09/06/2018
How to protect yourself when buying online:
Email may be the initial form of contact when locating a Breeder through puppy sites.This should not be the only form of contact. Once you have your initial questions answered and feel you want to move forward with the purchase of the puppy, ask for a phone number to talk to the Breeder. If they refuse to give a phone number or they state that their phone is out of service, walk away from the sale.
Avoid sending money through Western Union. There is no way to protect the funds in case a problem of fraud arises.
If they ask you to send money to another country (i.e. Nigeria, Africa, London, etc.), or even a different state than the one shown on a listings, discontinue the purchase and report them.
Ask the Breeder to send additional pictures of the puppy you are interested in. Require a specific item to be in the photo, like your name and other names on a piece of paper. “They can hold a name over the picture they have already stolen” so have them stand the puppy on the paper with your name or names on it.... If they refuse to send additional pictures or state their camera is broken and are unable to send additional pictures, discontinue the sale. If they are a good breeder they will do as you ask because, now they know you care..... my opinion is to video chat with your puppy choice 😘
Once you have determined that the Breeder you have chosen has the puppy you want, ensure that you have a clearly defined contract prior to the purchase of the dog. The contract should specifically state what dog you are going to receive, what registration, if any, you will receive and the timeframe to receive the registration papers, what type of health guarantee comes with the dog and what is the process of reimbursement and/or return if the dog is sick, etc. Most contracts will state that you need to have the pup seen by a vet within a specific timeframe. A clearly defined, signed, contract will protect both the Buyer and the Breeder and will avoid any problems that could arise from miscommunication. If you or the Breeder make an agreement that is not included within the contract, get it in writing.
Save a copy of the contract along with a printout of the listing for your records. Good luck in finding your forever fur baby❤️