FINCHforum

Has anyone bought gouldian finches from Alex Verdecia of Tamarac, Florida? He has ads on Hoobly Classifieds selling juvenile gouldians for $40 (green), $45 (yellow) and $50 (blue, silver, white). His email address is kubascorpion@hotmail.com. The prices are so temptingly low that I've considered getting some juveniles from him, but I'm nervous that either he may not be legitimate or there is something wrong with his birds.

If you've bought from him before, I'd love to hear about your experience. Thanks.

I don't know anything about this vendor, but I would caution about buying from an unknown source on Hoobly. He is in FL, you are in AZ, so shipping would be involved. I would wonder about shipping juvenile Gouldians, I've always heard that they are more susceptible to stress at that stage. Whenever buying from an out-of-state vendor, it helps to have recommendations from others, as you are not able to see the birds in person. Hope you can find out something from another member.

I usually back away when low prices and shipping are involved. His email doesn't look all that professional either (in my opinion), so it's probably a personal email and not a business one. The only time I consider shipping birds is when I know the person or the birds are coming from a legitimate business. I extremely discourage shipping with people on sites like hoobly and craigslist.

Sally, 41Gryphon
For all the reasons you pointed out, I'm wary of the deal advertised even though it sounds very tempting. I was hoping someone from here had experience dealing with this guy.

prices o gouldians here have dropped a bit and that may account for the low prices. The market has a tendency to get flooded with certain species which drives the price down

I checked with a friend, his friend knows of him and said he seems like a nice guy, has a variety of different mutations

cindy, Thanks for the info. I'll have to think hard about whether I want to take the risk of having young gouldians shipped.

vienneparis wrote: cindy, Thanks for the info. I'll have to think hard about whether I want to take the risk of having young gouldians shipped.

So did you take the leap? im curious im in the same boat .Let me know if you did or you found a breeder closer to us.

vienneparis

Hi Vienne.
I know I'd be tempted with those prices, but once you calculate in the shipping, and the risk Involved, not sure if you're coming up any further ahead really.

If I were in his area, I would certainly be banging on his door, but with the distance involved...

Caution is the word of the day.

~Elana~

As I mentioned he seems to have a good reputation... but depending on how you ship can certainly raise the price up a bit...

Mrs.V-Perez
No, I didn't leap for the bargain. I asked for photos of the specific birds that would be shipped and he didn't send any. That raises some red flags for me. I'll just have to look elsewhere.

@lovezebs
Elena, I hear you

@cindy. Thanks for the info, but I'll pass for now.