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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Deposit refund

26 replies

susien777 · 14/09/2018 09:10

My daughter who is 14 has been asking for a puppy for years. We did so much research and eventually found one that we wanted.
We viewed and was asked for a £300 deposit. None of the other 7 puppies were reserved.
We went to visit the puppy again this past weekend, all was fine. None of the others sold.
I've just found out my work hours are being cut (I work from home) therefore I cannot guarantee how much time I will be at home now.
Thought this was unfair on the puppy and financially it would be a problem too.
I messaged the breeder and explained the situation (deposit paid two weeks ago - puppies not ready to leave until after the 23rd September),
she said no refund or partial refund.
Am I being a cf for maybe expecting some of the deposit back or is she right in refusing?

OP posts:
FuzzyLeaf · 14/09/2018 09:12

I think that's kind of the point of a deposit unfortunately..

SoupDragon · 14/09/2018 09:12

Isn’t that the whole point of a deposit?

Beargoesgrr · 14/09/2018 09:13

No I don’t think you can realistically expect the money back. You’ve just changed your mind.

I can understand your reasons, but it doesn’t change that you have changed your mind.

araiwa · 14/09/2018 09:16

You dont seem to understand what a deposit is.

Yabu

GoatWithACoat · 14/09/2018 09:16

I understand why you feel the way you do but unfortunately you ABU and the breeder has no obligation at all to offer a refund. That’s the point of the deposit.

Medea13 · 14/09/2018 09:20

Agree, that is the point of a deposit.

How expensive was the pup that a mere deposit would be so much? Was it a pedigree with all the paperwork? What breed? Did you see the mother as well as the pups when you visited?

Oysterbabe · 14/09/2018 09:23

I agree with everyone else.

MiddleClassProblem · 14/09/2018 09:24

Have you not paid a deposit for anything else before? It was there to ensure you’d buy the pup and weren’t just saying you would as many do.

Glumglowworm · 14/09/2018 09:25

YABU

The point of the deposit is that it protects the breaker if you change your mind.

beeefcake · 14/09/2018 09:27

This is why breeders ask for a deposit.....

Bumdishcloths · 14/09/2018 09:29

YABU - deposit is non refundable because it's a deposit. It protects the breeder if you're a no show or change your mind, and covers the inflated cost of keeping the dog longer while finding another buyer.

EleanorRoseM · 14/09/2018 09:34

Just adding to the unanimous YABU.
I’m actually not sure you should have committed to a puppy at all, unless you could ensure to commit to care for them adequately for 10-15yours.

You’ll loose your deposit I think.

Rhondacross · 14/09/2018 09:35

Yep, it's not your money now.

AnotherOriginalUsername · 14/09/2018 09:40

Dare I ask what breed this is to require a £300 deposit without any of the litter having been reserved 10 days before they are due to go?

My Spidey senses are suggesting you've had a lucky escape...

Floralskyline · 14/09/2018 09:41

Is there anyone in your family that can stay home with the puppy whilst you’re at work? I don’t think you’ll get your deposit back and it seems a shame to let it go to waste

mostdays · 14/09/2018 09:43

I think that's the whole point of a deposit, unfortunately for you.

ClosdesMouches · 14/09/2018 09:47

YABU

Lostandfound81 · 14/09/2018 09:50

Yabu

SassitudeandSparkle · 14/09/2018 09:51

Sorry OP, but that is the exact reason for a deposit - in case the buyer changes their mind at a later date. It is a lot to lose though, so I understand why you'd want it back but YABU.

TomHardysNextWife · 14/09/2018 09:59

Deposits are non refundable.

Isn't that a bit mean to your DD? Chose a puppy then say you can't have it Sad

sprinklesandsauce · 14/09/2018 09:59

Sorry that you have lost so much money, but the whole point of a deposit is that you lose it if you back out :(

veggiethrower · 14/09/2018 09:59

YABU - that is why breeders ask for a deposit, to protect against people changing their minds like that. It's to make sure people are serious about taking one of the puppies and that they aren't time wasters. If puppies are reserved and other people have to be turned away then the breeder will have lost out and will have to look for other people to take the puppies.
Obviously in your case, your circumstances have changed so you weren't messing the breeder around at all - and I think you are being very honest saying you can't take the puppy now and you're trying to be fair to the dog rather than taking it on and then finding you aren't able to manage and have to rehome it.
However, the breeder obviously sticks strictly to their rules - maybe has been messed about in the past etc? A partial refund is the best you can hope for here.
Are the other puppies still not reserved?

HoppingPavlova · 14/09/2018 10:00

What were the terms and conditions associated with the deposit. Were there any? Sometimes there are timeframes and %’s associated, sometimes not. So without knowing this I don’t know if yabu or not.

Irrespective, this sends alarm bells re the breeder. Hopefully they will have vetted you as a suitable owner to be. You have told them that your situation has changed and you will now be unable to care for a dog financially and physically/emotionally. That doesn’t seem to worry them? As I said alarm bells. What if you pay for the dog, then have to immediately onsell to a person who wants to backyard breed, use it for baiting etc (no idea what sort of dog you were getting). I can’t imagine reputable breeders would be happy in this scenario and would prefer to make sure the puppy goes to a suitable home themselves.

MsOliphant · 14/09/2018 10:03

Poor DD. Get to see a cute little puppy, then it doesn't come home!

Do you know what a deposit is?

I'll bet it was a designer pooch, possibly even puppy farmed.

tenbob · 14/09/2018 10:31

I'm confused.
If your work hours are being cut, doesn't that mean you'll have more time to dedicate to the puppy, because you won't be working?