Buying Process and Policy

This document is subject to change without notice. Please email any questions to alison@alisonschinchillas.com.

The Buying Process

In general, this is the process for buying one or more of my chinchillas:

1. Fill out questionnaire.
2. Be approved.
3. Pay deposit.
4. Make weekly contact.
5. Pick up chinchilla(s).

Questionnaire and Approval

I will NOT accept any payment, or allow anyone to come see or pick up chins, unless they have been 'approved'. By this I mean I must agree that the person is knowledgeable and worthy enough to provide a home for one or more of my chins.

All prospective customers must fill out my questionnaire, unless otherwise stated.

After I have read your answers and discussed any questions, comments, or concerns with you, I will either approve or deny you. Prior to approval, I may ask more questions based on your answers. Denial does not mean that you can never purchase chins from me, it simply means that I do not feel that you are ready to care for a chin at this time.

**To date, of those who have taken the time to answer my questions, I have only refused one person. This is a learning process and those who are willing to learn will almost always be approved.

I reserve the right to refuse to sell to anyone.

Deposit

Following approval, you may pay a deposit. The deposit ensures your interest and holds your chinchilla until she/he is ready to move to a new home. You do not have to pay a deposit, but I cannot guarantee the availability of the chinchilla without one. I will only hold chins for one week without a deposit.

Unless otherwise stated, the deposit is half the cost of the chinchilla or $75 (whichever is lowest). A deposit can be paid with PayPal or check, providing there is enough time for the payment to clear before pick up. USPS Money Orders are also acceptable.

I will not accept a deposit for a kit until the kit is 4-weeks-old. Unless otherwise discussed, a deposit will hold a kit for a maximum of one month after weaning. After that, I ask that you pay a $5 per week boarding fee. Kits are typically weaned at 7-weeks-old and held for at least one more week to ensure that they are doing well.

Deposits are non-refundable, except in special circumstances:

• If something happens to the chinchilla while here (injury, illness, or death), the buyer is given the option of transferring the deposit to another chinchilla or taking a full refund of the deposit.
• If something happens on the buyers end (sudden life changes, death in the family, etc), a full or partial refund is at my discretion.

I will not be held responsible for lost payment (with one exception)! Please notify me before sending your deposit so I can let you know when it arrives. Do NOT send any money without approval.

Weekly Contact

I request that, after sale has been discussed and a deposit sent, the buyer contact me at least once a week. Contact can be a request for an update, pictures, a question, or simply a 'hello.' This lets me know that you are still interested and haven't disappeared off the face of the earth.

Payment Methods

The following payment methods are acceptable. The chinchilla(s) will not leave my possession until payment has been received in full. (This means checks and PayPal must have cleared.) You are welcome to pay the full payment in cash when you pick up the chin. Once again, I will only hold a chin for one week without a deposit.

I prefer not to take full payment all at once for a kit that has not yet been weaned.

Acceptable Payment Types:

• Deposit
• PayPal
• Cash (in person only)
• Check
• USPS Money Order
• Final Payment
• Cash in person
• PayPal ahead of time

Pick up or Delivery

You are welcome to come pick up your chin at our home and maybe visit the herd while you are here. We live about 20 minutes north of Spokane, WA. All visits must be arranged ahead of time.

I DO NOT SHIP! With that said, I will gladly deliver a chin part way (typically up to a 5-7 hour drive) in exchange for a gas fee. This must be arranged well in advance. With the exception of Spokane, I will not deliver chinchillas to any location without first receiving a deposit. The gas fee may be split among multiple parties.

I will have some paperwork for you to fill out at the time of pick-up or delivery.

At the time you receive your chinchilla, you should also receive a pedigree, information packet and food. I have never forgotten to bring these items on a delivery trip, but I have been known to forget to actually hand them over with the chinchilla so please feel free to remind me.

Updates

Keep in touch! I'm still available to answer questions and give tips and advice after a sale is complete. Don't hesitate to contact me via email.

Please send me updates after you get your chin home. I really appreciate them, especially pictures and stories.

Gandolf in his new home with new friend Kirby.