Transaction Safety Guide
Common transaction issues, how to prevent them, and what BreederDirect does and does not provide (no escrow, no warranty).
Summary
- The buyer pays the seller directly. BreederDirect does not hold funds.
- Health, DOA and refund terms differ per seller. Check the listing's warranty terms and the contract before buying.
- BreederDirect is not the warrantor and does not refund. In a dispute we review message records, contact both parties and advise under our guidelines.
- Mammals, birds and reptiles legally require in-person inspection and explanation before handover. We recommend paying after inspection.
Who is responsible for what
| Item | BreederDirect | Seller (Breeder) | Buyer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receipt of purchase price | Does not receive or hold (Terms Art. 6) | Receives directly from buyer | Pays seller directly (bank transfer, cash, etc.) |
| Health / DOA warranty | Not the warrantor (Terms Art. 7) | Set individually in listing terms and contract | Check terms before buying; document and report promptly on arrival |
| Refund / replacement | No refunds or compensation | Handled under the seller's own terms | Request from the seller under the contract |
| Dispute support | Reviews message records, contacts parties, advises (no guaranteed resolution) | Responds in good faith via messaging | Seller first, then BreederDirect if unresolved |
| Seller review | Reviewed at registration; licence certificate, number and expiry checked for animal-handling categories | Registers and keeps accurate information | Understands what the badge does and does not mean |
Common Issues & Prevention
📦Poor condition or dead on arrival (DOA)
Cases where the animal's condition deteriorates during shipping due to temperature changes or stress. Risk varies by season and packaging method.
Prevention Tips
- Confirm packaging methods (heating/cooling measures) before shipping
- Take extra precautions for shipments in extreme summer heat or winter cold
- Verify dead-on-arrival guarantee conditions in advance
- Open the package immediately upon arrival and document the condition with photos/video
⚠️Received animal differs from description
Cases where the morph, size, sex, or other attributes differ from the listing. Color differences between photos and the actual animal also cause disputes.
Prevention Tips
- Request multiple photos and videos before purchasing
- Verify that breed/morph names are accurate
- Ask about measurement methods (body length, shell length, total length, etc.)
- Confirm sex determination method and reliability
🏥Disease or parasites discovered after purchase
Cases where hidden diseases or parasites are discovered after purchase. Diseases with incubation periods may take time to manifest.
Prevention Tips
- Ask detailed questions about the animal's health before purchasing
- Confirm recent feeding history and stool condition
- Quarantine new arrivals separately from existing animals
- Get a veterinary health check if needed
🚫Loss of contact after payment
Cases where the seller stops responding after you pay upfront, or fails to ship. This is more common when arrangements are made without any written record.
Prevention Tips
- Communicate through br-choku's messaging system so a record remains
- Agree on the payment method and timing in advance via messages
- Arrange to pay after inspecting the animal in person
- Check the seller's transaction history and reviews
💰Return and refund disputes
Disputes arising from differing expectations about return conditions. Returns are particularly difficult with live animals, making prior agreement essential.
Prevention Tips
- Always review the return and refund policy before purchasing
- Clarify under what circumstances returns are accepted for live animals
- Confirm the deadline for reporting issues
- Use the messaging system to keep a record of all communications
Platform Safety Features
✅Breeder Verification System
Animal dealer registration numbers are verified, and verified badges are awarded. Verified breeders are displayed as a trust indicator.
💬Message Recording
All communications through the platform's messaging system are recorded. These serve as evidence if disputes arise.
⭐Review & Rating System
Post-transaction reviews help visualize breeder trustworthiness. Response rates and transaction counts are also viewable.
🛡️Reporting & Support
Users can report problematic listings or users. Our support team investigates and takes action.
What to Do if Problems Occur
Document the issue
Record the condition or problem with photos and video. Make sure timestamps are visible.
Contact the seller
Use the platform's messaging system to inform the seller about the issue.
Contact support
If the issue isn't resolved with the seller, contact our support team. Attaching documented evidence helps expedite resolution.
Agree on a resolution
Discuss a mutually acceptable resolution such as a refund, replacement, or partial refund.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if a problem occurs?
First, contact the seller through the messaging system. If unresolved, contact our support team. Having communication records and photos/videos from arrival will help resolve the issue more smoothly.
How does the dead-on-arrival guarantee work?
DOA guarantee terms vary by seller. Always check the seller's guarantee conditions before purchasing. To claim a guarantee, you are typically required to open the package immediately upon arrival and document the condition with photos/video.
Is it safe to transact outside the platform?
Payment itself is made directly between breeder and buyer by design. However, moving the conversation and agreed terms off BreederDirect messaging (e.g. to LINE) leaves no record, so we cannot verify what happened in a dispute. Keep communication in the messaging system and have the breeder report the deal afterwards.