Help!! Puppy's Best Interest In Mind!

[mtcreeklabradoodles]

Good Morning everyone!

I had a question that I would greatly appreciate some advice on.

We just had a litter in November and have been trying to schedule the pick up of our last puppy this week. The new puppy family is a lady buying a puppy for her daughter. They have been on our waiting list since December 22nd. We have been speaking to them since late November regarding our puppies. They live out of state and shipping was necessary with them. I informed them on December 1st that the cost is usually $300 for shipping and this includes the flight, crate, and health certificate. This was never brought up again until this week.

This week when arranging the flight, I told the mother that I would include the cost of the crate for free(she informed me that her daughter was paying for it and it tugged on my heartstrings so I was trying to be nice). The cost of the flight is $202 and the vet visit for the health certificate is $60. I told her the total price for the shipping would be $260. Her response was that her daughter was being treated unfairly and that she called the airlines and the price is $193(they charge tax once at the airport of $9). She said that I quoted her incorrectly and said "As you can appreciate this day and age with internet fraud and especially with us just having that experience, I feel it is my duty as a parent to verify the information given."

To say the least, I was quite taken aback. We pride ourselves on being honest people, in our breeding business and in all other areas of our lives. We are continually working with families on price, to ensure that our puppies have happy homes and that our puppies are always within reach even if families are on a budget. I emailed her back and explained the charge and tried to brush off the jab at my character. I have no problem with double checking things to make sure that you are being treated fairly....it was more the way she treated me.

So this morning I emailed her(I asked her to get back to me last night so that I could make an appointment at the Vet's for Friday) since I had not heard from her yet. She told me that she went to paypal and paid the balance and stated "As you can tell from this entire experience with me, I am not excited about this purchase. Don’t worry, I am sure ______ , as she has already been named, will receive lots of love from _______ and will win the entire family’s love." Sorry about the blanks, just trying to do the right thing and not include names. She also mentioned the puppies hips and that she hopes that she is going to check out OK. So now I am more on edge then I was before.

I have never dealt with a situation like this and am unsure what to do. My gut instinct is to refund this woman's money and find the puppy another home. When families add one of our puppies to their family they are always so excited and email and call us all the time for updates and info. I have never had someone tell me before they have gotten the puppy that they are not excited and that the puppy will have to "win" the family's love. If they are going into this with only the teenage daughter on board then they are setting the puppy up for failure. A puppy needs lots of patience and work and the whining at night and the potty accidents don't usually "win" people over. This is all very upsetting as we have exchanged about 30 emails and about 10 phone calls with the mom and daughter and never once until this week were we given the impression that this was not a happy decision for the entire family. Also the puppy is now 8 weeks old and I have to go through the advertising and interviews and hope to find this puppy a fabulous home if that is the route I decide to go. My main concern is the puppy. If we have to spend weeks finding it a good home or greatly reduce the price that is OK. I don't want this puppy(or any of our puppies) to go to an unloving home.

What should I do?? Should I refund the total price and just move on? Do I take a chance with this family? Do I keep the deposit and refund the balance? Like I said this is a new situation to me and I want to do the right thing.

Thank you very much for listening to my loooong rambling!!!
Robyn and Tom

[gene]

I say....Go with your gut feeling......if it smells bad, it probably is bad...as my Mom would say! I would say that your piece of mind and the well being of the puppy are the most important things at stake here. I say REFUND!

[Raleighsmom]

Boy...this is a tough one to say the least...can you call this woman, and tell her your concerns over the 'tone' of her email, especially about not being excited?
She certainly didn't pull any punches with you on her feelings!!! I'm not a breeder, but my gut instinct after talking to her, if you do, is to keep the deposit, and refund the balance...you're to be highly commended for keeping the puppy's best interest in mind!!! Good luck with your decision, and please keep us posted as to the outcome!

[doodledash]

Wow i have just read this, and my views would be i think you must do what is best in your heart of hearts for the puppy.
I know what i would do and its the same as Raleighsmom.

[Patty_inAr]

lol that family doesn't deserve your puppy I would do a refund and move on. You and the pup will be better off in the end

[annieG]

It seems you already have a "bad feeling" about this transaction. I would only go through with this adoption if you have a satisfying telephone conversation that relieves ALL doubts. Puppy's future is in your hands and you must be satisfied that they are the right family for your little one.

[mtcreeklabradoodles]

Thank you Thank you!!
I really appreciate all the responses. I know what my gut instinct is telling me, but sometimes it helps to hear some outside opinions to reassure you that you are doing the right thing! We become so attached to our puppies as I'm sure all of the other breeders here do and can understand. It is hard enough to let them go when the time comes when you know that they are going to a wonderful home. But when you are worried about the puppy's well being in their new home, it is greatly magnified. These puppies are our little babies and we want the best for them.

Thank you again!!
Robyn and Tom

[MySweetDoodle]

I totally agree with the "go with your gut" feeling. This does not sound like a good home for your puppy (or any puppy for that matter). I say, thank goodness, that this woman let her *true colors* come thru before the poor puppy was in her home! At this point, I don't think I would even try to talk to her on the phone, in hopes of getting a *better feeling* about her. She just might sense your concern and put on a *good show* just for the moment.

What would I do if I were in your shoes? First thing is I would definitely cancel this transaction. I would NOT let my puppy go to such a questionable home. If this woman has already come across so negatively, just think what might be in store for the puppy once it is living with her.

As for the refund? I would most definitely refund the entire amount, including the deposit. The reason I say that I would refund the deposit is two-fold. #1) It is you who is cancelling the puppy purchase, not the buyer. If the buyer was cancelling, than by all means, you should keep the deposit. But since it is you who wants to cancel the purchase, I feel that the buyer is entitled to (legally) have her deposit refunded.

#2) You want this woman *out of your life* - you certainly don't want her coming back complaining or threatening legal action for the return of her deposit (which, in view of her *personality*, I feel could very easily happen).

In the end, what you really want is to have your puppy go to a loving forever home. This home doesn't sound like that kind of home at all.

Cancel the transaction! Your puppy will thank you for it.

Good luck with all of this - it is not a situation that any of us would like to be in and I am so sorry that this has happened to you.

I agree with Annieg. I would call the woman and talk to her about her concerns. I know that I have gotten emails from people that I took one way and they were not meant that way at all. If the call doesn't reassure you I say refund all the money and move on. That pup deserves a loving home where everyone in the home wants him there!!! (Esp if it just the daughter...what happens when she goes to college?)

[Raleighsmom]

I think 'Mysweetdoodle' has the best answer of all! Refund it all, knowing that your puppy won't end up in the adoption section of petfinders at some point!!!

[madcity_mike]

I agree with "My sweet doodle" as well. I'm sure many of our breeders here have been through similar situations. Your photos on your website are great, and I had to share my personal fav. How cute is this??

[SykoSofie]

She was quibbling about $9.00? I think this pup is not going to get the care it needs and deserves. Refund it all and be totally done with her.

[blueteal]

Ditto to all who said refund........save this puppy from being anywhere near this woman..........

[lmtoth2]

I agree with Heather. I would contact the woman by phone first. I have seen it happen too many times where intent is confused over e-mail. However if you still have a bad feeling after speaking with her I would refund her money.

[Jac]

I agree with the others, that 1) follow your gut instincts and 2) talk to them in person.

My approach would be slightly different...I would tell these people that I was surprised at the turn of events and that I it is important to have a discussion so that they are satisfied with their puppy and so that the puppy is placed where he will be loved and appreciated.

Then, after you have a conversation with them, if you feel that they are not right for your puppy...if they continue to be rude or indignant...I'd say something like, as much as I'd like this to work out for us, it appears that this is not a good fit for you. I am going to refund your money so that you can find another breeder who's policies are more in line with what you think is fair. I am a good breeder and my puppies are high quality, but if the transportation issue is difficult for you, perhaps you can find a breeder closer to your home. I wish you all the best.

And leave it at that. I would not say anything about the downhill slide with the negotiations or anything and i would not make them think that I was at "fault"...I would say that obviously "we have a miscommunication" but that finding fault is not the important issue...having them happy with their puppy is. Your first and most important consideration is with the puppy and his happiness. Their happiness will determine his fate. You are not inclined to gamble on this...so if you can't feel right about the decision when you talk to them. You may need to withdraw...

Now, from a legal standpoint, if they insist on moving forward...you may have something to be concerned with if you are adamant not to send the pup to them. If you have not yet signed contracts...don't...if you have, reveiew them and make sure that you have not made a commitment to them.

My contract states that it is not completed until all money is exchanged and the puppy is delivered and the conditions of the contract are met. This gives me an out, if I should need one.

Most often, when I have feelings like you have, I am wrong and the family is great for the dog...I hope that this is the case here too. Talk to them...then decide.

Good luck!