Complaint Review: DeKoel Smith

DeKoel Smith is not deceptive. She actually believes that the kittens she sold me are purebred Ragdolls. I however, don't believe they are, and I have a right as a consumer to state my experience with her. Other people may have had a positive buying experience from her, but I did not. This is why my complaint will stand, but I wanted to correct the record about DeKoel Smith.

DeKoel Smith is not a money grabber. She is a cat breeder.

This corrects the record on DeKoel Smith's character.

To all of those reading this, please be aware that the photos DeKoel has posted in her rebuttal, and the photos she had been sending me along the way, are not photos of the kittens that she sold me.

I was shocked beyond belief when I first saw the kittens, as they have hardly any hair, thin tails, long legs, small faces and a skinny body frame.  They looked nothing like the photos she had been sending me.

I am completely familiar with the Ragdoll cat breed, as I've done much research and have gone to many cats shows.  My two full grown original Ragdolls fit the Ragdoll profile to a T, as described in the attachment I am including here.  

The kittens that DeKoel sold me look nothing like that.  They look more to be Burmese or a Burmese-Ragdoll cross.

I am sure, to the first time Ragdoll buyer, they would not notice the difference between the kittens that DeKoel sold me, and the what authentic Ragdoll kittens are supposed to look like.

Yes, I did want a seal mink and a seal sepia kitten, but I wanted ones that were purebred Ragdolls, and had the appearance, charactistics and traits of purebred Ragdolls.  That is what I thought I was paying for.  The ones she sold me are not what I envisioned at all!

I had sent her a copy of the email exchange between UC Davis Veterninary Labs regarding the testing for breed that she told me to go through with, which UC Davis told me doesn't even exist, and DeKoel got so angry with me, that she wrote in bold letters not to bother her any more, so I haven't been in contact with her since.

I had also placed a 400 deposit on two more future kittens before I had seen the two that I got from her.  After I saw the ones she sold me, I wanted a refund for my deposits on the two unborn kittens.  Of course, no surprise, DeKoel just kept the money.  She had not been holding any kittens for me with that 400 dollars, as they are not even born yet, and given the situation where I am not happy with the two that she's already sold me, I felt she should refund my 400 deposit on these unborn kittens, but she didn't.

When I purchased the kittens being discussed here, I entrusted DeKoel with not only the 400 dollars deposit for the two kittens, but also the 2400 dollars (majority of the 3000 dollars total), and the final 200 dollars when picked up.  So when I wanted to return these kittens, I wanted to do it the same way, in reverse, but of course, she refused.  Sorry, but my trust is gone, after seeing the kittens that I got from her.  I could not possibly return them with no money offered to me first.  

I already feel ripped off as it is.

Hello to everyone who reads this post - I am the breeder of these kittens -   It is not my intent to slander or come across as unprofessional in anyway, however I feel it is necessary to offer comment to all potential adopting families and friends may read this.

I have been breeding SBT Registered Ragdolls for 8 years now, and I have to say this is my first introduction in seeing the true colors of some.

I strive for excellence with all my babies born here - it was my love for the breed that got me started on my journey.

I am proud to say I have many, many happy adopting families - some who I have become very good friends with along the way.

I have maintained lengthy correspondences with this person as well as sent sent pictures and updates of her girls all along the way.

 For all who are not completely familiar with the breed - the kittens in question are not what we call Traditional Ragdolls, they are Mink and Sepia Ragdolls - so their look is a little different than the Traditional Ragdoll cat.  This is what she was specifically looking for - sepia minks.  All cats are registered as SBT purebred Ragdolls - Mink & Traditional.  I have no other breeds here, only my Raggies.

I have offered 2 scenarios for their return - the first was to ship them back to me by cargo - I would refund her money less her deposit (which is non-refundable and clearly stated on my website) and less a vet clearance due to the fact that she has other cats in her home - this is VERY standard with ALL breeders - no money is refunded until the kittens come back.

The second scenario I offered was to have friends of mine meet her and pick up the kittens for me - she would be out no shipping costs for them to come back - both scenarios were declined.

As for the genetic testing - this was simply a misunderstanding on my part - I was trying to offer her a solution to test for their breed - which I found out cannot be done.  I offered this suggestion only because all the SBT registrations and pedigrees I provided to her would not appease her. 

It all comes back to money with her - she wants it all upfront, which I cannot do, and no breeder would.

I am honorable and integrity is very important to me. 

All of my Ragdolls can be traced back to the original lines of Josephine.

Thank you to all my adopting families who appreciate my kittens and have made this so worthwhile for me.