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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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If nothing ever changed, there would be no butterflies.
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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.
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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?
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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Re: Non refundable deposit?
 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?
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.
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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.
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Registered User
Re: Non refundable deposit?
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.
He that flings dirt at another dirtieth himself most. ~Thomas Fuller
Never look down on someone… unless you are helping them up. ~Erin Majors
You don’t build a reputation on what you are GOING to do. ~Henry Ford
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. ~Ghandi
Always assume your assumption is invalid! 
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