SoCalyorkiLvr
 

Ok, Kim. What can you tell me about "puppy escrow?" I plan on selling puppies someday and I have worried about sending a puppy to another state and not getting paid because a check, or whatever was no good. If the "puppy escrow" is what I think it is, that sounds good to me. Sylvia

Here's the link to the escrow thread, if that helps...

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9070

Thank you. Have you SEEN that agreement? I haven't read it all but that thing must be about 3 pages long. Wow, I think it must cover everything. They ask for a "small" fee from the buyer, I wonder how "small" that fee is. Sylvia

Thank you, Valerie. I didn't know she did a thread on it. I want to breed and could possibly have 2 or 3 litters just after Christmas and I know how honest I am but the buyers don't know that. As I am just starting out, I don't have a reputation good or bad. Actually, I guess not having a reputation would be bad. LOL I am also not a very trusting person and thought that the Puppy Escrow would make ME feel safer. Sylvia

Don't send a puppy until the check clears or require a money order or bank wire. It is so hard to trust people these days! I am sure that the buyers feel the same way too, but if you are upfront and answer any and all questions, I do not think there would be any problems. Or at least...I hope not.

escrow
 

I agree...I wait until the check clears..also I never let people take a pup the same day..they are welcome to look at it, put down a deposit, comeback in a week or month and pay the rest in cash.

It is the buyer who needs protection, not the breeder..but good to think ahead and plan it.

Well, since I have been on both sides, buyer and seller(not of Yorkies yet), I want something that would be fair to both. I would not want to pay for a puppy and not receive it and I wouldn't want to send one somewhere and either not receive the rest of the money or find the check or whatever was bogus. I do not want to ship my puppies but things happen.

Sorry I missed this thread yesterday but everyone pulled through and pointed you in the right direction.

I think the escrow fee should be shared equally or the seller should build it into their price.

I just read the article about the scam artist here in San Diego who stole all those people's "puppy money" and never sent the pups and I think buyers may be less trusting and the escrow may help in long distance "deals" especially. I think it's well worth it and I am sure you can "tailor" the contract to fit the situation as well.

A written contract is a miust in my opinion because people do not always verbally communicate well and misunderstandings happen. Plus, there is no way to remember exactly what you "said" to every buyer because you have to say it so many times. A contract is a good checklist for going over terms and it spells it all out so everyone has the same expectations and everyone knows who is responsible for what so nothing gets missed.

It doesn't have to be full of a bunch of "legalese" or language that people don't understand, in fact that defeata the purpose. It should be as short and concise as possible while still covering all of the known possibilities that might occur in the transaction. A puppy is a living, breathing being and needs all the protection possible. A written memorial of the agreement shows that you take the adoption seriously in my opinion. :thumbup:

Thank you, Kim. Sylvia