BUYER BEWARE-- Tips for Newbies Searching for a GSD - Page 4

Warranty is probaby the more correct term.  One can warrrant against defects.  One cannot usually guarantee against defects.  Clearly, the use of language may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  Oddly the term "nomenclature" is an incorrectly used term when one is trying to distinguish the differences between "warranty" and "guarantee".  They are terms of promise, not terms of identification. 

The fact that you made sincere and serious commentary on that makes my head hurt.

Thanks for the list Mystere, too bad we dont have "stickies" on this board.

I guess I should of said no warranty no guarantee given,when it came to the END.  This breeder does not stand behind her dogs. A broken heart is what we got and a very sad ending for our boy. This was a  huge lesson learned, you can't trust many even when you sign the contract.

Luv my shep

I lost my standard poodle at 2 years old from some sort of blood disease.  The two kids were in elementary school at the time.  I recall the pain.  The breeder refused any responsibility.  The vet told me it was likely genetic.  Pissed me right off.  They were the only game in town for standard poodles at that time.  We had a community funeral for the dog, and buried the collar in the back yard with the neighbourhood kids officiating and had the "wake" thatfollowed. 

To this day, it's 15 years later, and the now young adult kids still remember and talk about "Pepper's Funeral" - so at least something good came out of it. 

Thanks and yep pretty mad and sad, because I learned from someone else there was previous Mega dogs different bitch but same breeder. So that was a shock. We don't have kids we are too old lol, he was our baby, so you feel betrayed by the breeder and so sad for our boy. I know things happen but being honest would of been all we would of asked for. We will find another to join us but wow it sure puts your  guard up. Thanks for your post and hopefully one day I can post a pic of our new boy when we find him.

Bump

Nia,
I really like your thread! Great points!
One thing I would like to clarify, if I may, and please forgive me if it was mentioned in any of the following replies since I did not have the time to read it all!
I am a non-native English speaker. Can you explain to me the difference of "guarantee" vs. "warrantee"? In my contract, I use the word "guarantee" myself but have been insecure because somebody told me once that a "guarantee" is a promise that a defect won't happen (which is nonsense since we all know that a dog can develop HD or ED even if there have been generations of dogs without that defect). But a "warantee" would be more correct as this is a promise of a replacement if that defect would happen. I have been contemplating if I should change my contract accordingly (I "guarantee" hips and elbows to pass OFA). Do we have anybody here with legal knowledge who could enlighten me?
Another point: If one paragraph of a contract is iilegal in one state, will it void the whole contract altogether or just that part? In Germany, it would void the whole contract unless you have a clause regarding that in there.
As to your price limit on puppies: I agree on most, but $1,500 is not possible anymore if you take your female to Europe for breedings. When Europe changed to the EURO, a lot of prices doubled (especially stud fees, hotel costs and gas prices). While I would never sell my puppies for those exuberant prices which were mentioned, certain things have to be put in perspective as well. And I do disagree that showline puppies should be worth more than well bred workingline litters. For me, it is all in the research and thoughts behind a breeding and then, what guarantees (or is it warrantees?) will be honored. And that ultimately leads to the reputation and track record of the individual breeder! Yes, buyers and newbies - do your homework!
Chris

My personal fav is the breeder who claims the dog is suitable for SchH but who has never set foot on a field to even train, much less title. I wish I had a dollar for every time I saw that scam!

Me too. I've always wondered how anyone who has never belonged to a club, never trained a dog to title, maybe never even seen correct work on a regular basis, can claim they "know" anything about temperament and reccommend their pups, out of untitled pedigrees, for anything other than pet homes... AND get more for those pet pups than we do for the all the years of work and research we put in.  Grrrrrr...

Father highly placed and a top producer, mom same, last litter? Yes, I'd say those pups would be worth paying double for if you are up to taking the pup to the top, belong to a training group who can help you get there. Waste of money and probably the puppy itself for a novice in MOST cases. Then again, top trainers rarely have to pay for puppies at all. People give their best pups to them in Europe, hoping they will take that pup, the breeder's kennel name firmly afixed, to make that name a household word for the next 50 years. How much money do you think changed hands when Franz Gugnon took Nick for training? Do you think Raiser has to buy a dog? Hell, I'd give a few of them a whole litter, let them keep any they want and pray they drag my kennel name all the way to the WUSV! Ha ha ha.

Who decides what is a "comparable" breeding? The breeder does. (in this case ME) That's one more good reason to work with a reputable, experienced breeder.

SS

Chris, I avoided going into the difference and getting too involved in the legalities because I don't give legal advice over the internet (bad and stupid practice, not knowing to whom one is "speaking") and because so much can be different from one state to another (and presumably country to country), and often one must know all the facts & circumstances of a particular situation. For example, some states have "Puppy Lemon Laws" and some don't. Some states have a Consumer Protection Act that covers pet sales, and others don't. Some states have both, or neither. But, they are things that may affect what language should, or should NOT, be in your contracts. The best route is to consult legal counsel in your area regarding (a) whether there is even a effective difference in your state regarding which word is used in your contract; (b) if there is a difference in effect, which to use in your state; (c) the effect, if any, of a savings clause in the event one or more portions of a contract is deemed to be void/illegal/unenforceable, etc.