Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/29/2022

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchased a Maine Coon kitten from Jessica S****** owner of Allegheny King Coons on Sept 3. I wanted 2 kittens but I decided against getting the other and told her in less than 24 hrs. Well when I told her she said sorry, I have a $500 cancellation policy! She NEVER mentioned any cancellation policy before I gave her my deposit! Bec I didn't want her to refuse to give me the other cat, I paid. However, I do not like her shady business practices! She never gave me a contract, even an email address for her! She also never gave me the cats health certificate, a guarantee of health. Nothing. And almost 2 weeks later she SELLS the other cat she charged me $500 for!

  Business Response

  Date: 10/17/2022

  Hi my name is Jessica M*****. I’m responding to allegations related to a transaction with ******** ******** that began September 3rd. She reached out via Facebook to inquire about a Maine coon kitten. She wanted 2 kittens and wanted them delivered to west palm beach Florida from Pennsylvania. I told her they were 1400  each and the next litter was 1500-1700 requiring a deposit. I quoted her $250 for shipping only due to the fact she was getting 2 kittens (litter mates). I explained I would still be paying out of pocket for part of the delivery. The total for the flights would cost me $600-$700. I quoted her the $250 (a deal) only because she was supposed to be getting 2 kittens. I was unable to fly return out of the same airport to be home in time for work the same weekend so it was costing more for individual flights instead of round trip. Cost was also due to the fact my husband had to also fly with me to deliver the 2 kittens. I booked the flight for September 30th and she was to meet me at the airport for delivery which she was agreeable to. For any delivery that requires me to book flight tickets I require payment upfront. I do this so I do not loose money out of my pocket as I only charged her for part of the actual delivery fee. She was to pay for both kittens up front a total of $2800 plus the $250 delivery fee reaching 3050. She was worried about sending that much money upfront, so I agreed to let her pay half upfront $1525 and the rest in person at the airport. She sent the money that night and I booked the flight which she was aware. I also explained at this time that she would only receive the Tica registration after the kittens would be spayed in her care. I do this to protect my kittens from breeding mills. I also informed her that they had received all vaccinations, been vet checked and cleared, and had been dewormed. She was agreeable and understanding to all of the information. 2 days later on September 5th she reached out to me changing her mind only wanting 1 kitten. I explained there was a $500 deposit and asked her to think about what she would like to do. She was technically supposed to pay for both kittens up front, due to me booking the flight but as she was weary to scams I had agreed to the half as previously stated. She then decided she wanted to go forward with only one kitten. I explained between the carry on charge for the flight and the deposit she’d be wasting around $600 because the shipping charge would also not change. 
  
   She contacted me back on September 6th stating she that she did not want the other kitten. She also stated she no longer wanted to wait until the flight on September 30th.  On September 7th I responded saying she was welcome to come get the kitten and I would cancel my flight. However I would not refund her the $250 delivery fee because I had already paid for flights. She started reaching out to outside couriers. Something I had not done before because I like to deliver my kittens in person or be picked up in person. I told her that I would be agreeable to it but she would have to set it up and the rest of the money owed would need to be paid before pick up. I had not used couriers in the past due to the fact I can’t provide indefinite protection of the kitten if it’s not in my care through delivery. She went back and forth with multiple couriers and multiple dates. I even offered to meet a courier at the Pittsburgh airport 2.5 hours from me.
  
  She finalized on September 9th with a courier named Heather that would arrive on September 14 and pick up the cat from my home. She asked if my husband would be home as I had explained I would be out of town for work as I’m a travel nurse. I said he would be home and to please let me know a time. At this time I provided her my husbands cell phone information and our address. I explained payment would need to be sent in full prior to pick up from the courier. She understand and asked if I could shave down the total she owed me of $625. I deducted $125 from the total she owed me asking her to send $500. Which she did on September 13th. I told her I would send vet paperwork via mail or with the shipper. She stated she would like it sent with the courier. I had also stated registration would be sent which was a mistake on my part since I had already explained in depth and why she wouldn’t receive it until after the kitten was spayed.
  
   She got back to me on September 11 stating the courier heather should be there on the 14th between 7-8pm. I said that would work my husband would be home. On the 14th I messaged ******** at 5:24pm asking about contact from the courier as I had not heard anything from her nor had my husband after messaging her at 5:20pm. She was unable to contact the courier either and stated she was probably on her way.  The courier got back to me around 6pm stating she had a flat tire and had been waiting for it to be repaired. She stated she was just leaving Ithaca NY and her GPS said she would be there after 9:30pm. The travel distance from Ithaca NY to Titusville PA is 4-4.5 hours nonstop. I thought originally my husband would be available but for the time range she was giving me but he would not. The courier said she could come the next morning. I told her I would try to reach my mother to be there for the transaction since my husband also works night shift and we were not expecting pick up after 10pm at night. I inquired if she would be staying in a hotel overnight anyways and stated it would be easier for us to do the transaction in the morning like she stated or I would continue to try to contact my mom for the hand off. The courier agreed the next morning at 8am would be fine. The courier arrived a few minutes after 9am. When I messaged ******** at 9:09am letting her know she was on her way she started getting angry because the kitten had not been picked up the night before. She never stated to me anything regarding a time frame the kitten needed to arrive as that was all discussed with her and the courier.  ******** had not been in contact with the courier and did not know the courier had decided to wait until the next morning to pick up the kitten. At this time ******** blamed me for the kitten being picked up late and demanded I send her money back. I explained that the courier was her responsibility and it was at no fault of my own or the courier that she was late to due to car issues. I stated the courier delivery time frame was not my responsibility therefore I refused to send the money back. I had already deducted the total she owed me and she was agreeable to paying throughout the entire process. I would not lose money on shipping. I had also lost 2 buyers who wanted to place deposits on the same kitten she had backed out of. ******** explained there was a very important time frame in which the cat needed delivered on September 16th. She stated due to me not allowing pick up the night prior her courier would not make it on time. I reached out to her courier and asked about the situation the courier assured me the kitten would still be there on time and she had informed the courier at last notice she’d need the kitten by a certain time. This was due to something regarding ********s schedule and the airport. I would not have agreed to this situation as it is important for the kitten to be with its family and bonding after such travel. I never got clarification on what her circumstance was however the courier did confirm with me she arrived on time.
  
  ******** started threatening me saying she would start posting on all the Maine coon affiliate groups how I was a scammer and sketchy business owner. I would also like to state how this was my first litter of Maine coon kittens which she was aware of. I sold them at a discounted price due to this as they typically run $2,500-$3,000. I feel ******** thought if she could harass me enough after she received her kitten I would send her money back. Stating I charged her a cancellation fee. It is normal in the breeding world to require deposits and payment upfront for transactions regarding flights. She also demanded I sent her the registration before she was spayed. I have been in contact with her regarding status of the sterilization, which has been moved to October 15th. The kitten has already been paid for to be registered so I have no reason not to send it after the sterilization has been completed. I also have a contract in which I was updating. I was originally planning to have a 1 year health guarantee from genetic anomalies but chose to switch it to 2 years. I requested her address multiple times before she finally gave me a PO Box. I have all of the messages between our transactions along with the messages between the courier and I. ******** was indecisive through the entire process changing plans every few days. I will not return the money regarding the deposit and travel fees due to the fact it would be directly out of my pocket due to her indecisiveness. She stated multiple different reasons I should send her back the money. First it was the delivery time related to the courier, when the kitten arrived on time it was then another reason and another reason after that. I believe ******** thinks if she harasses and shames my Cattery name I would eventually give in. I tried to explain the fees, breakdowns, and discounts she was provided, and why I would not be returning any money to her but she is incomprehensible. She spent an extra $450 to the courier and I believe she thought she could recoup that money from me. I was able to sell the kitten a month later but it doesn’t change the fact I would have had financial losses due to the delivery issues we endured with her.
  
  Update: ******** contacted me on October 14th that the kittens spay had been completed. Sending her the Tica registration paperwork along with the updated health contract.