Trading Guide
A complete guide to purchasing and receiving live animals on BreederDirect
Transaction Flow
Transactions on BreederDirect are completed in 5 steps. Breeder and buyer transact directly.
Browse Listings
Use categories and search to find listings. Check photos, prices, and breeder info. Note: Price negotiation is prohibited. All listed specimens are self-bred/grown by the breeder.
Contact
Use the 'Contact' button to message the breeder and discuss handover, shipping, and in-person inspection.
Close Deal & Pay
Arrange payment method and timing directly with the breeder (bank transfer, cash on pickup, etc.). We recommend paying after in-person inspection.
Handover
Receive the animal via the agreed method (kennel visit, in-person handover, or shipping). In-person inspection is required by Japan's Animal Welfare Act for dogs and cats.
Complete
Deal is complete once received. BreederDirect will issue a commission invoice after the breeder reports the closed deal.
Payment Methods
Payment is arranged directly between breeder and buyer. We use a deal-report model similar to Minna no Breeder.
- Bank Transfer: Transfer to the breeder's designated bank account
- Cash on Pickup: Pay in person upon inspection (recommended)
- Payment Timing: By mutual agreement. We recommend paying after in-person inspection
- Receipt: Issued directly by the breeder. Confirm in advance via messaging
Since payment is direct, BreederDirect does not store payment details.
About Shipping
Shipping live specimens requires care. Breeders set appropriate shipping methods on BreederDirect.
Shipping Options
- Delivery: Nationwide shipping via courier
- Pickup: Meet the breeder in person
- Both: Either delivery or pickup available
Packaging & Temperature
Breeders package according to species and season. Ice packs in summer, heat packs in winter, insulated boxes to minimize temperature changes. Shipping may be postponed in extreme weather.
Shipping Notes
- Specify a date/time when you can receive the delivery
- Redelivery due to absence causes stress to live specimens
- Remote islands may not be serviceable
- Shipping costs are listed on each item (typically buyer pays)
Delivery Confirmation
When your package arrives, follow these steps:
- Check outer box for damage
- Open in a quiet area and check condition
- For aquatic animals, acclimate before adding to tank (see our acclimation guide)
- If everything is fine, press "Confirm Delivery" to complete
Delivery confirmation deadline is 7 days from shipping notification. Auto-completes if no action taken.
If Issues Arise
If there are issues upon arrival, follow these steps:
- Document with photos: Take photos before and after opening
- Contact the breeder: Report promptly via messaging
- Hold delivery confirmation: Do not press Confirm until resolved
- Contact us: If unresolved, reach out to our team
Since payment is direct, pay-after-inspection is recommended. Take your time to resolve issues.
Return & Cancellation Policy
Buyer-Initiated Cancellation
Due to the nature of live specimens, buyer-initiated cancellations are generally not accepted. Please verify all details before purchasing.
Eligible Returns/Refunds
- Dead on arrival (live animals)
- Specimen significantly differs from listing
- Wrong species delivered
Contact us with photos before confirming delivery for review and refund processing.
Breeder-Initiated Cancellation
If the breeder cannot ship (animal illness, death, etc.), a full refund is issued.
FAQ
Q. What payment methods are available?
Payment is arranged directly between breeder and buyer (bank transfer, cash on pickup, etc.).
Q. What if there's a shipping problem?
Document the condition with photos and contact the breeder via messaging.
Q. When should payment be made?
Timing is by mutual agreement. We recommend paying after in-person inspection to avoid disputes.
Q. Can I cancel or return?
Due to the nature of live specimens, buyer-initiated cancellations are generally not accepted.