I think you may well have been scammed and I wonder if the puppy even existed.

I'd write one final and firm text saying you are sorry this has happened but unless the money is back in your account by - pick a reasonable time - you will be contacting the police and HMRC.

Then, when you have your money back, contact HMRC anyway.

 

Agreed.

Good luck with getting your money back as scammers are rife on pet selling websites, not to mention most of the breeders aren't exactly reputable.

 

Yep I'm afraid @JoanneF is correct you have been scammed, Write your last email making it clear it unless your are refunded you will taking this further. It may only seem a small amount and not worth the hassle but that is what people like this rely on, they expect you not to bother hence why they only ask for a relatively small deposit. It won't be just you who is being scammed there will be several others!

 

I agree with the above..
You have been scammed, ask for your money back or you'll contact the police or say you'll speak to your lawyer.

 

Thank you all so much for your replies.

I think part of me felt like this was a scam but gave her the benefit of the doubt.

I do wonder however why she would stay in touch and apologise for the delay in returning the deposit.

The seller also sent photos. One that included her son Harrison apparently playing with puppy.

I'm wondering if she actually resides at the address I was given, is there a way to find out?

Thank you all so much xx

 

Thank you all so much for your replies.

I think part of me felt like this was a scam but gave her the benefit of the doubt.

I do wonder however why she would stay in touch and apologise for the delay in returning the deposit.

The seller also sent photos. One that included her son Harrison apparently playing with puppy.

I'm wondering if she actually resides at the address I was given, is there a way to find out?

Thank you all so much xx

Probably on the hope that the breeder can try and lure you into purchasing another pup.

I am sorry this has happened to you. I do think it is really bad that websites are filled with scammers. I wonder if the seller used their son with some other RANDOM pups.

Definitely look on the electoral register. I hope all goes well.

 

I'm wondering if she actually resides at the address I was given

You can look at the electoral register. Also, if there was a land line number, try the phone book.
Not a good idea to pay a deposit before meeting the puppy, other litter members, its mother (who should interact with it and have droopy teats), and the breeder.

 

If you have an address go and knock on the door but take someone with you as a witness. It wont be pleasant but it will clear things up once and for all.

 

I had thought about that too but feel possibly the address may not be theirs and I'm so worried oft the consequences.
I do feel I need to report this person it was awful explaining to my daughter no puppy was home when she had finished school. It broke her heart.

 

Hi,

I completely agree and I feel so stupid.

Unfortunately and stupidly I got suckered into if you want to secure a pup (advertised as 4 told only 2 left and someone expecting to call about 1 of them) I panicked and agreed to leave a refundable deposit should when I view decide not to adopt

The seller was very convincing, polite and mature. Even after the supposed pup had died she kept in touch up until yesterday when she removed photo from WhatsApp and can't send messages now

 

I completely agree and I feel so stupid.

No, you are not stupid, and I think it's human nature to see the ''good'' in people: these people are running their scam like a business (which to them it is). I imagine they close bank accounts with each imaginary ''litter'' and open another. Even if HMRC are notified, bet your life they are all still WFH so it won't be investigated for months. Really sorry you and (especially) your daughter have had to go through this. Obviously next time, you will recognise the signs of dodgy dealings and avoid like the plague.
Has she actually blocked you from any contact now?

 

I'm sorry this has happened to you. I know this has already been mentioned, but perhaps worth reiterating that you should never part with any money before going to see the puppy along with mum and satisfy yourself that everything is as it should be. This may mean that you miss out on a pup from that particular litter if someone else gets there first, but there will be other puppies.

Out of interest, what breed was this puppy?

 

Sorry this has happened to you.

If your going to have another puppy this might be a good place to start....

https://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeds

 

Some strong reservations have been voiced about champdogs recently on facebook.
Breeders that don't need council registration because they breed too few litters are being being reported to their local councils by the site owner, and investigated.
Breeders who report an elbow score of 1 are kicked off, while those that don't hip or elbow score at all are left on.
Pups have been advertised as available when not yet born, with incorrect details.
It has been alleged that the site owner allows puppy farmers in his own breed (I don't know what that is) to use the site.

The facebook group suggests people avoid champdogs and go through breed clubs instead.

 

Hi I'm hoping for a but of advice. I found a puppy on a Freead site, The seller asked for a £100 deposit to secure her (pup was £650). I did this through bank transfer into her daughters account as she was dealing with the finance side of things. I arranged to view the pup the following week, the day came to view pup and I received a call to say her father who they were moving to a care facility had took a turn for the worst and could we arrange another day. I agreed and asked for photo of the pup the seller sent me a couple. However the photo of the pup was with mam who if I remember correctly didn't match the mam dog on her advert. The seller contacted me asked wheni wanted to view the pup as she was due to be leave I asked if I could come and view with the potential of bringing her home the following week. I contacted the seller a few times asking for her address and how pup was after vaccination and chip. Eventually she replied saying pup was fine but no address. After several messages seller eventually, she wouldn't answer calls but would text back saying she was at meetings etc, give me her address. I arranged to meet the following week, on the morning of viewing just before I set off the seller text to say she had got up in the morning and found the pup dead in her basket. Obviously we were mortified. We didn't know what to say to our young daughter who had by this time fallen in love with her pup. It awful to say but I had doubts this was true but I couldn't help think bad if it actually was true. I give her my condolences and asked what happened she said the vet said it could be iron poisoning. The seller asked me if I wanted my deposit back to which I said yes. She said she would bank transfer it back yo me tge following day, the following day nothing, i text again to which she said she had hardly picked up her phone as she was devastated but she would do it the following morning, the following morning nothing, the seller text that evening saying she hadn't forgot and would pop it in the bank yesterday, today nothing. I believe I've been far too soft and understanding with this seller but can't help feeling scammed, although part of me also feels awful for her if this has genuinely happened. I'm at the point where I feel I'm pestering her for my deposit I want to write a more firm but gentle text incase she's generally grieving but not sure what to say. Any advice what to do would be great. Thank you all xx

Hi I'm hoping for a but of advice. I found a puppy on a Freead site, The seller asked for a £100 deposit to secure her (pup was £650). I did this through bank transfer into her daughters account as she was dealing with the finance side of things. I arranged to view the pup the following week, the day came to view pup and I received a call to say her father who they were moving to a care facility had took a turn for the worst and could we arrange another day. I agreed and asked for photo of the pup the seller sent me a couple. However the photo of the pup was with mam who if I remember correctly didn't match the mam dog on her advert. The seller contacted me asked wheni wanted to view the pup as she was due to be leave I asked if I could come and view with the potential of bringing her home the following week. I contacted the seller a few times asking for her address and how pup was after vaccination and chip. Eventually she replied saying pup was fine but no address. After several messages seller eventually, she wouldn't answer calls but would text back saying she was at meetings etc, give me her address. I arranged to meet the following week, on the morning of viewing just before I set off the seller text to say she had got up in the morning and found the pup dead in her basket. Obviously we were mortified. We didn't know what to say to our young daughter who had by this time fallen in love with her pup. It awful to say but I had doubts this was true but I couldn't help think bad if it actually was true. I give her my condolences and asked what happened she said the vet said it could be iron poisoning. The seller asked me if I wanted my deposit back to which I said yes. She said she would bank transfer it back yo me tge following day, the following day nothing, i text again to which she said she had hardly picked up her phone as she was devastated but she would do it the following morning, the following morning nothing, the seller text that evening saying she hadn't forgot and would pop it in the bank yesterday, today nothing. I believe I've been far too soft and understanding with this seller but can't help feeling scammed, although part of me also feels awful for her if this has genuinely happened. I'm at the point where I feel I'm pestering her for my deposit I want to write a more firm but gentle text incase she's generally grieving but not sure what to say. Any advice what to do would be great. Thank you all xx

Did you ever get the money back?

 

OP hasn’t been back online for 10 months. While it would be interesting to have an update, I doubt there’s going to be one.

If you’re in the same position, you could start your own thread, or the replies may be applicable.