what to do

terry stewart · #1 12/16/05, 09:51 AM

I found dutch rabbits for sale $8 each after getting two and when I got home one had dyed. should I ask for a free one or just forget it and pay the $8 and buy one more

ihedrick · #2 12/16/05, 09:55 AM

I take it you are a person who would rather avoid confrontation...take the dead rabbit back, but keep in the car. Explain to the person that one died and you want to get another. Any responsible seller should offer to replace it. If they don't then just buy another.
But in the back of my mind is whether you'd want another one if the first dies so suddenly. May be a helath problem with the rabbits and you'dd want to avoid that.

raymilosh · #3 12/16/05, 10:31 AM

I'd say it would be a good idea to tell the seller that the rabbit died and you felt it was your responsibility to tell him...maybe there is an illness that is about to kill more of his rabbits. Ask him if maybe there is something you need to know about the care of rabbits. You may be doing him the favor of alerting him of a disease. You'll be standing there, having done him a service without asking for anything in return. the seller can "let his conscience be his guide."
Based on his response, you will probably be able to tell whether he is the sort of person you want to deal with anymore ... all for the Low Low cost of $8.

ozark_jewels · #4 12/16/05, 12:32 PM

Hi there,
This is probably the way I would handle it: Take the rabbit back to the seller just so you have proof, but leave it in your car while you talk to him(don't want to make him feel like your getting in his face). Tell him that one had died by the time you got home and explain that you thought he might want to know in case it is a problem in his rabbits that needs to be addressed. At this point any responsible breeder will offer to replace the rabbit or your money back. Its up to you whether you accept a rabbit or the money. If he doesn't offer either, I wouldn't push it. If he does have a problem, you may not want rabbits from him anyway. And if he doesn't offer anything, he is also not somebody you want to have dealings with. Just my opinion......

Cygnet · #5 12/16/05, 02:00 PM

Agreed -- a responsible breeder will volunteer to make it good. An $8 refund or a free rabbit isn't going to break a breeder's finances.

Not rabbits, but I do breed poultry. And I've replaced birds a YEAR after the fact when the buyer mentioned to me in casual conversation, walking by my stall, that two chicks he'd bought had died a few days after he bought them. I handed him a couple of replacements right then and there.

I've also given someone a grown hen to replace a rooster -- I'd sold the guy a started "pullet" that grew up the wrong sex. Whoops. Gave him a hen right then and there when I found out -- if I say it's a girl, it had BETTER be a girl or I will replace it.

Ethical breeders will make it right. It's just good business.

Leva