o0 RYAN 0o said:
Most importantly I do need to create contracts.
Although the horse has been beaten quite badly, I still think there’s a lot to be learned from the whole ordeal—mainly the value of a written contract agreed upon by both parties prior to either one investing or fronting a substantial amount of time, money or animals. I think a good contract would include deadlines as well as provisions for “what if” situations (such as animals not producing, perishing, etc.) Even though it might end up sounding wordy or over-done, putting everything in writing helps to create a “plan” as well as an opportunity to discuss alternatives and solutions should the course of events deviate from the plan. I’ve written a number of contracts for things ranging from boarding agreements, loan repayments, and recently a breeder loan. It’s really not that difficult once you’ve worked out a few. True, a contract isn’t going to prevent infertility or deformities, but like I said, it could establish alternative reimbursements if that should happen.
Most importantly, when working out a loan, trade or agreement between friends a contract is invaluable to the friendship (in my opinion). You get a chance to think things through and agree ahead of time on potential issues that may arise. Since you’ve already agreed on those things, there would likely be a lot less arguing when they happen and things wouldn’t need to escalate to the point of getting “ugly”. Even when it’s something relatively minor, having a contract is a good idea. In this case, Ryan invested a significant amount of time building a website in trade for animals that had not even been produced yet (at least that’s my perception after reading all of this). When the deal hit a bump, it was not possible for Ryan’s part of the bargain to be returned to him. So to say something like “right now, we are even. I have no website, and he has no geckos from me” is blatantly inaccurate. In no way is that fair.
Anyway, if writing a contract seems intimidating because of uncertainty over what to include and what might be missing, I think posting it in the Trade Audit and Review Board forum would be a good alternative. That way, other people reading it can suggest solutions and alternatives based on their experiences that the involved parties may not have thought of.
That’s just my opinion/advice on that part of the issue.
I feel bad for both Ryan and Dan for the way things have turned out. It may not have been completely avoidable since Dan’s geckos did not produce what he anticipated, which is unfortunate, but I think where Dan went wrong was his decision to sell the one gecko (for a car payment or something??) and decide to keep another (Cailyn). Before the eggs even hatched the offspring were already promised to Ryan because of the agreement that they made. Dan, you were obligated to hold those for Ryan. If a car payment or affinity for a particular animal arises, the two that should have been sent to Ryan should never have even been considered as anything other than Ryan’s geckos because of the agreement you were already in. That’s how [good] business works. You have to do whatever is necessary to fulfill your end of an agreement.
Because of Dan’s poor decisions, Ryan is out a lot of time and apparently behind a breeding season, and Dan’s reputation has taken a serious blow. Very unfortunate for them both.
