Caveat: While most of the policies on this page will seem reasonable, some may sound a bit Draconian. The Draconian-sounding policies have evolved in order to prevent recurrences of certain situations in which my animals suffered needlessly or I took a hard financial hit, also needlessly.
I don't put much stock in deposits. If a person puts a deposit on an animal, then decides they don't want it, the last thing I want to do is coerce them into taking an animal they have no interest in keeping. My choices at that point are to keep the deposit or to return it. I don't like getting something for nothing, so if I don't return a deposit, then I feel crummy and the person cancelling the purchase feels crummy as well. If I do return the deposit, then what was the point of taking it in the first place?
My general policy, then, is this. If you want an animal and I'm ready to sell that animal to you, you will pay for the animal in full. If the animal is not yet ready to leave Glimmercroft, then I will keep the animal until it is ready to leave, usually free of charge. Once the animal is ready to leave, you will pick up the animal within a reasonable amount of time, usually about two weeks. If you cannot pick the animal up or arrange transportation for the animal within an agreed amount of time, then the purchase price of the animal will be forfeit, and I will be free to find another buyer.
I do take deposits on animals that have not yet been born. If you are certain you want an animal from a particular breeding, you may make a deposit to reserve the animal, with the balance due within 14 days of notification of birth. If the animal is not born, you will have the choice of choosing a different breeding or receiving a full refund of your deposit. If you would prefer not to make a deposit, I do maintain a waiting list and will notify the people on the list for each breeding when the animals are born. At that point, it’s first come, first served for any animals not previously reserved. I reserve the right to retain any animal needed for my breeding programs.
I have a special policy for bucklings which is, if people want them, they will pay for them in full shortly after they're offered for sale, and I'll keep them intact until delivery at weaning, which is 8 weeks. In the meantime, travel arrangements will be made. Any bucklings not picked up by 10 weeks will be neutered and purchase price forfeited.
This is all in response to a buckling I kept for a woman for five months or so, at which point she decided she just couldn't handle the transportation. That left me with an intact buck I didn't need and couldn't use. I fed him through the winter and spring, and eventually sent him to auction. It was a very bad deal for a lovely kid who would have made a very nice pet, and it's not happening again.
Kids will be sold with appropriate registration forms. All kids are are disbudded. Kids will be wormed when they leave Glimmercroft, and if the new owner wishes, they will have their first CD&T vaccines at that time. All kids are guaranteed healthy at the time they leave Glimmercroft. Glimmercroft is not responsible for any illness once kids leave the premises unless a veterinarian can provide documentation that the kid was unhealthy when it left Glimmercroft. This has never happened, but if it ever did, Glimmercroft's liability would be limited to the purchase price of the kid.
Puppies will be sold with temporary registration forms, presuming they've come in from UKC. Otherwise, the puppy will be sold with a copy of the paperwork I've submitted to the UKC, and I will forward the temporary registration upon receipt. Puppies will have been wormed and vaccinated on a set schedule. Instructions to complete the worming and vaccination series will be provided. If desired, supplies for the remaining vaccinations will also be provided. The health warranty for puppies is spelled out in a puppy contract.
Honestly, I don't like to ship. I do realize, though, that sometimes it is necessary for people to bring in animals from a distance, so I will ship, reluctantly. My reluctance is reflected in my shipping policy, which is designed to shift to the buyer as much as possible of the trouble and expense of shipping. I'm hoping that this forthright disclosure of my point of view will keep prospective buyers from getting overly upset by my lack of enthusiastic customer service in this area. So here goes . . .
Buyers are responsible for all shipping costs, including airfare, kennel (with modifications if required), tests, and health certificates. Since required testing will vary depending on your state, it will be your responsibility to contact the veterinarian to determine what tests are currently necessary for shipping to your state. Please contact me for veterinarian contact information.
In the case of goats, you will need to pay all veterinary costs directly to the veterinarian in advance, and you will need to schedule visits. Veterinary visits will need to be scheduled on weekends, since I work during the week. My weekend schedule is usually quite flexible, but please check with me regarding your target weekend prior to scheduling, just in case.
All animals will ship out of Sea-Tac Airport in Seattle, WA. Flights will need to be scheduled on weekends, since I work during the week. All shipping costs must be paid before shipping, or if the airline allows it, you can pay the shipping costs COD. If you are interested in finding out the costs of shipping an animal, please phone Delta Airlines at 1-888-736-3738, 7a.m. to 12 p.m. CST.
Because of the time and distance involved, a traveling fee will be charged in the amount of $30 for each vet visit (minimum 1.5 hour round trip) and $60 for the trip to the airport (minimum 2.5 hours, unless traffic is bad, then more). Payment must be made in advance.
Of course, you are always welcome to pick up your animals at Glimmercroft in person. We'd love to meet you, and we''ll put a fresh pot of coffee on!
Every effort is made to ensure that your Glimmercroft experience is a positive one, and I am happy to help and answer questions long after the sale. (I really love to hear how my little ones are faring!)