In some circumstances I understand the post below mine, but the way I understood is that you can't trust any newbie. I don't agree on that. I believe that you can't trust a newbie whom is all over you about getting a free tortoise. Please reply
Newbies can't be trusted?
- Thread starter Tortoise_Nerd
- Start date
No stranger should be trusted on the internet by default when it comes to something like rehoming a pet. While it's nice to think the best of people, unfortunately, there are a lot of unscrupulous individuals out there who use forums to prey on the trusting. That's why we encourage new members to post introductions, so we can get to know them. We want to learn about new member's experiences with tortoises - or if they lack experience, what motivates them to become a tortoise keeper. While people can obviously lie, many of those who just come on here looking for free tortoises to adopt to later resell or those looking to sell sick tortoises don't seem willing to put the time in to participate in the community. Most new members are trustworthy, but if someone has only posted a few words here and there, we can't know for sure if they are, so we advise those looking to rehome their pets to be cautious and we ask new members to take the time to get to know the tortoise forum community. This is for the safety of new members more than anything, as it is new members who generally fall for the scammers (giving away a beloved pet thinking it was going to a good home only to find it flipped and sold or by spending money on a sick tortoise or a tortoise that is never delivered).
Ok thank you for your reply. I understand now. That is sad that people do that
Just always remember that not too long ago, our own USofA had a "civil war" based off of some people's bad ideas and ignorant opinions that really made zero logical sense.
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Many times when someone has a free or very cheap tortoise, new and unknown members pounce on them. Many times if you check these members other posts, either there are none or the other posts were also in response to another free animal. Sometimes a post about another different species.
I try to warn about these free tortoise trolling, new, mysterious members. Called "trolls" for short.
Their intentions are unknown. Some are truly very suspicious.
Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to take on a free tortoise. I've given a few away myself to people I trust. I've also been given several.
But at least take the time to make a "welcome" post and get yourself introduced.
Nobody dislikes new members.
Far from it.
It's just that most of us would like to forge some sort of relationship with anyone wanting one of our pets.
I try to warn about these free tortoise trolling, new, mysterious members. Called "trolls" for short.
Their intentions are unknown. Some are truly very suspicious.
Not that there is anything wrong with wanting to take on a free tortoise. I've given a few away myself to people I trust. I've also been given several.
But at least take the time to make a "welcome" post and get yourself introduced.
Nobody dislikes new members.
Far from it.
It's just that most of us would like to forge some sort of relationship with anyone wanting one of our pets.
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iamvallano
New Member
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I also understand the legitimacy of a 'newbie'. I'm a newbie but I'm an avid turtle in tortoise enthusiast. I have two Salacata Tortoise, two Mississippi Map Turtles, and getting an Aldabra tortoise soon. We've all been newbies at some point. if you're questioning their legitimacy i would quiz them to see if they've really done their research.
The longer you hang around and interact, the more you'll fall out of the "newbie" category. I'm still a newbie myself!
It doesn't just apply to TFO; it's the same whatever you do on the internet.
You have absolutely no idea who is lurking behind an online profile on any website or app.
Those with established reputations on here have taken the time to get themselves known and a reasonable degree of trust in their knowledge of torts has been established. Whether or not they're the kind of person you would want to meet up with in real life is another matter completely - I'd like to think we have no members who are fraudsters or murderers, but there's no telling.
Unfortunately, most of these people also have the maximum quota of torts they can handle. So it goes without saying that adoptees are likely to have low or no feedback.
Which then turns it round to the person selling or adopting out the tortoise to check out the credentials of the person coming forward and not to take any claims at face value.
Life is not straightforward.
You have absolutely no idea who is lurking behind an online profile on any website or app.
Those with established reputations on here have taken the time to get themselves known and a reasonable degree of trust in their knowledge of torts has been established. Whether or not they're the kind of person you would want to meet up with in real life is another matter completely - I'd like to think we have no members who are fraudsters or murderers, but there's no telling.
Unfortunately, most of these people also have the maximum quota of torts they can handle. So it goes without saying that adoptees are likely to have low or no feedback.
Which then turns it round to the person selling or adopting out the tortoise to check out the credentials of the person coming forward and not to take any claims at face value.
Life is not straightforward.
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Most new members don't know that a lot of us fell for a scam a while back. A member known as @deercorpse (spelling)Told us all a story about his dying wife and her dream of owning a Cherry Head tortoise, etc. etc. Many of us acted and at least one member sent a free Cherry Head. This went on for weeks. Until it was proven that the whole thing was a scam.
THIS kind of stuff is out there. It's unfortunate. But it makes you start to get suspicious.
On the other hand, I'm sure that we have scumbags that are established, long time members. I just can't think of any.
THIS kind of stuff is out there. It's unfortunate. But it makes you start to get suspicious.
On the other hand, I'm sure that we have scumbags that are established, long time members. I just can't think of any.
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Strangely enough. I can't locate any old @deercorpse posts.
Here is my thought, first off its "Sulcata" secondly if you've done your RESEARCH as you say, you would know not to keep them in pairs and not on the carpet floor, 3rd thing is asking the Aldabra keeper if he would hold you one until you have the money, he doesn't know you to do that, again you listed you have experience with large tortoises. 4th thing, you said you have experience with large tortoises, looks like you've only had the Sulcata's for less than a month. These are the things we look at and point out. Have you posted pictures of the Sulcata enclosure? I'm not trying to be mean but these definitely throw up flags to me, also you Birthday is wrong on your profile, it helps people to know how old a person is they are dealing with too.
http://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/possible-sick-hatching.153409/ This thread shows me what experience you have. Learn all you can about the care of one before trying to take on the care of a very expensive tort such as an Aldabra.
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Thats terribleMost new members don't know that a lot of us fell for a scam a while back. A member known as @deercorpse (spelling)Told us all a story about his dying wife and her dream of owning a Cherry Head tortoise, etc. etc. Many of us acted and at least one member sent a free Cherry Head. This went on for weeks. Until it was proven that the whole thing was a scam.
THIS kind of stuff is out there. It's unfortunate. But it makes you start to get suspicious.
On the other hand, I'm sure that we have scumbags that are established, long time members. I just can't think of any.
I've seen many warnings posted on many adoption threads.I don't ever recall 1 saying no new members can be trusted only warning that new member sometimes just look for free tortoises to turn around and sell and to be careful and investigate whoever offers to take in your tortoise.
I can understand how it feels to place an offer to adopt a tortoise and right after your post there's a post warning about new members you can feel like It's directed at you but it's usually not
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Sure. most new members go on to become known, helpful members.
the Turtle Shepherd
Active Member
trust is a hard to come by commodity these days, that is for sure
I trust all of you
.....but I'm not giving you turtles!
.....but I'm not giving you turtles!
Hermes
Active Member
Hahaha, I thought about that when I sent it
I meant turtles as in the umbrella term for turtles AND tortoises... Chelonians...
