Question

Eight months ago, your Red River Valley Kennels established its website displaying its facilities and inventory and offering its American Kennel Club (AKC) registered Doberman pinscher puppies for sale at $ 900 each. You were delighted when almost immediately your first sale took place. The order was Ms. Alicia Baumgardner of Modesto, CA, who wanted two. You shipped them by air and assumed that all was well.

Today you received an email message from the lady telling you that “the dogs were not healthy from the beginning, one died yesterday, and the other is also sick and may have to be put to sleep. I must ask you to refund the purchase price. I should ask you to pay the veterinarian bills ($ 540), but I will forget about that.”

You cannot accept the blame. You sent Ms. Baumgardener two healthy pups. They had been given all the required injections and were carefully inspected prior to shipment by your veterinarian, Wilfred Capaccio. You have his signed statement supporting the dogs’ health. Why did not Ms. Baumgardener report any health problems before now? You do not believe her story. You do not think you are responsible for what happened. After all, a lot can happen in eight months.

Now you will write Ms. Baungardener a letter refusing her request. You will be courteous but firm and will try to explain your position, although you suspect she already understands.