I have been a private vendor for Lakeland Petland for the past year and half. As of this past September Things have turned.
When Petland started to buy birds from me, Wendy the owner told me the prices she would pay and I agreed to them. I am a home hobby breeder. Throughout the past year I have supplied birds when I have them and searched out what they request when I can do that. She has paid me for what I bring in when I bring them in or within a week of doing so. As of September this began to change.
I have always supplied healthy birds to them. They are hand-fed and raised to be sweet. Time after time when I would go in to check on the birds they would be shy and some (lovebirds) would be biting. That showed me they were not being handled enough. They still continued to sell them. I tried to educate the staff on what they are selling, some took it in. Some didn't. There is a large turnover of staff in the store. They called me in August saying they needed birds. I got them in there as soon as I could do so.
When I took them in (the first group) Kelly, the manager told me that there was not a check but that there would be one, so I took her word on it. She explained that they could not pay all at once and asked if I wanted to let them pay over time for what I was currently bringing in. I said sure, as long as you pay by December. Over September I took in a second round of birds. I located a pair of birds they requested numerous times as well. I gave them to the store for what it cost me. No markup at all. I received a check for 85.00 then another check for 50.00. This left them owing me 360.00.
Nothing was paid in October. I called many times and they played dodge ball with answers.By November I was letting them know I was irritated. Kelly called me at home and was polite and apologetic but, did not want to pay for some selected birds that have not sold, including the ones they had ordered beyond what I have. I would not agree and said no to that. Then I did say to be nice, that I would take the price of one off the bill, but they needed to pay up.
I went in on Nov. 23rd and received a check for 70.00. She ordered more cockatiels and wanted to do future business on consignment only. I agreed. For the past week I have tried to contact them and have been dodged again. Finally today, 12-11-11 I reached Kelly. She needed to call me back. Didn't do that. So I called back. She informed me that there was no check and that they were going to pay for the remaining amount by consignment only. Uh, no. This is not right. Not only not right... She only has stock to pay for 170.00 of her 290.00 bill. I really want to go after this if not only for principles sake. Wendy is here on a visa from England. I am considering contacting Homeland Security about her business practices here. I am so angry. I feel that I have been more than fair.
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