Devastated... Warning for all rehoming loved parrots

[caiquewalk]

My heart is going a million times an hour at the moment. I thought I had found a lovely home for Charlie the caique. I just found out the guy is a flipper and is now selling Charlie at a higher price.



I am so devastated. I have spoken to the guy and asked if things were not going well with Charlie and if not I would buy him back with all his things.



He said he was at work and would think about it, which who knows if that will be a yes or no.



If I manage to get charlie back, I will take him straight to a rescue because that's the only place I trust to look after him.


I hope this never happens to anyone else...

 

[Inger]

Oh no. This is awful. I’m so sorry. I hope he lets you buy him back. [emoji22]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Scott]

Very sorry to hear of this. Perhaps you can deal with him on a human level? If not nice enough to accept what he paid you, perhaps a compromise between that and what he expects to receive? Sort of like paying a ransom.

 

[LaManuka]

Oh how awful, poor Charlie, poor you, I hope you can get him back!

 

[Laurasea]

I'm sorry to read this! I was so mad I was going to offer my home, with visitation and take back rights. Then saw you were in Australia, dang. Flipping is so horrible.

 

[caiquewalk]

Update:
The guy is just playing games with me now. He keeps boosting the price and it is just too much to consider now. It’s sad but after talking with my partner I think I just need to let him sell Charlie. At least Charlie won’t have to always stay with this awful guy and has a fighting chance to find another home. I will pray for the best.

It’s sad having to see that people really live like this, trying to make ends meet. I do understand that some people struggle, but taking advantage of others in the process is just wrong. Karma is really going to get the guy.

 

[caiquewalk]

Thank you for all the kind words. I will keep you all updated.

 

[charmedbyekkie]

Would it be possible to have a friend pretend to be interested and to buy Charlie back for you?
I would totally do it, but I don't have a US number anymore.

 

[Scott]

Would it be possible to have a friend pretend to be interested and to buy Charlie back for you?
I would totally do it, but I don't have a US number anymore.

That is a great idea! A quick and interested seller might prevent the price from going higher.

 

[ChristaNL]

It is like that terrible event a few months back with someone deperate to resque a bird and the horrible 'serial-owner'/'parrothoarder' refusing to be reasonable.


Running into a flipper is everyones nightmare- I am so sorry I happened to you.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Awful.

Human 'nature'. Scary.

Thank you for sharing the story.

 

[reeisconfused]

Would it be possible to have a friend pretend to be interested and to buy Charlie back for you?
I would totally do it, but I don't have a US number anymore.

I was going to suggest this as well! This is a great idea! Even better if two different friends contact him - he’ll definately give in.

 

[EllenD]

Oh I hate this when "people" do this, and I use that term loosely, because anyone who would do this and then refuse to simply sell the bird back to their rightful owner isn't human, they have no feelings of compassion, empathy, or love, they only care about money...I wish you were in the US somewhere, because I'd have this guy's ass in a sling, as non-profit Rescues can often step-in when a "Flipper" is caught by the original owner who re-homed the bird to them...In a lot of states this is considered a form of abuse/neglect, and we can often get the animal turned-over to us in these cases where the "flipper" actually doesn't get a dime and loses the money that they paid the original owner in the first place...

I would do the same thing that was already suggested, if this piece of garbage is advertising Charlie "for sale" online somewhere, just have a good friend call saying they are interested in him, and have them go to "meet" Charlie, then tell him that they want to adopt him, and have them negotiate with this guy...He's going to be a lot more willing to sell Charlie to someone other than you for close to what he paid you for him, which is unfortunately how it usually goes...They often refuse to sell the bird back to the original owner for the original amount they paid for them just out of spite.

It's sick, but this guy will probably be more than willing to sell Charlie to the first person other than you who offers him anything close to what he paid you for him, now that he knows you want him back. That's how these people think, once the original owner contacts them and wants their bird back they just want to do anything to sell the bird to anyone else and just break-even...It's really messed-up, but they just simply want to make sure that you don't get Charlie back...So if you have a friend willing to make him an offer and to "buy" Charlie, he'll probably sell him immediately just so he is able to tell you "Sorry, I sold him, and I got a hell of a lot more than I paid you for him!"

I'm sorry this has happened to you, because you know this guy obviously doesn't care one bit about Charlie...I hope that he's at least taking proper care of him in the meantime...But I'd definitely give it a try with a friend trying to buy him...

Did this guy give you a reason why he wouldn't just return him to you for what he paid for him? I mean, is this guy human at all? Could you try to talk to him from the point of view of "This is my baby, I made a horrible mistake re-homing him in the first place, and I really want him back. I miss him, he's my child and I made a horrible mistake. Please, can't you have a heart and realize that he needs to be back with me?"....Something like that?

 

[Aratingettar]

Could you try to talk to him from the point of view of "This is my baby, I made a horrible mistake re-homing him in the first place, and I really want him back. I miss him, he's my child and I made a horrible mistake. Please, can't you have a heart and realize that he needs to be back with me?"....Something like that?

I'm afraid this will not work with the scumbags that have the "they just simply want to make sure that you don't get Charlie back..." attitude..


Along with the "friend" trick I'd also suggest to try some negotiation tricks, like the friend asking the seller for some of Charlie's papers (vet, etc) just to confirm other (original) owner's name on it, and explain that "if you sell him just after you've purchased him, there must be something wrong with him, maybe he's ill or something so the price must be attactive to make up for the additional risk involved".



Probably worth considering, is to add a clause to the "rehoming agrement/contract" that specifies if the parrot would have to be reselled within say 1 year, the original owner would have the right to purchase it back for the original price. Such clause could stop the "flippers" and the owners could have a tool to fight in a court in case of a stubborn "flipper".

 

[ParrotGenie]

I hate these type of people that flip other people animals that they were given, or pretty much for free for profit. Sadly in most cases they are neglected and abused as well till they are flipped. I see this unfortunately a lot at rescues and at home on Craigslist, Facebook and even picture hosting sites as imgur. Messages, or ad's are usually written like, "I am searching for parrots or any small to medium, or large birds that need a new home for free or at a low fee of $60 or less. i am very experienced with all types of birds. I am currently disable and it will be going to a great home where it will be given lots and lots of attention", or "Currently disabled and looking for a large parrot to keep me company will give it a good home, will be willing to pay a small re-homing fee, but nothing to steep as on a fixed income". I see ad's like this all the time, even now even when it now illegal in most states in the US. Just just are now targeting people on Facebook mostly, or using forums, or hosting sites such as imgur sending PM and emails to people directly instead of advertising with listing as much, so less likely to get caught by original owner.

I love when animals gets turned over and go back to original owner, or the rescue and flipper loses his money. Thankfully in most states it illegal and now even consider a criminal act, if animal was given away for free, as considered a criminal act of stealing a pet and then selling it as a “rescue” to unsuspecting purchasers.

Then you have the scammers that will steal other people pet pictures and use it in their listings selling exotic animals out of state most of the time for cheaper then normal price and never ship as they don't have the animal in the first place, or the pre-order scams like bird not weaned yet accepting pre-orders now scam.

 

[ParrotGenie]

Could you try to talk to him from the point of view of "This is my baby, I made a horrible mistake re-homing him in the first place, and I really want him back. I miss him, he's my child and I made a horrible mistake. Please, can't you have a heart and realize that he needs to be back with me?"....Something like that?

I'm afraid this will not work with the scumbags that have the "they just simply want to make sure that you don't get Charlie back..." attitude..


Along with the "friend" trick I'd also suggest to try some negotiation tricks, like the friend asking the seller for some of Charlie's papers (vet, etc) just to confirm other (original) owner's name on it, and explain that "if you sell him just after you've purchased him, there must be something wrong with him, maybe he's ill or something so the price must be attactive to make up for the additional risk involved".



Probably worth considering, is to add a clause to the "rehoming agrement/contract" that specifies if the parrot would have to be reselled within say 1 year, the original owner would have the right to purchase it back for the original price. Such clause could stop the "flippers" and the owners could have a tool to fight in a court in case of a stubborn "flipper".

I wish they did this but doubt it would stop them? As these guys seen now are targeting Facebook and hosting site direct and sending PM's, or messages to people that looking to buy a animal by reading messages, or looking at animal pictures and sending owner of pictures a message to see if interested in another bird like they had in picture and hoping to get a hit and assuming they might want to buy a pet? To help avoid getting caught by original owner.

 

[YUMgrinder]

report Charlie as stolen lol

 

[Aratingettar]

report Charlie as stolen lol

If there's no written contract, that could be an option

 

[Breeze]

Im so sorry for this.
I have seen your boy listed for sale, I liked to say i am truly sorry for this, it must be very stressful and upsetting.
I am from Syd Australia also and i hope you can get your boy back.

 

[Breeze]

Is there any up dates to this?

please say your boy is okay