Is this a dog scam?

Question

My girlfriend payed 100 out of $425 for a mini poodle puppy but her 3 roommates refuse to take care of it or pay so the dog cant stay. We called the lady back on the same day and she agreeded to return the money for the dog the next day at a set time and place. She didn't show and called an hour and half later saying she had to take her son to the hospital but she would call us and we would meet her before 430 because there was a test my girlfriend had to take at 5. It is now on day 3 and the lady won't answer her phone or hangs up instantly. Does this sound like a scam or should we just wait for a call? If there is no call what actions should we do? Thanks for any help.

Answer 1

Sounds like a non refundable deposit to me.Your GF should have cleared this with the room mates before leaving a deposit. Good luck

Answer 2

Well, off the top of my head, it doesn't sound like a scam but rather like your girfriend got caught up in some decision making and circumstance that didn't go her way.

The first question would be whether or not there was any agreement ahead of time made between the seller and your girlfriend about what would happen if she were not able to have the dog... aka ... a contract.

If the lady who sold the dog is willing to take the dog back and refund the money, your girlfriend is very lucky. I would suggest that if the seller is willing to do this, it is probably because they want to be sure that the dog goes to a home that the dog is able to be at ... aka... happy & health & welcome.

The lady who sold the dog could view the money as a deposit, and your girfriend is out of luck. Again, unless there was some sort of contract - written is best - verbal if there was at least one other person around, you'll have a hard time with this.

As for why the lady isn't answering the phone. Could be any number of reasons, but you should consider that it is quite possible that her son had to go to the hospital. Having been on the hospital crisis end of things - people have called my house and I have been too overloaded to deal with the calls - I hang up. Try to give it a few days, and then call again. I would imagine that in picking up the dog, that your girlfriend had to go to this lady's house - that could always be your other option - an actual knock on the door. Tread carefully - as I said, it it quite possible that her son is in hospital and she might not appreciate having your girlfriend show up at her door.

As a last option - suggest to your girlfriend that she sell the dog (assuming it's all paid for and you have any paper work that goes with the dog.)

Good luck.

As an aside... In future, I would recommend not buying a dog that required other people to agree BEFORE taking those people to pick out the dog AND ensuring that the dog could stay where she is living.

Answer 3

Was the $100 a down payment for the puppy? Was it your girlfriends understanding that if she put down some money - her roomates would put up the rest? Why can't the puppy stay?

If this is a scam, count your blessings. At least you didn't pay the full amount and no dog was delivered. You could look at it as though you've payed $100 for a $425 dog. But if you truely can't keep the puppy, then you need to keep trying to contact this woman. Or wait for her to contact you. Maybe she did have a family emergency. Don't jump to conclusions too fast.

Contact your local sherrif's department to see if you have any legal recourse.

Hopefully you'll be able to keep the puppy and give it a loving home. From what it sounds like, perhaps you could look at it as though you've paid $100 to save a puppy from a bad home.

The only thing you'll have to be careful about is if she does call and want the rest of the money, either you'll have to come up with it, or give the puppy back. If you have to give the puppy back...don't give it back until you have your money back in your pocket.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If there is no contract involved, sounds like your girlfriend just bought herself a Mini Poodle for $100. Great deal, especially if it's a good quality, healthy puppy! I don't see how it's a problem, unless you signed a contract agreeing to pay $450, but even then, if there's nothing in the contract about deposits, etc ... you're in the clear. It's either you keep the puppy for the money paid, or she can take it back and return the $100.
If she can't take care of the dog, she should either try to sell it to someone else for the $100 (or more if she's the greedy, ummm, I mean "enterprising" type), or cut her losses and give the pup to a shelter/rescue group.

Answer 5

A lot of people have non-refundable deposit policy - your girlfriend should have asked the lady if her deposit would be refundable or not. Then again, a breeder would not sell a puppy to a student or someone who rents without a steady income. Nor would they agree to come and meet your girlfriend to give the money back and not show up.

Your girlfriend was not buying this dog from a reputable breeder and she didn't read the fine print on the agreement/contract the breeder SHOULD have given her. It just serves her right for giving money to an un-ethical backyard breeder. They do not care about the welfare of the puppy/dog at all; all they want is your money. Now that she has your money, she will do anything possible to get you off her case.

Answer 6

First, you g/f should have never bought a dog that she wouldn't be able to keep. This is the NUMBER 1 reason why people relinquish their rights. Stupid. Poor dog.

Second, if the lady didn't have a contract that stated she would take the pup back for any reason, then she has no obligation to do so, let alone return any of the monies paid.

Sounds like your g/f is S.O.L.

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Answer 7

its a scam. you GF should have not put a deposit, but if you dont have a receiet there is nothing you can do about it because no proof you paid a deposit. so therefore you should wait for a call because she isnt going to answer if she doesnt want to. theres not much you can do at this point. just go on the website or wherever your GF found the site or number and post an add saying that that lady is a scam. did she get it off of like fortworth weekly or dallas weekly.. they are all scams.

Answer 8

Sounds like she bought from a typical backyard breeder in it for the money, with no concern for the welfare of the dog after she has gotten paid. Sad.

But, a reputable breeder would NOT have sold her a dog in her situation anyway (renting, a student, etc). That's why so many people get turned down by good breeders: they will not sell dogs into questionable homes - so backyard breeders take up the slack, and this is the result.

Answer 9

Yes, they have been scamming with large birds, as well.....for years! Just *be done* with these people, will ya? All you have to do is hit the delete button and don't respond to them. They will leave you alone eventually. The more you respond, the more they will keep bugging you. Don't be stupid!

Answer 10

Perhaps your GF should have asked her room mates if it was ok beforehand.

I wouldn't describe it as a scam, maybe the woman could have sold that dog to someone else and is cutting her losses with your deposit.

I hard lesson learnt, I think.