ok a little vent from the breeder side..

scamperfarms

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I just have to have a little vent again. I have three kittens left from my litters this summer.

Anyways, had one lady who asked me to hold one of the kittens, asked a million questions which i answered.happily sent photos, ect ect ect. I have sliced the price due to they are getting older. and i think its more than fair. $250 that includes all their shots, and tests up until this age mark i take them in at all junctures, contract, kitten kit, toys, food, ect. not to mention all the personal care they have gotten here, twice daily grooming, nail trims..all ready for a new owner. and they will be going to the vet for neutering in two weeks..

So..

than, after i send her the contract. she starts haggling about the price.

Saying she will only pay $150, that "$250 seems like to much for a kitten that is almost a year old"

I tried to be polite in explaining...but was than met with. "well my aunt got a kitten with FULL breeding rights for only $100"

Big red flag, sounded to me like a BYB situation on that one. and i tried to explain that politely too.

I deal with this lady on a few groups, so i was trying to be polite, and well i would be polite anyways. but it was kind of bubbling under my skin. if your going to shy, and nickle and dime me on the price i have set...and i did put my foot down that I didnt feel this would be a good fit for us or them.

my poilite way of saying if your gonna act like this i am thinking your not gonna have the best interest of the kitten at heart.

so fellow breeders. am I wrong in feeling, kinda peevy about all of that. I know i will get over it and move on, i have three couples coming to look at kittens this week. and three kittens left, so i think everyone will get their forever home.

this is just kinda aggrivating. oh..she was also haggling about having to come and get the kitten, from WI..

I was willing to meet part of the way, but heck i had to ship all my babies. and you didnt see me haggling about that.

Ok..vent over. thank you for listening


on a good note i got updates today from some of my ther babies
they are doing great!
 

zissou'smom

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That's just obnoxious. IMO, you do not haggle prices on certain things, other living beings being one of them. (Tattoos, dentistry, and education being others). If you went to an adoption agency and tried to haggle the adoption fees of a child, you can bet your sweet bippy you won't get a child from them. Why should animals be any different?

If you want a purebred, you will pick out one that is the best fit and your favorite breed and breeder, and pay whatever they ask (within reason and fairness, assuming a good breeder isn't pricegouging). If you do not want to pay for a purebred, there are MILLIONS of pets waiting at the shelter who will love you just as much.

In short, you have every right to be po'd.
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by Zissou'sMom

That's just obnoxious. IMO, you do not haggle prices on certain things, other living beings being one of them. (Tattoos, dentistry, and education being others). If you went to an adoption agency and tried to haggle the adoption fees of a child, you can bet your sweet bippy you won't get a child from them. Why should animals be any different?

If you want a purebred, you will pick out one that is the best fit and your favorite breed and breeder, and pay whatever they ask (within reason and fairness, assuming a good breeder isn't pricegouging). If you do not want to pay for a purebred, there are MILLIONS of pets waiting at the shelter who will love you just as much.

In short, you have every right to be po'd.
Thank you! I did suggest to her that perhaps she would find what she was looking for at her local shelter..as well..that perhaps she would find a nice DLH

ugh some people just yank my chain.
 

tnr1

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I always recommend this site because I know the breeders here will help to guide individuals regarding what to look for. After all, you are going to have this cat for a long time hopefully so it's best to go with a breeder who is reputable.

Katie
 

kai bengals

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Nope, you're not in the wrong. I would dump her in a New York minute. She's not interested in the welfare of the kitten and giving it a good home.

The second I sense some nonsense from an adopter, the red flag goes up and I re-evaluate. 95% of the folks that buy from me, never question price, the 5% who do usually end up having ulterior motives.

Good Luck!
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by Kai Bengals

Nope, you're not in the wrong. I would dump her in a New York minute. She's not interested in the welfare of the kitten and giving it a good home.

The second I sense some nonsense from an adopter, the red flag goes up and I re-evaluate. 95% of the folks that buy from me, never question price, the 5% who do usually end up having ulterior motives.

Good Luck!
Thanks. I already told her like i said, i didnt think it would be a good fit. i am in no hurry, the right homes will come and i wont let my babies go to anyone i have been feelings about. i have really really good feelings about the couples coming to look this week they had no problem with my questions, and asked alot of good questions too. like really really good ones so that was nice.

thanks for letting me vent guys
 

bengalbabe

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actually I think even $250.00 is too low for a purebred. There's just so much work and money that goes into breeding. Heck, the local SPCA charges about $80.00 or more to adopt a cat now! I mean come on folks!!!

I would just tell her to get a kitten from whomever her aunt got a kitten from. Im sure the quality was terrible if the breeder (or should I say BYB) sold a breeding animal to just anyone for $100.00
It costs me more than that per kitten for just food alone!
 

goldenkitty45

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IMO you are way more then fair. I do agree the $250 for a year old persian is a steal and most of the time we would caution others in here about too low of a price/byb, etc. I think I wouild have halved the price of the kitten price that you'd sell at 4-5 months old. What would you have then?

And I found that in breeding rexes, if people objected to the price or try to chew me down on the price of an older cat (retired) then I would not sell to that person - they are looking for a bargin and may not put the extra quality in the care of the cat.

I've sold retired older adults cats for $250 (rexes) but that's the lowest I will go. You've put a ton of money/time, etc. into those kittens - you have to be fair to yourself too


On my waiting list I would list the price for pets or show and not haggle with that (in most cases). They either want my cat, or they can look elsewhere.

I hope the others coming this weekend decide to adopt your lovely kittens and to heck with that lady. BTW if she wants any of your kittens....I'd tell her you have a waiting list and then put her on the bottom
....far bottom that "oh well, you run out of kittens by the time you reach her name"


Charlie was a bit more then I wanted to pay. I'm used to paying what I paid 10 yrs ago! But after contacting other oci breeders - their prices were right in line. Nancy was more then fair - she had the best kitten in CFA nationally and best kitten/cat in the region last year - she could get twice as much for her oci's if she wanted. But I think she is very fair with everything included (it does help that her husband is a vet too.). I don't know what her show/show alter price is, but I'm getting a show cat for her pet price...course the show alter price might be the same too - didn't ask - didn't need to.
 

epona

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that's ridiculous (the person you are talking about, NOT you!) I am not familiar at all with US pricing for purebred cats, but just doing a quick conversion in my head, $250 is only £130 sterling, which is rock bottom here - I mean you would be lucky to get an 'oops' crossbreed kitten for that (and many are like £200 or £300), and it's not a huge sum more than a shelter adoption fee!

I'm a bit afraid now to say what I am paying for my oriental kitten because after hearing those (extremely low compared to UK) prices mentioned I think some jaws would drop! I mean surely $250 can't even be covering your costs for food and litter, let alone any other care and expenses, and that's not including the time you spend socialising them.

Sounds like a timewaster to me, $250 does not sound like a lot of money to ask at all, at least in terms of UK prices, I would be very wary about this person, why does she want your cat even cheaper?
 

sharky

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YOU ARE NOT WRONG.... I also think your "giving them away at that price( basically I can afford that
)
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by bengalbabe

actually I think even $250.00 is too low for a purebred. There's just so much work and money that goes into breeding. Heck, the local SPCA charges about $80.00 or more to adopt a cat now! I mean come on folks!!!

I would just tell her to get a kitten from whomever her aunt got a kitten from. Im sure the quality was terrible if the breeder (or should I say BYB) sold a breeding animal to just anyone for $100.00
It costs me more than that per kitten for just food alone!
Yes I agree. I have gone a little low, but I do want to find them homes. And since i do a full line of questioning, ect and am very picky about my homes i can still be as picky as i want and make sure its not just the deal hunters. they are getting older, and realisticly even well bred, well tended to everyone wants the little ones, and I am breeding again soon. so want to get these guys homes first.

But that being said I am not in a big hurry, and i did pretty much just wish her luck in her kitten ventures.
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

IMO you are way more then fair. I do agree the $250 for a year old persian is a steal and most of the time we would caution others in here about too low of a price/byb, etc. I think I wouild have halved the price of the kitten price that you'd sell at 4-5 months old. What would you have then?

And I found that in breeding rexes, if people objected to the price or try to chew me down on the price of an older cat (retired) then I would not sell to that person - they are looking for a bargin and may not put the extra quality in the care of the cat.

I've sold retired older adults cats for $250 (rexes) but that's the lowest I will go. You've put a ton of money/time, etc. into those kittens - you have to be fair to yourself too


On my waiting list I would list the price for pets or show and not haggle with that (in most cases). They either want my cat, or they can look elsewhere.

I hope the others coming this weekend decide to adopt your lovely kittens and to heck with that lady. BTW if she wants any of your kittens....I'd tell her you have a waiting list and then put her on the bottom
....far bottom that "oh well, you run out of kittens by the time you reach her name"


Charlie was a bit more then I wanted to pay. I'm used to paying what I paid 10 yrs ago! But after contacting other oci breeders - their prices were right in line. Nancy was more then fair - she had the best kitten in CFA nationally and best kitten/cat in the region last year - she could get twice as much for her oci's if she wanted. But I think she is very fair with everything included (it does help that her husband is a vet too.). I don't know what her show/show alter price is, but I'm getting a show cat for her pet price...course the show alter price might be the same too - didn't ask - didn't need to.
for my pet kittens, i would have right around $300 for the boys if i halved what iw as asking as little ones. so I am right around the ok, andbeing fair. more than fair i think..and seems others think so


I still have a good waitring list, but those left on the list want something else than what i have left and they are fine with waiting and cant wait


I swear some people...just dont get things...
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by Epona

that's ridiculous (the person you are talking about, NOT you!) I am not familiar at all with US pricing for purebred cats, but just doing a quick conversion in my head, $250 is only £130 sterling, which is rock bottom here - I mean you would be lucky to get an 'oops' crossbreed kitten for that (and many are like £200 or £300), and it's not a huge sum more than a shelter adoption fee!

I'm a bit afraid now to say what I am paying for my oriental kitten because after hearing those (extremely low compared to UK) prices mentioned I think some jaws would drop! I mean surely $250 can't even be covering your costs for food and litter, let alone any other care and expenses, and that's not including the time you spend socialising them.

Sounds like a timewaster to me, $250 does not sound like a lot of money to ask at all, at least in terms of UK prices, I would be very wary about this person, why does she want your cat even cheaper?
Nope..its not covering me much but the kittens deserve their forever homes too
Its covering vaccines. pretty much. and thats ok. the other kittens all sold at full prices one of them going to a show home so that will help.

But i agree it was a huge flag to me as to WHY she would contiune to haggle me.
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by sharky

YOU ARE NOT WRONG.... I also think your "giving them away at that price( basically I can afford that
)
LOL want a kitten LOL
 

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We so often talk about what makes a good breeder. But what makes a good buyer/adopter?

You know what is a fair price for your cats. I'm sure if I went online looking for persian prices, I would find something very comparable.

A good buyer/adopter should be well versed in what their chosen breeds going price is. The price I paid for my bengal boy is high when compared to other breeds, but its pretty much in line with what other reputable bengal breeders are asking. My bengal girl should have cost me WAY more than what my breeder is asking for her.

In fact, she reduced the cost for Ares for me because I had my eye on another kitten and when I told her I was ready to adopt her, her e-mail crashed and she gave her to someone local. Dreamers asking price is waaaay lower that it should be, but she's a brat
, so my breeder reduced her price as well. She then reduced it further because I was already bring Dreamers littermate home and further still because we had problems with shipping... I NEVER questioned her pricing... EVER!

I think her #1 interest was in finding a good home for her babies (and I am so grateful that she chose ME!)

So loooong story short, I think you were absolutely right! And though your price may be low, I doubt you're in it for the money (and we know thats one of the Hallmarks of a great breeder!
)
 

hopehacker

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You are being more than fair with your pricing for the older kittens. The so called buyer is probably someone who wants to be a BYB with the kitten she wants to get from you.
 

siameseohio

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After she started questioning and haggling about the price, I hope you didn't waste too much time going back and forth with her. I'd try to save yourself from future frustration by not even dealing with people like that after they start insinuating that your obviously very far price isn't far.
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by tiffanyjbt

We so often talk about what makes a good breeder. But what makes a good buyer/adopter?

You know what is a fair price for your cats. I'm sure if I went online looking for persian prices, I would find something very comparable.

A good buyer/adopter should be well versed in what their chosen breeds going price is. The price I paid for my bengal boy is high when compared to other breeds, but its pretty much in line with what other reputable bengal breeders are asking. My bengal girl should have cost me WAY more than what my breeder is asking for her.

In fact, she reduced the cost for Ares for me because I had my eye on another kitten and when I told her I was ready to adopt her, her e-mail crashed and she gave her to someone local. Dreamers asking price is waaaay lower that it should be, but she's a brat
, so my breeder reduced her price as well. She then reduced it further because I was already bring Dreamers littermate home and further still because we had problems with shipping... I NEVER questioned her pricing... EVER!

I think her #1 interest was in finding a good home for her babies (and I am so grateful that she chose ME!)

So loooong story short, I think you were absolutely right! And though your price may be low, I doubt you're in it for the money (and we know thats one of the Hallmarks of a great breeder!
)
your babies breeder sounds just like me as far as some of the discounts. I had two familys take two babies home littermates and both times i have a substanstial discount on the multi kittens because, its always nice to see two of them go to the same home.

And yes your right. I am not in it for the money, it just gets frusterating when some people seem to think you need to just give them away blarg. i am glad i told her to go away, lol cant wait til this weekend with some people coming to look heh.
 
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scamperfarms

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Originally Posted by HopeHacker

You are being more than fair with your pricing for the older kittens. The so called buyer is probably someone who wants to be a BYB with the kitten she wants to get from you.
yup that was my thought too as soon as she mentioned her aunt... and she didnt like that i said the boys had a neuter appointment next week..
 
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