Non refundable deposit?

I have a potential customer that wants to purchase a male spider and female pastel hatchlings from me. We originally planned on me shipping them to her, since she lives about 4 1/2 hours from me, but now she wants me to hold them till the Hamburg show, which is October 20. I am willing to hold them, but I feel I should ask for atleast a non refundable deposit, as that is over a month away. Plus she told me from the get-go she was most likely NOT going to this show.

I have never asked for a deposit before, so if the experienced breeders can give me some input, I'd really appreciate it. How much should I ask for and what if she comes back to me and says she no longer wants to purchase them? How long should I give her to change her mind for the deposit to be non refundable, or should it be non refundable once she gives it to me? Thanks so much for the help!

A non refundable deposit is, by the definition, non refundable from the get-go. So, I usually see 15-25 percent of the over all price of the purchase as a deposit for general feeding (and mention that's what it's for!) expenses in the mean time. If she's unwilling, tell her the animals will be back up for sale and if they haven't sold she's welcome to come to the show and pay for them.

You're offering a product that other people may want, so why should you hold them for her if she's being sort of flaky? You have overhead, after all.


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I am in no way experienced in this sort of thing myself, but what I would tell this person is this. Ask them for a 25% deposit to guarantee them the animal. If they don't pay up, and if someone else inquires and is willing to put a down payment, then so be it.

This down payment allows them to prove they are willing to see the exchange through to the end.

Let's say that this person doesn't end up going to the show and flakes on the deal. You're out a months worth of food for two hatchlings(which isn't a lot but a loss either way) and time through which you could have directed your resources elsewhere. During this time you have also lost potential buyers.

The bottom line is, you can't always trust people on their word. If they do a down payment and then decide to brush off the deal. At least you have a 25% down payment to help cover costs of care during the time lost.

Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by Kodieh

A non refundable deposit is, by the definition, non refundable from the get-go. So, I usually see 15-25 percent of the over all price of the purchase as a deposit for general feeding (and mention that's what it's for!) expenses in the mean time. If she's unwilling, tell her the animals will be back up for sale and if they haven't sold she's welcome to come to the show and pay for them.

You're offering a product that other people may want, so why should you hold them for her if she's being sort of flaky? You have overhead, after all.


Browsing on Tapatalk from my iPhone :)

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That sounds good. So if I ask her for 25% of the deposit, she agrees and sends it thru PayPal, then 2 days from now she backs out of the deal, she does not get her money back? I just want to be 100% positive on this so I don't look like an idiot in the long run.

Just an fyi, all this is being discussed thru facebook messages, so I can cover my butt if need be. Thanks again for the response!

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Originally Posted by notmyfault

I am in no way experienced in this sort of thing myself, but what I would tell this person is this. Ask them for a 25% deposit to guarantee them the animal. If they don't pay up, and if someone else inquires and is willing to put a down payment, then so be it.

This down payment allows them to prove they are willing to see the exchange through to the end.

Let's say that this person doesn't end up going to the show and flakes on the deal. You're out a months worth of food for two hatchlings(which isn't a lot but a loss either way) and time through which you could have directed your resources elsewhere. During this time you have also lost potential buyers.

The bottom line is, you can't always trust people on their word. If they do a down payment and then decide to brush off the deal. At least you have a 25% down payment to help cover costs of care during the time lost.

Hope this helps.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

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Awesome, thank you. I have never made any type of payment on a purchase and I have never accepted one, so I thank you for the input :)

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A 20% non-refundable deposit is required to reserve any animal currently in stock. The animal will be placed on hold for a period of 10 days*.

*Animal must be paid for in full within 10 days of initial deposit (unless you opted for a payment plan) or the deposit will be forfeited and the animal re-listed.

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Those are my terms when it comes to payments and deposits.

Thanks everyone. She backed out not wanting to pay the deposit. Oh well......:rolleyes:

It sounds like you lucked out with that one. We regularly accept non-refundable deposits with usually a 2 week timeline for full payment. I've found most people are excited about getting their new animal though and payoff as soon as possible.

Sounds like good advice above but I just want to add that if you offer a non-refundable deposit again, be sure to highlight the non-refundable part in an individual email as it prevents any confusion from a customer not reading the terms on the website.

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Originally Posted by Jabberwocky Dragons

It sounds like you lucked out with that one. We regularly accept non-refundable deposits with usually a 2 week timeline for full payment. I've found most people are excited about getting their new animal though and payoff as soon as possible.

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I like the 2-week limit, because it'll cover most people's pay periods. Very convenient for those of us buying snakes that cost as much as our rent does. :)

just my recent experience, I had a big credit card bill coming up (big for me at least) because of some home improvement projects. during that time I came across some snakes I wanted to buy, so the breeder made me put down a non refundable 20%. then let me wait til my credit cycle ended so I could put the other 80% on the next cycle to spread it out for me. (btw my PayPal linked to my credit card, wasn't just sending him credit info lol) if I would of backed out at anytime, I would of been out the 20% which I was very aware of. biggest thing was staying in communication with the breeder, both parties agreeing on the terms from the start, and now both of us are happy.

Well at least she backed out now and not on 20 October by not showing up at the show! Now find someone that really wants to those little ones and get 'em sold! LOL

Yup, sounds like she must not have had the money for them. Good thing you asked for deposit, instead of holding them for nothing.

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My TOS are for 25% non-refundable deposit, the remainder within 60 days. I've had several people go that route and some who started but backed out. The deposit never came. In that case, the snake stays on the market. The snake is not off the market until the funds are paid.

The most important factor in any of these transactions is communication between the seller and buyer. As a seller, once I receive a deposit, I send an email stating that I received the deposit with the description of the snake. Then I state the exact date and time the payment in full should be made. I usually will include language that states the deposit is non-refundable because the snake has been taken off the market and being fed and maintained similarly to all of my other animals. I also ask for an acknowledgement of some type, nothing fancy just a "do you agree with that?" As I feed the snake or see developments such as a shed or anything of note, I will send a quick email to the buyer giving them an update on their snake. That keeps the conversation going and lets them know how their snake is doing. For me, it is easy. I write the buyers name and email address on the back of the feeding card (in pencil), so whenever I feed to check on the snake, I see the buyer's information.

I'm just curious, have any of you that accept deposits had anyone pay the deposit and back out later? I don't really see this happening too often, but it is a big possibility.

If it has happened, how much was the deposit for?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I'm just curious, have any of you that accept deposits had anyone pay the deposit and back out later? I don't really see this happening too often, but it is a big possibility.

If it has happened, how much was the deposit for?

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Yes I have, customer had a snake on a 90 days payment plan and back out when the last payment was due (moving abroad), the deposit was $300.

The longer the payment plan the more likely something can happen between the time of the deposit and the final payment ;)

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I'm just curious, have any of you that accept deposits had anyone pay the deposit and back out later? I don't really see this happening too often, but it is a big possibility.

If it has happened, how much was the deposit for?

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I haven't actually taken any deposits yet on snakes (at least not that I can recall off the top of my head right now), but I take a deposit on almost every chinchilla I sell. I ask a $20 deposit per chinchilla, which is generally between 10-25% of total cost. The deposit is non-refundable.

Thus far, I believe I've had three people back out after placing a deposit (again, that I can recall immediately). That said, backing out on $20 is a lot different than backing out on $300. I'd imagine that with that amount for a deposit, it would be imperative to make it crystal clear that non-refundable means non-refundable.

20-25% depending on the animal, and as of yet, I have not had anyone back out on a purchase, but I have had people change their minds.
For me, I allow the deposit to be used for a different animal if the price point becomes an issue later on.

But it is clearly stated non-refundable, and I make sure my customers understand that.

There are a lot of flaky people out there in the world, and this is a way to make sure they stay responsible.

Alot of good points made, and I like what Don had to say.

It is very important to outline nearly every possible situation in a TOS to cover yourself. I've learned this, sometimes the hard way, in over 15 years of selling.

First, I never hold an animal without funds. Period.

Whenever someone initiates a payment plan, which means I am not getting paid immediately, there is a non-refundable deposit.
Some people described why, but for me it goes further... care and maintenance cost is the least of it.

Other factors are how long the plan is, how popular/in demand the items is, the chance I may use the snake for breeding if it doesn't sell by a certain time, the probability that it will lose value, which means I will get less if I have to wait 3 months to resell it, and real estate! with that snake staying here, what is it preventing me from doing... holding/selling another perhaps more valuable snake?

-If the plan is only 2 weeks, I may only ask for 10%. If it fails after 2 weeks, it doesn't put me out much as opposed to if I had to hold the snake for 2 months or more... then I would ask for 25%+.

-If it's a male that I have 15 others just like it, I can work with you on the plan and deposit... If it's a snake I only have one of, and many others are willing to pay cash in a couple of days, I can either refuse the plan or ask for a high deposit, say 50%.

-If it is a breeder and i'm selling it 1-2 months before breeding season on a 3 month plan, and they cancel near the end of breeding season, now i'm housing an adult that didn't breed for me.. costs me more overall, considering the loss of his/her services and future income.

-Many times, a show like NRBE/Daytona will dictate the value of a snake. In july a certain snake may be valued at $1000. After Daytona, most of us have seen this, the value drops. Basically, many of these snakes were sold at a discount, due to competition and other reasons, and now people expect them for let's say $700. If payment plan started in July and ended in September but they cancel late August, I would essentially be losing 30% of the snakes value. That deposit would have to be 30%-50%.

-Real Estate! If they back out of the sale of this single-gene male, I may not be able to purchase and house that new triple gene male that would've elevated my breeding program this season... how much could be lost there?


Again, i've suffered the drawbacks over a long period of time when not having ideas like this into place. This is not a lucrative business where we can just 'be nice' and give everyone the benefit of the doubt and absorb all the extra or residual costs and survive!


Another thing is I may have a snake posted for $1000 and then lower it to $750 'special cash sales price'. Someone always says 'ok I want it!', and then asks for a plan. The Payment Plan is NEVER done at 'special cash sales price', always at regular price.

Have they backed out before and I kept their deposit? sure, happened many times! They never had a problem with it because they went into it knowing exactly what they were getting themselves into, as well as my risk. Cost of doing business.

The few times the payment plan went longer than it was supposed to, a surcharge was added to the total cost. Some of those times the customer actually offered it to me, because again they knew the implications of what was going on.

and if they cancel when hearing about the non-refundable deposit, you just saved yourself a headache. That is one benefit of this - if they are not serious, they will not do it.


Just my experience.