What would you do?

[HiddenintheIvy]

I am just throwing this out there to see what ya'll think..

I was browsing the local classifieds site recently when I came across an ad that sounded like something right up my ally. Beautiful finches and flight cage..the flight cage was listed with 9 finches, 2bccbs, 1 oc, 3 Gouldians (that look a little scruffy due to over preening), 2 sliver bills, and 1 black and white mannikin. They were asking $400 obo

So I emailed last night to find out more and asked for pictures. The reply came this morning stating that she sold the bccb's seprately and so had adjusted her price. She is now asking $300. (See the photos)
I told her that due to the condition of the birds I would pay $150 for the whole kit and caboodle, but I feel even that is high. What do you guys think? She has been trying to tell me that these birds are healthy even though they are in poor feather. My feeling is that the plumage speaks volumes about the health of the birds. I want to hear back from you guys and what you think of this "deal".
I am really feel I could bring back these birds, but they are in such poor shape that I fear bringing them home. As I don't want my current birds to go ill. And of course they would be quarantined but still it is a risk.
Is my offer unreasonable?
She countered with $250 if I could get them this weekend..
Would any of you take this "deal"? Or should I just let it go?

[Ginene]

HiddenintheIvy
This is a tuff one...You should probably see the birds and cage in person before agreeing to buy them or settling on a price. You will get a better idea of the birds health and then decide if you are able to do it. The cage, brand new is $169 on Drs. Foster & Smith and $80 USED on hoobly.com (looks like it anyway). The birds look like they are in bad shape. Those poor babies . She should just gift you the Gouldians, as they probably aren't fit for sale anyway. The other finches would run you about $110 from a pet shop (in NY, NJ area anyway). I wouldn't pay more than $200 for everything. After all, you are goingto be spending money just to get them healthy again. IF you do get those finches...it will be the luckiest day of their lives. As for quarantine...keep them as far away from your current birds as possible and take it as it comes. Honestly...I would do it...but I would be in over my head. But those poor birds would be better off with a newbie like me than their current owner. Good luck making your choice.

[Nerien]

Ginene is right, the cage runs $160-$169 online brand new (with free shipping). Those poor birds are in terrible shape, maybe just plucked from being all together, nine birds in a cage with barely a perch in there other than the food and water bowls, what was she thinking? But certainly not healthy. just a question of how unhealthy they might be.

I think your offer is much more reasonable, and I wouldn't go over $200, either. Maybe offer $175, tell her that you are an experienced finch keeper, and bald birds are NOT healthy, no way, no how, and will take special care and extra cost to you to fix them up. So she has your offer, keep your phone number, please, and call if she changes her mind on the price.

I recently got the same cage off craigslist, at first the person wanted $250 for it, saying it was a $400 cage. I flat out told her that no, it was on sale at Petco.com for $164, new and delivered free to my door, so no thank you at her price. Two weeks later she still had it listed, so I called again, and we struck a reasonable deal, and now I have the cage.

Poor birdies. If you don't get them, I hope someone who knows how to care for them does. anyone but where they are now.

[debbie276]

Those gouldians are in absolutely horrible condition. Unless you are prepared for a long quarantine with possible losses I wouldn't recommend buy them.
Personally if I really needed the cage I would offer only what the cage is worth and not a penny for those gouldians. If it was for the birds only I would run in the opposite direction. That is NOT "a little scruffy due to over preening", there are serious nutritional and possibly other problems with those goulds.

[Toddmin]

HiddenintheIvy, those birds looks in horrible shape to me, poor things! So she only has 1 oc, 3 Gouldians (that look a little scruffy due to over preening), 2 sliver bills, and 1 black and white mannikin, right? Does it include the cage? I would be very leery about buying those birds, and if so, I'd have them quarantined to the other side of the house until they improved in health.

I really think I'd pass on the deal!

[PrettyBird]

Yikes. I agree. Those poor gouldians look to be in hideous condition!

I think its a nutritional thing, stress, and possibly being plucked by the other birds.

I wouldnt of even mixed different species of finches from different areas of the world together in a cage in the first place.

I too would want to take them in and try and help them recover, but I wouldnt pay a penny to save them. I would just pay for the cage...well half of what the cage is worth and thats it.
Those birds will need a TON of TLC. And proper nutrition. Its going to take MONTHS for them to recover. Poor little things.

[wilkifam]

I would tell her thanks, but $200 is too much, and that your offer of $150 stands if she decides to take it to give you a call.

[Ginene]

HiddenintheIvy
I was just able to enlarge those pics on my laptop, as before i was on my Kindle Fire. I am beyond sick, looking at those poor Gouldians ...What is wrong with people??? How are these birds even still alive??? Talk about animal cruelty...Would it be terrible to buy the lot @ $150 and then drop the 2 sickest Gouldians off at an animal/bird rescue??? I don't blame you for being scared to bring them into your home. I would be scared to death...I am horrified!!! I just cant imagine them having to continue living like that...

[birdclaws]

I don't think I would even take those birds even if they were free.

[Ginene]

I don't think I would even take those birds even if they were free.

Brian is probably right ...but it would be a shame to leave them in that horrible woman's care. She should be reported for animal cruelty...stick her in a cage and have someone pluck all of her hair from her head...

[debbie276]

i would be very surprised if plucking is the only problem with those goulds

[30 Seconds to Bob]

Your offer of 150.00 is more than reasonable for the CAGE. The birds would be strictly a purchase out of pity (a rescue) and could possibly be rehabilitated with several months of optimal care. I would ONLY take them if you can keep them at least 30 feet away from any other bird you own and be sure to never cross contaminate the food or water dishes. Feel free to refer the seller to our replies. Our opinions are completely unbiased. Bob

[HiddenintheIvy]

Thank you all for your honest opinions. I am both disappointed and relieved to say she is saying that she now wants to keep them. She was claiming to want to sell them due to an upcoming move to another state. She was saying that she has now decided to keep them and try to move them with her. Which is sad, as i doubt they will make it. I did tell her to let me know if she changes her mind, as i will do what i can for them if she lets me. My heart breaks for the weak and sickly birds. We put them in these cages so it is up to us to educate our selves and take care of them properly.


I had purchased some sad looking Gouldians awhile ago, and rehabbed them. Although I would really rather add healthy birds to my home if I can. As I would really like to have some Gouldian chicks one day. I would also like to work with waxbills I think, as it bothers me that they are mostly wild caught. I would like birds like these to remain available for my daughters when they are older, and the generations to come.

It is sad but I am going to the bird expo here, and am hoping I will find an amazing deal on a few beautiful birds.

[Finnie]

That's too bad that those poor birds have to stay with that owner.

It almost sounds like she is an animal flipper, or a scammer. They usually have some lame excuse why they are selling them, and then their story changes. She probably found that she won't be getting the money she wants out of you, so she withdraws them from sale.

I do hope they wind up in a better situation soon, though.

If you were going to get them, I was going to suggest, not only the quarantine far from your own birds, but also to separate them out to different cages, since they obviously don't get along with each other and need more space.

Rescuing birds from a sad situation is noble, but the risk to your own birds is great. They need protection, too. I hope you have good luck finding some healthy birds at your Expo.

[Rox]

Rescuing birds from a sad situation is noble, but the risk to your own birds is great. They need protection, too. I hope you have good luck finding some healthy birds at your Expo.

Finnie is so right. Risk to my own animals at home is always my main concern, including how much time rehabbing the animal (no matter what size) will take. I try balance up the need of my own healthy animals and the requirements for rehabbing the sick ones. It's always a hard decision and a personal decision everyone needs to take, depending on their own situation.

But in this case, I think you are better off without these birds. I only hope and pray this person learns how to be a responsible pet owner...