🐾 Prancing Pony Farm – Payment Policy & Fee Schedule

We believe in being completely transparent about pricing and payment. Different payment platforms charge different fees, and instead of quietly raising our base price for everyone, we only pass along the actual cost of the method you choose.

You’re never paying “mystery fees.” You’re only paying what your chosen payment method costs us.

💳 Available Payment Methods

1. Good Dog Platform

Good Dog is a third-party service that offers payment processing, optional buyer protection, and a verification system for breeders and buyers.

If you originally found us through our website (this is the most common situation):
• Good Dog allows you to pay by bank transfer (ACH) with no added fee.
• This usually ends up being the most cost-effective option for you and for us.
• You can optionally add Good Dog’s “Protection & Support Plan,” or use a card instead of ACH, but those add fees on their side.

If you originally found us on Good Dog:
• Good Dog’s Terms of Service require those transactions to be processed on their platform.
• Good Dog identifies buyers by email address. If you use the same email on Good Dog and with us, their platform will apply their fee automatically.
• Because of that required platform fee, puppies listed through Good Dog appear at a slightly higher price.

Pricing for Good Dog purchases:
• Standard puppy price: $3,500
• + Good Dog platform fee coverage (6.5%)
• Total listed price on Good Dog: $3,745

That higher number is not an “upcharge.” It’s simply the same puppy plus the cost of Good Dog’s required processing.

2. HoneyBook Payment System (Direct Website Clients)

HoneyBook provides a secure, contract-based invoicing system for clients who contact us directly through our website.
This method keeps everything organized — contracts, payments, and communication — in one place.

Processing Fees:

• Credit or Debit Card: 2.9 % + $0.25 per transaction

• Bank Transfer (ACH): 1.5 % per transaction

• These small fees are added automatically to your invoice so you see the exact total before paying.

Typical Pricing Example:

• Base puppy price: $3,500

• Credit card total (with fee): ≈ $3,602

• ACH total (with fee): ≈ $3,552

3. Cash Payment (Pickup Only)

• Cash is accepted only at in-person pickup for final payment.

• The $500 reservation fee must still be paid online.

• No processing fees apply for the cash balance.

✅ TLDR

• Direct clients (website → HoneyBook):
Base price $3,500 + small card/ACH fee

• Good Dog clients (you first contacted us on Good Dog and stay on Good Dog):
Price appears as $3,745 because that includes Good Dog’s required platform fee

• Cash:
Allowed for the final pickup balance only, after the $500 online reservation fee

Our goal is fairness. You choose the payment method, and you only pay the real cost of that method.

Reservation Fee ($500)

• Due at the time of reservation
• Non-refundable (see Reservation Policy for details)
• Applied toward the total purchase price

Final Payment

• Due when puppies reach 12 weeks of age
• For puppies or adults over 12 weeks, full payment is required to hold
• Payment must be received before pickup/shipping arrangements are finalized
• Puppy contracts must be signed before pick-up/shipping can be arranged

✈️ Shipping & Additional Fees

If shipping is required, additional fees will apply:

• Air shipping: Price varies based on current airline rates and crate size
• Ground transportation: Quoted based on distance and specific requirements
• Health certificates and travel documents: Current veterinary rates apply

All shipping fees are due at the time of final payment and are non-refundable once arrangements have been made.

Extended Stay Board Rates & Policies

Grace Period for Pick-Up or Shipping We understand that coordinating travel and shipping arrangements can take time. All puppies and dogs include a complimentary 2-week grace period:

• Current litter puppies: May be picked up between 12-14 weeks at no additional charge
• Older puppies and adult dogs: 2-week window from reservation confirmation for pickup/shipping arrangements

Board Rates After Grace Period After the grace period expires, board rates of $25 per night will apply. This covers:

• Safe, secure housing in our specialized facilities
• Premium nutrition and daily care
• Continued livestock exposure (passive training benefit)
• Health monitoring and basic grooming needs

What Board Does NOT Include Our board rate covers essential care only. It does not include:

• Formal training sessions (leash training, cues, behaviors, etc.)
• Intensive socialization programs beyond our standard protocols
• Specialized grooming services
• Extended handling or one-on-one training time

Additional Training Services As a certified professional dog trainer, I do offer enhanced training services for dogs staying beyond the grace period. These services are available at additional cost and must be arranged separately. Contact us to discuss specific training goals and pricing.

Payment & Arrangements Board charges begin immediately after the grace period expires and must be paid before pickup/shipping. We accept the same payment methods as outlined in our sales policies above.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

We understand that circumstances change, but last-minute cancellations create significant losses for our small family farm. Our refund policies reflect the actual work completed and costs incurred at each stage of the process.

NON-REFUNDABLE SERVICES (No Exceptions)

The following are completely non-refundable once purchased:

• Commercial Shipping Coordination Service ($100)
• Puppy/Dog Reservation Fees (per contract terms)
• Airport Delivery Service AFTER CVI vet appointment ($100)
• Training Consultations & Completed Services

Why: These represent our professional time and expertise, which cannot be recovered once work has begun.

PARTIAL REFUNDS – Based on Timing

Airport Delivery Service ($100 per dog)

• Canceled BEFORE CVI vet appointment: 70% refundable ($70 refund)
• Canceled AFTER CVI vet appointment: Non-refundable ($0 refund)
• Canceled within 72 hours of flight: Non-refundable ($0 refund)

The CVI veterinary appointment requires 1-2+ hours of our time and coordination. Once completed, the service has essentially been performed.

PHYSICAL PRODUCTS – Restocking Fees

Travel Crate Packages

• 15% restocking fee if canceled before the crate is assembled
• Non-refundable once assembled and prepared for your dog
• Returns must be requested within 30 days of purchase

Harnesses & Other Equipment

• 15% restocking fee for unused items in original packaging
• Non-refundable if used
• Returns must be requested within 30 days of purchase

What Restocking Fees Cover

Every transaction costs us money and time:

• Payment processing fees (3-4%) that cannot be recovered
• Administrative time processing refunds and updating records
• Opportunity cost of items reserved for you
• Inspection and re-listing of returned items

How to Avoid Restocking Fees

✓ Ask questions BEFORE purchasing – We’re happy to answer concerns
✓ Confirm your budget – Ensure you are ready to commit to a dog andcan afford total shipping costs
✓ Verify sizing carefully – Double-check measurements and requirements
✓ Communicate early – Contact us immediately if issues arise

Special Circumstances

Our error: If we make a mistake, we provide a full refund or replacement at no charge to you.

Medical emergencies: Contact us immediately. While we cannot waive all fees, we will work with you when possible.

Weather/airline cancellations: Your fees roll over to the rescheduled date at no additional charge.

Contact Us First

We strongly encourage you to reach out with questions or concerns before making purchases. We’d rather spend time helping you plan successfully than process cancellations later.

Contact us if you have questions about costs, timing, sizing, or readiness: kim@prancingponyfarm.com

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

💬 Payment Policy FAQ

Why are the prices different on Good Dog and on your website?

Good Dog requires payments on their platform for buyers who connect with us there, and they charge a platform fee. Instead of raising our base price for everyone, we list puppies on Good Dog at a higher total ($3,745) to cover that fee. Our standard direct price is $3,500 when you come to us through our website/HoneyBook. It’s the same puppy and the same program — the only difference is the payment system and its cost.

Is the higher Good Dog amount just profit for you?

No. The higher Good Dog price is not an “extra charge.” It covers the platform fee that Good Dog applies to those transactions. We do not secretly mark up the dog just because you contacted us on Good Dog.

Can I pay with Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or a personal check?

No. For everyone’s protection (yours and ours), we only accept payment through Good Dog, HoneyBook, or cash at in-person pickup. This ensures you receive receipts, we have consistent records, and both sides are protected.

I first messaged you on Good Dog, but now I’m emailing you directly. Can I pay through HoneyBook instead of Good Dog?

We follow Good Dog’s terms for clients who choose to complete their purchase fully through that platform. If you are now working with us directly through our website and HoneyBook, we will invoice you through HoneyBook like our other direct clients. You will see any small HoneyBook processing fee itemized on your invoice before you pay.

Do I have to pay the reservation fee and the final payment the same way?

Most families use the same method for both the reservation fee and the final payment to keep records simple. If you need a different arrangement (for example, ACH for the deposit and cash at pickup), please ask and we’ll let you know what’s possible.

When is the final payment due?

Final payment is due when puppies reach 12 weeks of age. For older puppies or adults, the full amount is due to hold the dog. We cannot release a puppy for pickup or book shipping until payment and the sales contract are both complete.

What if I need shipping?

Shipping (ground or air), health certificates, and the travel crate are additional costs. Those fees are due with your final payment and become non-refundable once shipping is booked.

What if I can’t pick up right away?

We include a 2-week grace period at no charge. After that, we offer extended stay boarding at $25/night. This covers housing, daily care, and continued exposure to livestock. Formal training beyond standard daily care is available as an add-on at trainer rates.

Why do you charge restocking fees?

Every purchase and refund costs us real money and time that we cannot recover:

• Payment processing fees: We pay 3-4% on every transaction. When you purchase something for $100, we pay $3-4 to process that payment. When we refund you, we don’t get that money back.
• Administrative time: Processing refunds, updating inventory, adjusting schedules, and communicating with clients takes significant time away from caring for our animals and serving other customers.
• Opportunity cost: When an item is reserved for you, we cannot sell it to another client. If you cancel, we may have turned away other buyers.
• Re-listing work: Returned items must be inspected, rephotographed if needed, and re-listed in our store.

The restocking fee covers these actual costs. We’re not trying to profit from cancellations – we’re simply protecting ourselves from financial losses when clients change their minds.

Can I avoid restocking fees?

Yes! Here’s how:

✓ Measure carefully before ordering harnesses or equipment – contact us if you need sizing help
✓ Ask questions first – we’re happy to answer any concerns before you purchase
✓ Confirm your commitment level – make sure you’re ready for the financial investment before buying shipping services
✓ Review product descriptions thoroughly – ensure you’re ordering the right items
✓ Contact us immediately if you have concerns, rather than waiting until the last minute

We’d much rather spend time helping you make the right choice upfront than process a refund later. Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions!

What if I ordered the wrong size by mistake?

Contact us immediately – don’t wait!

For unused items in unopened packaging: Standard 15% restocking fee applies. The sooner you contact us, the easier it is to process an exchange or refund.

For opened or used items: Higher restocking fees may apply, or the item may be non-refundable depending on condition.

Our recommendation: Measure your dog carefully and contact us with measurements before ordering. We’re happy to help you choose the correct size the first time!

Why is the shipping coordination fee 100% non-refundable?

This fee pays for our professional time and expertise, which we provide immediately upon purchase:

• Researching the best airline routes for your destination
• Contacting airlines to check availability and policies
• Coordinating with layover kennels when needed
• Preparing documentation and travel instructions

Once we’ve done this work, we cannot “undo” it or get our time back. The coordination fee represents hours of skilled labor, not a physical product. By the time you might request a refund, we’ve already earned that fee through work performed.

This policy also ensures that clients are committed and ready before we invest our time. If you’re uncertain about shipping, please contact us for a free consultation before purchasing coordination services.

Are there any situations where you provide full refunds?

Yes! We provide full refunds with no fees in these situations:

✓ Our mistake: If we send the wrong item, the wrong size, or make any error, we cover all costs
✓ Defective products: If something arrives damaged or defective, a full refund or replacement
✓ Service we cannot provide: If we’re unable to fulfill a service for reasons within our control

However, we cannot provide full refunds for:

✗ Change of mind after services have been performed
✗ Client’s financial situations or budget changes
✗ Items that have been used or opened
✗ Last-minute cancellations after work has been completed

Can I get store credit instead of a refund?

Great question! Yes, in some cases we may offer store credit as an alternative, which would eliminate or reduce restocking fees. Contact us to discuss options if you need to cancel but plan to purchase in the future.

However, time-based service fees (like shipping coordination and airport delivery after the CVI appointment) are still non-refundable even as store credit, because the work has been completed.