Sales Policies...

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

So I took the time last week when I was sickto renew my sales policy for our rabbitry. I looked at a lot of rabbitry websites and basically combined some new things to our old one, and split the policy/info up into parts: Information (explaining show, brood and pet quality, and what hold, sale pending, and sold means), General Policy (the basic rules, no rabbits for sale under 8 weeks, bring the bunny to us first not the shelter, etc.), Health Guarantee (pretty much the main thing for rabbitries!), Deposits, Reserving, & Holding (another main thing for rabbitries!), Transportation (once again, another big thing for rabbitries!) and then information on pedigrees, discounts and general pricing. (I'll have it up on my website soon; my computer is being difficult and last time I tried putting the policy up, I didn't save soon enough and all got erased! )

So my Mom told me today, just completely out of the blue, "You better be careful with that sales policy; someone could sue you." I'm thinking "WTF?! How could someone sue me over the rules I have to ensure my rabbits' well being, and the information to prospective buyers?"

So my question to you breeders is: Do you have a sales policy? If so, what does it consist of? And, have you ever had any trouble with having one/the rules on it? And people who were madbecause of your rules?

Because my mom sure thinks that someone will sue me for something on there.. :rollseyes

Thanks!

 

[NorthernAutumn]

I'm not a breeder by any means, but it is very challenging to put together an air-tight legal document.

Maybe someone on here would be willing to let you borrow a copy of their sales policy that they've had looked over by a lawyer? That way, you have a template to build on.

Just an idea Congrats on the babies, BTW

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Thanks Autumn

As for policies having been looked over by lawyers, I don't think any breeders do that...?

Emily

 

[Jenson]

I don't know much about it, but I would assume that any possible problems will be from things you are promising like the health guarantee, say for example you sell a rabbit with this health guarantee that ends up with malocclusion and you don't want to give a refund, then you might have problems because you guaranteed that rabbit was healthy when it wasn't. Of course you can get out of that by putting, "I guarantee that this rabbit is healthy to the best of my knowledge" etc. You need to have this "get out" line on anything you are promising just in case something does goes wrong.

As long as you do that you should be fine, you just have to make sure you are not promising or guaranteeing anything that you might not be able to stick to for any reason.

Besides for that I don't see how you'd come across any problems, and it's always good to have the "I agree to give BSAR first refusal should I need to rehome the rabbit at any point" line for the safety of the rabbit.

I don't have a sales policy so hopefully someone else who knows more about it can help. I've never felt the need for one because I pretty much interview anyone who wants a rabbit and explain all my rules to them before they even come to view. If they don't agree or I'm not 100% happy I don't sell.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Thanks Jenson. I do have on there that I am not promising or guaranteeing anything, but I will still add that.

Anyone else?

Emily

 

[Revverress]

I have a sales policy on my site. I am very strict [possibly to a fault] about where my rabbits end up, and I want to be as upfront about that as possible.

The most important aspects of my policies is to inform that buyer than I am in no way responsible for how their rabbits places or produces, nor am I responsible if their rabbit happens to catch a cold, get mites, etc. I do guarantee against malocclusion, pigeon breast, and other DQs in show animals, and I outline those issues in my sales policies.

I know that legally, I can't actually enforce my policies; however, I find that a serious set of sales policies weeds the "bad" buyers out, and at least provides some protection to myself. I have not had any issues or problems with people breaking my policies thus far; however, since I breed on such a small scale, my sales are very limited.

You can read my sales policies here.

Holly

 

[Platypusstar]

i dont know if this will help or not. but heres the sales policy from the breeder i got Ceaser at. i dunno maybe it'll give you an idea? http://www.freewebs.com/luckysbunnies/salespolicy.htm

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

That's how I feel, too, Holly. I will check your sales policies out later (I'm at school right now, haha.)

I'll also cheack out Ceaser's breeders' policies, too, Katrina.

Emily