Before you pay a deposit on an animal, get the terms in writing, see the animal live, and pay through a method that protects you. If a seller cannot give you all of that, do not send money. Almost every deposit scam relies on a buyer paying before checking.
What is a deposit for?
A deposit holds an animal for you while you finish arranging the purchase: a vet exam, transport, a visit, or simply the date the animal is ready to leave. It is a commitment on both sides. You agree to buy if the conditions are met, and the seller agrees not to sell the animal to anyone else in the meantime.
A deposit is not a test of how serious you are, and a seller who demands one before answering basic questions is a seller to be careful with.
What should the written terms say?
Ask the seller to put the following in writing, by message or in a short agreement:
- The amount of the deposit and the full price of the animal.
- Which animal it holds, with identifying details: name, sex, date of birth, color or markings, and microchip or registration number if there is one.
- How long the hold lasts, and what happens if the pickup date moves.
- Whether the deposit counts toward the price.
- When it is refundable: if a vet exam finds a problem, if the seller cannot deliver, or if the animal becomes ill before pickup.
- When it is not refundable, so you know exactly what you are risking.
Keep a copy of every message. If there is ever a dispute, a clear written record is what settles it.
Have I seen the animal live?
See the animal on a live video call, or in person, before you pay anything. Ask the seller to show the animal with something that proves the call is live, such as your name written on a piece of paper, or a specific movement you request. Photos alone can be taken from anywhere.
If the seller makes excuses for why a live call is never possible, treat that as a warning sign.
Where should I pay?
Keep payment inside the marketplace’s checkout. A seller who asks you to pay outside it, by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency or a payment app sent as a gift to a friend, is asking you to give up any way to get your money back. Those methods are favored in scams for exactly that reason.
What warning signs should make me stop?
- A price far below what similar animals sell for. Compare it with the free price check tool before you decide.
- Pressure to pay today because other buyers are waiting.
- Requests for extra fees after the deposit: shipping insurance, crates, vaccinations or customs.
- A seller who will only talk by text, never by phone or video.
- Payment details that change, or a name on the account that does not match the seller.
You can also paste a listing or message into the scam check for a second look before you pay.
What if the seller says the animal is already reserved?
Sellers with popular litters often take reservations long before animals are ready to leave. That is normal, but it changes what a deposit buys. Ask whether you are reserving a specific animal or a place in a pick order, how the order is decided, and what happens if the litter is smaller than expected or the animal you want is not available. Get the answers in writing.
What if I change my mind?
Decide before you pay what you will do if your circumstances change. Some sellers will move a deposit to a later litter or another animal, some refund part of it, and some keep it. None of those is wrong as long as it was agreed up front. A deposit that is described as non-refundable in every case deserves a closer look at the rest of the terms.
Which questions should I ask before paying?
- Can we do a live video call with the animal today?
- Will you put the deposit terms in writing, including when it is refunded?
- Can I arrange my own vet exam before the sale is final?
- Can I pay through the marketplace checkout?
- What happens to my deposit if you cannot deliver on the agreed date?
A good seller answers these without fuss, because they protect the seller too. If you get vague answers, keep your money and keep looking. For more planning help, see our free tools and the guide to planning transport for a new animal.
Drafted with the help of an AI model from an editor’s brief, then reviewed and approved by The Everybarn Editorial Team before publishing.
Sources
- The Everybarn Standard. What is verified (a seller’s identity) and what is on file (the seller’s documents).
- Buying safely