Buyer etiquette question
 I started with browsing the 'net. I found a breeder that appears to produce some nice dogs and seems to have quite a few champions. I found the breeder's website. I emailed an inquiry with the information that the website said the breeder wants in order to consider a buyer, minus the references. I still haven't heard back. So I'm wondering if I should send another email, call or wait. I'm did say in the email that I would give references later, but not in a cold email. (I don't want to be abusing my vet, or the 4-H leader or friends who agreed to be references for us, by sending their personal information to a random email address.) I think that falls under ways to lose friends in a hurry.  Is there a statute of limitations here? If I don't hear back within a certain amount of time is it ok to inquire at another breeder? Do I need to point out to breeder B that I emailed an inquiry to breeder A too? I mean, these are just inquiries, to get started. I don't want to be a jerk and put a bunch of inquiries out there, if my first choice will have a puppy available sometime later. But if my first choice doesn't answer my email... then what? I feel like a phone call is too much commitment, I just want to know if they might be planning a litter later on--like next year... and what I need to know about their dogs. Also, I'd like to know prices and deposit amounts, since its important for me to budget. While I know I get what I pay for, I still need to know what that amount will be. I feel like asking for this information, up front, is offensive to the breeder. But then I wonder if that isn't the purpose of not being up front about the costs--People can fall in love with a puppy and then they are more likely to pay a lot for it? Advice? |
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| If it is a breeder that actively shows, they could very well be showing most every weekend. It could easily take some time for the breeder to get the email, give it some thought and then write a response. I'd give them a few weeks, anyway. Chances are they have nothing planned for the near future. Personally, I think a phone call would be a great idea. This gives a breeder a better idea of you as a prospective puppy buyer. Again, sometimes hard to get through to busy breeders and exhibitors but still worth a try. Doesn't seem like a call would be more committal than an email. Price probably isn't the best thing to bring up first. From a quality show breeder, you can probably expect in the $1,800 - $2,200 range. Remember: Not everyone that charges a premium price for their dogs have quality dogs. You have to do your homework to figure that out sometimes. Health testing costs breeders a lot of money. The worst that can happen is that the breeder turns you down. There are always others out there who would be willing to work with you. |
| Thanks Nita. I forgot about the time commitment that shows are, so I'll wait and see if I hear anything back. Once things settle down a bit, I might give them a call. I did encounter the 'premium price for an average dog' issue already. I wish people were more honest. |
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