Small claims court for £30

[sammie96]

We bought a bunny for £30 from a breeder but returned it the following day because it was ill. The breeder said she was more than happy to do a swap. I said I’d be happier to just return the bunny. The breeder said she’d do a bank transfer. It’s been almost a month now and no refund. First she said there was a problem with the bank and then she said her parents would send me a cheque (a week and a half ago) it’s pretty obvious that she doesn’t want to pay it back. I’ve kept all the texts, know the address but not the name. My husband thinks I should let it go but to me it’s stealing. It was actually part of my son’s birthday money. Should I take it to the small claims court?

She sounds like a teenager who got her pet pregnant and is selling the babies! Not exactly a responsible breeder.

She’s probably in her late 20’s, and I got the impression lives with her parents. I know she has a partner and is planning a wedding. She does work. I worry if any of her other animals got ill or injured would she be able to afford treatment? I’m sure she’s just trying to wriggle out of paying me back.

I wouldn't bother. I took a landlord to small claims over £600. He was ordered to pay us. He didn't. They couldn't do anything without going to court again to freeze his bank account and they said he probably had others so it would do no good.

I spent the court fee and still never saw my £600.

FlakeBook
But he has a county court judgement on his credit file (a CCJ), which is bad if he wants to apply for credit.

Or if he even wants to rent a house.

KityGlitr
YABU for returning a live animal because it was sick! FGS a bunny is not a faulty watch or ripped jacket. I'd chalk it up to experience and maybe get a rabbit from a reputable shelter next time and be prepared for the responsibility/fact that living beings get sick. Can't actually believe the mentality that would lead to returning an animal you were willing to take into your family like that!

I hear you - it's so bloody depressing.

YABU OP - any responsible potential owner would want to know why the animal was being sold, was it bred for sale, would you be allowed to see the conditions in which these animals were kept, have they had appropriate vaccinations, etc. Did you ask any of these questions or did you just see an ad on Gumtree and decided you fancied a rabbit?

For info there are thousands of animals in shelters who are desperate to be homed.

I would of loved to of bought from a shelter but there aren’t any in my area, not within a 2hour drive. I haven’t come across a breeder who vaccinates the rabbits they sell. When asked I’m told it’s up to the buyer as is the decision to neuter. I am a responsible pet owner. I do the absolute best by my rabbits. In this case it was best for the bunny to return to the person who bred it, it’s not like she was refusing to have it or get it treated. She took it to the vets the next day. People are very quick to jump to conclusions.

The courts will expect you to have mediated between yourselves as much as possible. Ask her for a date when she can definitely pay by and if it's reasonable, wait. I know it's frustrating but they won't look favourably upon jumping to court action so quickly.

Threaten small claims court I would. I did this when my landlord withheld £100 of my deposit - he coughed up pretty quick after that. It can't hurt to threaten. Just be factual and un-emotional in your replies.

She took it to the vets the next day

Did she? Because if her parents won’t give her £30 to refund you; and she can’t afford it otherwise, I’d be concerned that she hasn’t taken the rabbit and cannot afford too.

I took a neighbour to SCC once for a 50 quid (sorry my pound sign symbol's stopped working for some reason) debt.

The money was irrelevant, as it cost 30 approx, and I had to take half a day off work to attend. It was the principle involved. I just couldn't take the idea that this neighbour was going to get away with it.

I won too...

I sent a message saying I’d give her 10 more days to pay or I would take it to the court. Time is up and still no money and she’s refusing to communicate back. I feel like she’s stolen money from me and I am owed it back. I know the address she lives at but not her name. She’s stopped advertising now and I don’t know how to find her name, any ideas?

To Sammie96

If you know the address you should be able to find the name of all registered voters who reside there.

I’m not living in the UK but I know that local public libraries (used to) keep copies of the electoral rolls. I’m sure that the librarian would be able to assist if you need help to look it up if it is not in your locality as it should be online.

PS. Sammie96 - if you do find out the names and there are two or more females registered at the address, get a friend to phone the phone number you have on a different phone (pretend to be doing market research or asking for a charity donation etc.) so she won’t recognize the number; your friend can ask for say “Janet” and she will either confirm it’s her or say it’s her mum/sister.

So after several texts to the seller requesting my refund and subtly suggesting it's better to pay up rather than incur court fees to they text to say they would be transferring my refund later today. I checked my bank this evening and they've only given me half back. Apparently it's their terms, I've seen no terms and not agreed to half I've always insisted that I'm entitled to a full refund. They say once it's been resold I can have the rest. I said I've seen no proof of her still having the rabbit or trying to sell it and it doesn't matter now because that's none of my business it's her property and pointed out they still have £15 of my money. I left it like that. I now have her full name. I'm still considering the small claims court, it's the principal.