online purchase vs. face to face

[michelle m]

I've bought chins twice from local people and twice from on line (so far). I like being able to see the chins before i purchase them, but being able to see a picture and get a discription from the breeder about the chin seems fine(if they're honest). I've never had a problem with a local person the two times i purchase, but both of the people i've bought from on line eather havn't given me papers as promised or actually sold me a chin that was not what i agreed to. I didn't notice until i got her home. I thought the digital camera must have had bad lighting, but when i got her home i noticed the chin i agreed to puchase online had a nick in her ear that the chin i brought home did not. :angry: when i called the breeder on it, i got a "? how did that happen, oh well. hope you like her she's yours now" I feel helpless to do anything and skiddish about online breeders now. I know that a few rotten apples can spoil the bunch, i don't want to think that everyone is trying to get one over, but so far that's what i've dealt with. has anyone else found online breeders to be less than honest or is this just my luck?

[GunningChins]

I think buying from a digital photo and a description is certainly more risky than seeing an animal face to face, but I haven't had any problems. Having said that once I pick a chin up (I never have them "shipped" to me) I would look at them very carefully before any money was handed over - which is a slightly different situation. If I wasn't happy with the animal it would stay just where it was.
I think its awful that the breeder in your case wouldnt even take back the chin you hadnt agreed to buy in the first place! It really does give buying via the internet a bad name. The safest option is to go by word of mouth and find people who have bought animals they are happy with and see who they got them from, but unfortunately that can't always be done.
I'd be interested to see if anyone else has come across these unscrupulous breeders online - I'm willing to bet someone has..

[lilchinchilla]

My suggestions is ask for references or ask others about the breeder. Don't just get one story or don't just base everything off of their website or pictures. I've bought sight unseen from some ranchers and can say for the most part(with exception of a couple), I've been pleased with what I have got. However, I wouldn't just do that with anyone, and would request references if I don't know the person well enough. I also find nothing wrong if someone asks me for references either.

[sadukie]

I'd definitely advise to buy face-to-face over buying online any day. There are many people who've dealt with my breeder who don't like her because they've had issues in getting chins from her online. People actually tried to steer me clear of her (a bit too late). But I honestly had no problems in dealing with her because I did face-to-face transactions. I drove to where she was and there were no miscommunications.

I think with online dealings, there's a greater tendency for miscommunications and switches to happen.

For chin supplies, I have no qualms of ordering online. But when it comes to purchasing the cute babies themselves, I prefer face-to-face dealing. (I guess it helps that I have breeders near me within an hour or so and I can do face-to-face dealing much easier than some people.)

[SVchins]

I would agree with lilchinchilla on getting references or speaking to other breeders. I have never experienced problems with buying a chin online but I have only bought them through breeders that friends of mine have trusted and dealt with a lot.

[bear]

certain breeders are known to be very honest, and i'd buy from them via digital photo, without hesitation. others are known to be less than honest. it's mostly a matter of trust-- and mostly just a few bad apples. if you've never bought from someone before, ask some of the more experienced breeders for opinions of the seller you're considering.

[michelle m]

certain breeders are known to be very honest, and i'd buy from them via digital photo, without hesitation. others are known to be less than honest. it's mostly a matter of trust-- and mostly just a few bad apples. if you've never bought from someone before, ask some of the more experienced breeders for opinions of the seller you're considering.
Live and learn :) I am getting three girls (on-line purchase) at the end of this month and i feel very good about this breeder. she has been very honest about her babies and even went into her personal stock to get me a chin on my list :D . she discloses info without me having to ask including histories and flaws. I don't plan on purchasing anymore after these three for at least a year (unless i can't pass it up :laugh: ) I think i just need to be more assertive when it comes to getting the info i need and not be afraid to loose a deposit if the chin turns out to be less than expected. :banghead:

[LSerilla]

That is just to bad, that type of breeder sends out a bad name for breeder who use the internet for a lot of their sales, I have bought mostly all my chins this why, and most of them are from the same breeders. and i just sold two this way, I would have neve thought about someone not giving you the chin you think your buy, the old switcharoo, somtime i wonder about color and fur,.
i wouldnt let this keeping form buy chins on line, just make sure it a breeder you see on line alot and get refressce,

[michelle m]

well it was a learning experiance for me. i'm going to sell the chin i got and try again for the color i originally wanted. i just hope other breeders/owners will read this and take a better look at their chins when they go to pick them up. I know that the chin i bought was actually the sister of the one i wanted, i can tell from the origianl post pictures and the freckles on her ear, so the pedigree is the same just not the name or color.

[starleomach]

I have had great experiances online. The important thing is to get references. And becareful. Do some research before buying from a breeder. I have a short list of people I trust enough to buy from sight unseen, and a slightly longer one of people I would never buy from.