1. If the price is too low or too good to be true, it usually is. Purebred Yorkies typically cost $1500–$3,500+, depending on lineage and breeder. Scammers often lure people with prices like $250–$500.
📸 2. Ask for Current Photos or Videos
[ I like to wait for pups to be 4-6 weeks old before I accept a deposit on any puppy that I have. And I always have a puppy available for every deposit I receive. Any adverse reports on YorkiesOfBullMountain.com are a lie.]
Request multiple photos/videos of the puppy with something dated (like today’s newspaper or your name on a paper). Scammers often steal images from other websites.
🧾 3. Check the Seller’s Credentials
· Ask for AKC registration papers or health records.
[I don't sell with registration papers usually due to most of my dogs' lineage being Russian, and in the war, we were not able to get any registration paperwork for our dogs.]
· Look up reviews or complaints.
· Google their phone number or email to see if it’s linked to scams.
· Reputable breeders often have a website, Facebook page, or other traceable presence.
📍 4. Visit in Person or Request a Live Video Chat
If you're buying locally, always visit the puppy first. If buying from afar, ask for a live video call to see the pup, its surroundings, and even the parents, if possible.
💸 5. Avoid Payment via Gift Cards, Zelle, Venmo, or Wire Transfers
These methods are difficult to trace. Use PayPal Goods & Services, a credit card, or escrow services that offer buyer protection. Never pay in full upfront.
[ My deposit is up front to hold the puppy for you. The puppy that you will have visited and picked out yourself.]
🚚 6. Watch Out for “Shipping Scams”
After you agree to purchase, some scammers say a “shipping crate” or “insurance” is suddenly required and ask for more money. Reputable breeders will include delivery details upfront.
[We have a trusted lap nanny that has been very good in case the puppy needs to be shipped to you. He carries the puppy from start to finish to an airport near you. We have used him many times.]
🏠 7. Check for a Written Contract or Guarantee. Legitimate breeders provide:
· A purchase agreement
· Health guarantee
· Return policy Scammers rarely offer paperwork
🐾 8. Use Trusted Sources to Find a Yorkie
· AKC Marketplace (marketplace.akc.org)
· Local Yorkie breed clubs
· Veterinarians often know of reputable breeders
· Rescues or shelters may also have Yorkies available
[ If you contact me, I will refer you to another breeder that I trust]
🚩 9. Red Flags to Watch For
· Seller rushes you to send money
[I don't want any money until you are ready to choose your puppy. Then it will be the deposit. And when the puppy is old enough to leave me, the purchase price would need to be paid in full.]
· Broken English or vague responses
· Refusal to show puppy in real-time
· "Free Yorkie, just pay shipping" ads
✅ 10. Trust Your Gut
If something feels off—walk away. It’s better to miss out than to lose money or end up heartbroken.
Thank you - Please be safe out there.