BUYER BEWARE - I was cheated out of $2,500 that I paid for a German Shepherd puppy - Page 1

I wired a payment of $2500 to Herby Willems, the owner of van de Duca Vallei in Munnekeburen, Netherlands, under the guise that I would be getting a first pick male German Shepherd puppy around the first or second week in January 2013. I was eventually told 8 out of 11 puppies in the litter had died and only three females remained. On January 7, 2013 I told Herby that I wanted my money returned to me in full, yet we’re now in the middle of April and the money is nowhere to be seen.

Rewind back to the beginning:

The $500 deposit required to reserve a puppy was sent in on November 12, 2012; Herby confirmed its arrival on November 15, 2012. Around mid-December, I was told video would be made to document the puppies' drives, but video was never sent.

(These are not all of the Facebook messages/emails that were exchanged; I’m just attaching the “important” ones.)

Emails and Facebook messages removed by admin

I believe as soon as he received the money in full, he decided to break down and tell me the news. I feel I should have been informed that the puppies were sick and dying BEFORE I sent in the $2000. However on the 29th, when the “last puppy died”, he acted as if all was fine. (As shown in the above emails)

He offered to send me a puppy out of the ones remaining, or a pup from another breeder who would be similar in temperament; I appreciated the offer, but had to decline. I wanted a male out of that specific litter, nothing else.​

I never received the money, though. His excuse (when I eventually asked where the money was and why it hadn’t been sent)? The bank information was incorrect, and the money had been returned to him. Throughout January, February and March, I sent all the bank information he’d asked for. My dad contacted Herby through email on Monday (April 8, 2013) to give him the rest of the bank information that he needed. Herby said he would send it right away. It's been nearly a week (In one of Herby's emails to me he stated that it usually takes "48 hours" for the money to arrive), and I still haven't seen a dime of it.

This man is nothing more than a thief and a crook. It has been three and a half MONTHS since I’ve asked for my money to be returned…and nothing. I’ve given him several warnings stating that I would post about this situation online if the money had not been sent back to me, giving him adequate time to do so. (It’s been 2.5 months since the first warning was sent.) I feel I’ve been extremely patient with him, and even if I do not get my money back, I still want to make others aware of what this breeder is capable of. I did everything "right" when doing my homework looking for a so-called reputable breeder overseas. Yet, I still got taken advantage of. Don't let it happen to you.

And that is why I always hesitate to import, Because you never really know!  No matter how thorough you think you have done your homework and research, YOU NEVER REALLY KNOW!

I am sorry this happened to you, as I know you did everything you possibly could thinking you would avoid this from happening.  Just goes to show, we can never be too careful. Just as it is when picking our friends. We always find out too late that we never should have trusted, and that not all people have the same ethics. Really sad..

There are sooo many scams going on  now, yes with dogs too.  He probably didn't even have a litter of pups to begin with.

Sorry this happened to you.  It's happened to the best of us in one way or another.  The best advice I can give is go and
actually see the dogs/puppies in person.  It doesn't have to be an import to be a "good dog"

I would like to hear Herby's side of the story before passing judgment. 

Yes i wouldn't jump to conclusions yet.  I have always thought of Herby as a good guy in the dog world and a good, eithical breeder.  We should hear his side before passing quick judgements.  Just my two cents.

I had dealings with Herby and all was the easiest, most up front deal I ever made. I bought the pup before he was born and had him keep him till he was 4 1/2 months old to start working him on tracking. I got videos of him on regular bases. He took him from CZ to Holland where he was working him. I got the best vet exam including teeth I have ever received. Just my experience with Herby. I hope it all works out

Hank
 

I do see that he offered u another puppy and a puppy from another breeding.  This is the typical thing breeders do,
roll over  money to another litter.  I don't know either one of you guys so won't even try to comment otherwise.

There is really not much he can say or should say.  He got the money, puppies died and never said anything (before the money was sent to him).  Received the money and has given this person nothing but the run around in returning it.  It is as simple as that.  There is paperwork evidence that speaks for itself.  Offering a dog from a "similar" breeder was not the contract as stated.  So whether some offer this service, the buyer does not have to agree otherwise you would never know what you are getting. Similar is not the same as a particular dog/puppy from a particular litter.  What he should do is return the money expeditiously. I am glad some of you have had good experiences but this one is totally unacceptable. I am very glad the german shepherd community has been put on notice and made aware of this issue.
 
 

Well, I do know the person that paid the money for the puppy afterall.
Not to knock the breeder, but he should of told her right away about the
puppies dying !  Her money needs to be returned asap  !!   It just goes to
show you, that  no matter  how good a person's reputation is.  You can
still get screwed.  It happened to me as well and that person is well known
And nobody believed me.
So Herby we are calling you out, return her money and do the right thing.