[Other] New Puppy - With pics! (was Craigslist thread)

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Dave

Dave

Staff member
I'm going to be leaving today to get a puppy from a Craigslist ad. I'm meeting them at a public place but something about it it stinking.

First, the name given to me is Nina S. but when I Google the number I get a whole bunch of ads for this number selling dogs. So at BEST it's a puppy mill. At worst it's a way to get people to a location to rob them or swindle them in some way. Oh, and that number on a couple of the other ads comes up with the name Amy W.

What do you think and what precautions do you think I should take? I'm already taking my wife with me, she's going to stay in the car with the cell phone in the driver's seat just in case. I'm taking no money other than the $80.

I understand not them not wanting to meet at their house if this is legit because of who might show up there, but this is the second time I've been asked to meet at a gas station right by the interstate and I'm getting a "vibe". Am I getting paranoid or appropriately cautious?
 
MindDetective

MindDetective

If you are on edge, one thing you could do is change the meeting place to someplace even more public. We have met people for craigslist items at public places before. I think it is becoming more common. I get the impression it is a puppy mill.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
So you think I should change the location last minute? Think they'll balk? If they have something set up (as in an ambush) then that would effectively deter it.
 
MindDetective

MindDetective

Dave said:
So you think I should change the location last minute? Think they'll balk? If they have something set up (as in an ambush) then that would effectively deter it.
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Well, that's what I think too. Don't ask to move it too far away, and it would be good to have a legitimate excuse, like you are going to be at a nearby grocery store shopping, so would they mind meeting there instead.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
I'm not liking the location.

5235 Arbor Road, Lincoln, Nebraska

Google map that bitch. It's a tiny gas station and there's nothing around it but industrial complexes.
 
C

Chibibar

Dave said:
I'm not liking the location.

5235 Arbor Road, Lincoln, Nebraska

Google map that bitch. It's a tiny gas station and there's nothing around it but industrial complexes.
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Bad idea. I say move to a location that is more public. At least when other people can see you.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
Hell yes. If I change the location and they don't want to meet me there then I'm walking.
 
LittleKagsin

LittleKagsin

It sounds more 'puppy-mill' than 'ambush', but some people are crazy, so you never know. If you're getting bad feelings about it, I would definately change the location.
It looks there is a shopping center, with a Wal-mart, Sam's Club and Bed Bath and Beyond a little ways South West (on N 27th St.)- you could move the location there and say you need to run some errands and it would be easier for your or something?

Also, puppy mills make me sad.
 
strawman

strawman

Sorry, but it's very likely a scam. If you google craiglist pet scam you'll find there are a hundred different pet scam styles. There are reports of people stealing dogs to sell on craigslist as well - the fact that it's out in the middle of nowhere should (and apparently does) set off all sorts of alarm bells.

You should also consider using tineye to verify that the photos of the animal are unique.
 
C

Chronos[Ha-G]

Yeah...no. Looking at that place, the paranoia alarm is going off pretty hard. Unless you intend to plant some landmines before heading there for the meeting, find somewhere else.

Don't suppose you could find a reason to have a "random" police officer nearby, eh?
 
C

Chibibar

Charlie Don't Surf said:
Has there ever been an occasion where someone asks if something's a scam and they're like "oh, I was worried over nothing!" and then it went perfectly?
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usually EBay stuff for me, but I have it sent to my PO Box.
In the past, there have been some Anime DVDs that seems to good to be true, but it turn out alright)
 
Espy

Espy

Puppy mill is my guess as well. Is it a weird place? You betcha. Is it because they plan to rob you? Probably not. It's just the kind of weird place someone stupid and sick enough to run a puppy mill would pick to keep you away from seeing the horrible conditions they keep these dogs in.
I would go, get their license plates and any info you can on them and call the cops (or animal control or whatever) and tell them you believe there is a puppy mill.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
Believe it or not but I've had bad experiences lately with them. They lied (or at least exaggerated) about the last dog we got from there. She was aggressive and destructive.

But everything went well today. My paranoia was unfounded. Pictures to follow soon. (Sammi has the camera at a friend's house so I can't take any pictures right now.)
 
Krisken

Krisken

That's pretty sad. Our Humane Society has been fantastic and had a lot of safeguards in place to make sure everyone was happy with the adoption. Sorry to hear you had trouble with yours.
 
Dave

Dave

Staff member
Last time was the first time we've had trouble. I mean, they've made shit up before (like saying our dog was a Weimaraner mix when he's a corgi/dachshund. But Lucy was big, aggressive towards other animals and destructive. We were her 7th house and we found out why pretty quickly.
 
Krisken

Krisken

When we got our new cat two weeks ago we were able to take her into another room and see how she reacted with us. Then to see how she'd react to another cat they brought in this fat gentle cat which came up and sniffed at her. She hissed a little and groaned but wasn't chasing him down or anything like that.

Seems strange that the Humane Society in your area would risk having so many returns by being dishonest. That can't look good for their staff.
 
GasBandit

GasBandit

Staff member
Our local animal shelter is the killingest pet killer that ever killed a pet. There have been people whose chipped pets have been picked up, they were called, and they came in the next day to find their pets had already been destroyed. It's horrific.
 
fade

fade

Staff member
GasBandit said:
Our local animal shelter is the killingest pet killer that ever killed a pet. There have been people whose chipped pets have been picked up, they were called, and they came in the next day to find their pets had already been destroyed. It's horrific.
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The Lafayette, LA shelter is absolutely horrible. They kill more dogs than all us highways combined, I think. Similar stories. The "shelter"'s excuse is that they have no room and therefore no choice.
Added at: 00:32
Also, I got my favorite cat ever from Craigslist. It was free to a good home, though. And I called the cat's vet to verify. Then we had his nuts chopped off.
 
doomdragon6

doomdragon6

Staff member
It's nice to hear when Craigslist things go well.

As for me, it's about 50/50. I've never been fully scammed, but I've been "taken in" to at least almost be scammed. But, I've also made about $425, gotten a free couch, etc. as a direct result of Craigslist, so again, 50/50.
 
IronBrig4

IronBrig4

I'm glad it worked out. I've also had 50/50 success with Craigslist. I sold my TV just before leaving Hawaii, and the guy who bought it was pretty cool. On the other hand, I tried to get a date using their personals and that set my creep-alert off.
 
LittleKagsin

LittleKagsin

I can't wait to see!! I'm glad it all went well for you.
I totally believe in getting dogs from shelters, thats where I got mine! =^^= We should have a pet thread or something to soak in the adorableness. Heh!
 
Cajungal

Cajungal

Staff member
fade said:
The Lafayette, LA shelter is absolutely horrible. They kill more dogs than all us highways combined, I think. Similar stories. The "shelter"'s excuse is that they have no room and therefore no choice.
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It really is awful. :(
 
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