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Stupidly I paid a $1700 fee upfront to be placed on their waiting list for a miniature basset hound. After a year and a half of waiting, I was given a choice of one puppy which I readily accepted as I was really thinking I was never going to get a dog. Six weeks after the dog was born I was told I had to pay a $490 shipping fee in anticipation of getting the dog shipped to me. Well... months went by with excuse after excuse. The puppy only had one teste drop, the puppy wasn't big enough to sterilize, again the puppy wasn't big enough to sterilize and on and on. Then it was thanksgiving so nothing would happen, then it was a month waiting for blood test results and vet clearances. Then they told me to clear my Christmas holiday schedule if I wanted to get the dog. I did that and they never ever gave me a shipping date. I always emailed them politely and replied nicely as I had read reviews of how they terminate your contract and keep your money if you question them. It states in the contract that they will ship the puppy within 12-20 weeks. To this date, the dog is 32 weeks old and when I questioned that, they put me under ‘review' as I called the dog a dog and not a puppy. Then they put me under review when I mentioned that I paid for a dog. Apparently I did not! Apparently I bought a dog crate and am getting a free puppy inside it. This ridiculousness has brought such stress and angst into my life that I can't handle it anymore. They have FINALLY emailed me with possible shipping date but want me to sign yet another contract with a bunch of new clauses etc BUT because I didn't sign this new document in 48 hours that I am possibly in breach of the stupid contract and further failure to email or sign the document will result in a breach of contract. Seriously? Then guess what? If I want to resume discussion of the contract I will have to pay a $1000 breach of contract fee! They run a very clever scam. They drive you crazy to the point where you get upset with them, they then turn instantly rude and condescending and slam you with a breach of contract, keep your money and resell the dog. I know I am never getting my money back but I really would like potential future clients to be aware of their scam. It was a very expensive lesson for me but I will never do it again!
I had the same experience ! Juan Johnson is a nasty scammer. I spent $1000 18 months ago and finally gave up. Still fitting for my money.
If you had the same experience what is your first and last name? That way posters can properly identify you and the company can identify you so they can post a response to you in a proper format to any false, misleading or inaccurate statements. This is important as I am sure the company would want to ensure true statements are being posted as false once fall under defamation. If you are telling the truth then providing your first and last name would bear no consequences.
It is such a shame that this fraudulent company is still in business! On the plus side, there are now over twenty of us that have found each other online that have been defrauded by elite basset hounds so instead of fretting over the stress and angst they caused, i look forward greatly to all of us suing them!
I believe after reading all these, I too have been scammed. I was offered a Mini Basset the endcif September and of course the Covid issue then came about. Supposefly done now but no contact from Elite now that the puppy should be being delivered. How can I get in on any potential way to get my money back? pmc7313@netscape.net
I am currently dealing with the same issue with elite basset hounds. Been two years and still no puppy and a bunch of threatening/bullish emails. Can I help be a part of that group to help put this scam to an end?
Yes! Please send me a message! We have a criminal case against them.
What is the status of the legal case? I can't find any location of the kennel and am angry that I have been scammed
Please send me a private email so I can forward your information onto the correct authorities
What email do we send our info to so that we can get in on the lawsuit? We signed our “contract” in Oct 2016. Same sad story as most of you. Sounds like they sent out just enough dogs to seem legit including a fb page.
I also went through this. I did receive a dog but she's riddled with health problems. When we got her she was covered in filth, terrified of people and still is to this day. She has come a long way, but still flinches when you reach over her head to pet her, especially if she doesn't know you. She had absolutely no potty training (like the website said she would) and is incontinent on top of that. She's showing early signs of hip dysplasia on top of everything that's going on and she also has a condition called pseudohermaphrodite (she is kinda a he). We waited 2 years for a dog, another 4 months before we actually got her and she's a gosh darn medical nightmare. This company is terrible and I wish their program would be shut down.
I am so sorry to hear this. So sad! Please contact me I would love to talk to you. We have a criminal case going against them.
We purchased a Miniature Bassett and it took over 3 years to finally get her. When we received her in 2018, she was over 20 weeks old, filthy, and was not potty trained as stated. She still flinches when you reach over her head and she is a pseudohermaphrodite with a leakage problems that requires certain medicine every day. When we asked the Kennel if the Vet found a bony structure in her female anatomy during her examinations or when she was fixed, it was reported that she does not have a bony structure. They are wrong. Additionally, she has Addison's disease which requires us to give her a shot every 28 days to keep her alive (Medications and shot is approximately $200.00 per month not including Vet cost). One of her eyelids folds inward which allows her to get eye buggies. All of these health issues were reported by several veterinarians in our area as genetic defects which is a breech of the kennels contract. I understand that certain health conditions can form; however, these conditions our Bassett is experiencing is a bloodline and breeding issue. We love our Bassett but she is definitely not miniature. We had her at the vet today and she weighs 71 lbs.
We have experienced all of the same experiences as the remaining people on this complaint board and were also placed under review. When we contacted Elite Bassets to let them know that they had Addisons Disease in the bloodline, they denied it and reported that they would see what they could do to help us under the warranty. Needless to say, that was the last conversation we had, they have never attempted to contact us since, and we could not get back in touch with them. We are also interested in assisting all that were scammed and joining the suit if possible.
yes all of you who have been scammed, contact and get them shut down forever.
I am so glad to see this place is finally under investigation. I stupidly signed a contract back in 2016 & to date, never received a puppy or my money back like the contract says I am entitled to after 2 years.
Send me a message!
I was ripped off by Grace Basset Hounds...I believe they are now operating under Elite Basset. Scam Artists!
We are out $2100 with Grace and am sure I will never see our money back!
Hi Julie,
Where did you find Grace Basset Hounds at? There website was just purchased and not yet active. Please email me would like to see if we can help you in any way.
I signed my contract in 2017 and no puppy to date! Fully paid including the shipping /flight fee. I was waiting for the puppy since Sep 2019 when I finally get to “select” a puppy. So many excuses like waiting for vet clearance, vet was on vacation and waiting for another clearance, Iowa winter weather, Las Vegas summer weather that they couldn’t fly the puppy, and the last excuse was the pandemic. And also, I switched from pbgv waiting list to mini basset thinking I’ll get a puppy sooner, paid extra for switching.. I was being nice and understanding bec. the contract says they can cancel w/o refund if the client causes any trouble or complaint. I lost my hope and stop emailing. They last called me in April saying that the dog was in good health and that they were just waiting for the lockdown to clear so they can send the puppy.
Today I got a call from Dr. Cindy Watson from dept of agriculture in Missouri. She said this kennel is under investigation and Michael Johnson is in jail for this scam. If I can help in any way or need my statement, please send me an email.
Please send me a email with your information so I can pass it on to the correct authorities
Sent you my contact info, thank u
Gena budd...I’d like to be a part of your case. They just ripped me off for $2045 on 9/30/20. Supposedly the dog was 9 months old and not selected and ready to go. Still no dog. I too was contacted by the department of agriculture of Missouri. They found my records in the location in Missouri of a purchase I made successfully back in March. Michael is in jail in Franklin County Missouri. The 55 dogs that were seized were abused and sick. Elite keeps saying my information is false and that I’m a lier. I hope they put Michael, Juan and anyone else from Elite under the jail. This has gone beyond the money...they are hurting the animals. Disgusting!
Please send me a email so we can pass your information on to the authorities
This doesn’t look “False” to me!
I am another bereaved customer in California. I had actually picked a puppy and, like other people here, paid thousands of dollars for what I see now is a scam. I have been anxiously waiting for updates about my puppy and now realize the puppy is probably with the Missouri Humane Society. Interesting that the Elite Basset Facebook page is still up and posting with the caveat of having a COVID outbreak. I am so, so upset and disappointed but I guess I should have known better. I, too, would like to be a part of any lawsuit although it will be like getting blood from a turnip but at least we might be able to shut these people down for good.
Wow! I really avoided a bullet this time thanks to all of you. I am desperately seeking a Basset Bleu de Gascogne and not finding any breeders I thought this was the easy button. I am sorry to hear that many of you had bad experiences. If it is any consolation your warning has now caused them to loose my business. Thank you all.
Lee, send me a email I will be able to forward your information onto a breeder I know that might be able to help you.
Hi Gena, we were also in the process of looking for a mini basset and purchasing from Elite (luckily we didn’t!) when we found this thread. We’re still interested in finding a reputable breeder, especially after this. Would you mind forwarding us their info, too? Thank you!
I too was given lots of excuses, weather, one testicle dropped, covid, vet at a convention during covid (ha), it was too hot to send him.
I finally had enough and told them not to send him because he was ten months old and I wanted a puppy. They told I would get a refund of the air fare in November, didn't happen
Jane,
Please send me a email so I can forward your information to the correct authorities
I to have paid approximately $2000 upfront for a PBGV puppy. They were emailing me about delivery of our selected puppy before Christmas 2019 and have yet to receive our dog. I have been under review twice, the first time was after they sent me an email letting me know that if I didn't pay for communications I would only receive basic information. I responded to the email that under no circumstance would I pay for something that they were so bad at. The second time I referred to Juan Johnson as an [censored]. Up until the 1st of December the site displayed a selected puppy and now there's no reference to a selected puppy. I have sent numerous emails and made many phone calls without a response. Supposedly they moved to Georgia about 15 months ago but I cannot find any reference of location anywhere. From the complaints listed by the other people I figure I will never see the dog that is now about 18 months old
Hi Joe,
Please send me a email! So we can get your information to the officer in charge of this case!
Please add me! Out $2600... I have horrible anxiety and depression, just went through a divorce, I have a daughter who was so excited also... they have really ruined so many lives. I saved and worked so much to be able to put down for that :/ I didn’t have the money to begin with 🥺🙏🏼 Saraceni.ashley@gmail.com. Pls verify you got this! Thanks!
Hi Gina,
How can I be added to this list? I bought a miniature basset hound in 2017, paid upfront and never got a puppy. When trying to ask questions about when was I going to have the puppy, I was mistreated and never got it. They never returned my money. Around $900.00. Please help. lpag8071@gmail.com
Wow... I honestly thought I was the only individual that has been waiting since November 2016 to receive a puppy. Well at that time a puppy. Now I think their contract states paying for a spot in line. I have reached out several times with no avail and I do agree they get extremely rude and crabby when you start to question it. When we initially paid in 2016 we had hopes the puppy would grow up with our young girls. It saddens me to how this company has ruined so many people including ourselves with the hopes of a puppy. I was offered one at one time that had health issues and since I didn't take that one it also put a notch in the belt with them and wonder if that is why I don't have one. I haven't received an email from them in ages until I emailed them to make sure my information was current cause I thought it odd that no puppies have been born in so long. Also they claim they charged me too much in taxes and that I am getting a refund... well that was back in 2016 also still waiting for that refund. Good Luck everyone on the puppy wait.
Wow, I thought I was the only one that had trouble with them. We put in an order for a puppy(well at that time it was a puppy) back in November 2016. Now you purchase a spot on the waiting list. I reached out to them several of times to see where I was at in the waiting line and all I would here was soon. At one point knowing the waiting list was so long I just asked for my money back so the next person wouldn't have to wait as long. Yea that didn't go over well.. Juan got defensive and basically threatened to take me off the list all together. I just recently reached out to them in November of 2020 to make sure all my information was up to date cause I haven't received an email from them in ages and all I got was yes we still have your information. They tried to sell me another product in which I stated no. I am also still waiting for a refund as they stated they charged me too much tax and were going to send me a check for the refund. Yea that was back in 2016 still waiting for that check to come. It makes me really sad to see how bad and evil some people can be.
Sorry I didn't see the first post and posted again. I apologize.
I would like to be added as well, currently out $2800, 2000 of which I know I will never get back, the 800 I have a chance through PayPal
I would like to be added to as I am out only $800 but no puppy and no way to contact the kennel.
They no longer have and dogs or puppies. They were taken away from them and they both have been arrested for fraud and other charges.
Yes that is correct! They are both in jail!
I was also a victim of the EBH scammers Juan and Michael Johnson. I put down a deposit in the spring to get on the list and waited my turn then in September I was told I had a puppy and paid the remainder only then to be told they had a COVID outbreak which was fake because Michael had just been arrested and all the dogs seized and have heard nothing else. How do I go about getting my name on this list. I have reached out to the police department that arrested him and seized the dogs and have them all my information but an investigator has not gotten back to me in months. I paid them via bank transfer so I have their BOA account numbers if that helps the investigators out. I also spoke with the Special Agents from Iowa where the previous case and warrants came from. Please email me whoever is working something out I would love to help get these guys and make them spend more time in jail for what they are doing. Christopher.gottschling@gmail.com
I too was on a waiting list under contract. I would like to be added to the fraud suit if possible?
Please add me! Tell me what
You need... thanks! Out $2600... I have horrible anxiety and depression, just went through a divorce, I have a daughter who was so excited also... they have really ruined so many lives. I saved and worked so much to be able to put down for that :/ I didn’t have the money to begin with 🥺🙏🏼
How do you get on the fraud list? I was sent a new contract for the shipping of a second puppy from them after all of the dogs were seized. I feel stupid for paying for the shipping but I did get one puppy from them in 2018 after being on the wait list since 2016, so I did not think that it would be a scam. I was sent an email in December 2020 stating they were getting caught up for the shipping but when I tried to follow up today all email addresses and customer sites were blocked and so I just started searching and found this. If someone could let me know what needs to be done to file the fraud claim or who I would need to contact it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks LeAnn smileybeagle@gmail.com
Hello everyone,
I am also a part of this scam. We have been waiting for almost two years in April, I was just searching for their website to get an update and it is deleted so I started to get concerned. Gena, I sent you a direct message.
Thank you.
I too have experienced this! I signed in December 2017 and have had the same issue with the puppy offered. Could you please add me to the suit?
I have lost out on $1000 on them too when I bought a Bassett from them and have never heard anything or gotten any updates. More upset not to get a dog then losing out on money. Terrible scam
Please let me know where we can be added to the list of people who lost out on a puppy and money!
Thank you, Melanie
nikrox@aol.com
How can I be added to this list? I bought a pet in 2017 from them and paid upfront. I was mistreated and never got the puppy. They never returned my money. Around $900.00. Please help. lpag8071@gmail.com
They are back, they changed their name when all the [censored] started to go down last year to The Basset Kennel, then they disappeared for obvious reasons (all their dogs were seized by the humane society // arrested for fraud)
They just posted a few days ago on facebook about starting up their scam again.
https://www.facebook.com/thebassetkennels/