I have started a wait list for my litter (because I'm too eager!) and initially have given a price of what pups will be.

My partner has now said he wants the deposit to be an additional fee instead of knocked off the price, like I initally told people.

Pups aren't due for 3 weeks.

Will I look stupid if I now message eveyone saying the £250 deposit is an additional fee?

Anyone know a way I can word it?

Obviously they will still have the choice as to whether they stay on the list or not. I only took names 6 days ago. I don't take deposits until they've chosen their pup and like I said, they're not due for just over 3 weeks.

Any advice?

Both parents registered and health tested and I priced them at what I thought was reasonable, but currently that's half price at what they are selling for (unregistered/not health tested!) And these pups will be long haired, when most are short.

I don't want them to think it's about money. I just want a fair price for my pups.

Thanks

Personally I would stick with the original price. In my breed well bred litters from reputable breeders are selling for £1200-1600. Back Yard Breeders are selling for £3000 but I see no good reason to join them in their immoral practices.

My thoughts. Thank you

Personally I never put a price on a litter BEFORE IT WAS BORN and well established.   And although I never took a deposit for various reasons, if I did, that would never have been 'an extra'.   That sum would have been taken from the overall price of the puppy (as happened when we bought our Whippet).  A part-payment for the puppy.  Isn't that what a deposit is?  What in the world is going on out there?

Why are you increasing the price of a puppy? Or why does your husband want you to? The only reason maybe is if there were medical issues with the birth but tbh I don't know anyone who would do that, they would just suck up the extra costs.

The deposit if you take them which I'm reading you are should be as part of the price.
To increase the price because of the demand right now is not ethical imo

If their registered in your name only he has no say in the matter as they are your pups not his.
I would leave your pups price as stated.

"When you agree to pay a deposit, it becomes part of a legal contract. Such contracts give rights to and place duties on you and the supplier.

A trader will sometimes ask you for a deposit if they are ordering or reserving an item for you. Always get a receipt for a deposit. The amount you pay should be deducted from the item’s price.

If you change your mind, the shop can legally keep your deposit. For a reserved item, they may also argue that they could have sold the item if it had not been reserved for you. If they do, they may insist that you keep your promise and buy it or else compensate them for their loss of profit."

Sorry if a deposit has been paid you cannot legally change it to an additional amount like a "booking fee"

Smacks to me of makes money because of the current seller's market & a totally immoral move.

Dogs are classed as goods/property & the above scenario is correct.

As for your expected puppies being "special" because of the length of their costs is silly, there are litters of rough/smooth/medium coated around.

When you state "fully health tested parents" you do mean hip/elbow scored, clinically eye tested & a FULL panel of DNA tests & of course from a pedigree of at least 5 generations of hip scored dogs that have had a full panel of health tests available done at the time they were being bred from. Both parents should have 0 scored elbows of course.

Just because others are over charging why are you considering joining them ?

Increasing prices to match the unrealistic prices now being charged by some 'breeders' is called profiteering, and is illegal, and I know at least two breeders that have been reported for doing this.  If you thought the price you set was fair you need to stick by that.

It was a simple question.

I had my answer from the first reply which was also my gut answer.

NO DEPOSITS HAVE BEEN TAKEN for those who seem to have glossed over that part.

To call me immoral and unethical, just wow.

Anyway, prices are staying the same. And yes FULLY health tested, meaning hips, elbows, eyes, full DNA panel, full pedigree with health tests.

Go find some  with all that at my price (550) since there's 'so many about'.

I'm not bothered about it anyway. It was a suggestion from my partner, clearly i wasn't on board hence why I asked for opinions on here. I have lovely homes lined up, which is FAR more important to me.

Thanks for the replies

I can't see anyone has called you moral or unethical, but what people have pointed out is it is exactly that sort of breeder that have increased prices to take advantage of the current situation. 

I think you mentioned deposits, I'm not sure how clear it was that deposits had/hadn't been taken, personally, and this is not a criticism just how I feel about deposits, I wouldn't take them as you have entered into a contract that is more difficult to back out of if you take a deposit.  If you have any misgivings about a potential puppy owner then it's much easier to tell them a puppy isn't available when no money has changed hands. 

It's impossible to find a puppy at the minute anyway, but the right homes are the most important thing, I'd want to know that my puppy owners had the time after lockdown for a puppy, socialisation and training etc.  That, to me, is what you should be looking for in a potential puppy owner. 

None of that is being critical, it's just plain fact.

Whilst I can see how u may have felt the answers were aimed at you really they are for your partner
. As I read it u were pretty clear as to what u felt was right .ie price as now stated to include deposit if taken . *( I agree )
I hope the problem is now resolved amicably between u both.

Ok thankyou, I've possibly misread them.

Maybe I will rethink the whole deposit thing. Very interesting that some don't take them but i can understand why.

I never took a deposit because by not doing so, it kept MY options open.  There was a situation with one of our litters where over time, I made the decision not to sell to that person.  As no deposit was taken, I didn't have to worry about returning that to her (which I would have done had I taken one btw).   Also at a time of heavy outgoings, it might have been too tempting to use any deposit monies I'd taken, to pay some of the outgoings!!

> Both parents registered and health tested and I priced them at what I thought was reasonable, but currently that's half price at what they are selling for (unregistered/not health tested!) And these pups will be long haired, when most are short. <br /><br />I don't want them to think it's about money. I just want a fair price for my pups.

Sadly many breeders are currently taking advantage of puppy buyers being desperate for a lockdown puppy, their over inflated prices are well above a fair price.
I would stick to the price you have told everyone as that's only fair, if that was what you felt was a fair price for them before others started taking advantage surely it's still a fair price. I'm glad to see you have said you will be sticking to your word to these buyers.

A friend went into a breeders waiting list for a puppy and was told a price. The litter ended up being delayed and two years later they were born. By then the average price had gone up by two hundred but the breeder stuck to their word and and did not charge them more.

> Maybe I will rethink the whole deposit thing. Very interesting that some don't take them but i can understand why.

When I had mine I told everyone in my list I wasn't doing deposits as I wanted both parties to feel free to change their minds. I didn't want a buyer who was having second thoughts to to threw with it because they didn't want to lose a deposit and I didn't want to risk issues if I later found out something that made them unsutible and they kicked off.

My issue with deposits is that some people start acting as if they already own the puppy, making demands about seeing the pup, photos, expectations about visits and so on. So I prefer to make it clear that they have zero ownership until they actually get the pup at 8wks. Plus I want them to feel free to change their minds and I want to feel free to change mind easily if I learn something about them whilst the pups grow. I know you can refund a deposit but it just makes it a bigger deal than it is otherwise...

> My issue with deposits is that some people start acting as if they already own the puppy, making demands about seeing the pup, photos, expectations about visits and so on.

   This can happen even if no deposit is taken!!!!!