Member since: 11/04/2014
Location: TN
| RE: Honest breeders guarantee on puppiesOh God! I could give a simple answer but it would sound cheap (among other things) and not present a good understanding or picture as to my 1 paragraph response.
Hips, Eyes, Hearing, Health, Bone and Joint density, Teeth, Foot Pads, Digestive, Mental, Instincts and performance (competition or hunting), etc........
Can a Doctor guarantee my new born child s health in a lifetime or for a duration of 1, 2....Years? Even 3 months? Without doing $$$$ in test? No!
So why do you want to dive into a long term Guarantee? Especially with some life form (puppy) that will not be under your control or care after a sell?
Both (Grantees and No Grantee) is a hangmans noose, double edge sword, Gun to your head, and razor-blade to your reproductive sack if you want it in a Nut shell.
But its not all bad and I have never had any returns, thus it helps in promotion and sales and soothes the minds of the doubting Thomass.
Firstly- (Healthy Puppy)- A Puppy is a puppy for the first year, so a 1 year would be a good start and duration limitation to any grantee. But remember there is a lot of things that can happen to a pup and to consider in one year, so be sure not to leave the Guarantee wide open and leave yourself vulnerable to the possibilities. PUPs are mischievous and into everything and are thus a higher risk. Also, their immune system is not fully developed and outside of shots, they have yet to be exposed the (world of possibilities) to any and all diseases, parasites and other.
Guarantees are a Damned if you do Damned if you dont scenario.
(1) if you dont have a Guarantee people will avoid or shy from you and label you as some puppy mill/back yard breeder/etc... (like the ASPCA brainwashed minds have come to believe)...THUS SOMETHING JUST HAS TO BE WRONG WITH YOUR DOGS! You are Irresponsible, Not Reputable, Not TRUSTWORTHY, ETC...
(2) if you do offer a Guarantee, people may/can/will (or not) find any and every thing wrong (for whatever reason, if they get the urge), that can hang you with a guarantee if so they desire.
There are plenty of scenarios and excuses, so I would limit any Guarantee to an exchange only policy (whatever duration of guarantee you go with).
As a private breeder and kennel owner, I have never had either of the above to happen as I have good healthy dogs/stock and health program in place, but I am sure the day will come that someone just cant be pleased with their choice and try to blame me... so I say
SELLER BEWARE of the BUYER!
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Therefore: I limit my Puppy guarantee to 90 days! Thats plenty of time for them to discover any legitimate defect or health issue (From my behalf) that would make ME liable.
ITs NOT Because I dont stand behind my dogs/pups, their genetics and their health;
BUT MORE SO BECAUSE I DONT BELIEVE IN MY CUSTOMERS!
Anything beyond a 90 day time frame is most likely something the customers have neglected or exposed the pup to.
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It doesnt matter how rich they are or what they claim (they can claim anything they want with long term and open Guarantees) and you will be left holding the bag and to clean up.
Even then, a grantee will not ensure your reputation....except the fact that you will take a dog off their hands and offer them a replacement free of charge or god help you (Money back).
(((((Dear God.... I wish that Car Dealers would do that!))))
Outside of Guarantees, many states now have laws that govern any pet sales so I would check your states dictatorship before and when determining any guarantee duration. Since these laws would surpass any of your personal written guarantee... it may be better just to state that Guarantee/Law and use it as the guarantee, then reasonably amend it to offer exchange only (if possible).
But whatever duration, make it clear and CYA. If you have good healthy stock, you have little to worry about (outside of the above).
Its not as bad as I make it sound, but you have to consider and be prepared for that what if scenario...because you cant please some people with a pleasing stick. |
Member since: 01/07/2017
Location: GA
| RE: Honest breeders guarantee on puppiesYou got that right about the ASPCA crew that has people on fire with all sorts of ideas about breeders. We have a great breeding program and go way out of our way to keep lines from being crossed, but when you advertise a puppy in places like the Facebook GSP group, the first thing they jump on is testing..They have everyone scared to touch a dog that hasnt been tested for all sorts of problems that are almost non-existent.
Debbie - MTK |
