A little clarification, please?

[eeliebee]

California.
I got a dog advertised for "Free" and now the person who advertised it is asking $100.00 for an adoption fee. It wasn't stated in her original posting, but after having the dog for a "48-hour test drive," she emails me stating that after being advised by others, she assumes that I will pay her for the dog.
Where do I stand? Isn't this illegal? Help..Please! It's not so much the money, but the principal, because I was advised that it is considered "baiting & switching"...A little clarification, please? Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

California.
I got a dog advertised for "Free" and now the person who advertised it is asking $100.00 for an adoption fee. It wasn't stated in her original posting, but after having the dog for a "48-hour test drive," she emails me stating that after being advised by others, she assumes that I will pay her for the dog.
Where do I stand? Isn't this illegal? Help..Please! It's not so much the money, but the principal, because I was advised that it is considered "baiting & switching"...A little clarification, please? Any input is greatly appreciated.

My response:

If you have a copy of her ad, and there's nothing in it about paying money, for any purpose, then tell her to shove it and take you to court if she wants money.

IAAL

 

[eeliebee]

Thanks so much!

CA...
Hey IAAL,
I just sent off her email with a blind copy to my own email as well. I am so thankful that somebody was up & able to just echo my own thought process as well! I'll keep ya posted. The dog is adorable...
peace!

 

[eeliebee]

The dog is mine...

California..
Hey IAAL,
After I got your response, I sent the email. I got a response immediately!
She must have gotten a little offended by my email, but backed down on the $100.00 adoption fee. She tried to say that was the advice she was given from rescues and stuff. yeah, sure...whatever. She basically said I could have the dog..ya think? I also told her that possession was 9/10ths of the law...
That I was keeping the dog, and not to contact me with her plans of extortion.
Very discouraging that she would do that. Makes you lose faith in people, but life does move on. Thank you very, very much..

 

[136gm]

Response

It is a shame people are like that, I wonder if she advertised for "free" so she wouldn't have to pay for the ad in the newspaper. Luckily the dog is not with her anymore, I would hold onto the ad though just in case she comes back again but I doubt it.