Avoiding Facebook Scams: A Guide to Selling Valais Blacknose Sheep Safely

Facebook’s a handy tool for connecting with potential buyers, but it’s also a magnet for scammers. Over the years, we’ve learned how to spot the red flags and keep both our sheep and sanity safe.

Here’s how we protect ourselves when listing Valais Blacknose sheep online:

Do Your Homework

We don’t engage with just anyone who sends a message. We check profiles, look at account age, and see if they’ve interacted in livestock groups before. No profile pic? Brand-new account? That’s usually a no from us.

Always Talk First

We’ve spoken directly with every buyer we’ve sold to. Whether it’s a phone call or a real message thread (not copy/paste junk), having a real conversation is key. If someone avoids talking, a big red flag.

Ask the Right Questions

We keep it casual, but we ask: Why are you buying? Have you raised sheep before? What kind of setup do you have? A real buyer will tell you. A scammer will stumble.

In-Person Is Best

When possible, we encourage buyers to visit the farm. Not only does it protect us, it lets us see how serious they are. Real buyers ask good questions and want to learn more.

Form of Payment

We don’t take weird payment methods. Cash works. If it’s digital, it has to be secure (like PayPal or Venmo). If paying by check, the check must clear before the animal leaves our property.

Trust Your Gut

If something feels off, it probably is. We’ve learned not to second-guess that gut feeling. If a message or buyer seems shady, we walk away. No sheep is worth the headache.

Selling Valais Blacknose sheep is something we love doing, but we’ve learned how to do it smart. If you’re new to it, or just want to avoid common traps, we hope these tips help.

Stay safe. Keep it real. And always put the welfare of your animals first.