is a post from today from someone on Fauna who advertises there frequently and seems to be a reliable party: https://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=832099