[mariegold]

After much preparation, anticipation and excitement (not to mention many £££) the people selling us our 1st goats have changed their minds! 
So we are back to square one and are yet again looking for some milking goats to buy. If anyone has any ideas please do let me know. No more pre-loved for me that's for sure!

[Anke]

Where in the country are you?

[goosepimple]

That's a great pity.  What was meant for you won't pass you by however.  Let us all know your area Mariegold, you've got a big audience here and someone will know someone who can help.   

[mariegold]

Thanks both! I'm in Gloucestershire, not really goat country for some reason. Its so difficult when you have your heart set on something but I will keep looking. Just poured the BIGGEST gin and tonic.

[Anke]

I don't think anywhere in Britain is "goat country" nowadays... I will have some stock (GG's, one BT and one GGxBT goatling) for sale after kidding/lambing, but you are probably too far away. Mind you, one of my GG milkers went to Gloucestershire last autumn, so people are prepared to travel for the right stock.

Many serious goatkeepers advertise their stock on www.ukgoats.co.uk - maybe worth keeping a look at it regularly.

I am sure you will get "your" girls eventually, however I personally steer clear of pre-loved or facebook...

[Lesley Silvester]

I would also steer clear of Preloved but Facebook has a group called Goats for Sale and Wanted that might be worth looking at.

[kja]

there is also a Facebook page called pedigree livestock for sale and wanted

[ScotsGirl]

I have sold successfully from farming ads and preloved.   I have boer x not far from you but obviously not much use for milking. Their is someone on here based at Malmesbury who has a few golden guernseys, depends what breed you are after.

[sokel]

We have also sold through preloved and Farming ads, not everyone on preloved is dodgy and I do know several show people that advertises on there 
some of the people that have bought off us are in contact with us all of the time and have infact  have become good friends. After all the same people can read the adds on preloved as can read the ads on UK goats , breed club classifieds etc 

[Penninehillbilly]

I've sold some goats on preloved, gives you a chance to 'chat online' and find out a bit about them before actually contacting them, or if you don't like the sound of them ignore, or when they come in offering you £25-£30 (and would take her that day) after the first couple where I replied that they are cared for and worth a lot more, I now just delete. But a lot of people check out preloved ads, along with other 'goaty' sites.
Don't worry Mariegold, some things aren't meant to be, if it is they'll come back to you, but in the meantime it's an opportunity to look for something you really want, rather than grabbing the first thing available?
If theres no real rush it may be better to wait till better weather anyway, or in late spring / summer when the market is flooded with youngsters?
Is there a local goat club you could join to be getting in with others?
quote-
(not to mention many £££)
is that just preperation/travel? they didn't get a deposit off you did they? (if they did it may be best to broadcast that to warn others)

[mariegold]

Thanks for all the useful thoughts and suggestions! I have been in contact with someone on ukgoats.co.uk who has two goats available in kid, she can deliver them next week so fingers crossed my worries are over. Hurrah. Will now pour a celebratory gin instead. The many £££ spent was on preparation, travel etc. Pretty sure they would have liked me to leave a deposit but I guess deep down I knew something wasn't right...... I guess when she told me she transported 5 adult goats in her people carrier from Devon to Llanelli I should have had alarm bells ringing? Been a good lesson.

[plumseverywhere]

Ironically, I bought my first 4 goats from Gloucestershire.  There is a large saanen farm there. Good to hear you have some replacements lined up, really sorry to hear the first lot fell through - probably for a good reason though and you may have saved yourself much heartache 

[goosepimple]

That's great, it's very disappointing when you expect something.  These ones are probably much nicer anyway    good luck 

[little blue]

it just wasn't meant to be ... like our first goat-arrangements that fell through. In the long run, better that it did I think though our goat-keeping hasn't always be straightforward!

you'll find the goats, they'll need you just like you need them and you'll know when its right

[Lesley Silvester]

   Getting two in kid goats is great.