Should I be concerned? Should I walk away?

[NikkiB1986]

I'm looking to buy a female Yorkie puppy very soon. I would prefer to find someone within a reasonable driving distance from where I live so I can meet/visit breeder, see the living conditions, meet the parents, see the puppies.

Originally I had decided on a breeder in SC named Judith Pelgar who calls her breeding company "LeBeauMonde". I was very happy with my choice but recently I have this gut nagging (maybe it's just paranoia from so many scammers) that is concerning me.

You can see her FB here: https://www.facebook.com/judy.pelgar
*What concerns me about this is most breeders post pics of every litter they have because they are so proud of them and need to advertise. I didn't see any Yorkie pictures posted since 2016...

You can see her website (part of her daughter's Great Danes site) here: Yorkies | LeBeauMonde
*This concerns me because it doesn't look like it's been updated in years.

I have been talking to her for months on end, since the beginning of summer I think. I have spoken to people she gave as references and all seemed happy but the problem for me was the majority was poodle owners and only two were Yorkie owners and they were still puppies so I couldn't verify the way I would have liked. Red flag #1!

Then after she sent me an email copy of the AKC records which were from 2016. So I called the AKC office myself to verify her. All they could tell me was about her application from 2016. She told me everytime you have a litter you're supposed to register each pup and there is no recent records of any registered litters. Red flag #2!

Once we spoke again she eased my fears and told me she has a lifetime health guarantee on all her puppies, that she was available 24/7 if anything happens. So I decided to move forward and she agreed to a down-payment to hold the puppy of $100. Unfortunately I couldn't come up with the amount in time and the puppy was sold. I understood, wasn't mad. Checked in again once I had the money and she told me her 3 other girls were pregnant. One gave birth to all boys, and finally we have a girl a few days ago. So we're talking about a down-payment again and this time (because she knows I have the full amount now save up from months of working my butt off) she says I have to pay $750 which is half! I of course remind her of our deal ($100) and she just sends me this message "If you want me to hold her for you - go to paypal and send $750. Send as friend and family because I do not pay any fees - you are responsible for those." So I sent her back another message letting her know I would be paying in cash in person when I come down to pick her up. I'm trying to work with her, I'm willing to send a video of me counting the money under a black light so she can see I'm real, the bills are real and I'm serious. I explain that I just am not comfortable sending money before I see her. She refuses. Red flag #3!

She just seems super pushy about getting her money and that to me is sketchy.

Also the woman at the AKC office told me specifically to never exchange money online before I have had a chance to "meet the breeder, meet the dam & sire, view the living conditions and medical records." She also mentioned that the Paypal friends & family option is very unsecured and I would not be able to contest it so she would suggest strongly that I not do that. So I told her this but she still refuses. Red flag #4!

Also I simply asked for her to take a video of her playing/holding puppy and saying hello to me (by name) so I could verify she & the puppy is real. She sent me a photo of the puppy but said there's no way she's doing that because it would be too much of an inconvenience. Which seems very strange since everyone and their momma has a smart phone with video these days.... Red flag #5!

Am I being paranoid or is there reason to be concerned here in your opinion? Should I try and save up more money to take a bus all the way to meet her in SC and check things out/give her deposit in person? Or should I just move on and try to find someone closer to me (Ann Arbor, MI)?

The only reason I haven't gone to someone else so far is because she is the only person I saw offering a lifetime guarantee on her puppies. If my puppy does of old age it would suck to lose her but it's expected and I can't be mad at that. However if my puppy dies in under 5yrs it would not only devastate me but chances are I would not be able to afford another one for a long time. Most people probably can easily come up with $1,500 but not me. It took me months of busting my butt to get that money. I cannot afford that kind of loss again (mentally or financially).

[Lovetodream88]

I’m going to be honest about two things here. Yes the breeder sounds shady and I would move on. The lifetime guarantee is one of the biggest things to make me think she is a scammer. The second thing is if you had to save for the puppy how are you going to be able to afford vet care which is extremely expensive for puppies, grooming, food, treats, bedding, toys, collar, harness, heart worm meds, flea and tick meds, spay and so on? The puppy is the cheapest thing everything else is expensive. I have concern about you affording the vet care. I hope you don’t take offense I just want you to make sure you can afford this before you actually get a puppy. I have four Yorkies. The three I had as puppies were very expensive. A spay in general is around $600 or more. The puppy shots and everything else will end up costing you more then the pup. Just please think about it.

[yorkiemini]

I would move on!
I have close friends who breed and show Yorkies and getting the money is not as important to them as who they are placing the pups with!
Go to a dog show and talk to the folks who are showing there dos there.

[matese]

Originally Posted by Lovetodream88

I’m going to be honest about two things here. Yes the breeder sounds shady and I would move on. The lifetime guarantee is one of the biggest things to make me think she is a scammer. The second thing is if you had to save for the puppy how are you going to be able to afford vet care which is extremely expensive for puppies, grooming, food, treats, bedding, toys, collar, harness, heart worm meds, flea and tick meds, spay and so on? The puppy is the cheapest thing everything else is expensive. I have concern about you affording the vet care. I hope you don’t take offense I just want you to make sure you can afford this before you actually get a puppy. I have four Yorkies. The three I had as puppies were very expensive. A spay in general is around $600 or more. The puppy shots and everything else will end up costing you more then the pup. Just please think about it.

I just looked at her website, she breeds yorkies and poodles, who is to say she doesn't cross breed. I would run, not walk, but run away from this breeder. You found 5 red flags always go with your gut feelings. Offering a "life time health guarantee" I believe is a scam. Buying a puppy is the least expensive part of owning a dog, any breed. The expense of dog ownership is the maintaining of the dog. As lovetodream pointed out, you must have the financial means to properly care for the dog, any dog. The first 6 to 8 months of owning a puppy is expensive, there are puppy shots that are needed, spaying is an absolute must. Heartworm prevention and flea / tick prevention pills are very expensive. Buying a good quality food is costly. Many members advise getting health insurance to help with medical expenses. Have you thoroughly researched the yorkie breed and health issues they are prone to. I would hate to see you get the dog of your dreams then find out financially you cannot afford her.

[Mike_and_Me]

Our so-called "breeder" was also offering a life time guarantee for their puppies, which to me sound absolutely ridiculous. He also didn't send videos or pictures of the puppy, just his mom. We ended up getting a 3 week old pup and had to allocate 24/7 to him for 2 full months + a lot, and I mean a lot of extra expenses. I don't mind because I have time to care for him and was prepared for expenses but... it was a big shock for me to learn that some "breeders" really don't care about their puppies, only about money. So every time I will hear about lifetime guarantee I will warn people.

[Rachael1983]

I don’t think this is the breeder for you . I lived in Ann Arbor for college, you’re in a great city . You should check out the YTCA.org for breeders in Michigan or Ohio . I think you’ll find someone in your price point and someone much more reputable.

As for the comments on finances, owning a pet is expensive with time and money however it can be done. Most people do save for major purchases and use funds put their budget for expenses such as vet visits. Having lived in Ann Arbor you can find affordable vet care so don’t be discouraged there . The cost of the puppy is minor in comparison to the cost over the lifetime of the pet however you can find someone who has healthy lines and experience.