Bayside Maine Coons Aka Marilyn Stuart bait and switch with kittens to get us to purchase an expensive pure bred Poulsbo Washington

I saw an ad in the local paper advertising a Maine Coon-Pixie Bob kitten. We called the woman, and set up a day to meet. I said I'd call back in 5 minutes to confirm the time. When I did, her phone seemed screwed up, and I could not get through. I was able to leave a message. When I did not hear back within a couple of hours, I sent an email.

Two days went by, and I called again. She apologized, said her phone wasn't working properly. And, in the meantime, somebody else had set a time to meet her and take the cat. But, she said, she did have some more kittens that would be ready in a couple of weeks; more Maine Coon-Pixie Bob mixes. However, she wasn't sure how she was going to price them. The first cat in the paper was advertised as $200. So, she said, since I'd first responded to- and then lost out to- that ad in the paper, she'd price these at $200 for me. I confirmed that she had a female.

She said she'd send me photos in the morning.

The following evening, I still had no photos and no email. I called again. She apologized, and sent me one photo. She said there were two females, and that she'd take photos of the two of them together so I could compare. She also said she was pricing them at $250. I didn't know what to say. I really wanted that kitten.

A week later, no email, no photos.

I sent her an email, and after not hearing back, sent a second, inquiring when could we bring her home, and if she would honor the first agreement of $200 for the kitten.

She responded, but did not answer either one of those questions. She only asked if I was sure I wanted a female. I responded and said yes, we do want a female, and asked if she could get back to me regarding the pricing and setting up a time to meet.

I did not hear back.

I finally called again today-three weeks after the first time I spoke with her, and she told me she had been mistaken, that she has no female Maine Coon-Pixie Bob kittens, only males. BUT, there are some female, pure bred Maine Coons...starting at $475.

I believe this is a case of bait and switch. I doubt she has a business license, and doubt she every had the first cat she advertised in the paper. I think she played on my obvious desire for a kitten...

Anonymous
Seattle, Washington
U.S.A.