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Report: #748755

Complaint Review: Dior Briards - Kalamazoo Michigan

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  • Reported By: dlaughlin425 — Felton Pennsylvania United States of America
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  • Dior Briards 2598 Ramblewood Drive Kalamazoo, Michigan United States of America

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We spoke to the owner of Dior Briards interested in a Briard puppy. She did not have a puppy suitable to our needs and referred us to a friend who might have a dog which would suit.  We sent a $500 deposit to Dior Briards. There was no mention at any time of non-refundability or partial non-refundability of this deposit. The breeder to which we were referred would not even provide a photograph of the puppy, and we decided to terminate the transaction. Our deposit is being held by Dior Briards, who said that they will send back only what is left after they finally sell it and subtract advertising and boarding of the puppy we didn't buy. There was never a sales agreement and never disclosure that they would keep our money if the transaction was not finalized. USE CAUTION IN DEALING WITH THIS BREEDER!

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 07/03/2011 03:46 PM and is a permanent record located here: https://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/dior-briards/kalamazoo-michigan-49009/dior-briards-wanted-out-of-puppy-purchase-keeping-part-of-our-deposit-never-a-mention-o-748755. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year. Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
2Author
2Consumer
1Employee/Owner

#5 Author of original report

We are happy!!! Thank You Dior Briards!

AUTHOR: dlaughlin425 - (United States of America)

POSTED: Thursday, August 04, 2011

We are very happy to report that our deposit has been returned in full! We thank Dior Briards very much! In the end, they have done the right thing and we rate their customer service excellent! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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#4 Author of original report

If We Would Have Known

AUTHOR: dlaughlin425 - (United States of America)

POSTED: Monday, July 18, 2011

As evidenced by the emails included in the breeders response, the experience Ms. Lierz had with these breeders is in many ways like the experience we had, with one exception. We had no warning of the non-refundability of the deposit. Our check for $500 was made out to Dior Briards which, we assume, then would have been forwarded to Toni. Had we known the policy in advance, we would not have proceeded. This was our first experience purchasing a puppy "long distance" over the internet, and we didn't know that this was the protocol for such a purchase.  Had we gone into the agreement with the advance knowledge that our money would not be returned, we would have no complaint. Regrettably, there was a breakdown in communication between us. We still feel strongly that the entire deposit should be retuned. The breeders have agreed to return part of the deposit. How much, is totally at their discretion. Sadly, we will have to be satisfied with that.

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#3 Consumer Comment

I Do Recommend These Briard Breeders

AUTHOR: JaniceLierz - (United States of America)

POSTED: Sunday, July 17, 2011

Anticipating the arrival of my Briard puppy, I ran across these comments. Such a shame, a communication breakdown, and Im sorry to hear it. But I also believe its good to be offered alternative perspectives. Reputable dog breeders, too, in essence, run small businesses and this kind of negative publicity can seriously damage their reputation. So here is my unbiased, unsolicited opinion and perspective, not to judge the writer, but to relay what Ive experienced dealing with these same two Briard breeders, whom I didnt know just a few months ago.



After losing our wonderful 11-year-old Briard in May 2011, I searched for and found several thoughtful, considerate, and reputable Briard breeders, including Dior Briards and Denise Simenauer. She has over 30 years of experience. Denise didnt have a puppy for me at the time, but she referred me to an experienced breeder who had just had a litter with a dog that she co-owns. That breeder was Toni Jones.



Toni and I spoke on the phone for a long time. We checked each other out. She asked for pictures of my family and me and recommendation letters. I am an analytical person, and frugal, and buying a high-quality puppy is important yet its also a sizeable investment; so I conducted thorough due diligence. I sent Toni a long list of questions, quizzing her about the puppys lineage, how and where they live, the parents temperament, health, size, color, and even about registration, etc. She answered all of them.



When I decided on one of Tonis puppies, she explained her non-refundable deposit policy. She said that when I send her a deposit, I would, in essence, be asking her to hold this puppy for me. She would agree to forgo any other buyers, and she wouldnt sell my puppy out from underneath me, either, if someone came along, like a handler or another breeder that would agree to show this show-quality puppy. That meant if I changed my mind, I would lose my deposit. If I suffered a major catastrophe, she said, of course shed refund it, or if something out-of-the-ordinary happened with the pups, which she didnt expect, shed refund it, too. But otherwise, if I just changed my mind, I would not

get back the deposit. So after careful consideration, due diligence, and speaking with a half-dozen reputable Briard breeders on the phone, and a dozen more via email, I sent Toni Jones a deposit for a male tawny Briard puppy.



Over these past weeks, Toni has sent several pictures of the mother, father, and puppies. Quite ironically, my flight was unexpectedly grounded in Detroit for the night while I was traveling on business. With less than one-days notice, Toni readily agreed to let me come to her home to see the litter. The puppys mother would be at the groomers, she said, which I understood, but I could see the 11 puppies and their father. So I met Toni and her family, who live on a farm with horses, too. Toni is a knowledgeable breeder. She is kind and compassionate, as are her husband and son. I even met Tonis mother who was also a delight. The puppies were well-kept, healthy and happy, and living a good puppy life. And the puppies father couldnt have been more beautiful. Hes a stunning tawny, playful, confident, sweet, and smart. The entire experience was a treat and so heart-warming for a Briard lover.



I would not hesitate to buy a puppy from these breeders: Toni Jones and/or Denise Simenauer, and Dior Briards. They have been fair and reasonable, helpful, professional and welcoming. They are reputable Briard breeders, and I cant wait to get our puppy this Saturday, less than one week away!



Janice Lierz, Asheville, North Carolina



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#2 Consumer Comment

No sympathy. Next time adopt from a shelter

AUTHOR: voiceofreason - (United States of America)

POSTED: Tuesday, July 12, 2011

No sympathy for those who want their chi chi foo foo pure breed toy pets. Next time adopt from a shelter and save a doomed animal's life. Your local shelters are probably packed with them.

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#1 REBUTTAL Owner of company

This scam report is a lie

AUTHOR: briard owner - (United States of America)

POSTED: Tuesday, July 12, 2011

I, Toni Jones am the breeder to which Leslie refers and the puppies will be registered under the name Dior Boyz as a litter out of a Dior female that I own and sired by a Dior male that Denise owns.  

I had multiple very nice email conversations with Leslie.  Based on what Leslie wanted, I made arrangements with my work to take off a day of work.  I DO NOT get paid for that day that I had to take off.  I also had to hire someone to care for my farm so that I could deliver the pup to her, by my driving more than 14 hours round trip and charging only $100 to do this all of this for her.  

She could have come to my farm at any time to look at and select the puppy she wanted but chose to have me deliver it to her.  

I went out of my way to be sure that the puppy had been exposed to farm animals daily to ensure the working attitude and non-threatening social skills towards farm animals that Leslie wanted in a pup.

After having reserved and put a deposit down on a puppy for two weeks, Leslie Laughlin and Pipers Hollow Farm decided that they wanted to get a puppy from another breeder because she wanted a red Briard.  I explained to her, HONESTLY, that there is no honest Briard breeder that can guarantee the color of tawny when choosing an 8 week old puppy but that I would do my best as the pup comes from a line that has much red color behind him.

At NO time could I NOT deliver to her the kind of Briard that she wanted based on her requests from her reservation and I worked hard at making sure her puppy would be exactly what she had requested.  She is lying that I would not send her photos as I readily send photos.  

Her deposit will be refunded to her minus my expenses for her cancellation of the puppy.  It is called a Holding Fee and is what I have been advised to do by an attorney because of all of the time and expense her cancellation caused me.

I have included in the bottom of this rebuttal, a copy of the pertinent emails and have removed any reference to other names and contact information per rules of this forum.





Leslie Laughlin
to Toni Jones
date Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 8:37 AM
subject Thanks for answering my many questions!

Hi Toni,

Enjoyed talking with you last eve. I appreciate the time you took with me.
Would you be willing to meet somewhere west of Pittsburgh on Friday Saturday or Sunday depending on how your weekend is already structured? From my place, the western side of Pittsburgh is about 5hours. A 10 hour drive is about all I can do in a day. Let me know.
Thanks so much,
Leslie
Sent from my iPhone


Toni Jones 
to Leslie Laughlin
date Tue, Jun 28, 2011 at 10:49 PM
subject Re: Thanks for answering my many questions!

How about Wheeling WV, on that Saturday. Later in the day though. I will have to travel quite a few hours to get all the puppies where they need to be.  I also don't know if we discussed fuel cost? I would like $100 for fuel please. The balance of the puppy in cash please or Cashiers check. Just verifying you wanted natural ears now? so the cost is $1550. minus the $500 deposit you sent Denise.  It was great talking with you, your home sounds like mine and the briard fits in great here. We will keep in touch as the date approaches. Toni :) 


Toni Jones
to Leslie Laughlin 
date Wed, Jun 29, 2011 at 11:06 AM
subject Re: Thanks for answering my many questions!

if you could do Cambridge, OH? Its west of Pittsburgh a little. I think I could do it in one day. That is 10 hours for me, then I can get a  hotel and come back the next day. lmk,  Thanks Toni.  


Leslie Laughlin
to Toni Jones
Denise Simenauer
date Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 1:55 PM
subject Re: Thanks for answering my many questions!

Hi Toni,

I have been thinking about all of this and have decided not to purchase a puppy from you. I am really smitten with the red tawny color and your dogs are beautiful but not what I am looking for. I have done some soul searching this last few days and have decided that if I am going to spend a large sum of money on a dog, it should be exactly what I want. When I spoke with Denise, she conveyed that your dogs were more "red" than hers and that I would be pleased. In seeing your sire, and in talking to you, I realize that I would in fact have to compromise color as a criteria. I hope you can understand for I have tried to make myself want to proceed. It however, has become a feeling I cannot escape. I trust that you will understand and will be willing to refund my deposit. I was never given any verbal or written info that would suggest otherwise. I trust you and Denise will understand. Please let me know. Thanks so much.
Leslie


Toni Jones
to Leslie Laughlin
date Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 2:31 PM
subject Re: Thanks for answering my many questions!


Mante is a red tawny, I can send you a outside shot if that helps? He is not red red though. Would you like to see that? I can do my best to pick a darker red one. Toni


Denise Simenauer
to Leslie Laughlin 
date Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 2:59 PM
subject Color above temperament.

Hi Leslie,
Could you please call me?

Toni just told me that you didnt want one of her pups because of color. Is that true? I thought the most important thing was temperament to you. You want a dog that wont kill your turkeys and will be a companion. Im not sure who you have been talking to but no sane breeder will PROMISE you a red dog by choosing an 8 week old puppy. They can only do their best. Toni was being honest with you. There are lots of red dogs behind the pups. Also, i never told you Toni's dogs were redder than mine. It is the same line. I told you that you had a better chance of getting a great farm dog from her because hers were working farm dogs and I knew they would be good with poultry Jwhich many Briards are not)  
It sounds to me like someone is talking to you and not being honest. Please call.
Regards,
Denise


Toni Jones 
to Leslie Laughlin
date Sat, Jul 2, 2011 at 2:49 PM
subject Re: Thanks for answering my many questions!

Also I wanted to let you know that Dante (mante's sire) was red. Denise would like to talk, could you call her?  Thanks so much, Toni


-- Denise Simenauer 
to Leslie Laughlin 
Toni Lee Jones 
date Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 11:44 AM

I sent you the link because that is what is behind Monte. We have reserved a puppy for you and turned down other buyers. If there was some reason that I could not provide you with a healthy puppy I would gladly refund the deposit.  You have chosen to go in a different direction so I am not inclined to refund the deposit. If that were the case, why would I bother to take a deposit in the first place?  You have backed out on our agreement, not us.
I wish you the very best of a life with your new Briard...


Denise


Leslie Laughlin 
to Denise Simenauer 
date Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 12:41 PM
subject Puppy deposit

I did not feel the need to investigate your business practices with the better business bureau but I sure do wish I had now. Good business practice dictates that there must be full disclosure of non-refundable deposits. You state you are not inclined to refund my deposit. Denise, the bad will created is not worth it. I am a business owner as well. I know this to be true. Please reconsider your decision. Pocketing money in this way is wrong and you know it. Arm twisting me into purchasing a dog from you now has little appeal. $500.00 is a lot of money to anyone these days. You would be as sick in the stomach as you have made me feel if the tables were turned. Please be the better person here. I have always had a belief that people from the mid-west were just nicer...
Please reconsider your decision. Keeping my money is wrong and very unkind and you know it. As they say, what goes around, comes around. Please choose the right thing. I'm sure the folks that you had to turn down who wanted a puppy can be called back. I find it to be a weak excuse justifying you position. I ask you again, please refund my money.
Sincerely,
Leslie


Denise Simenauer 
to Leslie Laughlin
cc Toni Jones 
date Sun, Jul 3, 2011 at 2:27 PM
subject Puppy Deposit

Hello Leslie,
    I am sorry that you feel that I am trying to strong arm you into
buying a puppy from me.,  That is absolutely not the case.  After
coming to an agreement with me about buying a puppy from me, and
making a deposit for the puppy, you have decided to buy a puppy from a
different breeder.  I have wished you well with your new puppy.  You
told me to contact the people that wanted to purchase the puppy but
unfortunately they have gone on to get another dog.
    To be quite frank, I have NEVER had this happen to me
before...someone wanting to back out of a puppy because they have
decided to buy from someone else.  So, I consulted my attorney.  I
just got off the phone with him.  He has advised me to refund the
money to you after the puppy is sold to someone else minus any
expenses incurred for the resale.  That means that once the puppy is
resold, I will send you the deposit back but take off of your deposit,
any expenses we've incurred for reselling the puppy, such as but not
limited to advertising, care for the pup beyond 8 weeks of age and any
difference in price the puppy may sell for.
    I will keep you informed as to when the puppy sells and will send
you whatever refund is due to you at that time.
    Once again, I wish you the very best with your new puppy...
   


Regards,
Denise

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