BE AWARE!: Selling to Minors - Page 1

Someone I know recently was communicating with someone about the sale and shipment of a puppy and did not know this potential client was a minor (under 18 years old).

You CANNOT LEGALLY enter into a contractual agreement with a minor (and in some cases someone who is not in their right mind.()

For all of you out there responding to TXgsd, please know she is in her early teens. Make sure you get he parents on the contract or it will not be valid!

BE CAREFUK OUT THERE and do your homework.

Sorry but I am really smart I am actually in the honors society and I have been doing this for three years so I know what I am doing its not like I don't have parents and are you trying to ruin my opportunity of getting what I want?

"Sorry but I am really smart I am actually in the honors society and I have been doing this for three years so I know what I am doing its not like I don't have parents and are you trying to ruin my opportunity of getting what I want?"

Honor society, yet still you post one of the longest run-on sentences I've ever seen posted here?  Is someone restricting your supply of punctuation marks to one per day?

If you're so smart, honey-chile', you should be able to comprehend the legal risks which anyone who would do business with you would be subjecting themselves, and why someone would rather avoid such risks.  Nobody is saying that you shouldn't be able to 'get what you want'--but until you are of legal age to enter into a binding contract, anyone who wishes to sell you anything needs to have contact with your parents, get their approval as to what you're purchasing from the seller, and insist that they be named as the purchasing parties in the contract.

You may be smart, but that's not enough to give any legal protection to a seller, nor is it enough to give YOU any legal protection in your purchase, either. 

Sounds like a law-bender to me! Grow up TXgsd, or better yet, put your parents on-line, I'd like to ask them a question or two........!

 

Sorry but I am really smart I am actually in the honors society and I have been doing this for three years so I know what I am doing its not like I don't have parents and are you trying to ruin my opportunity of getting what I want?

This sentence has clearly been cionstructed by a child and from the nature of it's content, I'd suggest it is one who is used to getting her own way.
TXgsd you need to grow up for a start. If you are over 18, then you wouldn't have a problem with anyone asking for you to prove this or for taking advice/precautions about children attemtping to purchase things online.

If your parents give you permission to purchase things online whether you are over or under 18 is irrelevant for the most part. What concerns most of us, mature, law abiding, caring aduults on this forum is the potential for a little girl to purchase a dog; a living, breathing animal with thoughts and feelings of it's own that cannot be realistically taken care of by someone who is either under 18 or is not of sound mind.

Nobody wants to prevent anyone from  being able to buy whatever they choose to, whether online or otherwise but as I already stated, the potential for you to purchase a dog is what is concerning us. If (and that's a very BIG if) you are in fact over 18, making statements such as "are you trying to ruin my opportunity of getting what I want?" tells us you are extremely immature.

Furthermore, even if you are over 18 but live with your parents, you would still need their consent to have a dog in the house if it's their property. You cannot expect any reputable breeder to sell you a dog when you come out with things like the comments you have made in your first post and your attitude shows (IMHO) that you are most likely a young girl who is now going to throw a tantrum because you can't get your own way. Silly, immature and downright foolish at best if this is in fact the situation.

I am 37 years old. I would have NO problem with proving my age to a breeder or seller of any item if I needed to be over 18 to purchase it (whether legally required or individual policy). I most certainly wouldn't whine that people were trying to prevent me from "getting what I want".

I know I'm young, but my parents know that I am looking to get a dog, they've known for a couple of years. I am sorry for my previous comment, I was pretty upsent that someone would warn people about me. Again please forgive me, I do admit that my parents give me some things that I fancy for, but not everthing and I am very blessed for my parent, which God blesses me through them.

Txgsd, do you understand that because you are not of legal age to enter into a lawfully binding contract, that you, too, would be at risk if you were to complete a purchase without your parent's involvement?  Not only would any contract--written or oral--be void as far as ensuring that you paid the seller or had agreed to any specifics with regard to breeding or showing, but such a contract would also NOT protect YOU if the dog you purchased arrived and was nothing like what you had thought you were buying, or the dog later developed an issue it was supposed to be covered under the seller's warranty or guarantee.  You wouldn't be able to press the seller to comply with the contract because in the eyes of the law, a minor cannot enter into a contract, and therefore that contract never existed. 

You will need your parents' involvement in any transaction, until you're 18 years old, to protect YOUR interests as well as the seller's interests.  Good luck in your search for your dog, and try to be patient--when it's meant to be, the entire transaction will be smooth and uncomplicated...that's one way you'll know it's the right dog for your plans.

Hi Txgsd:

I think it's great that you want to get/be involved in dogs.  For the future of dog sports, breeding programs etc.,  it is important for young people to get involved.  Aside from the unlawful aspect of entering a contract, it's for the welfare of the dog that your parents meet with the breeder and give their approval.  When selling a dog or puppy, a responsible breeder needs to know that all the family members are in support of adding a new family pet into the home.  This is as true for adults as well as young people like yourself.  For instance, if a husband or wife wanted to purchase a dog, a responsible  breeder would like to hear from the spouse that they too are in agreement with the purchase.  It would be a breeder's nightmare to find out that one of their dogs was placed in a situation where they are not wanted and loved by everyone in the home.

I think Wiseguy gave very good info.  This same advice would be applicable if you went to buy a car from a dealership, rent an apartment, etc. and other such situations.  It's not meant to be personal attack against you, hurt your feelings , discourage you or to say you wouldn't become a wonderful dog handler or trainer.  As a matter of fact, this is to protect you as well, from being taken advantage of.  So if you really are serious about pursuing a purchase of a dog and your parents have given their approval, then have your parents participate with you in the communications  with the breeder.

Don't give up your dream.
Cassandra

"Sorry but I am really smart I am actually in the honors society and I have been doing this for three years so I know what I am doing its not like I don't have parents and are you trying to ruin my opportunity of getting what I want?"

Txgsd You can't always get what you want. Welcome to the real world!
If you were really smart you know would know that it's illegal from someone to enter a contract with a minor. 
If you really want a gsd go talk to your parents. They may not realize your trying to buy a dog.

Have you thought about whats going to happen to the dog if you go off to college? My guess is your parents don't want to be stuck with the responsibilities of your dog. Do you really think you'll have time to care for train and love a gsd between homework, parties, and maybe a job? If you are really smart then you'll listen to the people who have already posted and wait.

Instead of thinking about what YOU want, you NEED to think about Whats best for the dog!

        I asked my parents for a dog. They said what kind? I told them a german shepherd. They bought me a toy poodle for christmas. I had been working in a kennel and with a schutzhund trainer for three years asking for a gsd each year through my teen years. I did not get my german shepherds until I was out on my own, and financially stable, able to pay emergency costs and able to provide permenant housing for my family and dogs without anyone being inconvienced or not properly cared for.