Deposit paid, seller now ghosting me

[Thatch]

My wife and I went to see a dog breeder on our way out of town on a week long trip. We stopped in, saw the puppies (5 weeks old) and selected one for purchase and put down $500 cash for a deposit. The interaction went well and was located at the persons large horse breeder farm. We left to head back out onto the road for an 8+ hour drive. We realized after we left that we forgot to get a receipt for the deposit. I texted the seller back and said "We got wrapped up in the excitement and neglected to get our receipt for the deposit on the puppy. Could you send that to Julie or me by email? Thanks" to which she replied "Yes I'll get that to you ASAP" (all copied and pasted from texts) Since that time (3 weeks ago) the seller has ghosted us. No reply by text or email. She seems intent on stealing the deposit. We still want the dog (should be available in 2-3 weeks iirc) but it's not looking good. I want to know how to proceed. What the best way to push this person into action.

I have contacted her 5 times since the initial deposit text. All communication has been cordial. The first three asked about the receipt (2 by text, one week apart and one by email), the last two (one text, one email) tried to just take the tact of asking about the eventual pickup date/time of the dog (trying for this not to turn ugly) However, my only known recourse after this is scorched earth social media assault, through scathing reviews of her businesses, posts on her facebook page, reviews on google maps and the like. I don't want to go that way but I don't see what else to do, as she seems intent on this slow motion theft. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[quincy]

My wife and I went to see a dog breeder on our way out of town on a week long trip. We stopped in, saw the puppies (5 weeks old) and selected one for purchase and put down $500 cash for a deposit. The interaction went well and was located at the persons large horse breeder farm. We left to head back out onto the road for an 8+ hour drive. We realized after we left that we forgot to get a receipt for the deposit. I texted the seller back and said "We got wrapped up in the excitement and neglected to get our receipt for the deposit on the puppy. Could you send that to Julie or me by email? Thanks" to which she replied "Yes I'll get that to you ASAP" (all copied and pasted from texts) Since that time (3 weeks ago) the seller has ghosted us. No reply by text or email. She seems intent on stealing the deposit. We still want the dog (should be available in 2-3 weeks iirc) but it's not looking good. I want to know how to proceed. What the best way to push this person into action.

I have contacted her 5 times since the initial deposit text. All communication has been cordial. The first three asked about the receipt (2 by text, one week apart and one by email), the last two (one text, one email) tried to just take the tact of asking about the eventual pickup date/time of the dog (trying for this not to turn ugly) However, my only known recourse after this is scorched earth social media assault, through scathing reviews of her businesses, posts on her facebook page, reviews on google maps and the like. I don't want to go that way but I don't see what else to do, as she seems intent on this slow motion theft. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What is the name of your state?

 

[Zigner]

At this point, you have nothing.

 

[Thatch]

I'm in Georgia (both seller and I .... she is about 3 hours from my location)

 

[quincy]

You might have to wait to see what happens when you pick up your puppy.

 

[Thatch]

Well, there's the rub. How do you set up a pickup, if the seller doesn't respond? I suspect you are right, but I was hoping there might be a suggestion on the best way to nudge her into compliance before we have to get ugly with things. I am rather confused as to why someone would risk their reputation as a breeder (both of dogs and horses) for a $500 deposit. It is what it is though. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Zigner]

I imagine that you'll be contacted as the time draws near.

 

[PayrollHRGuy]

Well, there's the rub. How do you set up a pickup, if the seller doesn't respond? I suspect you are right, but I was hoping there might be a suggestion on the best way to nudge her into compliance before we have to get ugly with things. I am rather confused as to why someone would risk their reputation as a breeder (both of dogs and horses) for a $500 deposit. It is what it is though. Thanks for your thoughts.

You know where the breeder and the puppy are as you have been there. Go pick up your dog when the time comes.

 

[Just Blue]

Well, there's the rub. How do you set up a pickup, if the seller doesn't respond? I suspect you are right, but I was hoping there might be a suggestion on the best way to nudge her into compliance before we have to get ugly with things. I am rather confused as to why someone would risk their reputation as a breeder (both of dogs and horses) for a $500 deposit. It is what it is though. Thanks for your thoughts.

Have you tried to actually call and talk with her?

 

[LdiJ]

Well, there's the rub. How do you set up a pickup, if the seller doesn't respond? I suspect you are right, but I was hoping there might be a suggestion on the best way to nudge her into compliance before we have to get ugly with things. I am rather confused as to why someone would risk their reputation as a breeder (both of dogs and horses) for a $500 deposit. It is what it is though. Thanks for your thoughts.

You show up to pick up your puppy when its about the right age old. Yes, it will be a pain to make the drive if she won't give you the puppy, but you must take that step. She will either give you the puppy and collect the rest of the fee, or she will give you back your money, or she will refuse both.

At that point, you sue her in small claims court. However, you do NOT go scorched earth on the internet until you have taken those steps first.

 

[Zigner]

At that point, you sue her in small claims court. However, you do NOT go scorched earth on the internet until you have taken those steps first.

Honestly, the OP should likely avoid a "scorched earth" response at any time.

 

[LdiJ]

Honestly, the OP should likely avoid a "scorched earth" response at any time.

Valid point. My thoughts were that at least a scorched earth response was seriously premature before all legal steps were taken.

 

[Thatch]

oh, I'll wait out through the delivery window (there's a 1-2 week window I should be picking up in). I was really hoping to find a way to nudge communications along early so as to avoid it coming to a head later at all. I have tried calling once, no answer. All communication previously (aside from last minute driving directions) were done via text or email so that has been historically the preferred communication and has been reliable).

 

[LdiJ]

oh, I'll wait out through the delivery window (there's a 1-2 week window I should be picking up in). I was really hoping to find a way to nudge communications along early so as to avoid it coming to a head later at all. I have tried calling once, no answer. All communication previously (aside from last minute driving directions) were done via text or email so that has been historically the preferred communication and has been reliable).

You MUST show up within that window to pick up the puppy and be denied before you can go anywhere with this legally.