I have a puppy buyer that doesn't want to visit puppies until the day they pick up (I have not met them- long story but they are friends with another breeder so I know the home is a good one) problem is, they don't want to choose which puppy they want until that pick up day (at 8 weeks) this means that 5 other families won't know which puppy they are having until then (because of colour/sex preferences)
I don't think this is fair and I have told buyers that they need to choose before then (they are pet home only) and if they can't visit and choose then I will choose for them.

Is this unfair? I think they think it's unfair but why should other families have to wait that long just because these people don't want to visit?!

> Is this unfair

No, definitely not unfair.  You have been more than accommodating allowing a pup to go to people you haven't met.  If they think other people should wait until they have chosen first, then they are the people being unfair.  I would be inclined to tell them to jump, but I'm not known for patience.

You are within your rights to choose how/when pups leave you.  So yes, choose for them, then you won't be inconveniencing the other pup buyers.

I am sure that you know it's the correct decision.

Your puppies...do what YOU want.

I think you are right to insist that they choose earlier than pickup day, to be honest I can't think why they wouldn't want to visit and it is only fair to your other puppy people to allow them to visit and choose their puppies if that is what you want them to do. As pet owners they don't have the constraints of show people so they can have a pup of your choice in the knowledge that they are healthy well adjusted puppies and colour and markings are minor issues.

Sorry but they can't have everything all their way. I had one puppy buyer that for various reasons couldn't visit before the day of collection but, like you, they had been recommended to me by another breeder as a long time owner of my breed. We had email contact, me sending photos etc and spoke on the phone over the 8 weeks before pup was ready for collection but they were quite happy for me to choose their puppy. You are being totally fair to your other families, if this buyer isn't happy then they should go elsewhere.

I think they're taking liberties, and with a breeder that they've not met. I don't think it's at all unreasonable to allow the other buyers to choose their puppies - since they are doing the recommended thing and actually coming to view the litter. These people will just have to have whichever puppy is left.

I've just read your post out to my husband (with an incredulous expression on my face) and his reply was "totally selfish people" and I agree.
I can hardly believe that this buyer wants to call all the shots and make everyone else wait until 8 weeks to find out what puppy they are having and yet are unable to visit beforehand. I assume there is a good reason for this?
As others have said, you choose for them or tell them to look at the pictures of the pups and decide from those.

Agree with everyone who is saying that this is surely unreasonable behaviour on behalf of these buyers.

To be honest it would be sounding a bit of a warning bell for me.  If they are as demanding as this at this stage - and apparently so oblivious to the needs of you and the other buyers - I would worry about their attitude in other ways.  I would be concerned about any future relationship I would be able to have with them regarding the well being and progress of the puppy.

Meant to add - I am not a breeder - 'just' an occasional puppy buyer.

I would never want or expect a breeder to comply with such demands.  In fact, having found a good breeder who I trust and who trusts me, I would be perfectly happy for the breeder to choose a puppy for me - or at least guide me to the puppy they think most suitable for my requirements.  After all, the breeder knows the litter inside out and is in the best position to match the puppy best suited to my life style and the kind of activities the puppy will be doing with me and my family.  Hope you can work something out which YOU feel happy with!

Thanks everyone, glad I'm not being unreasonable!

Well they have not been in touch with me regarding choosing etc after my latest email, so we shall see.
As far as I can tell there is no good reason why they can't visit, they were on my list before they were born so knew dates etc, they are 3 hours away which to me isn't that far, they just don't want to do the journey twice

They would be off my list in a shot if it wasn't for a couple of things that I can't go in to detail about, but this may be the straw that broke the camels back- so to speak.

Another good reason why I don't allow anyone to pick a puppy - they must be happy to have whichever pup in litter I feel is best suited to their requirements and abilities as owners/trainers. Certainly would not let a puppy go to someone who hasn't visited - 3 hrs is nothing. Have usually met my owners before pups born and at least twice between 3-8 weeks and extensive discussions on preferences etc at each visit to help selection of pups.
Would be a No from me

I wouldn't accept anyone I've never met to have a puppy from me ever. However this is not the situation here. If they can't be bothered to respond to you I would crack on and then if you're still happy for them to have a puppy they get what they are offered or nothing at all when they turn up to collect.

the other thing to consider is what happens if at 8 weeks they then cant come? they may have been reccomended by someone else but until you get the cash in your hand its not sold.

As said, your puppies, you call the tune even if you need puppy buyers!    I'd have thought if you explained the situation to these people they'd have understood how difficult it would be having to wait for them to sweep in and make their choice!!   Frankly I'd be choosing a suitable puppy for them, based on what you know of their life-style and the temperament of an ideal puppy for them, and send them photos.   If they don't like, they can buy elsewhere.    I did just that with recommended friends of a fellow-breeder living in Switzerland.   The people was more than content to take my advice.   I flew out with him, heart in mouth that they'd still like him because once outside the country, I couldn't bring him back with me!!!  They did and all was fine.

Again to protect the rest of your buyers, I'd tell them just that - you can't be expected to hang around on one out of 6 people wanting these puppies.  And as said, to some extent warning bells would be ringing re these people, for me too.   I had somebody who started making lots of demands on me to the point that finally I'd had enough, told her I'd decided to keep the puppy (which I did).   She was upset of course, but I didn't regret not selling him to her at all.

(I have not met them- long story but they are friends with another breeder so I know the home is a good one)

No, no, no, drover,

Please don't take another breeders word for it that these people are ok. YOU DECIDE IF THEY ARE SUITABLE!

You meet them don't you 'dare' give a pup to a recommended home only...........I've honestly had that happen and the people were far from suitable, being a friend means nothing. Sometimes we feel under pressure to please people, don't!

These people already sound like plonkers, they have no concept of other people's wants and needs especially yours, I'd cut them lose without meeting them hun.

Your pups, your rules, no in-between.