Would you sell this person a puppy? - Page 1

   I had a litter of pups for sale 5 months ago, at this time there was a buyer that said he  really wanted a puppy from this litter. Liked the lines etc. Litter was only 1 week old when he first made contact.

   Over the next 8 weeks he contacted me every few days either by email or phone, asking every few days for more photos  (I did not really mind this, it just showed me how much he wanted this puppy), he even sent a deposit which was not asked for and was far more that was nessessary.

   Any way when the puppies were ready to go I realizes that he had not made contact for a week or so, thinking that he had been busy I rung to confirm travel details for the puppy, he made excuses for not ringing and that he would ring back. Next day his wife rung to say that he was going to be out of work due to down time and now could not afford to buy the puppy and would I return his deposit which I did no problem.

That was the last I heard from him until today now he has made contact again and wants to buy a puppy from my next litter. I am not sure that I want the aggravation. Also if his life was so unstable then, what if he lost his job after buying a puppy would he be able to feed, vaccinate and give it all that it needs?

Would you sell him a puppy?

No, not only because of the instability in his job situation but I also think he's a coward for making his wife phone you up to do his dirty work. He needed to be a man and take the responsibility of speaking with you himself to explain the situation. I also think that you should tell him that directly when he calls or emails you again....he'll get the message.

No.  Sounds like a scam.  Have you checked your bank account? 

Justlurkin - I don't think this was a scam. Did you notice the time frame? The poster would have already been notified if the deposit was no good.

Oprah - I agree with you 100%.

home9,

Your down under?

I looked at your e-mail,  just curious.  

I have a term I sometime's use for people (squirrely),  This fellow sound's kinda squirrely to me.  But you never know.  

If it was convenient you might ask to visit this fellow to see just how he really live's.   Some people do lose their job's thru no fault of their own.

But if you don't want all the hassle no one would blame you if you choose not to do business with him.   I would tell him deposit's are none refundable this time.

I alway's trust my gut feeling in these matter's.

Brent.

I wonder if your gut instinct about  this guy is what you are second guessing?  If you suspect he might not be a good owner, then listen to your gut, even if you can't put a finger on exactly why.  If you are only worried about the circumstances surrounding the falling through of the original deal, it might be OK to sell him a pup.

Sometimes shit happens and people do lose jobs.  I mean no one can forsee what's down the line, it can happen to anyone.  The wife called, the guy was probably too embarassed.  Is it a little chicken shit, sure, but not really a reflection of what kind of dog owner he would be.  You could always tell him you need the entire price of the pup up front before you will hold a pup and let him know you will require a cashiers check and the deposit portion of it is substantial and non-refundable.

yes of course you should. he wants a good GSD, you sell them, whats the problem? anybody could loose there job tomorrow, i'd still make sure my dog was fed and looked after until i got another job, even if it meant i was going without.

      Thanks for your input, it was definately not a scam, deposit was paid up front when the pup was only 2 weeks old.

Yes I am down under and the buyer was interstate so I have never met him. He was prepared for me to freight the puppy by air and it was all arranged

The whole thing sounded fine I had no problems with the family, him or anything else and he wanted a puppy to do obedience with.

Yes sueincc

If I decide to sell him a puppy he will have to pay up front and no refund of deposit portion.

If the family is having down time problems with money now are they going to be able to feed, take to vet for vaccinations, worm , pay for all the things that can go wrong. It is really nice to have a puppy, but the bottom line is reality. 

I agree with Brent's statement:  I'd go by my gut feeling.  Initially, he was very involved in his desire for a puppy, then he lost his source of income...that sends a person into a depression and into survival mode.  I know it did this to me when it happened to me.  Then resources have to be diverted to the family's most important needs.  If he lost his job in another situation, the pup may be part of the family and therefore, to be protected with all available resources the same as the rest of his family...or not...depending on his character.  Losing ones job, losing ones spouse, death of a child, losing a limb..these are things that happen that are usually out of your control.  Use your gut feeling...does he have the character to care for the canine family member along with the human ones if he has another personal issue?  Or would the dog be considered expendable?  Veronica