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  • Report:  #797517

Complaint Review: Becky Stephens of ClaBec maltese - Pensacola Florida

Reported By:
Lenka - Horice, Internet, Czech Republic
Submitted:
Updated:

Becky Stephens of ClaBec maltese
PO Box 15375, Pensacola, 32514 Florida, United States of America
Phone:
Web:
www.clabecmaltese.com
Categories:
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Last year (2010) in September I was offered a show maltese b***h from Becky. She offered me that, if she had a pretty b***h of FCI standard in three litters she was expecting from September to October, she would sell her to me for 2000 USD plus shipping cost, paperworks and plus a puppy back. I agreed.

I was waiting for my b***h to grow, she looked very pretty in photos and video I got. Everything seemed perfect and it was planned that at the end of April, my girl would come to me. I paid fees for her vaccination, paperworks, micro chip and flight ticket (only the fligh ticket was 1000 USD) and waited.

My b***h was looking very nice, BUT I soon realised she was roached, has absolutely no personality for shows (hates new people) plus the biggest problem - she misses teeth! You can sure imagine this is a huge problem, as I was expecting a show b***h according to the FCI standard, as I have agreed with the breeder several times before sending the b***h to me.

Although I sent Becky our standard before sending the dog to me, she told me she didnt know we needed complete dentition and that it was not her fault. She proposed that if I want to send her back, I should pay another 1000 USD for her flight back and she would refund me 2000 USD when she has them.

So I would spend 2000 USD in flight tickets plus 2000 USD the price of the b***h and then I would get 2000 USD back. Also I was said Honey is not a show dog in the USA either, she doesnt fit AKC standard, but she also doesnt fit FCI standard. Because me and my family fell in love with our Honey, we decided to keep her as our new expensive pet. Becky told me she would charge me 1000USD for her. So I have a Clabec pet female that costed me over 2000USD (which you all know it is a price of a show prospect maltese puppy in Europe).

As we had to find a solution, Becky offered me another show b***h. I realised from the pictures that the b***h was roached too, bigger than needed and too long backed. Also Becky told me that this b***h doesnt have straight teeth and has a hernia. I refused that b***h.

Instead of that, I fell in love with a little boy of show quality she promoted. Becky guaranteed that he had a full dentition (all his 42 adult teeth). She claimed for him a higher price - 4000USD for him.

That meant I should pay another 2000USD for him plus 1000USD for Honey to stay here. I was also asked to pay his vaccination, paperworks and micro chip for 180 USD plus shipping cost that was 1250USD! Which I agreed. We both also agreed I would pay 1000 USD for Honey in September 2011.

I sent her a dental schema and she counted all the teeth one by one and told me he had all 42 ADULT teeth. Because he had all his teeth, I decided to take him. I paid another money for him, made a loan in a bank and waited for him.

He came to me in the beginning of July 2011, his coat was a bit damaged, had tear stains on his face. But I said this can be improved in my care, no problem! He was over 8 months old.

You cant even imagine what a terrible nightmare occured!!! This lovely beautiful expensive dog hasnt got a complete adult dentition!!!! He actually missed two adult teeth at the moment I got him, one juvenile tooth was loosing, one tooth was weird and two adult teeth werent cut. All missing teeth were premolars.

So I paid 5430 USD (4000 USD for a dog + 180 USD for paperworks and vet + 1250 USD for a flight ticket) for a dog with missing teeth from Becky AGAIN although I was sworen he had a complete adult dentition!  I was told several time he had all 42 teeth and I got even a schema of the teeth that she counted them all and they are in!

She was also at the vet to count the teeth, on the 1st of November (the dog was over 8 months old)! I very doubt this, because every single vet should be able to  count the teeth and recognize the difference between juvenile and adult teeth. I also got a vets email forwarded by Becky where he apologized for his fault. But I went here to a vet only 6 days later (November 7) for an x-ray. Is it possible for teeth to come off during only 6 days and the vet didnt recognize they were coming off and juvenile?

As I said I went to a Czech vet on the 7th of November (only 6 days later) and he told me there are two premolars missing and other two seems to be juvenile and he doubts there are adults under them, also two premolars were cutting but he thought they wouldnt cut enough. So I went to a vet clinic to have an x-ray. The result was there werent two premolars, one premolar was juvenile and no adult tooth was under it and one premolar was very weird either juvenile or a very poor adult tooth and it could come off too, also other two premolar teeth are not cut yet but they are in.

So now here I am, after waiting for almost a year and spending  thousands of  Dollars for 2 pet Malteses. I have no dog for showing, no female for breeding and I have spent an enourmous ammount of money for this!

At first, Becky seemed to understand the situation she put me into and she accepted to get the male back BUT she told me she had no money to refund me.

Later on, she changed her mind and words and she told me I should pay his flight back and she would refund me only those 3000 USD I sent for the dog. I would this way loose 1250 USD for the first shipping, 1250 USD for the second shipping and 180 USD for paperworks, micro chip and vaccination, also what I paid for his registration and pet passport. A total at least 2680 USD.  She also said I need to send the dog to her first and she would pay me when she would have the money.

She also tried to resell Honey to me again for 2000USD, after we agreed first on 1000 as she is a pet.

When I told her I would share my story public, she changed her mind again and promised me to refund me all my money including the shipping cost, but that she didnt have money and didnt know when she would have them. Though, she didnt miss the chance to inform me that she will trash me if I dare to go public.

My proposal was that Becky would try to sell him back in the USA and for this I have sent her gorgeous photos of him. I also demanded the half of the money due before sending him back.

Since July 2011 I got only 490 dollars on my bank account.

I waited till October 2011, grew out his show coat to the ground and kept him in excellent condition. Due to my personal matters, I offered her to send him back based on a new contract of her owing me the money. She agreed and sent me a proposal of the contract. There was stated she would refund me 4500USD and would arrange his flight back in October on her expense.

But of course this didnt happen. No flight was arranged in October and once again Becky changed her mind and she is no longer paying for the transportation of the dog.

She told me I can either sell him on my own or send him to her on my expense and she would refund me only 3000USD when she have them (minus 490USD she already sent). So I would have spent 2500USD for her mistake of sending me for the second time a dog without complete dentition.

Because I paid for the dog with complete adult dentition which she claimed he had several times in our emails, I really believe she should refund me all those money. I am not mentioning other money I had to invest in him cosmetics, food, x-rays, vets.  But for the terrible mistake of sending again a dog with missing teeth, I cant agree to pay 2500 USD. After spending 2000 USD for an unwanted pet female.

I have tried my best to work things out in a polite and quiet way, but seems to me that I have no chance in doing that. Why? Because I was blind enough to trust her twice. Now she is ignoring my messages and she is just leaving it all on me. Her last message is from November 7 saying she doesnt care.

All I require is that she will take back the second dog she has sent to me and which doesnt have a complete dentition, at her own expense! I also require her to refund me the money I have paid for the dog, for his papers and for the transport.

As for Honey, I absolutely love her head, coat and the structure (except the things connected with roached back). So I told Becky I would try to approve her for one litter to see if I could get a good puppy for myself (others would be sold as pets because of the several faults she has). I have no idea if this could ever happen but Becky first wanted to charge me money for breeding her (if it happened) and later she was so "nice" that she told me I could breed her for free which should be a part of a refund (as I said I have no idea if I could get an exception for breeding her once).

This is my personal experience with Becky Freeman Stephens of ClaBec maltese. I can prove every single word of it and I will be more than willing to do it if you need it.

I also emailed Maltese Club of Greater Miami for help with dealing with its member Rebecca Stephens and also AKC.  

On November 12 I wrote her that ignoring the situation only makes me push the things futher. No answer. So I went public.

She still refuses to pay for HER fault and refund me.
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3 Updates & Rebuttals

Lenka

Horice,
Czech Republic
UPDATE - February 10, 2012

#2Author of original report

Sat, February 11, 2012

Up to date I have only received one email from Becky Stephens. She sent me an email with her new

website http://www.bresheamaltese.com/ . This so called breeder has set a new kennel name to avoid the results of her scam against me. She now breeds as Becky Stephens of Breshea maltese

I was adviced to place the dog. Before I did so I asked her if she was going to refund me so that I would send the dog to her. No answer.

I placed the dog and sent her a copy of a contract, she wasnt interested in details about his new life. Nothing. No answer.

She used to claim she would refund me after she sells a puppy. Up to date she has sold at least two puppies (from her at least two litters - she doesnt advertise all her litters she has for some reason....). I wasnt refunded. I wasnt refunded nor the dog price, nor the shipping cost I spent because of being scammed by her.



Lenka

Horice,
Czech Republic
Beckys lies

#3Author of original report

Thu, November 17, 2011

Becky swore several times there were all 42 adult teeth in and that the vet counted them. The truth is when the dog came he MISSED 4 PREMOLARS P1 which as her so called vet said must have fallen out since his last visit at the vet. (The email from her so called vet was sent by her and I havent got any email directly from the vet so I do not know who the author is.) The point is the PROMOLARS P1 DO NOT EXIST in the canine dentition so how could they fall out if they werent there??? Read the article here http://www.mudicompass.org/teethandbite.html#ANCHOR_Text2

So she sent me two pet quality malteses instead of show dogs I paid for.

I have been caring for the dog for almost 5 months for free. I paid the vet bills, food, cosmetics, I groom him every day, bath him every 5 days and no refund for that!!! I agreed on keeping a b**ch despite she is just a pet.

She said she would pay me only 3000 for the dog BUT during the next one year by payments of 500 USD when she has them. I had to pay for the dogs prior, no payments! And what about the 1430 USD I invested in getting the dog which was claimed to have a complete dentition and when he arrived I only found out it was a lie.

The contract is VAID because I placed requirements on the teeth prior purchase and was assured several times they were met. So after that I paid and signed the contract. It was a lie so that I would buy the dog.

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ClaBec Maltese

Pensacola,
Florida,
USA
Half Truths......

#4REBUTTAL Owner of company

Mon, November 14, 2011

Lenka, It is sad that you have resorted to the means that you have concering the return of Petr'. We both knew that I agreed to pay for Petr's shipping back to me. Along with knowing that when he came back to me would depend on when my nanny was going to be in your country.  I have done everything possible to make this happen. But it is not my nor her fault that she has not delivered a dog over there since this occured. She, along with other people have heard me cry, worry and stress to the max with me trying to figure out how we can do the shipping at minimal cost. But after looking back through our emails today I can see why I agreed to pay his shipping back. You know I am a very gentle person and you were harassing me in such a way during a very hard time in my life that I gave in.  Since then you have emailed me at least 3x a week wondering if I have a date yet. Then late last week you sent me a message demanding a date and going as far as to say that I did not want him back. You must have forgotten that I had already sent you money via your bank account towards his purchase price since we discovered the mistake that my vet made.  Yes I did count his teeth. And would have swore on the bible that they were all there. In the United States we do not count teeth. So I had absolutely no idea on how to count them correctly. So yes I did make a mistake. And I will be the VERY FIRST to admit that.  I have told you that once I got him back that I would refund you your money. I do not know what else you expect me to do. As far as his shipping, I agreed to pay it until I just could not take anymore of your harassment. That is when I decided to abide by the contract.

This is the contract between Lenka and myself. Although I had every intention to pay for Petr's shipping back to me until I just could not take anymore of her harassment.......

ClaBec Maltese Show Contract & Bill of Sale  Rebecca StephensPO Box 15375Pensacola, Florida 32514Phone # (850) [email protected]  ***Read this contract completely before signing* Buyer:   Lenka Svobodova  Street + number:   Cechova 787  Town:    Horice   Country:   Czech Republic     Buyer Contact #:  00420608825278     Buyer Email:    [email protected]  Date of Sale: 07/05/11_Purchase price of dog:  $5000 ~ Price of Lil' Man and Honey Girl   Deposit:   $4000                                Balance Due:   $1000                        Balance to be paid by September 30, 2011.  Breed of Dog: Maltese           Color: White with Black Points      Sex:      Male         Registered name of Dog:    ClaBecs Prince of Charming Elite                      Date of Birth:      10/23/2010          Place of Birth:   Pensacola, Florida USA                      Breeder: Rebecca StephensAKC Registration #:   TS01564102   Sire: Blue Hills Turbo Charge   AKC Registration #: TR81664702 Dam: Rebeccas Jacquelynn Rose   AKC Registration #: TR51986301 AKC Registration (Certificate of Application) Given: Yes  If No Reason Withheld:  Date Dog was picked up or shipped to buyer:                           *BALANCE is DUE before the dog is picked up or delivered to the buyer.* Deposits and balance is to be paid by money orders or cash only! Show Dog Guarantee: The "Show Dog" is an adult dog or a pup that goes beyond the definition of a pet dog. This animal mustbe pure bred, registered with the AKC. and be free of all disqualifying faults for its particular breed at the time of sale. This dog is not guaranteed to win in the show ring, unless this is agreed in this contract attime of execution. It is understood with proper care on the part of the buyer, in due time the dog should be of acceptable temperament and structure, and should embody the standards of the breed. This is not to say there are no faults. There is no perfect dog.

1. Dog is purebred. Pedigree is correctly given at time of sale. Dog is registerable on an AKCunlimited registration.

2. Said dog is being sold as show quality. Dog is to be shown to AKC Championship before being bred. If the dog is bred before completing his/her Championship buyer will pay seller 10xs the asking price for each puppy born.

3. Dog is 100% Guaranteed. 

4. At the option and expense of the buyer a 48 hour guarantee through an examination by a licensed veterinarian of buyers choice is to be recommended. Upon exam completion if the vet finds a hereditary or crippling disease Seller has the option to: either REFUND 100% minus any transportation or vet cost to buyer, provided the dog is returned to the seller, or REPLACED at sellers option. Also breeder/sellers vet must agree with diagnosis. 

5. To be free of hereditary crippling defects visible by 2 years of age. Replaced when first available puppy of the same sex show quality is available. Verified by buyer and seller's veterinarians at no expense to the seller. Replacement puppy has no guarantees.

 6. No other written guarantees or warrantees, expressed or implied, are made under this contract except as stated as follows, initialed and dated by both parties:                

7. At any time after 48 hours of the dogs life Seller gets first right to refusal before dog is to be given or sold to another party. At no expense to the seller for vet bills, transportation cost etc. Further, Owner will duly execute the appropriate AKC Registration Certificate restoring Breeder's  Full and Sole Ownership status on the dog/b***h and send the Certificate to the Breeder. *SAID DOG WILL ONLY BE REPLACED IF WITH IN THE 2 YEAR GUARANTEE!*

 8. Any litigation in a Court of Law will reside in the State of Florida, in the United States of America and in the City of Escambia County. 

9. Buyer agrees to take care of said dog. Said dog will have proper veterinary care, kept clean and in a clean environment and will have proper socialization.  

10. Owner is expressly prohibited from selling or breeding this said male/female Maltese until such time as an Confirmation Championship Title Certificate is earned by the dog and RECEIVED by Owner from the and a copy sent to the seller/breeder.
 
11.Owner is expressly prohibited from selling, leasing, or co-owning any puppies  produced by this said male/female Maltese dog to any buyer in the United States of America. All "GET" produced by this said male/female Maltese, not SOLELY owned by the owner or owners are to be sold directly as pets on a spay/neuter contract and marked limited on AKC. registrations if sold to a buyer in the United States of America. The only exception would be written permission from the Breeder/Seller on any breeding show/stock being considered sold. 

12. Breeder gets full stud rights inside her own kennel if a male show dog is being purchased. This will be at no expense to the breeder except shipping cost. Breeder gets first pick female show prospect puppy at 12 weeks old from show female sold. Breeder will only pick the stud of her choosing on first litter born. At no expense to the breeder. The only cost to the breeder/seller is transportation expenses to have puppy delivered to her home. If by the second litter the said female has no female pups the breeder seller may choose to take either a male puppy pick of the litter or cash payment equal to the selling price of said dog.  

13. Said Contract is made in good faith to protect both buyer and the seller. 

This is a email from my vet to Lenka concerning the teeth of said dog....

Let me first extend my sympathy in what has been a heartbreaker for us all. I now know how this happened, but that does not make this any easier to swallow the bitter pill. Please allow me to tell why this occurred. When we examined Petr on 5/25/11, I counted the dentition with Ms. Stephens present and we all agreed that Petr had the correct NUMBER of teeth at that time.  When we reviewed the exam on 6/20/11 to finalize his papers for travel, we again verified the correct number of teeth because we were aware of your strict requirements on correct dentition. What we failed to realized was that some were deciduous (juvenile) teeth. On toy breeds it can be difficult to tell the deciduous incisors and premolars from adult teeth. The Canine (fang) tooth is easy to tell, but the others are harder. In hind sight, if I had thought about it, we could have x-rayed the mouth, but I did not have any reason to suspect with the age of Petr that this was going to be an  issue and it did not cross my mind to do this. As you know hind sight is 20/20.

 Obviously from your radiographs the superior right and left P1 is clearly missing. As we did count a P1, we had to be counting the juvenile tooth that has since fallen out.  I have looked at the other questioned teeth and am not sure from these films what to make of the ones your vet has circled. As these are skull radiographs and not dental radiographs, I can not make out the detail to make a diagnosis on these teeth in question. I am not  disagreeing with your vet as to the questions about these teeth; just that I  cannot make a diagnosis yet.

In the film labeled xray 1(2) that has no notes, both the superior P3  as well as the P2 inferior teeth look suspect. However in the film labeled x-ray 2 the superior P 3 looked OK. As x-rays labeled x-ray 2 have a LEFT marker on them I am not certain as to which arcade I am looking at. If one set is the right and other is the left then that would explain the difference. In order to be more exacting, the best  way to clear all of this up is to get a good set of dental films of the  premolars it this is possible.

Please be aware that this oversight was certainly never intended and I am deeply sorry that Petr has this defect and that we did not detect it prior to his being shipped. We did what we thought at the time was reasonable. From now on I will insist on dental films where dentition is such a priority.   He is a very nice dog and at least this is not anything that will affect his personal well being. I can relate to the little guy as I am also missing two of my premolars. I am 48 years old and still have the juvenile teeth going strong. I understand the importance of him having his full adult dentition and I am not making light of this.  I do hope that something can be worked out with him being able to be shown.

Sincerely,
Mike Elliott, D.V.M.
Chemstrand Oaks Veterinary Hospital,
LLC10229 Chemstrand Road

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