I've just come back in from a quick shop as puppy buyer coming to pick up puppy - travelling a distance of 60 miles or so.

My daughter has taken a phone call to say they are on their way, but not been able to get to the bank and can only pay by cheque. I haven't taken a deposit so the full amount is due.

Anyone had this happen to them and cheques bounce etc. I don't want to find myself in the situation where I don't get paid obviously. I did make it clear that I only take cash. Am I being difficult if I ask them to return another day?

Advice in this area welcome.

I'm not a breeder and I'm sure more experienced people will be able to comment more helpfully from their own experience.  But I just wanted to say  - this would worry me.  I'd want to know why they did not phone you themselves rather than leaving it to their daughter to ring you when they are already 'on their way'.  Also, they have presumably known for a long time that you have asked for cash so there is really not much excuse not to have got the money together by collection day.

Hope I'm being over cautious, but i would be a bit concerned   ...  Good luck.

Hum.   Difficult one, especially if your puppy is costing what can be a significant sum of money.   I've always only accepted a cheque from people I KNOW.  Also when I've allowed 'stage payment', but even then I take a cash sum, the majority of the full cost, up front.

It's your decision, but personally I wouldn't accept this.    I suppose you can refuse to give them the paperwork (registration papers) until the cheque clears but the puppy will be out of your hands, to go where ......?

'Not been able to get to a Bank' isn't an excuse ..... I know holes in the wall may limit the amount you can access, but if they wait, there will surely be a Bank that will be open, even on a Saturday! - maybe enroute.   This sounds 'dodgy'.

Blay - the breeder's daughter TOOK the call ..... who made the call (buyers) isn't clear.

Only ever paid cash or bank transfer.. Can they do a bank transfer? I wouldn't accept a chq ever

I have thought about withholding paperwork, but even then, the sum is substantial- four figure sum. And if they are not bothered about KC reg, then they probably wouldn't be bothered about the paperwork.

Well, it is a mature couple so thinking about it, the banks are still open until around 4 pm on a Saturday, and I am not that far out of town (1 mile), so I will suggest that they go to their bank. I could withdraw that amount from my own account, so really, there is no excuse.

Edited to say. The gentleman has had a busy work week (apparently), and his elderly father is in hospital, so visiting, and his wife, although retired is not a driver

Thanks

Sounds like a good plan!  Sorry I misread the details of your phone call.

I've only ever paid cash when buying a puppy - even when the breeder has said a cheque would be OK!

The gentleman has had a busy work week (apparently), and his elderly father is in hospital, so visiting, and his wife, although retired is not a driver


That would just about put the nail in my coffin in terms of picking up this puppy TODAY!!   Why not, if you can contact them now before they turn up? suggest they get through 'elderly father's' hospital visitations, go to the Bank to pick up the money, and THEN come and collect their puppy!!!    It sounds as if the last thing they need right now, is a young puppy in the mix!!

Cash only here, on the day the puppy is collected. Even if you think you can trust people, you never really know. What might seem like hassle now (sending them to the bank) may save hassle later (trying to get the money)!

Cash or bank transfer only, if the latter the funds must show in my account before collection. Sounds like an excuse to me.

I could withdraw that amount from my own account, so really, there is no excuse.

Well I can only withdraw £250 a day from my bank, and my husband can withdraw £350 from his, so it doesn't necessarily mean everyone can have large amounts.

I can't take that amount out of my account each day.  But that aside, it seems like a completely unsuitable time to take a new puppy into their home.  I would expect you to know many details about their home life before agreeing to sell them a puppy - I would refuse them for that point alone - the timing isn't right even if the people are.  :(

Once I have accepted that I have the right family for my puppy, then I would trust them with a cheque, because if I couldn't trust them not to bounce a cheque on me then I wouldn't trust them with my puppy!  :(

Im not a breeder but have always paid cash for my puppies. I can only withdraw £300 a day from a cashpoint but I can go into a branch and withdraw as much as I like so if the branches are open until 4 id go for that suggestion

Cash only they surely have had plenty time to organise this.

By the time anyone comes to collect a puppy from me I've become friends with them and know quite a lot about them......I still prefer cash but will take a cheque if we AGREED in advance.
I would not be happy with anyone taking this for granted and indeed...I would NEVER do this to anyone else.

Doesn't sound right to me.

I will only take cash or have the money transferred into my account beforehand. And I will count the cash in front of them these days. I didn't used to count it as , don't know why I felt almost embarrassed to  but since one buyers money was £50 short I find it safer to count there and then with them watching. I did tell the buyer the money was short but they said they had collected it from the bank and not touched it. As I didn't count it until they had left there was no way to prove they hadn't given me the correct money.

Have to agree with others -by the time a pup is ready to be collected I tend to know my buyers well enough to trust them -if I didn't, they would not get a puppy. But pretty much everyone appears with cash. The one exception was one pup from my last litter as the buyer was coming to me after an agility show (very long journey so she decided to do two things at once) and was not comfortable carrying that amount of cash with her or leaving it in the car, and it was a Sunday, so she ASKED in advance if a cheque was okay -which I had no problem with as this was the second pup she'd had off me anyway, so I'd known her for over 5 years already.

Money can be transferred from one bank to another 24/7.  The longest this will take is 2hrs. They could do this online at your home and then print the transaction.   Job done.

lkj can I politely correct you there. My bank doesn't transfer at weekends or after banking hours and even then it can take longer than two hours. No its not a small bank either its intelligent finance which is part of Halifax and a bank without physical branches. Blooming ridiculous but assuming they have a sensible bank yes bank transfer
If not I cant see why they didn't phone before they left to make sure everything was ok. I quite understand why the op wouldn't be happy with a cheque
Just read some of the other details, with the some of money you are dealing with unless they can get to a bank today for the cash I would so no. Very embarsssingbut better that now than problems later. its their fault not yours

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Money can be transferred from one bank to another 24/7.  The longest this will take is 2hrs. They could do this online at your home and then print the transaction.   Job done.

As long as they use internet banking and some older people don't have the use of that facility.

With my recent litter I had some buyers pay cash and others paid by cheque. By the time they came to collect I'd already met all of them at least once bar one family. They paid by cheque but as it was from their own private bank I trusted it wouldn't bounce ( it was fine)

Didn't quite understand that Biffsmum. The fact it was from their bank doesn't stop it bouncing ?

These days they can easily do a Bank Transfer and it will show in your account within seconds - minutes.

To avoid offence simply say that you haven't a Bank branch to take a check to handy and would prefer a transfer.

> The fact it was from their bank doesn't stop it bouncing

No :) I'm treasurer for a local magazine - two years running someone has given me a cheque from a 'stopped' cheque book - not only must it cost them quite a lot of bank charges, but it takes me time and inconvenience chasing them for a replacement cheque :) :) :) They have the money in the bank - that's not the problem :)

What did you decide to do, Boo16? It is very unfair of them to have put you in this position :(

When I bought my first Bedlington, it was all very ' quick! '   She literally fell into my lap after an evening phone call.  We had the money in the bank, no problem there, but weren't expecting a phone call from a great breeder out of the blue (expecting to have to find a breeder and wait until they had a pup for us)  Nor were we expecting to find pick of the litter and exactly the pedigree lines that I wanted

We went to see her the same evening, but of course it was after Banking hours.

The breeder said a cheque would be fine!!   Quite frankly I was shocked at the time, I'd expected to pay cash, but they had already checked me out with another breeder, including marrying my landline number with my address, and a show judge who knew me.   They also only live about 3 miles away LOL

We used to take cheques with a guarantee card number written on the back.  But that scheme was withdrawn and ended in 2011 :(

Hope everything turned out OK Boo16, what an unfair position to be put in, especially as they knew they'd be coming to collect the pup in advance :(

When I bought my first Bedlington, it was all very ' quick! '   She literally fell into my lap after an evening phone call.  We had the money in the bank, no problem there, but weren't expecting a phone call from a great breeder out of the blue (expecting to have to find a breeder and wait until they had a pup for us)  Nor were we expecting to find pick of the litter and exactly the pedigree lines that I wanted

I think we are generally less trusting these days -and sadly, usually rightly so. When I got Ripley, my first Malinois, it was also quicker than expected. I enquired about pups, expecting a wait of several months at least. I needed to save up for a pup and counted on doing just that. I was in no rush. Turned out the breeder had her annual litter right then, and had a couple of spare pups. The breeder was then a total stranger to me (and she was the UK top breeder of Malinois then!), and I to her, and yet she let me take my puppy home without ANY payment whatsoever, she also let me have the pedigree and registration certificate at the same time!! Talk about trust! Needless to say, I paid her as quickly as I only could, and that breeder is still a very good friend indeed, and always will be. (And the pup became a Champion, Crufts BOB winner and my foundation bitch........)

> The breeder was then a total stranger to me (and she was the UK top breeder of Malinois then!), and I to her, and yet she let me take my puppy home without ANY payment whatsoever, she also let me have the pedigree and registration certificate at the same time!! Talk about trust! Needless to say, I paid her as quickly as I only could

My first pedigree dog arrived in similar circumstances. I had enquired about a puppy but was expecting a wait of up to a year. the breeder called and said she had a male available if I wanted him. I had to say no as I hadnt got the money at that time. The breeder then asked me to come and look at the pups. I guess she must also have been checking me out as she told me to take the pup and pay her when I could :) this was in the days before the internet so much harder to find out about a person. Of course I paid her as soon as I could.

To furriefriends, what I meant was they OWNED the bank, not just that it was their own bank account.

> To furriefriends, what I meant was they OWNED the bank, not just that it was their own bank account.

Wow.
Was their surname Lloyd??? :)

> Was their surname Lloyd??? :-)

:) :) :)

I always make sure I issue puppy buyers with a Bill of Sale either when they pay the deposit or by email just after.

It quotes how much the deposit was, how much is left to pay and that payment is by cash only on collection. Cheques are required a week in advance of the collection date.

I've only had one person pay by cheque.

Well thats unusual Lol Mr and Mrs coutts ?

One of my middle names is Barclay (old family name). Sadly we don't appear to be bank owners. :-)

As far as money goes I treat selling a puppy the same as I would selling my car.  I would not let someone drive off with my car without knowing I had the money in cash or in my bank  first and the same goes for a puppy. To be honest we also worry that when you are taking so much cash that you could be victim of forged notes too. I say this because twice when we had a shop, I went to pay the money in the bank I lost about £50 each time and there was nothing I could do about it. I know you have to trust at some point but I do like to count the money too. In my last litter someone gave me the money in an envelope and it was £100 short. When I asked him he drew a large wad out of his wallet. Could of been a genuine mistake but ??????

I'd love to hear the end of this story ...... did they arrive, did they pay up, did they take your puppy??!

Sad times we live in when we can't really trust ANYBODY.   And with such big sums involved in puppy-buying.  Our first cost 12 gns!!!  Okay that was a reasonably sig. sum in those days but nowhere near the £800 and up my breed costs, for a basic pet puppy (albeit from show stock).

As far as money goes I treat selling a puppy the same as I would selling my car.  I would not let someone drive off with my car without knowing I had the money in cash or in my bank  first and the same goes for a puppy.

I wouldn't begin to compare selling my car and my puppy.  I really don't car what the new owner does to my car - they could leave the handbrake off and let it run down a hill and as long as I've got the money in my bank I don't care.  I feel VERY different about trusting the people who I might be selling a living, feeling puppy to.......................... :(

Need a LIKE Button for Westcoast :-)

> I wouldn't begin to compare selling my car and my puppy

But this was said in respect of money only !!

Charlie Brown this was my experience. I got a receipt when we viewed and were accepted and another when we collected her. I also ASKED how they wanted payment (just ask for God sake ). No problems on either side I counted the money out but I have to say that was the last of my breeders concerns as she knew me by then. It's a matter of respect if you want an ongoing relationship with your breeder which was part of my contract I wouldn't want any awkwardness. Hope it was all ok Boo 16

Have to say nowadays I much prefer a Bank transfer. 

No embarrassment for me checking cash is correct, no inconvenience having to take a cheque to the bank (there are fewer and fewer local branches and I'd need a Bus or car trip to bank one).

No matter how good a home some peoples finances can be a bit slip shod and there is nothing more embarrassing than a cheque bouncing, and of course it also costs me if it happens.

I have had a cheque bounce from a puppy owner, it was only for the balance of what they gave me by cash, but it was so embarrassing.

They have had another pup from me since, but they have always been a  bit financially close to the bone, though excellent owners.

A ridiculous way to interpret my post. Of course it is only in terms of money but to be frank - I would not be dealing with anyone who does not understand that the money needs to be with me before the puppy leaves. Simple.
In that respect it is exactly as I said the same as selling a car. Anyone who would try that one might just let the hand brake go on my puppy.

I would not be dealing with anyone who does not understand that the money needs to be with me before the puppy leaves. Simple.
In that respect it is exactly as I said the same as selling a car. Anyone who would try that one might just let the hand brake go on my puppy.

That's a bit of a blanket statement, isn't it. There are no rule without exceptions. In my last litter I let somebody have a pup without having paid the full amount. I'd had no dealings with them before BUT I trusted them because they'd had a pup off good friends of mine 3 years earlier, and they vouched for this person. The home was perfect for the pup, and in my breed an active working home comes before anything else, as it is best for the dog. So I let the pup go without full payment, and as promised I got paid within the time the new owner had promised. And both first and second payment was by cheque!

The BEST home isn't always whoever happens to have the money available at the right time. And I want the BEST for my pups.

ON the other hand...

Many years ago I bred Burmese cats.   Someone my husband knew wanted one and it appeared to be a good home.   

With kittens you keep them 15 weeks and he'd planned to have one before they were born.   Plenty of time to have the money ready.

On the day of collection he offered half the money now and half later.   ( I had already learned NOT to trust people you think you know where money is concerned ;-)  )  The price of a Burmese in those days was nowhere near the price of a pup ;-)

My answer was "Which half do you want? "   I did not smile.

He went off and 10 minutes later came back with all of the money.

I heard a long while after from a reliable source that we wouldn't have seen the rest of the money.

On the other hand, he adored the cat and it had a very long happy life.

Sometimes you just can't predict what people are going to be like where money is concerned, so it's best to err on the side of caution and listen to your gut feelings :-)

Last but one dog I bought, the price was never even discussed before collection day. I just turned up with what was the standard "pet price" for the top breeders in the breed in cash in an envelope and handed it over when we got to that part of proceedings. It's not rocket science.

As I've already said, for me the home is usually the most important thing in a puppy sale transaction.   However,I do also appreciate the fact that selling a car is, as far as the finances are concerned, pretty much the same.   Again I too have, however, sold a puppy to a family I felt would be ideal for one of mine, taking the bigger part of the cost in cash up front, and cheques, two, for the balance.  I saw no reason not to expect those cheques to be honoured.

There is just one thing re letting a puppy go 'to the right home'...... the buy in cost is only the start so if finding this money is difficult, it may be that overall the people really can't afford the upkeep of having a dog?   Each situation probably should be treated individually.

ON the other hand...

Many years ago I bred Burmese cats.

It's funny, but I have always found that kitten buyers are ten times worse than puppy buyers for EVERYTHING. There seems to be one for every litter. They are more likely complain abut everything, they want breeding rights for pet price, they want a kitten of the right colour and right sex NOW, or Tuesday next week (I'll just take one off the shelf for you!), they try to reduce the price, they call back after collection and ask questions they should not need to ask (I never mind questions, but some of these have been outrageously stupid), I've even had them trying to tell me they got sold a sick kitten and they wanted all their money back -only to find that when I wanted to put my vet in touch with theirs so I could find out what was wrong that the kitten was fit as a fiddle. (Twice that happened.) Somebody I know had people pull that scam one step further, claiming the kitten was dead, when it was alive and well. They also come to visit to view kittens just to get a day out, saying they will definitely want one and will send a deposit, then you never hear back again. And MANY make an appointment to come and view kittens and just simply never turn up. The list goes on and on. I've NEVER had anything similar with puppy buyers. I wonder if it is because I have such a specialist dog breed with buyers generally already IN dogs.

After 25 years I am very glad to be out of breeding cats as the buyers made it so hard.

Yes,  we had that too.

Very strange??

We also had bizarre phonecalls about a moggy who was very unhappy in our home.    One caller simply wanted to know what weight she was??

The number of times I got a call for Burmese kittens and was told "how much?    I could get a dozen moggy kittens for that!"    LOL
Yes,  but they called about Pedigree Burmese

And yes,   people wanting Show Quality - not potential - and breeding pedigree for peanuts!   

Ohh yes,  the sick kitten!

I had one family phone up 2 months after they took the kitten.    It was ill with tonsilitis and it was MY fault?!?     Then whilst offering to have my vet speak to their vet,  it was let slip their whole family had suffered nasty bouts of tonsilitis for the month before they rang -  doh!

But lets not forget the amazing owners as well.

I got a call the year before last about a kitten I had bred 21 years before who had just died.  We cried on the phone together  :-/

Kind of reassuring to know it seems to happen to everyone Dill. :) And yes of course there are the amazing owners as well. One of mine got a kitten off me in 2000, has since had several more, is now one of my best friends (part of the family really I would say) and is now also a puppy buyer as she fell in love with my Papillons. :)

And don't even get me started on horse buyers!!!!! ;-)

Cash only for me I am afraid. They had plenty of time to get the cash out. I suppose it could be said that fear of having lots of cash about the house before coming to you could worry some people and so they may have intended getting it out at the last moment. Still they should have made time. If one of them could not get time to nip to the bank in a week it does make you wonder how much time they have for the new pup. I assume though the OP has vetted them well and is happy with them. Maybe a little give and take is needed here.
Some of the people who have my pups I would have no problems with accepting a cheque, that's because they are coming back for a 2nd or 3rd pup from me, others I would prefer cash even though I have 99% faith they will make great owners there is always that minor ? as you don't really know them. You get to know them properly once they have the pup and the relationship grows.
Aileen