Question 1

How does buying through GeneticPlace work?

Accepted Answer

You buy or win a lot and pay only the brokerage commission through the Platform (5% of the purchase price). As soon as the commission is paid, the private chat with the seller opens. There you arrange payment of the purchase price, collection or delivery directly with the seller. The purchase price therefore does not run through GeneticPlace: you and the seller decide together when you pay, for example on delivery.

Question 2

How am I protected as a buyer?

Accepted Answer

We verify sellers on GeneticPlace (company register and identity) and earlier buyers leave reviews. All communication through the private chat is kept, so there is a clear file if a dispute arises. If something goes wrong you can open a dispute and GeneticPlace mediates between you and the seller. We also advise you to pay the purchase price on or after delivery, or to agree a deposit.

Question 3

Does this apply to embryos as well?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For embryos you agree the method of delivery with the seller through the Platform's chat (for example storage in nitrogen, transport by a specialised company, or handover to a vet or breeding station). You arrange payment of the purchase price directly with the seller as well. The dispute procedure also applies to embryo transactions.

Question 4

What if the animal is not delivered?

Accepted Answer

Preferably pay the purchase price on or after delivery; then non-delivery leaves you with no financial risk on the purchase price. If there is a problem anyway, open a dispute through your account (Account, Purchases, 'Report a problem'). GeneticPlace mediates between you and the seller based on the listing, the chat communication and the evidence submitted.

Question 5

What if the animal does not match the description?

Accepted Answer

You can open a dispute for that too, within 14 days of receipt. Describe the problem as concretely as possible and add photos, videos or a vet report where you can. GeneticPlace assesses the situation based on the listing, the communication between the parties and the evidence submitted, and makes a mediation proposal. We advise you to have the animal inspected by a vet immediately on receipt.

Question 6

Who is responsible for transport?

Accepted Answer

Transport of the animal or embryo is the responsibility of buyer and seller, not of the Platform. Risk of loss, damage, illness or death passes in principle to you as the buyer at the moment the animal or embryo is handed over to you or to a carrier you appoint. We advise you to make clear arrangements about the method of transport, liability and possibly transport insurance.

Question 7

What if the animal dies or falls ill after receipt?

Accepted Answer

If the animal already had a defect or illness at the handover to you or your carrier, that falls under the dispute scheme, provided you report it within 14 days and make it plausible. If the animal falls ill or dies after the handover, the risk lies with you as the buyer, unless you can show that the cause was already present at the handover. A vet report can be decisive here.

Question 8

Can I make an offer on a fixed-price listing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can make an offer of at least half the asking price. That offer is valid for 72 hours and you can withdraw it as long as the seller has not accepted. The seller can accept, decline or make one counter offer; on a counter offer you then have 72 hours to respond. Unlike a bid at auction, an offer on a fixed price binds you only once the seller accepts it, or once you accept a counter offer yourself. After that you have 48 hours to pay the brokerage commission; if you do not pay in time the sale lapses and the listing becomes available again. You then settle the purchase price directly with the seller, just as with Buy now. See also article 8 of the terms and conditions.

Question 9

What does it mean when a package is offered?

Accepted Answer

Semen straws and embryos can be offered as a package. If a listing says 'Package of 10 straws', the price shown is for all ten together and not per unit. The listing also shows roughly what that is per unit. Your offer, any counter offer and the commission calculated on it apply to the full package as well. A live animal is never sold as a package.

Question 10

Why do I have to pay the commission up front?

Accepted Answer

Paying the commission confirms your purchase and opens the private chat with the seller, where you exchange contact details yourselves. That way both parties know the sale is serious before contact and delivery arrangements are made. If you do not pay the commission within the payment term, the purchase lapses and the lot becomes available again.

Question 11

What does confirming receipt do?

Accepted Answer

By confirming receipt in your account you complete the purchase on the Platform: after that you can leave a review about the seller. If you do not confirm yourself, the purchase is considered complete automatically 14 days after the commission payment; you receive a reminder after 7 days. If you have a problem, open a dispute before then.

Question 12

How do I open a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Go to Account, Purchases and click 'Report a problem' on the purchase concerned. Describe the problem and add evidence if you have it (photos, videos, vet report, waybill). The seller is informed and gets 7 days to respond. GeneticPlace then mediates and makes a mediation proposal if needed.

Question 13

What if the seller disagrees?

Accepted Answer

GeneticPlace assesses the dispute independently based on the listing, the communication between the parties and the evidence submitted, and makes a mediation proposal. If the parties cannot resolve it even after mediation, they are free to bring the dispute before the competent court. Sellers who structurally fail to honour their agreements are removed from the Platform.

Question 14

Can GeneticPlace give me a purchase guarantee?

Accepted Answer

GeneticPlace is a brokerage platform and not a party to the purchase agreement. We do not offer a purchase guarantee in the sense that we ourselves stand behind the performance or health of the animal after delivery, and the purchase price does not run through the Platform. What we do offer is seller verification, reviews, a kept chat file and dispute mediation, so that in practice you have a strong position in the event of non-delivery or a material deviation from the listing.

Buyer protection

How does it work?

Live animals versus embryos

Transport and transfer of risk

Frequently asked questions