Communication between breeder and buyer - YorkieTalk.com Forums

wnalegria · 08-25-2005, 06:41 AM

I just made an enemy yesterday. I have had a male for sale for several months. twice I have thought I had him sold and my clients left me sitting high and dry with after stating they wanted him. Both times I held him with out a deposit and a verbal promise. Both times they did not get back with me- I had to email them and ask intentions. Comments to "oh I found another male or I can't afford him at this time"

Well folks contact me all the time. Don't count on anything till they show up at the door, they like the puppy, and I like them.

Well had someone who liked this puppyy- said they kept coming back to him.
They did not have the funds at this time to pay for him and shipping was involved another cost. I was asked to include shipping, crate, health certificate and all in the price of $1,100.00. Puppy is 6 months old and I have a lot invested in him at this time. ( I do not do any of my own vaccinations or wormings all done by the Vet.) Told client could not do this .

Client states that will have to talk with hubby but no time frame of when she will get back with me or no hold him, I want him. I am still up in the air.

The next day I get a phone call. Some folks from Florida are on their way back from a wedding in Michigan and had stopped in my town. I had emailed them info on this puppy a week ago. Had never heard back from them- did not think anything of it- happens all the time. They called and asked if the puppy was still available- I said yes- they asked if they could come out and see him. They did and they liked him and bought him.

The Contacted this client right away and explained that dog is no longer available.

Well today I am blasted by this client. Thinks that it was unprofessional of me to have sold the puppy. Stated I should have said you need a deposit
in a rush.

To help others from this mess please help breeders out.

You have to give breeders a time frame to work under. You would be amazed at the number of people who state they want your puppy- and they never show up or never have the money. If you want the puppy make a verbal commitment with dates and times. Don't say I will get with my husband/wife and see if we can afford the puppy without addding I will get back within a certain time frame. Don't say I have some money coming not sure when it will be here. Breeders are not going to hpld a puppy for you when you sound uncertain.

I will get 25 plus hits a week from my website by people who want more information on puppies/adults many are just looking- you will never hear from them again after you send information, some you will talk to several times and they still are unsure. It is the nature of the breeding program. I do not take insult when you buy from another breeder or do not respond back- it is just the way things are. I also do not nag folks to buy my dogs- if they are really interested they will get back with me.

Communication goes a long way on both sides

I never tell a client your deposit has to be here asap/rush- that is a selling technique that I do not use. Some breeders use this sense of emergency to help sell the puppies. My feeling is when the time is right- the right person always comes along. God has always taken care of me. I put my faith and trust in him

Kelz · 08-25-2005, 06:50 AM

Okay i'm kinda confused..was the "client" the one who was giving you the run around??

SoCalyorkiLvr · 08-25-2005, 06:54 AM

Selling/buying a puppy is a legal transaction..a contract, and it is always best to have contracts in writing. There is nothing wrong with requiring a deposit and having a written policy or contract regarding a deposit outlining under what circumstances a deposit will be refunded, etc. This can all be done easily by fax or email when there is distance involved. For the protection of buyer and seller in a long distance sale I would recommmend a Puppy Escrow. As much as we want to trust people we are all adults here and know that this is not possible.

feminvstr · 08-25-2005, 07:34 AM

Kathy what a mess huh!

you have to change your policy, tell them it is was it is, deposit (once received) secures your puppy for a certain amount of time and is non refundable unless there are special circumstances. Youve been having nothing but issues and the nicer you are and more giving your are the more some take advantage! I am so glad your little man finally found a forever home.

Snow Yorkies · 08-25-2005, 07:59 AM

I think you did the right thing with your male that was for sale.... At 6 months of age he really needed to be in a forever home and get settled down where he is to live. If you felt the ones you sold him to were going to give him the home you desire for your puppies, then so be it. I don't know the time frame of the last time you had heard from the last client. If a couple of days had passed, I totally understand. But the others had contacted on the pup as well, so both clients had there chance. Now if you had promised the one client you would hold the pup until she had work out her financial problem that of course would have been another whole issue. And I didn't read anything to make me believe that was the case. So rest easy... you found a good home for you baby.

Laura · 08-25-2005, 08:26 AM

Try not to worry, Kathy - I think you did the right thing. I am not a salesperson, and do not like to be pushy. You just gave me another reason I don't want to be a breeder. I am sorry for the other girl, but when I found the pups I wanted - I had my hubby there with the credit card. When a person is ready for such an investment, they need to be READY! Maybe she will get everything settled before she puts another breeder through the same thing.

chachi · 08-25-2005, 08:31 AM

I put a deposit on both of my pups. My second pup was $1200 and the breeder let me make two payments ont he pup. I thought she was very nice to work with. She only asked for a $25 deposit. If the deposit would have been more I would have put it.

Laura · 08-25-2005, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

I put a deposit on both of my pups. My second pup was $1200 and the breeder let me make two payments ont he pup. I thought she was very nice to work with. She only asked for a $25 deposit.

Even a small deposit is a committment. A good faith gesture that you want the puppy.

feminvstr · 08-25-2005, 09:13 AM

totally agree about the good faith...most breeders work on good faith as does the buyer. Most breeders will allow payments within reason, but there are those buyers that ask for more and more and more and may still walk away.

good example: friends story
little male - buyer says I have to have him!!! he is mine!!
calls every day all day for weights, measurements of everything but his butt, pictures of everything including his butt

emails constantly! a week goes by with every day all day phone calls or emails - asks for babys teeth to be cleaned, bile acid test, LP test before shipping - agrees on price - agrees on shipping - agrees on ship date - two days before shipping buyer calls and cancels, saying something has come up financially and she would have to back out of the purchase, yet the breeder as met all her conditions and terms also paying for additional vet charges. No deposits were taken what can the breeder do .... nothing!!!

yorkiegal719 · 08-25-2005, 09:18 AM

Yea Kathy, I agree with Sue. I think you handled that the way it should have been. Yes 6 months it's time to go home to loving parents, and I'm sure if you thought that they weren't right you wouldn't have let him go, plus you got to meet them that's a plus! As far as the first caller was concerned, she should have gotten back to you, especially if she was interested. What else were you to think, except that she didn't want the pup? Maybe just ask for a small deposit from now on, that way your covered and they can't get mad and you know they are serious, and there's nothing wrong with that...

Laura · 08-25-2005, 09:24 AM

But that is true with any money exchange. I have renters who always have a good/great reason they HAD to spend MY money before it got to me. Again, collecting money is not my thing. But, I don't have the heart to sell it out from under them either.

suzysmitt · 08-25-2005, 09:55 AM

Kathy I bred pit bulls for years, and the more I dealt with people the more I finally realized I had to have written contracts with deposits. I was burned so many times, and denied people who really wanted one of my dogs, and that I really would have liked to sell the dog to, because some Bozo said they were going to take the dog, and then never got back to me. It's a shame you have to be like that, but people are just weird.

CherOKchic · 08-25-2005, 10:13 AM

Hi, I'm newer to YT and am not currently an owner (searching now) but I am a Sales professional I guess you'd say...I totally agree w/ what you did, 1st come 1st served...as a potential buyer, until I say "I want him, I will contact you tomorrow about payment" then I take that chance.
I manage an apt complex in a college town...spaces are limited and demand is high. I was always told to be a high pressure saleswoman, but I just don't have it in me to feed someone full of fluff, whether or not its truth. But, if I only have 1 apt and someone is looking at it and says they will get back w/ me, sometimes they do, more often not. I just simply tell them that I cannot take the unit off the market w/o a deposit. I will also state that I can work w/ them on postdating a check for a couple days or something. It is always best policy to be honest, of course, and until someone has made a monetary commitment they haven't made up their minds.

Sorry that you had to deal w/ this, but I beleive that you made the right decision and that precious baby will be happy in his home for years to come!

mzkim · 08-25-2005, 10:28 AM

I think you did the right thing with selling your pup to the couple who came by to see the pup. If the lady wanted the pup and had to go talk to her hubby she should have given a time frame. Really if she knew the asking price the talk with hubby should of happen before she called you.

wnalegria · 08-25-2005, 10:45 AM

Thanks for your comments- I was feeling really bad. I went so far as to offer this person another puppy that I was holding for myself. I felt so bad and I hate to hurt another persons feelings.

I had just thought it was time for Reggie to find a home and this older couple seemed perfect and he liked them.

If I had been told save him for me or I want him I never would have sold him to the other couple but I never heard those words. I am too much of a push over and get yelled at for it all the time by my hubby. I do send/ or do a contract when a deposit is made on the kids. We just never got to that point.

08-25-2005, 06:41 AM	#1
wnalegria Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis Indiana Posts: 815	Communication between breeder and buyer I just made an enemy yesterday. I have had a male for sale for several months. twice I have thought I had him sold and my clients left me sitting high and dry with after stating they wanted him. Both times I held him with out a deposit and a verbal promise. Both times they did not get back with me- I had to email them and ask intentions. Comments to "oh I found another male or I can't afford him at this time" Well folks contact me all the time. Don't count on anything till they show up at the door, they like the puppy, and I like them. Well had someone who liked this puppyy- said they kept coming back to him. They did not have the funds at this time to pay for him and shipping was involved another cost. I was asked to include shipping, crate, health certificate and all in the price of $1,100.00. Puppy is 6 months old and I have a lot invested in him at this time. ( I do not do any of my own vaccinations or wormings all done by the Vet.) Told client could not do this . Client states that will have to talk with hubby but no time frame of when she will get back with me or no hold him, I want him. I am still up in the air. The next day I get a phone call. Some folks from Florida are on their way back from a wedding in Michigan and had stopped in my town. I had emailed them info on this puppy a week ago. Had never heard back from them- did not think anything of it- happens all the time. They called and asked if the puppy was still available- I said yes- they asked if they could come out and see him. They did and they liked him and bought him. The Contacted this client right away and explained that dog is no longer available. Well today I am blasted by this client. Thinks that it was unprofessional of me to have sold the puppy. Stated I should have said you need a deposit in a rush. To help others from this mess please help breeders out. You have to give breeders a time frame to work under. You would be amazed at the number of people who state they want your puppy- and they never show up or never have the money. If you want the puppy make a verbal commitment with dates and times. Don't say I will get with my husband/wife and see if we can afford the puppy without addding I will get back within a certain time frame. Don't say I have some money coming not sure when it will be here. Breeders are not going to hpld a puppy for you when you sound uncertain. I will get 25 plus hits a week from my website by people who want more information on puppies/adults many are just looking- you will never hear from them again after you send information, some you will talk to several times and they still are unsure. It is the nature of the breeding program. I do not take insult when you buy from another breeder or do not respond back- it is just the way things are. I also do not nag folks to buy my dogs- if they are really interested they will get back with me. Communication goes a long way on both sides I never tell a client your deposit has to be here asap/rush- that is a selling technique that I do not use. Some breeders use this sense of emergency to help sell the puppies. My feeling is when the time is right- the right person always comes along. God has always taken care of me. I put my faith and trust in him

08-25-2005, 06:50 AM	#2
Kelz YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Yukon, ok Posts: 2,885	Okay i'm kinda confused..was the "client" the one who was giving you the run around?? __________________ Kelly- momma to Parker, Star,Zoe, & Kegan.. RIP Silly Lily OK Yorkie Rescue - http://okyorkierescue.org

08-25-2005, 07:34 AM	#4
feminvstr Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 4,405	Kathy what a mess huh! you have to change your policy, tell them it is was it is, deposit (once received) secures your puppy for a certain amount of time and is non refundable unless there are special circumstances. Youve been having nothing but issues and the nicer you are and more giving your are the more some take advantage! I am so glad your little man finally found a forever home. __________________ Kimberly

08-25-2005, 07:59 AM	#5
Snow Yorkies Biewer Passionate Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Southern AL Posts: 1,684	I think you did the right thing with your male that was for sale.... At 6 months of age he really needed to be in a forever home and get settled down where he is to live. If you felt the ones you sold him to were going to give him the home you desire for your puppies, then so be it. I don't know the time frame of the last time you had heard from the last client. If a couple of days had passed, I totally understand. But the others had contacted on the pup as well, so both clients had there chance. Now if you had promised the one client you would hold the pup until she had work out her financial problem that of course would have been another whole issue. And I didn't read anything to make me believe that was the case. So rest easy... you found a good home for you baby. __________________ Dare to Dream Biewers Charter Member of BAPPC

08-25-2005, 08:26 AM	#6
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,577	Try not to worry, Kathy - I think you did the right thing. I am not a salesperson, and do not like to be pushy. You just gave me another reason I don't want to be a breeder. I am sorry for the other girl, but when I found the pups I wanted - I had my hubby there with the credit card. When a person is ready for such an investment, they need to be READY! Maybe she will get everything settled before she puts another breeder through the same thing. __________________ Laura--loving mom of Robyn, Dexter, Sandy, Mattie, Sammy, Jake & Mollie http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

08-25-2005, 06:54 AM	#3
SoCalyorkiLvr BANNED! Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 8,246	Selling/buying a puppy is a legal transaction..a contract, and it is always best to have contracts in writing. There is nothing wrong with requiring a deposit and having a written policy or contract regarding a deposit outlining under what circumstances a deposit will be refunded, etc. This can all be done easily by fax or email when there is distance involved. For the protection of buyer and seller in a long distance sale I would recommmend a Puppy Escrow. As much as we want to trust people we are all adults here and know that this is not possible.

08-25-2005, 08:31 AM	#7
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	I put a deposit on both of my pups. My second pup was $1200 and the breeder let me make two payments ont he pup. I thought she was very nice to work with. She only asked for a $25 deposit. If the deposit would have been more I would have put it. __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-25-2005, 09:13 AM	#9
feminvstr Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 4,405	totally agree about the good faith...most breeders work on good faith as does the buyer. Most breeders will allow payments within reason, but there are those buyers that ask for more and more and more and may still walk away. good example: friends story little male - buyer says I have to have him!!! he is mine!! calls every day all day for weights, measurements of everything but his butt, pictures of everything including his butt emails constantly! a week goes by with every day all day phone calls or emails - asks for babys teeth to be cleaned, bile acid test, LP test before shipping - agrees on price - agrees on shipping - agrees on ship date - two days before shipping buyer calls and cancels, saying something has come up financially and she would have to back out of the purchase, yet the breeder as met all her conditions and terms also paying for additional vet charges. No deposits were taken what can the breeder do .... nothing!!! __________________ Kimberly

08-25-2005, 09:18 AM	#10
yorkiegal719 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 603	Yea Kathy, I agree with Sue. I think you handled that the way it should have been. Yes 6 months it's time to go home to loving parents, and I'm sure if you thought that they weren't right you wouldn't have let him go, plus you got to meet them that's a plus! As far as the first caller was concerned, she should have gotten back to you, especially if she was interested. What else were you to think, except that she didn't want the pup? Maybe just ask for a small deposit from now on, that way your covered and they can't get mad and you know they are serious, and there's nothing wrong with that... __________________ Theresa & The Boys +1 The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue

08-25-2005, 09:24 AM	#11
Laura Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Wylie TX Posts: 1,577	But that is true with any money exchange. I have renters who always have a good/great reason they HAD to spend MY money before it got to me. Again, collecting money is not my thing. But, I don't have the heart to sell it out from under them either. __________________ Laura--loving mom of Robyn, Dexter, Sandy, Mattie, Sammy, Jake & Mollie http://www.yorkietalk.com/gallery/sh...00&ppuser=1851

08-25-2005, 09:55 AM	#12
suzysmitt Currently Suspended! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 2,150	Kathy I bred pit bulls for years, and the more I dealt with people the more I finally realized I had to have written contracts with deposits. I was burned so many times, and denied people who really wanted one of my dogs, and that I really would have liked to sell the dog to, because some Bozo said they were going to take the dog, and then never got back to me. It's a shame you have to be like that, but people are just weird.

08-25-2005, 10:13 AM	#13
CherOKchic Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 63	Totally Agree Hi, I'm newer to YT and am not currently an owner (searching now) but I am a Sales professional I guess you'd say...I totally agree w/ what you did, 1st come 1st served...as a potential buyer, until I say "I want him, I will contact you tomorrow about payment" then I take that chance. I manage an apt complex in a college town...spaces are limited and demand is high. I was always told to be a high pressure saleswoman, but I just don't have it in me to feed someone full of fluff, whether or not its truth. But, if I only have 1 apt and someone is looking at it and says they will get back w/ me, sometimes they do, more often not. I just simply tell them that I cannot take the unit off the market w/o a deposit. I will also state that I can work w/ them on postdating a check for a couple days or something. It is always best policy to be honest, of course, and until someone has made a monetary commitment they haven't made up their minds. Sorry that you had to deal w/ this, but I beleive that you made the right decision and that precious baby will be happy in his home for years to come!

08-25-2005, 10:28 AM	#14
mzkim YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maplewood, Minnesota Posts: 277	I think you did the right thing with selling your pup to the couple who came by to see the pup. If the lady wanted the pup and had to go talk to her hubby she should have given a time frame. Really if she knew the asking price the talk with hubby should of happen before she called you. __________________ :Puppy: Mz Kim "Failure seldom stops you. What stops you is the fear of failure."

08-25-2005, 10:45 AM	#15
wnalegria Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Indianapolis Indiana Posts: 815	Thanks for your comments- I was feeling really bad. I went so far as to offer this person another puppy that I was holding for myself. I felt so bad and I hate to hurt another persons feelings. I had just thought it was time for Reggie to find a home and this older couple seemed perfect and he liked them. If I had been told save him for me or I want him I never would have sold him to the other couple but I never heard those words. I am too much of a push over and get yelled at for it all the time by my hubby. I do send/ or do a contract when a deposit is made on the kids. We just never got to that point.