Enchantacats

I have had the most beautiful and amazing time welcoming our fur baby soon to be babies home. Shyla kept us up to date on every experience our babies went through from the pregnancy to birth and every milestone they had. I would never even consider going to any other cattery than this one. It is a gorgeous clean well maintained place that has all the amenities you could imagine. She does this out of the love of the breed not to make money. Cant wait to get our next baby hopefully very soon.🥰❤🐈

I’m sorry people have had issues with Shila. I, Jeanine Kearney, had nothing but positive interactions with her. Over a period of 13 years, I’d spoken with her on the phone. I’d never met her. I am very fortunate to have one of her amazing Maine Cs, Max. Shila was compassionate over the loss of my Maine Cs, and did everything possible for me to take Max home. Her cattery is amazingly clean and no offensive odors. The cattery’s are located outside and the huge screened in areas have fans, heat and in some cases, actual trees within them. All of the cats are social and well groomed. There was fresh water and food accessible to all cats. The “nursery” was in preparation for a soon to be litter, and the pregnant cats were in a separate area. Shila is very deserving of high ratings for herself, and her lovely, lovely cats!

Review: This complaint covers a multitude of issues. One, misrepresentation of their term "reserve this kitten", and the hidden fact there was a balance due.

I through Paypal gave Enchantacats $200. for what I believed to be the purchase of a kitten on March 15th, 2013. On April 7th, 2013 we paid a visit to [redacted] (the owner of Enchantacats) in [redacted] CA to pick out our kitten. The whole time I was there viewing her kittens and making further arrangements for picking the kitten up in May, and from that point on in every email, phone call and all correspondence with her she never mentioned the fact that their was an additional amount that would be charged for this kitten. On May 9th, 2013 (five days before I was to pick up our kitten) I phoned [redacted] to set up a time to meet with her as planned on Tues. May 21st 2013. As we set the time of 12:00p.m. she out of no where told me to bring the remaining balance of $850.. This was a complete shock to me. I had no idea, was never informed this kitten was $1,050. I was dumb founded, heart broken and felt sadly taken advantage of. I was made to feel like I was an ignorant individual who should have known better than to be purchasing a full blood Maine Cn kitten for $200.. Maybe I was, but I feel she bore the responsibility of making the customer aware of the prices of her kittens upfront. She knew better, I didn't. I feel she took advantage of me and in the very least I should get my full $200. returned to me. I now feel after talking with others she doesn't list her prices for reasons and none of them are nice. She shouldn't assume everyone is breeder savey and be more forth coming right up front to people with what they are getting into. I was not able to pay this $850. to pick up my kitten, I am heart broken and depressed after anticipating my new kitten for months. Why was I never told I was going to have to pay all this money, not once. They say ignorance is no excuse, but I feel as a business owner she has a certain duty to be forth right with her customers. Desired Settlement: First I would like a full refund of my $200. dollars. Second I feel Enchantacats should change there web site to be more forth coming with their terms of purchase and to be more accountable for the prices of their kittens for sale. They should change the term "reserve this kitten" to "holding deposit" with "balance due upon receipt of kitten". Also, when they meet with customers at their house they should be up front in making sure they express what all fees are immediately and not wait until the last minute to spring addidtional charges on the customer.

Business

Response:

Business' Initial Response

My heart went out to [redacted] when she was advised the full price of the kitten she had selected.

After 17 years of breeding, I had never experienced anyone thinking that a deposit was the full price of a kitten, and many of our clients don't ask the full price up front.

I have refunded [redacted] the full deposit, even though it states on our website that deposits are not refundable (because it means the kitten is being held for them and other buyers are turned away, thus a deposit to reserve a kitten). I thought most people know a deposit means just that; not full price.

During our phone conversation I tried to make [redacted] feel okay about thinking that the stated $850 balance due did not mean $8.50 which she had thought. I assured her we did not think her naïve, although I inquired about her mature friend who helped in the selection process not suspecting the cat would cost more....or them asking.

Professionally, I try to be low key about prices because it can be a real turnoff to people, but usually when they're seeking a kitten, they have gone to several other websites, many of which state the amount of the kittens and pricing is fairly consistent.

We did, just today notice that paypal has changed the wording on their key on our website from RESERVE KITTEN to BUY KITTEN, which is probably where [redacted] felt misled, despite the fact that we referred to her payment as a deposit.

I'd like to point out, as well that we are a Cattery Of Excellence with CFA (one of the major registries of cats), and do all that we can to follow up and make sure our clients are happy with (their purchases) and it's unfortunate that [redacted] is feeling depressed over this incident.

Thanks for bringing this matter to our attention; we hope that receiving a full refund and our sincere apologies will make her feel better.

Consumer's Final Response

(The consumer indicated he/she DID NOT accept the response from the business.)

First off may I once again state that at no time EVER on their web site or in person was the term "Deposit" ever used. When I paid the $200. to them their web site referred to it as "Reserve a Kitten". Since in all my other dealings with them in person and via email was their never a mention of a $850. balance I assumed I had paid in full. Also, since this was my first time dealing with a breeder I had no knowledge that their prices were $1100. for a kitten. If I had I would have asked first thing what the full price was and never paid $200. to them since I wouldn't be able to pay that price. Since they don't ever list their prices (stating because prices fluctuate)and never brought it up when I drove up to pick out my kitten or at any time in our dealings on the phone or via email I figured I had paid in full. It was a complete shock to me when I was ready to pick up my kitten and they told me I owed another $850. I still feel they should have been more forth coming with mentioning their pricing on the kittens and not referred to it as a reservation of a kitten not a deposit.

I appreciate them offering me my full deposit in return although I have yet to see it. I truly don't feel they intentionally set out to deceive me but I do feel they should be more responsible in dealing with first time breeder buyers such as myself.

I would like to know when they are planning on refunding me my full deposit.

The kitten is wonderful. My issue is with how Shila responded to requests. She was defensive, and finally said I could return the kitten for a full refund. The issues were with the litter box, and having to verify she was indeed spayed, sneezing, and what type of vaccinations she was given. I requested the date of her shots and spaying, as when I contacted the clinic that Shila uses, they could find no record of having seen this kitten. I was ignorant and asking her for guidance. She seemed to think my questions were aimed at her credibility. They were not. Shila administers her own vaccinations. Instead of being able to discuss my concerns with her, I had to go the vet. Her site claims that kittens are socialized. Mine was not brought into the breeders home and her socialization began when I brought her home. That has worked out find, but is not what was promised. She claimed that because my kitten was from a larger liter, that in house socialization was not necessary. Thus, kitten was 10 weeks old and had not been inside a house. I think Shila should update her site to be more accurate in what she claims to do to prepare the kittens for adoption.

I think she should have accurate dates in her files for spaying, and I think she should let customers know that she vaccinates herself. I don't have a clue if that is acceptable or not, but she was so defensive it did make me suspicious. A pleasant woman, a nice setup, just not very professional.