Buying a puppy - protecting deposit?

[g3org3y]

No, not that kind of puppy deposit.

Wife wants a puppy. Has been searching for a while on pets4homes. Finds a litter that look very good and reasonably local (30-45 min drive).

Puppies are about a week old. Reportedly they can be collected from 3 weeks old 8 weeks old, but can be viewed from 3 weeks (i.e in a couple of weeks).

Wife has spoken to the seller/breeder on the phone and informs me she sounds legit. Apparently the seller has a dog grooming business and when my wife phoned up it was answered as such.

There are around 10 puppies. The seller has sent photos of all the dogs via WhatsApp. Because my wife contacted the seller early on, she reportedly has first pick of the litter. However, in order to secure this, the seller has asked for a £200 deposit (each puppy is £1200). The seller states that if the puppy becomes sick or on viewing we decide we don't want it, she will refund the deposit. If we don't pay a deposit, she states that owing to the demand she has received, we may very well lose out.

The seller has given us her name, home address and business address.

I've read enough threads in SP&L to know that transferring money to someone via bank transfer in such circumstances is fraught with issues. Money transferred, seller disappears and police not interested etc. Or, for whatever reason a decision is made not to proceed with the puppy purchase and the seller won't refund the deposit.

What's the best way to go about this?

I'm assuming WhatApp/email correspondence won't suffice for a receipt/contract without a signature?

I've suggested we go this weekend, not so much to inspect the dogs as such (they are still only a week old) but to actually ascertain they are real, give the cash deposit and both sign a receipt/contract so the terms are clearly laid out. Seems the safest way.

What do you legal eagles reckon? TIA.

Edit: Because I don't listen to my wife properly (as below).

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 2nd November 18:23

Edited by g3org3y on Thursday 2nd November 18:24

[SantaBarbara]

Three weeks old is much too young for the puppy to leave its mother.

Be very careful that they are not large scale dog trafficking

[SantaBarbara]

Do NOT pay a deposit

[steve-5snwi]

Given its only 40 minutes away could you just visit, not to see the dogs but to see the owner ? Or how about a video sent by whats app stating who she is saying she will refund the deposit etc

[Rh14n]

Sounds very dodgy to me. Puppies should not be taken from their mother until about 8 weeks old. Be very careful.

[andyalan10]

If your wife thinks a breeder offloading puppies at 3 weeks sounds legit then I'd suggest she is nowhere near being ready for a puppy. You both need to learn a lot more before actually becoming responsible for a dog.

Andy

[SantaBarbara]

Buy a good book on the rights and pitfalls of buying a puppy, and the things to watch out for.

[essayer]

andyalan10 said:

If your wife thinks a breeder offloading puppies at 3 weeks sounds legit then I'd suggest she is nowhere near being ready for a puppy. You both need to learn a lot more before actually becoming responsible for a dog.

Andy

This, seriously, look elsewhere or rehome

If you don’t trust a seller with your deposit then why would you trust them to breed puppies responsibly?

[g3org3y]

Sorry guys, my wife has just clarified (apparently I don't listen properly!):

- The puppies are available to view from 3 weeks
- The puppies can be collected from 8 weeks.

- They are currently only 1 week old.

Sorry for the confusion.

[essayer]

Don’t choose them on photos, choose on character!

[anonymous-user]

g3org3y said:

I'm assuming WhatApp/email correspondence won't suffice for a receipt/contract without a signature?

You assume incorrectly. No formality is required for a contract of this kind or indeed for most types of contract. A contract can be made by spoken words, by writing, and by conduct. Some kinds of contract require writing, but most do not.

If the seller strikes you as an honest person, go ahead.

[Alucidnation]

Ideally, they should not be available until 12 weeks.

Are they a licenced breeder?

Oh, and don't pay a deposit.

[Short Grain]

Years ago my Parents bred Boxers, KC registered etc. IIRC They would never let a pup go earlier than 7 weeks !

Buyer could come and see them / choose from about 3 weeks and leave a deposit. Parents used to check out the buyers as well and did refuse to sell on a couple of occasions.

My first Partner rang me at work one day to say we were going to see some rescue dogs, (They'd been dumped in a drain in a plastic sack by some ar*ehole at about a week old!), and we went to see them at 3 weeks, but told we wouldn't get our pup until at least 7 weeks, after they'd had inoculations and been properly checked out by the PDSA (?) GF was in tears when she heard about the drain bit. These people where volunteers and would foster pups that had been abandoned whenever they got contacted by vets etc. Great People"

We couldn't resist this tiny Cross Breed Bearded Collie that sat in the palm of my hand at 3 weeks old!!

I'm no expert but I'd certainly check with a local vet on the age thing, and inoculations!

Hope it works out. What Breed are they at £1,200.00??

Posted after your edit!

We paid a deposit of £30 I think a they were rescuing pups and we gave them another £50 when we actually picked her up.

Edited by Short Grain on Thursday 2nd November 18:32

Edited by Short Grain on Thursday 2nd November 19:00

[pidsy]

essayer said:

Don’t choose them on photos, choose on character!

This.

You need to meet them and see witness their personalities. 15 mins is not enough - the longer the better.

Don't go for the sedate quiet one - I've made that mistake twice! They will turn into the mounted bouncy four legged devil that you can imagine.

What breed OP?

[herewego]

Check the breed is not none of those with mangled faces and breathing difficulties or hip problems or a host of other medical problems occurring with many breeds due to excessive breeding for exaggerated characteristics. Better still give a home to a mongrel from the local pound.

[Monkeylegend]

£1200 for a puppy, I must be out of touch. That's £12000 for one litter

[SantaBarbara]

Think of asking Guide Dogs organisation if you can put your name down fr aRetired guide dog

[g3org3y]

Thank you all for your input/replies. Apologies for the earlier confusion once again.

essayer said:

Don’t choose them on photos, choose on character!

That was my feeling tbh. I wouldn't want to put a deposit on a dog just based on appearance to see it in person and realise it's not right. Though in this circumstance, the breeder states the deposit would be refunded.

Breadvan72 said:

You assume incorrectly. No formality is required for a contract of this kind or indeed for most types of contract. A contract can be made by spoken words, by writing, and by conduct. Some kinds of contract require writing, but most do not.

If the seller strikes you as an honest person, go ahead.

Thanks for your input BV72, appreciated as YAAL.

Alucidnation said:

Ideally, they should not be available until 12 weeks.

Are they a licenced breeder?

Oh, and don't pay a deposit.

Yes, council licenced.

Short Grain said:

Buyer could come and see them / choose from about 3 weeks and leave a deposit. Parents used to check out the buyers as well and did refuse to sell on a couple of occasions.

I'm no expert but I'd certainly check with a local vet on the age thing, and inoculations!

Hope it works out. What Breed are they at £1,200.00??

Yes, my belief is that the deposit should be paid when seeing in person as that is presumably the only way you can get a feel as to whether the dog is the correct one for you.

They are a type of cockapoo. Apparently a rare colour combination, hence the premium over the regular ones which seem to be going for ~£500-1000.

My wife is a dog person, having grown up and owned them so she knows her onions dogs.

pidsy said:

essayer said:

Don’t choose them on photos, choose on character!

This.

You need to meet them and see witness their personalities. 15 mins is not enough - the longer the better.

Agreed.

This deposit is to 'reserve' the preferred one on appearance. That in itself doesn't feel like the correct way to do it but perhaps that is common practice now.

[SantaBarbara]

Have a look at the RSPCA web site to read their advice about buying HEALTHY puppies

[Monkeylegend]

Just had to google Cockapoo, that is one cute little dog.