don't know, on the fence.

I think that if we take deposits for puppies/dogs and the deal does not go through for either reason the deposit should be refunded.. That is the reputable thing to do..

But I also do not think we should back out of placing a puppy that we took a deposit on..

Melanie

I am not trying to disagree with you here, this just brings up a question. If the potential buyer has the right to back out of the deal at anytime w/ a full refund, what is the point in taking a refund to begin with then?

Of course, I don't know what I would do in the situation because I have not been faced with it yet, but I am just curious. I don't think people would take it as seriously if they knew they could change their mind at any time?

So, what repercussions should come to those buyers that don't hold up to their end of the deal? These buyers that pay a deposit, decide for whatever reason that they don't want the dog, demand their money back and move on to the next buyer.

All of the stress is being put on the seller. All of the responsibilities are being put on the breeder in oder to make the sell successful. What if the potential buyer is one of those people that nit-pick about everything and nothing seems to make them happy???

Good point! I'm thinking that in the future, I will not be taking any more deposits. It truly is too much of a hassle! :thumbdown

Well, with the litter we had, we didn't do any advertising. The owners found out by word of mouth, so it wasn't like their were (alot) of people waiting in line. I didn't ask for a deposit, but 3 of the 4 insisted. They felt bad because I was holding them longer and wanted to pay for 2nd rounds of vaccinations and stuff. I guess I lucked out because the people that got them were all either friends or friends of friends.

I don't take deposits on pups because I am a breeder not a banker. I couldn't possibly decide who gets which pup when they are born and not for many, many weeks after. They are 8 weeks old before I begin personality testing that helps me figure out which pup would suit which situation the best. If I am looking to keep a pup for show potential I could not possibly decide which one when they are tiny. If you want one of my pups, you can hang out on my waiting list until I decide. My waiting list is NOT first come, first serve since I try to match pups and if, when I meet you in person and something doesn't seem right to me...you will not get a pup.
Is this fair?....nope. Do I care?....nope. Do I worry about people getting mad at me?...not even a little. My first obligation is to the well being of my dogs. Does this leave me with available pups not placed until they are older than 12 weeks sometimes? Sure, but so what. Eventually they will go to the very best home that I can choose for them and that's what matters.
I know it's not easy to just hang out on a waiting list (I've done it myself), so I do try to locate other breeder's pups for people all the time.

On the flip side...I can understand why breeders do take deposits, because it does let the breeder know you are commited to getting one of their pups, and then they will not be by-passing others that might be equally as deserving. If it is stated as non-refundable, which many are, it is up to the breeder to decide if they will return that as a courtesy when the situation changes and the pup is placed elsewhere.

You have a great point here and I like what you are talking about. I know it it is very hard and yet time consuming to place a puppy with the right person. And of course you want the right person for your precious babies. Nothing else will do............

With my breeder if you backed out of the deal you lost your deposit. I dont see any reason to put a deposit down if its not that way.

The More I read this
 

I think a deposit could only benefit the seller. At least you think you have
that one sold and can go on to others. When they give you a deposit
couldn't you have a receipt printed up stating their name given on such a
date for f/m dog etc say it is a non-refundable deposit. But then I also
don't think the seller should renig on the sale. Kim, I know that isn't how
your sale went but I can't see why a deposit wouldn't always be helpful :confused:

I remember what a lady by me used to do and I think it was a wonderful idea
but then you limit yourself to local people. She had English Bulldogs and
they were in such demand, she took calls and sent pics to people interested
and told them the date they were to be shown ( as I remember 10 weeks)
male, female the same price. She didn't have people coming through her
house , possibly carrying parvo and taking up her time with just curious
people. On that day the cars were lined up like you would not believe and
they went like hotcakes. She already had interviewed the people before
hand and let it be first come first serve. She wondered how it would be if
she only had male pups to offer but it went equally as well. She and I
both thought male and female are equally precious and I think she was
smart to price them alike and that put that important part of it in their
minds too.

I can honestly say that would be a person that I would NOT want to have one of my dogs anyway! I feel when you take a deposit someone may go ahead and pay for the dog even though they are having doubts about the puppy.. Just so they do not waste their deposit.. I have to much hardwork and love in my program and I would never want one of my puppies in a situation where someone changed their mind, but took them home away!

Melanie

Why, don't I just shut up!! You can tell I'm not a breeder. I can now see that the
lady with the bulldogs, I mentioned may not be getting the right pup in the right
home.

I agree with you Melanie.

Quality Yorkies from reputable breeders are a rare find these days. Usually folks that have done their research and realize this prefer to send a deposit of some kind for piece of mind. So a deposit can also benefit the parents to be. It's like be pregnant, you can prepare for the new arrival. I take deposits early and offer to refund it if the puppy ends up not being what they want as long as we discuss thoroughly what it is they want. I ask for it to be spelled out in an email acutally. I did this with a person that wanted a small female from me. She basically paid to hold her spot. I was pretty sure this puppy was going ot be small but how small was the question. I asked her what size she was comfortable with at 16wks. She said less than 2 pounds. We agreed that the deposit would be refunded if she exceeded that weight. THings worked out she ended up being less than 2 pounds and she's very much loved today. They couldn't be happier. Just wanted to say a deposit is benefical for the buyer as well. I ask for deposits at 8 wks old but if someone wants to send me a deposit to hold the puppy because they want to make sure they don't lose out. I'll accept it to make them feel better but I don't need it before 8 wks.

We have to remember neither of us is right or wrong if we chose to refund or not refund deposits...it's how certain situations are handled that can make one or the other choice end up being a bad thing.

Try to make this the last question....for those of you that feel that a deposit is like an unwritten contract, then if the buyer backs out, should they receive their money back?

I think in the situation where the buyer backs out and has put down a deposit the buyer should not get their money back from the breeder.
I baught Ruby and Bella from different breeders and I was REALLY UNPLEASED with Rubys breeder.
Well I had put a $500 deposit down on a pup 5 months before i could get her. 2 months before i could get her i was offered a 5 month old, small, female (with an umbilical hernia) (Ruby) but she had great lines in her and she was adorable, well i decided to take her and then still get my original pup because i wanted two dogs. Well when the puppies were born and the breeder saw how small they would be she raised the price on my original puppy (i faught it) she brought the price back down to what it was originally and long story short I was so furious with her that I decided to go to another breeder and lost my $500 deposit.