Cat breeder needing advice

Poppie68

I would just refund the deposit and don't get into any other discussion, ignore all other contact. Your contract doesn't mention expenses or what gender reserved so if further contact can't be avoided just remind them that they changed their mind.
Also it would be a good idea to keep all correspondance to incase they have have a dim moment and think they would win in Small Claims.

Pollycat

Could they possibly trash your reputation in some way?
E.g. Social media websites.

Have you formally offered to give them their deposit back?

What did they say?

Have they refused to accept the deposit unless it's accompanied by £60 travelling costs?

When did they raise the subject of reimbursement of travelling expenses?

How many times have they asked for this?

Have you responded to this request?

shaun_from_Africa

How did they pay the deposit? and do you have their address?

I would suggest that if possible, you send them a deposit refund cheque through the post (using a signed for service).
Enclose a letter stating that you now consider the matter closed.

They will still have the option to take legal action against you for the £60 expenses, but I can't see that happening. Even if it did, as you have the e-mails stating their choice of a female, and then then changing their mind, I can't see them winning.

Another option would be to repay the deposit but also send them an extra £30, stating that as a gesture of goodwill, you are willing to cover half of their expenses.
I don't think that you legally have to do this, but in the event that they did attempt court action you could show that although it wasn't you that changed your mind on the cat, you were willing to help cover costs incurred by the viewer.

winspiration

I agree with Poppie68.

In any case, surely their travel expenses are unrelated to what happened afterwards. They decided to incur those to see the kittens in the first place and before they paid a deposit, so I think the fact that they paid a deposit is actually irrelevant to the travel expenses. As you say OP, they could have travelled to see the kittens and then not wanted any of them, or you might have felt they were unsuitable at that stage.

OlliesDad

Pollycat wrote: »

From what the OP said originally, she is happy to give them the deposit back (unless she has changed her mind).

The issue she needs advice on is whether she has to pay this couple's travelling costs.

Apologies, I did realise that but just wanted to clarify the point made.

OP, if you have genuine concerns about the suitability of the people, do not hand over a kitten to them. I would just return the deposit to them along with a note advising that as they now no longer wish to go ahead with the purchase of a girl, you have now allocated all the remaining animals to new owners.

GwylimT

If I were you I would just refund the deposit and ignore any further correspondents from them.

As a curiosity, why do you ask potential owners to agree not to declaw, this is illegal in the UK anyway.

Lilyput22

GwylimT wrote: »

If I were you I would just refund the deposit and ignore any further correspondents from them.

As a curiosity, why do you ask potential owners to agree not to declaw, this is illegal in the UK anyway.

Because it has been known that owners take the cats to another country to have this performed. Whilst illegal in the UK, sadly it is not illegal everywhere. I know of breeders who have sold kittens to find this has happened.

I know it doesn't really stop them but I would hope it would give me some form of proof they knew it wasn't allowed before purchase.

Lilyput22

Pollycat wrote: »

Could they possibly trash your reputation in some way?
E.g. Social media websites.

Have you formally offered to give them their deposit back?

What did they say?

Have they refused to accept the deposit unless it's accompanied by £60 travelling costs?

When did they raise the subject of reimbursement of travelling expenses?

How many times have they asked for this?

Have you responded to this request?

I'll answer your questions in order.

Not really, Tonkinese are a rarer breed of cat. People find me through the breed club site. I'm not on Facebook as a breeder. I guess they could start a page warning people but I suspect they won't. I suspect nobody has ever told them they can't have something they want before. They can report me to GCCF (cat registering body) but they don't rule on things outside of a purchase. They could report me to RSPCA, but there is no cruelty here so I have nothing to hide. I'm not too sure what they could do in this case to damage my reputation. The fact is that I am the furthest north Tonkinese breeder and am friends with all those close to me. So, I could bad mouth them to other breeders. I won't be I will warn people to be very careful dealing with them that they make pretty damn sure of everything before allowing them to visit or taking a deposit.

I told them that I was sorry they felt that way, on their initial request for the return of their deposit, and to forward me a means to pay them.

They haven't refused to accept the deposit alone. But I haven't told them I will not pay expenses. I wanted to get opinions on that before I commented to them.

They raised the request for reimbursements when I said that the boy was reserved. They said that if they cannot have him then they want their deposit back and reimbursement of their costs. (As if I would agree to letting them have my kitten after blackmailing me into it).

They have now asked for reimbursement twice. I haven't specifically replied to this. Just asked them how they want me to pay. But no mention from me that it would be deposit or reimbursement.

Lilyput22

Thank you everyone.

I am not a business person. I am just doing this as a hobby because I love the breed. I had to leave my job as a nurse due to ill health and this is something that helps pass the time now for a few months of the year.

pimento

I've just Googled Tonkinese kittens and they are beautiful.