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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just gave away a puppy (new owner did not pay)

303 replies

maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:15

My shitz-zu had a beautiful litter, the puppies are shitz-zu schnauzer crosses. I have found all of them great homes, I did not advertise it was through friends and people through work. So I have a link to each and every pup!

I know a lovely lady from dog walking, and since my dog was pregnant she let me know her sister would love one.

I reserved a boy for her sister and when puppies were 4 weeks old she picked her little boy. Her sister asked was I charging and I said yes I am charging and would offer her sister a discount so pup would be £100.00; told me she would let her sister know.

Fast forward to yesterday she picked up her puppy and left me a present, a gorgeous box and inside of the box was a bottle of very expenisive gin/soda and a lemon and a card. I thought how nice what a lovely lady! I opened the card and there was no payment.

I want to send her sister a text, letting her know how grateful I am for the present (I did include a puppy pack for this lady, with blanket, teddy, vet details, groomer details, and a bottle of Prosecco), however I was charging.

Would I be unreasonable asking for my money, I feel embarrassed to have to ask her.

Please help

OP posts:
Tryharder · 26/12/2014 11:18

Er.....yes, YWNBU. I would get in contact straightaway and says that there seems to have been a mistake. I can't believe you didn't ask for the cash upfront though.

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:20

Thanks I just wanted to know what others thought, before I send the text.

OP posts:
thatstoast · 26/12/2014 11:21

Why did you give her the puppy if she hadn't paid?

FrogIsATwatInASantaHat · 26/12/2014 11:22

Hi thanks for the lovely present. I was just wondering when you were going to make the 100 payment as discussed.?

InfinitySeven · 26/12/2014 11:23

She picked up the puppy on Christmas day, and hasn't paid for it?

Do you the space/means to take the puppy back if it gets returned when it's not a cute puppy anymore?

Even rescues won't re home over Christmas, and people adopting dogs are carefully vetted. Statistically, it's much more likely to go wrong.

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:26

Yes I have the space and let everyone know that I would take each puppy back however each person knows about dogs, and I have a link to everyone. I have never in my life not had a dog. Each and every person who took the dog has the means to look after a dog. This post is about asking if I would be unreasonable to ask for payment especially as she left an expensive gift. I assumed payment was in the box.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 26/12/2014 11:27

Why did you even hand the puppy over without taking payment first? Confused

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:27

Also, because there is a link I am mortified to have to ask

OP posts:
Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:28

I assumed there was money in the envelope in the box, yes I am stupid. Is it to late to ask for it back?

OP posts:
feelingunsupported · 26/12/2014 11:28

You didn't give it away - they effectively stole it. I assume you thought the money would be in with the gift box - I would!

I'd not use the gift yet - you might be giving it back and getting the puppy back yet. I'd ring - don't mess on with texts, and be factual.

There's no need for you to be embarrassed - they obviously weren't. Ring and ask where the money is. If they can't produce it, take the puppy back

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:29

Thank you, I honestly did assume the money was in the envelope and she was a lovely lady leaving a present.

OP posts:
EnlightenedOwl · 26/12/2014 11:31

I have to say it why let a pup go on xmas day in the first place?

MistAndAWeepingRain · 26/12/2014 11:32

Of course YWNBU to ask for payment. Payment was discussed and a price agreed. A present on top of that is lovely but should not be considered as a replacement for payment.

Text her sister and ask for her direct number. Then phone her and ask for £100 or the puppy back. There may have been some miscommunication here or there may not but you can't just let this go. Yes it will be awkward- but if they are trying it on, that is what they will be counting on.

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:33

I would not let a pup go on Christmas day however I know the lady's sister, who actually has taken in dogs, and the lady who had taken the dog had recently lost a dog and wanted it to make Christmas, I do know it is going to a great home, she said we could visit anytime and she would send updates etc, so they do know dogs.

OP posts:
calmexterior · 26/12/2014 11:34

I wouid have assumed the payment was with the box too. And I would hate to have to ask. But you've just got to bite the billet and do it. Do it ASAP and then it's done.

Bowlersarm · 26/12/2014 11:34

Yes ask for the money. No one should expect not to pay for a puppy. If she returns the puppy to you after you've asked her then she's not really capable of coping with a dog financially IMO.

feelingunsupported · 26/12/2014 11:35

Remember that they have put you in this position - please don't be mortified!

Do you have a conract for the sister? If so ring her - no need to go through your friend. If not ring the friend - try not to fluff round it. Just say 'I'm ringing to ask for the money you owe me for the puppy' or 'I'm ringing to ask for x's number as I need to chase us the payment for the puppy'

Don't say 'I'm sorry, there seems to have been mistake' or anything. You don't need to be sorry - there was no mistake. They're trying it on!

feelingunsupported · 26/12/2014 11:36

Contact, not contract!

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:39

thank you, I will go through her sister I think as it was all arranged through her.

My family told me to leave it as pup going to good home, but then I think no, who gets such a beautiful dog free, he looks like a pure schnauzer and he was the most beautiful.

OP posts:
Sleepyfergus · 26/12/2014 11:40

This isn't about the suitability of where the puppies were going to and why does the fact someone picked it up on, shock horror, Christmas Day actually matter? So lay off the OP on that FGS.

Given there was a connection, I think it's reasonable for the OP to assume payment was in the card/package. I would have.

I think there has been a beeakdown in communication along the lines but this lady owes you £100 regardless. Can you text the sister? Alternatively, does the cost of the extras you provided plus the pressie she left come anywhere close to £100. Not saying you should accept that as a contra, but if it avoids a potentially embarrassing situation....

raltheraffe · 26/12/2014 11:43

Go to Money Claim Online and fill out the claim form. Get to the page where you put in the particulars of the claim and then save the form and print it out. Do not press send, that way you do not have to pay to lodge the claim and the claim is not officially lodged. Show her the form and give her 7 days to pay in full or you are sending it in. Give her the option of giving the pup back to you and cancelling the sale.

TheFourthLobster · 26/12/2014 11:44

I'd text and say thank you for the box but you forgot to put the £100 in.

Buttercupsanddaisys · 26/12/2014 11:44

What cheek!

Contact her in a traceable way, not verbal do the polite 1st sentence "hope shitter's (as my friend thinks they're called!)settled in well."

New para.

When can I expect the payment, please?

Kind regards,

Original poster
maggieandannie · 26/12/2014 11:47

The present that she left was really expensive from a very expensive store, I do know that she got it in a food hall. That is the main reason I am mortified as it was so expensive.

However, (this sounds horrid) my sister and I helped my dog through the birth, we looked after and loved each and every pup,( litter of 9, I am keeping one) they went to the vets were wormed etc, that was expensive and we honestly were not charging what other people would for little crosses, it was just a fraction.

OP posts:
Theorientcalf · 26/12/2014 11:48

Definitely send a text, or why not just phone her?