RetrieverTraining.Net - the RTF banner

Question for the breeders...

2K views 20 replies 16 participants last post by  chesaka 
#1 ·
As I recently decided to get a new pup I found a local breeder who I really liked and loved their dogs and pedigrees so I knew I had to get one from there. I decided on a BLF and she will be ready to come home mid next month. But my question is while I was there, the gentleman that was also looking to get a pup was trying to haggle the prices with the breeder (which in my research was already a great price for the pups) and was going on and on about stupid stuff like the chocolate labs were to dark and the ears were to big on parents and nonsense like that just to get the price down and my breeder refused to give in and stuck with his original price. Then he wanted pick if the litter for females (which I already had claimed) and he was asking me to switch spots in the pick line and I refused. So eventually the guy just gave in and decided not to get one and started bashing the breeders and me, which I thought was completely uncalled for. So basically I want to know how you guys handle situations like this or if you have ever had this happens. Sorry for the rant but it just really frustrated me so I needed to vent.
thanks!
 
#2 ·
When I've had litters I don't waste my time with "hagglers". Price is what it is, accept it or move on to the next litter. I'm not really interested in placing one of my pups into a home where that is the biggest sticking point. Initial purchase price is such an unconsequential thing that it's not worth wasting time discussing. As for the guy bashing the pups to try to get a better price, I'd simply tell the guy that it appears that he needs to continue his search elsewhere if I don't have what he is looking for. Good breeders with quality pups generally aren't that concerned with getting good pups sold so there's no need ticking them off by trying to low ball or degrade what they've put a lot of effort into producing.

Best of luck with your pup, Kev.
 
#3 ·
Here is my take on haggling over the price of a puppy. I have never felt the need to argue over the price of the litter. Either I can afford the pup or not.

Now that I have a litter on the way I will not sell a pup to one of the price shoppers. When you look at the long term care and campaigning of a dog the amount spent on the pup is insignificant. What about food? Will this guy feed Old Roy because it is cheaper? Will he buy the proper wormers, flea meds and heartworm meds? Will vet care for an illness or accident be too expensive?

I may end up with a lot of started dogs for sale!;-)
 
#5 ·
That's what my breeder said. He has absalutly no issues selling his pups so that guy is black flagged to pit row forever as far as he is concerned.! I was actually very happy my breeder gave me a long questionnaire to fill out even before he let me pick a pup. I absolutely hate people like that gentleman, for the sheer fact that you know he represents hunters, trial/derby guys, and dog owners a bad name.
 
#8 ·
I'd be thanking him for his interest in the litter as I escorted him off the property!
 
#9 ·
Tell him to "shove it up his A**".... The breeder can offer to sell for less if they want to for reasons but to ask a breeder to lower their price isnt acceptable in this culture. If he asked once and i said no, i would probably not be bothers, but if he asked again and again like your saying i wouldnt even sell him one for the asking price anymore!
 
#10 ·
As I recently decided to get a new pup I found a local breeder who I really liked and loved their dogs and pedigrees so I knew I had to get one from there. I decided on a BLF and she will be ready to come home mid next month. But my question is while I was there, the gentleman that was also looking to get a pup was trying to haggle the prices with the breeder (which in my research was already a great price for the pups) and was going on and on about stupid stuff like the chocolate labs were to dark and the ears were to big on parents and nonsense like that just to get the price down and my breeder refused to give in and stuck with his original price. Then he wanted pick if the litter for females (which I already had claimed) and he was asking me to switch spots in the pick line and I refused. So eventually the guy just gave in and decided not to get one and started bashing the breeders and me, which I thought was completely uncalled for. So basically I want to know how you guys handle situations like this or if you have ever had this happens. Sorry for the rant but it just really frustrated me so I needed to vent.
thanks!
Not saying I havent tried a little haggling back in the day,but never used insults to get a better price. I guess I'm still old school because in my day we dealt with bully's different that they do now.
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the thread. Should I breed my female and I have to deal with a jerk I will be prepared to say: "I don't have what you want, so I will make a call to another breeder on your behalf, this breeder has exactly what you want." I would then send him to someone else, you know, maybe someone whom I don't get along with.
 
#12 ·
I don't get offended if people try to haggle over price; it's pretty common from anyone who has a sales background. And, if you don't ask, you may never know! Trashing anything about someone's dogs is probably not a good way to negotiate a price reduction. Even if you were to point out obvious flaws, criticizing someone's dog is kind of like insulting their family. If price is someone'e primary consideration and the first/only thing they're concerned about, I tell puppy buyers they probably should keep looking because my pups clearly would not suit them. I have been known to reduce price, and have even given dogs away to the right situation, and don't mind negotiating over price if it's done correctly. There are people you'd be happy to reduce the price for because you know that one of your dogs with that person would be a benefit to your breeding program...and there are people that you should refuse to sell to even if they offer over your asking price.
 
#15 · (Edited)
So is it fair to say that all those that say it's wrong to try and get a better price on a pup always pay sticker price on vehicles and never wait till something goes on sale to buy it?

Everything is negotiable. But there is a right way and wrong way to go about it. Sounds like he could refine his technique
 
#17 ·
There are some items/services that you are best served by not negotiating. A good example would be fine dining. Negotiating will probably result in you being asked to leave. With a well bred litter this could remove you from consideration.

For the right person, pups might be discounted or even free.
 
#16 ·
Negotiating is fine. Getting belligerent when negotiation is refused is not. Some things are negotiable, others not so much. If getting a bargain price is more important than quality, I'd suggest the buyer rethink getting a dog. Not sure why he would want to negotiate prices or want to buy a pup from such "flawed" parents. ;)
 
#18 ·
I used the word "gentleman" very loosely so I did not offend others lol. I had 100 other names I would of liked to use. Don't get me wrong these pups are not out of world class dogs but that wasn't what I was looking for. I wanted a pup whos parents were great family members and die hard duck dogs and that was exactly what this breeder had to offer so I pounced on getting pick of the litter. The "gentleman" sounded like he was only interested in breeding rights, which is very sketchy in my book. I wish I knew his name to let others know but unfortunately I do not.
 
#19 ·
Trust me, less than 2 minutes into his haggling, the breeder had already decided NOT to sell this guy a pup. If he is acting like a hole in a behind now, just think what he would act like down the road. No one wants to deal with this kind of jerk, especially long term. When I get these type of people, I let them rant on and dig themselves a hole that they can't get out of, pasting a smile on my face, clenching my teeth to keep from saying anything, usually giving them an occasional nod or lift of an eyebrow. Once I can get a word in edgewise, I simply say "Sorry, I don't have a pup available that meets with your criteria. Good luck with your search. " I don't engage in any further conversation.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top