I just want to openly clarify my deposit agreement stipulations as I recently had a guy (more like an angry housewife) request a deposit return after they purchased a puppy from another breeder because the "timing" was better in their life. They became upset when I said no, and both sides dug in our heels.
Just for the record, I use a written deposit agreement to avoid any miscommunication for this exact situation. It says quite clearly on the first line, in black and white letters, for the whole world to read: "Deposits are not refundable if Buyer changes his/her mind." I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. I have no control over when heat cycles come, and as with most breeders those plans can and often do change. It's rather unfair to think biology operates on a precise timeline or that I can breed around your convenience. However, when setting breeding plans, I'm not usually off by much, and never off by more than a calendar season.
I'll work with you within reason and for good reasons, but changing your mind because it's more convenient for you, isn't one of them. There is nothing I won't do for puppy buyers and few people on the planet raise puppies better, but my advice is to think about things like this before, not after as I won't back down when I'm right, and I'll stick to my guns 100% of the time.
I just posted this on my Facebook, but I'm an open book with regards to this kind of thing, it's the very reason why I use deposit and purchase agreements (NO VERBAL MISCUES that way!) and a contract is a contract. Most people respect that about me, end of story.