More customers from hell--

[Thorsmomma]

Originally Posted by belindaY

This couple first visited in February before they had their own home, which is one of our requirements. I was very impressed when they returned upon purchasing their home, felt it was a sign they were very serious about wanting this puppy. I prefer older people who have had small dogs before, but have seen great success with less experienced ones too. A couple of other people who were here when the puppy was returned commented that she (the purchaser) looked like a spoiled brat and that most likely the puppy peed on her floor and sent her into a state of shock. I make a long speech about training issues, but that doesn't seem to get through to some sociopathic types who are adept at fooling people. If I can't bust them up front, I certainly have to follow up with something. At the monent I'm looking at reporting on sites like Ripoff Reports. I can't make myself just let it go, and I can afford to cause some trouble.

I can see that bringing back the puppy causes you to be really frustrated, but why would you bring it so far? What if the couple really was allergic? What if they really didn't know what they were getting into. At least they contacted you because obviously they cared about the puppy's well-being. It sounds like you are more interested in the final sale than the welfare of the dog.
I can understand starting some 'hall of shame' for chronic 'puppy-returners', ro someone who wrote you a bad check, etc., but people aren't perfect. I don't think it's really necessary to go online and slam people because they returned a dog to you. You should put that energy into screening people for a new home for this puppy.

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by belindaY

My puppies' welfare always comes first, and I did take the puppy back with full refund, but I find I NEED IDEAS ON HOW TO AVOID THIS IN THE FUTURE. This is scary because I thought I was being careful and selective about the homes my puppies go to. I don't understand how someone could be allergic to dogs and not know it before taking one home. I make it VERY clear to customers that I will buy back my Yorkies any time, for any reason, and I totally mean that, but it is not my intention to be sending puppies off with people who think they can just try them out. This has happened three times out of five litters in the past year. I'm thinking of starting a Hall of Shame directory or something like that where breeders can report customers who should not be sold dogs. I do an internet search on all customers before my dogs leave home, just in case there's something there I should know. Once some info came back that caused me to cancel a sale. I learned too late that one person who returned a puppy this year has done it at least one other time. Wouldn't it have been nice for me to be able to know that beforehand?

I'm not a breeder but you did the right thing....When you stated they cancelled 'a SALE', actually - it's more than that. It's a life that you brought into the world... so it stands to reason that you should return their money for whatever reason they decide the puppy isn't a good fit.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by Thorsmomma

What if they really didn't know what they were getting into. At least they contacted you because obviously they cared about the puppy's well-being. It sounds like you are more interested in the final sale than the welfare of the dog.
I can understand starting some 'hall of shame' for chronic 'puppy-returners', ro someone who wrote you a bad check, etc., but people aren't perfect. I don't think it's really necessary to go online and slam people because they returned a dog to you. You should put that energy into screening people for a new home for this puppy.

I have to say I agree with this, and I will even go so far as to tell something many here may not know...

3 years before I got Chloe, we brought home a cute little mini schnauzer puppy from a local breeder. I had been wanting a dog for a long time (read my blog about how I struggled with the decision to get Chloe.) At the time I brought home that puppy, I had just gone back to college to get my degree. After two days, I realized I had taken on more than I could handle. He was an absolute doll, and as precious as can be, but I realized that my schedule at that time made it so that I could not give him the attention he deserved. I realized that 1 day into it, and I think I did the right thing returning him. Thankfully, his breeder took him back.

Now, when we got Chloe, I had already finished school, and I found myself with a lot more time on my hands. I had the time to devote to the training and socialization that new puppies require. I KNOW that I am a wonderful dog mommy to Chloe, and her breeder told me several times that she was so glad she went to such a wonderful home. What a difference it made when the time was right. I had the time to train her properly, and now we cannot imagine life without her. Even now, especially after going through the puppy days with Chloe (she's almost 2 now), I can see even more clearly how I did the 100% right thing before. It had been the wrong time when I brought home the mini schnauzer, and I did not realize it until I had him home.

Did that make me a bad person and not a good home for Chloe? No.

Was it a pain in the neck for the schnauzer's breeder? Probably so.

What I'm trying to point out is that people aren't perfect, and so many do not realize what a commitment it is to bring a dog into their homes. That fact alone doesn't make them bad people. Whether they are lying or not, they did the right thing in bringing the puppy back, and you did the right thing in taking him back.

[belindaY]

How are we ever going to know who the repeat puppy returners are if we don't post about them somehwere? I do an internet search on every person who asks for a puppy from me. Once some information came up that prompted me to refuse to sell. This is not the first time I take badk a puppy because someone changed their mind about it, but it is a hazzard for the puppy to be "tried out" this way, and a lot of extra work for me--two weeks in quarantine and extra vet visit, not to mention the time wasted. The reason I give a full refund and don't deduct anything for myself is that I want people to return my puppies to me rather than dispose of them some way I would object to. I just don't want to be the "go to" person im my area when someone wants to try out a puppy. These people first contacted me for a puppy six months ago, and I strongly suspect they came to me knowing full well they could pull this on me. Last month a woman did something very similiar, took two puppies and returned them the next day. She claimed to have had Yorkies for 30 years previously and easily appeared to meet all my requirements. Further investigation after the incident revealed she has done this before. Listing names is not to slam people, but to give breeders information they may want to consider when deciding who should have thier puppy.

[belindaY]

how can someone be allergic to a Yorkie and not know they have an allergy problem? These people claimed to have visited a number of breeders before buying from me...A number of breeders, handled a number of puppies, and didn't sneeze until they'd had mine a few days? It doesn't add up.

[belindaY]

Originally Posted by mistyinca

I have to say I agree with this, and I will even go so far as to tell something many here may not know...

3 years before I got Chloe, we brought home a cute little mini schnauzer puppy from a local breeder. I had been wanting a dog for a long time (read my blog about how I struggled with the decision to get Chloe.) At the time I brought home that puppy, I had just gone back to college to get my degree. After two days, I realized I had taken on more than I could handle. He was an absolute doll, and as precious as can be, but I realized that my schedule at that time made it so that I could not give him the attention he deserved. I realized that 1 day into it, and I think I did the right thing returning him. Thankfully, his breeder took him back.

Now, when we got Chloe, I had already finished school, and I found myself with a lot more time on my hands. I had the time to devote to the training and socialization that new puppies require. I KNOW that I am a wonderful dog mommy to Chloe, and her breeder told me several times that she was so glad she went to such a wonderful home. What a difference it made when the time was right. I had the time to train her properly, and now we cannot imagine life without her. Even now, especially after going through the puppy days with Chloe (she's almost 2 now), I can see even more clearly how I did the 100% right thing before. It had been the wrong time when I brought home the mini schnauzer, and I did not realize it until I had him home.

Did that make me a bad person and not a good home for Chloe? No.

Was it a pain in the neck for the schnauzer's breeder? Probably so.

What I'm trying to point out is that people aren't perfect, and so many do not realize what a commitment it is to bring a dog into their homes. That fact alone doesn't make them bad people. Whether they are lying or not, they did the right thing in bringing the puppy back, and you did the right thing in taking him back.

Excuse me but I expect people to know the commitment before they go home with my puppy. I'm going along with the person who posted on here that she only sells her puppies to people who've had small dogs before. As it is I don't even talk to anyone young and living in an apartment.

[mistyinca]

Originally Posted by belindaY

Excuse me but I expect people to know the commitment before they go home with my puppy. I'm going along with the person who posted on here that she only sells her puppies to people who've had small dogs before. As it is I don't even talk to anyone young and living in an apartment.

Good luck with your BUSINESS.

[cesar49]

Originally Posted by belindaY

Excuse me but I expect people to know the commitment before they go home with my puppy. I'm going along with the person who posted on here that she only sells her puppies to people who've had small dogs before. As it is I don't even talk to anyone young and living in an apartment.

hopefully you can avoid these type of buyers in the future.
i would personally NOT advertise in my local paper.
all my kooky neighbors would appear..
i dont think you have to report them though..
hope you can find perfect homes for your babies,,

[yorkiegirl83]

Originally Posted by belindaY

how can someone be allergic to a Yorkie and not know they have an allergy problem? These people claimed to have visited a number of breeders before buying from me...A number of breeders, handled a number of puppies, and didn't sneeze until they'd had mine a few days? It doesn't add up.

Sometimes allergies don't come on immediately, all people have different thresholds of tolerance to allergens. Once the bucket overflows so to speak, the symptoms show up.

Not saying they didn't lie, it's possible -- but it's also possible to not be allergic from handling a dog and visiting breeders depending on the severity of the allergy.

[jencar98]

Originally Posted by belindaY

how can someone be allergic to a Yorkie and not know they have an allergy problem? These people claimed to have visited a number of breeders before buying from me...A number of breeders, handled a number of puppies, and didn't sneeze until they'd had mine a few days? It doesn't add up.

Allergies usually don't surface until after repeated exposure to the allergen. Perhaps their other brief exposures weren't enough to trigger allergies until after they had your puppy for a few days, as they said.

Regardless, you did the right thing. They let you you know soon enough, that the puppy should be able to be placed again soon.

And, regarding the "hall of shame" - you have to be careful posting anything like that, libel and slander suits can be expensive to defend, even if the facts are on your side.

I would let it go and hopefully you won't have this problem again.

[nancyfancypants]

Originally Posted by belindaY

how can someone be allergic to a Yorkie and not know they have an allergy problem? These people claimed to have visited a number of breeders before buying from me...A number of breeders, handled a number of puppies, and didn't sneeze until they'd had mine a few days? It doesn't add up.

Allergies are not only about sneezing; some people get hives, watery eyes and any other symptom you can think of that goes along with any other type of allergy. Sometimes it can take a few days of exposure for symptoms to be triggered. I don't have pet allergies, but rather skin allergies, and I can use a shampoo or a laundry soap for several days before my skin actually breaks out, so I don't know right away if something is a problem.

I think a lot of people assume, too, that a Yorkie or other non-shedding dog won't be a problem. For many people, getting a Yorkie or a poodle or other non-shedder is okay. However, there are some people who simply cannot have any canine, and I don't think they know this until they've tried to be around a non-shedder for a few days.

ETA: Spanked! Sorry for the duplication!

[majic50]

While it's highly possible that neither one of them is allergic, you have to be awfully careful what you put in writing in a public forum. If it turned out that one of them was allergic, it could come back and bite you in the @ss.

[Thorsmomma]

Why does everyone think that young people and or people in apartments are not suitable dog owners? I just don't understand. I have found that some breeders have this preconception that people who fall in that category are not fit to own. I find it judgemental...disregarding someone without even knowing them. Just a little rant, not specifically at the OP, but since the subject has been brought up here....

[lucyaboo]

I got Pebbles from a woman rehoming her because her son was allergic.

When I was a kid, I ended up being allergic to a few things, but you don't know what they are until you are around it, eat it or breath it! I ended up being allergic to cats, dust and some of my favorite foods. I outgrow the food allergy's but not the cats. Thank goodness it wasn't doggies

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by belindaY

The yorkies are wonderful, but the people, probably can't describe them on here. And this particular couple, young professional, ivy educated types...

Good luck finding this puppy a new home. I guess I am like Ann on this last sentence of yours...*scratching my head*.

Oh well.....all the best for this little guy.

Tammy