Supporting a friend in a business venture...

[ChloeTheGreat]

or fending for myself?

The topic is dog food, which may seem silly.

I have spoken to my friend, a major proponent of a specific brand of dog food. She wants to become a distributor to get a better price on this dog food and because it is not easily accessible (not available in many stores.) It is a very good food and I have done research on it. I talked to her about switching my dog onto this brand of food in the near future. She has not placed her bulk order of food because she is trying to find enough people that will buy from her. I am trying to switch dry dog food soon, which my friend knows, but she has made no effort to get me the food. Also, I'm concerned that if I do purchase food from her, what if she does not have it available when I need another bag? And what if I no longer have a relationship with this woman? I will be inconvenienced when I try to purchase more food. But, I've already told my friend I would buy from her.

The alternative: Buy another good quality food that I have also researched (and gets the same ratings and has similar ingredients to the other brand) but that is available in pet supply stores. It is about the same price, but I would be able to use coupons to purchase the food and it would be easily accessible.

So should I buy from my friend or do what is easier for me? I would not want her to expect my business and then tell her I've changed my mind and I don't want to buy from her.

What do you think?

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Well seeing that she hasn't made any effort to get you the food, you're going to have to get it from another place at this point, right? Personally, I'd stick with a retailer who carries it because it is easier. When you need a bag, you can go to the store and buy it. . . not wait until your friend is home for you to pick it up or whatever.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

Um...my opinion is - since it's not absolutely clear that she'll be doing the distributorship, I would get the other type of food that's more easily accessible. I don't know, maybe I'm too cynical, but I just feel like adding a business relationship to a friendship is asking for trouble.

One compromise though could be to get your dog on both foods at once (I actually feed my cats a mix of three different dry foods - I think LynnB was the one who suggested it a while back to minimize the health risks if one of the brands is ever recalled because it's not 100% of the animal's diet). That way you won't have to worry about running out since you can still get the pet store food, but you're also helping your friend out too.

 

[ChloeTheGreat]

Thanks for the responses. I was leaning toward the food available in store anyway. It helps to have some outside opinions.