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Post by angelicvampyre on Aug 21, 2008 10:51:44 GMT 10
How much are they? In the past week someone passed me an e-mail of person who has an African Grey for sale. It is about 4 months old and hand tamed so I thought I would ask her how much it would be. I got the response of $300 which I thought was REALLY cheap. But since then I have been getting the run around. She is pushing for me to pay her for the bird ASAP. I have not seen the bird, I don't know if it has been DNA sexed as I want a male not a female. She has not told me about it's shots, why she is getting rid of it or answered any of my questions just pushed me to pay her ASAP. I don't have a proper cage for this bird yet and although it is my dream bird I am not sure I want to go into it with my eyes shut. Anyway tell me what an AG needs? Do you require a licence for them in Australia. I will insist on meeting the bird before I purchase it can anyone tell me what I should look out for? Also $300 sounds really cheap to me!
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Post by robert on Aug 21, 2008 10:56:17 GMT 10
angelicvampyre, 300 Dollars is extremely cheap. I can't understand why it is so cheap? please be carefull. Makes me wonder if the bird was stolen. from Robert and Precious
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Post by angelicvampyre on Aug 21, 2008 11:32:44 GMT 10
I know sounds cheap to me to, but her last e-mail says that she breed them and the parents are on display, she sent me picture of all of them. I will not be parting with any money untill I have the bird in hand but the whole situation worries me, think I might just stear clear.
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Post by farseeker on Aug 21, 2008 11:50:35 GMT 10
African greys are usually around the $5000 mark from what I've heard, so I'd say that it's either stolen, there's something very very wrong with it or she's trying to diddle you out of some money.
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Post by angelicvampyre on Aug 21, 2008 11:52:16 GMT 10
that is what I am starting to think, been googling all morning and starting to feel sick about the whole situation
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Post by farseeker on Aug 21, 2008 11:58:37 GMT 10
Yeah, unfortunately people do try to take advantage of the rarity of some birds. Just means you have to be careful and keep an eye out.
And hey, you did the right thing - if you're ever unsure as to what is a reasonable price or feel that something is a bit off, you should always be asking questions - both of the seller and of other people you can trust to help you out.
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Post by angelicvampyre on Aug 21, 2008 12:04:13 GMT 10
Thanks, she has just e-mailed me and said that she has a clutch of three that she has breed and has paper work for that I can come and pick one of so sounds a little better but still. A friend of mine who is also looking for one is thinking of coming with me if they ever give me an address and we will treat with baby steps still not sure but if her reason which is "I don't want to make money off them I just want them to go to a good home" is correct then fair enough but still not that comfortable with the whole thing.
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Post by angelicvampyre on Aug 21, 2008 12:22:19 GMT 10
Anyone know a breeder in Melbourne or even Victoria? I am intrested in going and seeing one of these birds and talking to a breeder.
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Post by Jane on Aug 21, 2008 19:20:33 GMT 10
$300  I'll take 10  Please be careful.......don't forget "If it seems to good to be true it usually is" Farseeker is correct any Grey below 5000 is cheap 300 is ludicrous. And honestly if she wanted them to go to a good home she would be asking alot more anyway. If you are serious in wanting a grey read the African Grey links Robert has in Links for us, research and more research and this months Birdkeeper too has an article on living with a Grey. They demand alot of time and attention and are prone to behavourial disorders if not given this. If you are to buy a Grey check out the process of rearing, whether or not it is flighted etc because it can make a huge difference to the long term mental health of your Grey. |
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Post by angelicvampyre on Aug 21, 2008 20:02:13 GMT 10
I know starting to feel like something is really wrong here. At last e-mail she is saying that she is to far out of melbourne for me to travel so she will ship the bird  and the price has changed! I am starting to think she is scamming me so think i will let it lie. I do want one so going to research a breeder and see what I can work out. |
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Post by vankarhi on Aug 21, 2008 20:15:15 GMT 10
We have a couple of people who own African Greys on this forum. They are also Aussies. I know the greys are approx $4000 in Australia so $300 is either from another country or a scam.
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Post by Jane on Aug 21, 2008 20:15:29 GMT 10
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Post by vankarhi on Aug 21, 2008 20:20:13 GMT 10
I am glad you have decided against it.......I totally think you were being scammed. Sorry. But if you want an african grey you are going to have to pay a lot of money for one here in Australia.
Jane I will have 10 also lol ;D we could sell them for $1000 and make lots of people happy and make a lot of money ourselves lol (not really funny I guess). But I totally believe this is a scam.
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Post by meandem on Aug 22, 2008 11:27:00 GMT 10
:oMy god how did I miss this thread.....................can I please put in an order too? Only in our wildest dreams would a grey be $300. Geez, if they are that cheap, my odds are looking good for the Hawkheaded Parrot I have always wanted.
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Post by avinet on Aug 22, 2008 13:25:13 GMT 10
A scam pure and simple - this sort of "deal" comes up regularly on the Internet, usually the birds are in Darwin so it is impossible to go see and collect them first and the buyer is urges to send money and the bird is freighted. This one is different in that they are supposed to be in Victoria, but again it is "too difficult" to get to see them. ALWAYS a sign of a scam. I own two Greys as pets, which hopefully will breed when they get old enough, and I can assure you that any Grey breeder knows they are worth $4000 plus. Any bird going for less than that is to be viewed with some suspicion Greys are one of the species that should be registered with the Federal Government. Presently that registration is voluntary but it is likely to become compulsory next year. Whether they are registered or not the owner has to be able to prove that they are legally entitled to be in Australia, and have not been smuggled, or bred from smuggled birds. Information about the requirements is at www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/exoticbirds/record.htmlThere are some threads on this forum about living with Greys which are well worth reading, and the latest Australian Birdkeeper has a very good article by Mary -"Abby" from this forum - about her experiences living with a Grey. They are not a bird to take on lightly - it is a major commitment to own and care for such an intelligent and emotional bird and is something I would only reccomend to someone with quite a bit of pet birdkeeping experience. |
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Post by abby on Aug 22, 2008 16:32:27 GMT 10
Thanks Mike. Means alot to me.
Everything Mike said. Really think about it. Greys are one exotic bird whos price seems to be increasing. I'd say $4000-$5000+ now for a handraised youngster.
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Post by Jane on Aug 22, 2008 21:15:16 GMT 10
Mike & Mary, for those of us that dream of winning lotto one day and being able to afford a Grey (I could only afford a book ) I would only reccomend to someone with quite a bit of pet birdkeeping experience. how much experiance would that be? Thanks again to both of you for your first hand advice ;D |
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Post by abby on Aug 23, 2008 7:03:44 GMT 10
I think it's difficult to put a figure on it Jane. They aren't a first bird (although I know of some Americans who have got a grey as their first and done well). One really needs the ability to understand body language. Greys can be really subtle with how they feel and you need to pick up on that. They are one of most notorious for plucking which is very much emotionally based. You also need time.
I'm sure Mike will add to this with far better wording.
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Post by bickitrainer on Aug 24, 2008 17:33:09 GMT 10
Did you guys get your african greys at that huge price? |
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Post by avinet on Aug 24, 2008 20:06:49 GMT 10
Did you guys get your african greys at that huge price? Ernie came cheap - relatively!! He was bought by a local person from Neville Connors in Grafton but after a couple of months she had to return suddenly to New Zealand after a parent became very ill. So it was a case of a call Friday morning saying she had to fly out Sunday and could we buy him that afternoon at an agreed price that in the circumstances was reasonable at $3000. In theory he was going to be resold in our shop but he turned out to be such a good bird that after around 3 hours of having him home he was definately staying  Especially after he started saying "step up" in my voice a day after getting him home! Jamila was at normal market price from a Brisbane breeder at $4200, a year later after reserving her 6 months in advance. cheers, Mike |
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and the price has changed! I am starting to think she is scamming me so think i will let it lie. I do want one so going to research a breeder and see what I can work out.
