welcome to yt!
Max is ACA as well, from what I know (im sure someone with more input will help) ACA is not as reputable as AKC. basically there are guidelines to follow when a breeder registers a litter using AKC. where as with ACA it doesnt take much to register a litter with them. I personally do not care if max is AKC or ACA I love him the same, and he so fixed so no babies for us.
I do think that she was wrong in misleading you, as for what I understand AKC dogs are more expensive
even though I did pay a pretty penny for max.