Buying a new family member......

[2bulliefamily]

Has anyone bought a new family member thru the internet. We found a breeder thru the internet and we speak almost every day and I really like her. She sends pictures all the time and I know alot about her and her family. I am still nervous.....he is being shipped (flown). My question is, yes i do have one, do I finish paying for him before "she" ships him or once he is on "ground"? I do trust her but there is still that part of my mind that worries about it.

 

[BruceP]

Princess Gracie came to us thru a breeder in Missouri. We paid for her before she came here. It's a risk for sure but we felt ok with doing that. On the other hand, if I was a breeder would I ship a dog to someone I didnt know>\? Works both ways.

 

[bullmama]

My only experience with an internet order was a sick, puppy mill bulldog from an importer so I would be the wrong person to ask. Her ears were bleeding and she had pneumonia- she almost died. I paid everything up front.

The thing you have to remember is that anyone can create a website with cutsie photographs (sometimes stolen off the net) and say "They are all about the bulldog" "They are our family" ect. ect. ect.

The Scammers do it everyday. I will NEVER purchase a puppy over the internet ever again, I will drive 150 miles to Phoenix instead if I were to ever get a puppy. I will only purchase where I can physically see the enviornment the puppy is coming from. I don't want to scare you, but anytime you purchase over the net you are taking a HUGE risk.

I would think there would be some local breeders in Mobile?

 

[LariP]

Has she given you references and have you checked them out? That's kind of my only suggestion to ease your fears. Other than that...you've said you've talked a lot...suggest a deposit now with payment in full on delivery or something like that?

 

[Pendragon]

Where is the puppy located? maybe if its close to one of our members they could go check things out for you. I also dont think most if not all breeders would ship a puppy not paid for. If that is the case ask to pay through paypal and then you should be covered for the purchase if anything is fishy.... Good luck..

 

[2bulliefamily]

Thanks for all the advice. I do try to put myself in her shoes knowing I would not ship him before payment. It's tough because I do know someone could go in and create a fake website. Yes she provided references and vet information/reference. I feel very comfortable, so far, with this whole experience but there is still that little part of me that will be super nervous waiting for him at the airport.

 

[Gertie's Mom]

If you've checked out the references and you've talked to her and she's sending you pictures, etc., I'd say you'll be fine. We had Arrow, our St. Bernard, shipped from Ill. to Az. By the time he arrived I had become friends with the breeder. She was very thorough and made sure we were BOTH comfortable with each other. It takes trust on both your parts. I really doubt this breeder would take all the time and effort to send you repeated pictures and numerous phone conversations if she wasn't on the level. Scams are vague and want their money quick, so they can move on to their next victim.

 

[2bulliefamily]

Thanks! I am pretty positive you are right. She will even "text" us to tell us she has sent pictures and does that often. We also emailed each other back at forth when we were both at work so i have her work email address as well and yes I feel like I have built a friendship and can seeing staying in touch with her afterwards. Actually, I cannot wait to share pictures with her of "him" being here versus there. I think my nervousness is more anxiousness . Now this week, is getting Lola ready for her brother and buying all the fun stuff for him and some treats for her. Oh and a name, we must come to an agreement on the name, so far we are not agreeing there.

 

[Telly03]

[MENTION=1505]2bulliefamily[/MENTION] Be very careful and do your homework... make sure it is a legit breeder that has a history and a good reputation, otherwise it is not worth the risk.

I got scammed over the internet and I would not wish that experience on anyone... In my case it was a registered breeder, but he did not have the history and reputation. He had grand plans, but was living beyond his means and had to sell more puppies than he could deliver, and it snowballed into a big ugly scam.

I agree with Pendragon, most if not all breeders will require a deposit to hold a puppy, then full payment prior to shipping... that's why it is so important to make sure the breeder has a positive history and reputation.

 

[2bulliefamily]

Thanks Telly03. I hope I have done my homework especially since I did put down a deposit. I will be nervous until the gets here!

 

[kazzy220]

I'd be nervous too ... and I'm with [MENTION=18]Pendragon[/MENTION] If they are anywhere near me I'd be happy to go and check the place out for you. where is the breeder located?

 

[lexterwayne]

wishing you the best of luck

 

[2bulliefamily]

Thanks everyone...guess I will be just nervous until he is in my hands. Now if we can agree on a name! The breeder is about 2 hours from St. Louis.

 

[mammyglicks]

I found our breeder through channels within different sites on the internet. But we met with her and spoke on the phone several times so our experience was good.

 

[Lacey28]

I hope everything works out!