Hi everyone, my pups are now 6 and a bit weeks, and due to colouring/sexes i am now vetting people for new homes (Admin im not advertising)

My question is i had an email from someone and the content was basically:

how much cause its for my daughters birthday and she is moaning for one will not pay more than xxxx amount

i immediatly wondered about this and didnt reply immediatly, however the person used the same isp ase me so started sending IM's about the price so i said they were a really high price (to put this person off) and off course they started trying to haggle or a puppy!  and telling me about how it was a surpirise gift and how his daughter really wanted a dog, and could i not drop the price so i advised to go to rescue centre as they have a lot puppies, but the person said no cause they are "full of mutts"   then it was there are pups much cheaper, and there is one ive seen a lot cheaper but they are 150 miles away so to far. to which i replied my last pup was 300 miles away and i paod for hotel so we could leave first thing.  But still this person is harping on.

so   should i just say you No your not getting one, (cause i get the feeling they are looking for a cheap dog to breed from.)
Or say i wont lower my price
or just ban them from emailing/im me

sorry about the long windedness, but its so frustrating some of these people trying to haggle over the price of a living animal.  I didnt mind so much the how much because some people arent good with emails etc.  Especially after the im i did not want to let one of my pups go to this person.

  thanks for your help

I think id of said they werent getting one a long time ago , if someone haggles  over your pups then forget it they obviously dont value its worth, and if theyre so tight god knows what theyd feed it, not a good start.  :(

I usually ask people who have snet an email to tell me more about theri family and previous expereinces with dogs, in order that I can ascertain if they and my breed are likely to suit each others needs.

Once I have the information and queried any points I am unsure of then I can let them know that the breed in my opinion is just not suited to their lifestyle if I think it isn't or make further contact.

The casual enquirer never bothers to answer the initial request for more info about their circumstances.

I would never ever haggle about the price, the price is the price and that is it, fortunately everyone in my breed within about £50 charges the same.

I do the same as Brainless.  I ask about their home/family situation and it's surprising how many don't bother to reply!!  That suits me just fine! ;)
I would have rejected this enquiry as soon as they said that it was for their daughter's birthday and she is moaning for one!!!  I would never reduce the price!  The initial purchase price is only the start of what a puppy is going to cost.
My line is "I don't have anything suitable for you"! ;)

Just been ignoring the IM at the mo,  I would have thought the far to expensive price is enough.  I didnt even reply to the email but beacuse we both have the same isp was able to send the instant messaging.  never heard of haggling over the price of a puppy.

But on a brighter side have vetted a lovely family who are taking my girl, they were really nice, and the pup was loving a cuddle and mum liked the attention to.  When they said to their little boy that they were taking the pup he was sooo happy to, so that truly makes up for silly peeps.

Had an incident aswell had popped to the shop for some newspaper and when came home opened the living room door and their run was empty so major pannic then i just seen them all running to me - they had escaped! and caused havoc for all of 20 mins i was out!  once had put them back and cleaned up, found out how they had done it.  ( they have a giant puppy crate and then puppy pens attached to make a run)  they had done it by 7 of them pushing at the top wawy from the crate and the little girl pushing at the ties attached to the crate to seperate and then they all run out.  Was definatly a joint effort, im just glad it didnt hapen over night LOL

Our puppies all escaped one night too!
We were in bed (pups were 5 weeks old) and mum must have helped them all get out and she had opened the door for them.
I heard yapping and went downstairs, eyes barely open, stood in poo....result was 5 puppies dotted all around the whole of the downstairs with numerous puddles and poo's!
It took me ages to round them all up and clean up!

Just be honest without being nasty, something along the lines of....."I dont sell puppies as gifts for children".

I'd just say they're now all reserved - end of problem.

i would say the same as DD
that they are now all sold and i would block him from email and im

Ditto there is no come back on an all sold reply. Then If you feel uncomfortable block the emails (if you are uncomfortable with his emails just think how you will feel if he has one of your pups.

I am afraid I wouldnt even have entered into a discussion with them.  Nothing hacks me off more than someone who tries to barter on the price.  The chancers are if you sold them the puppy it would lead to no end of hassle for ever afterwards. Just send them one final email saying you do not negotiate on the price of the puppies and add them to your blocked sended list.  My second greatest hate is people who are pushy.

Well you now know you have went about it not the best way so I suggest also saying "sorry they are all booked as of this afternoon. Good luck in your search"  and don't reply again.  :-)

have blocked the person who did not get the hint they kept im me this morning to lower price is said no, no ,no (repeatedly)

They then said FINE Ill go pay £600 for a huskey, so i said ok, they then asked again so got isp to block all emails and im's they have phoned today 5/6 times and the las time they phoned is said as per previous advice NO and they hung up.

I just dont get it Haggling over a puppy!  i wasnt even going to sell one after the initial email.

Is haggling a regular thing? a few people have said to much but not tried to question. ( only wanted to pay £50 etc)

Frankly, I don't let it go to this stage.   If someone enquires about a puppy, I send out a puppy questionnaire, which really is in depth.    I put the price, unequivocally on the questionnaire.   Not every questionnaire is returned, but when it is, I put it on one side, and wait until I have 6 or 7.  Then I score them, one against the other.   I also ask for references - someone who can vouch for them, dogwise - might be a vet, another owner, or something like that (I'm not saying that I take them all up, but it does weed out some people ;) ) .     I also send a copy of my puppy contract with the questionnaire, which again has the price quite clearly on it, what I expect a new owner to do, and what I will do.  

Then, and only then, I will agree that someone might be considered.  Those that I don't think are right, I will try and "let down lightly" if I think they might be right for a dog in the future - ie the family with 3 children under 5 and another on the way.

If anyone objects to this - then tough!   It's through me that a litter of puppies has been brought onto this earth, and I am totally responsible for ensuring that I make as few mistakes as possible in finding forever homes for them!

Too late for this attitude now, perhaps ID, but you'll know to be harder if there is a next time ;)

Margot

PS  :  I dont give hints - I tell 'em hard :D

Remind me not to apply for a pup from your next litter, Margot :D :D

Daisy

Oooh - well, let's see - who would give as your references :D :D :D

I was turned down for an Aussie pup myself :D :D

Margot

No hope for me then :D (Not that I'm planning on getting another pup for a long time :( )

Daisy

hi lokis mum, I hope  you do not think i am being cheeky but would you mind me asking if you can email me a copy of your puppy questionaire? I am just interested as to what information you ask and include :0)
I have not had years of experience in new additions to our family but in the time i have i have never been asked to complete one, breeders have always been happy with our verbal information about ourselves etc... ( although  im glad to say everything has been 100% true) :0)
thanks X

Myousho - yes, I'll be happy to send you a copy of my questionnaire - but I need your email address!  

Regards

Margot

Hi margot,
just wondering if you recieved my email with my email address?
If not its myoushu.akitas@fsmail.net
hope to recieve your puppy questionnaire soon.
Thanks XX

I'm going to add to this rather than start a new thread; not so much HOW you say no, but if and when?

Scenario - Potential home for a female GSD pup - lovely couple 50+, ancient X-breed entire male, (have lost a geriatric GSD fairly recently,) have grandchildren who frequently visit but happy friendly relaxed household. Their dogs do not wear collars, do not get "formally" trained, do not get vaccinated. (BTW, most, if not all, rescue centres will NOT allow them to have a puppy!) Wormers and flea stuff ("home visit" resulted in a multitude of flea-bites) all across the counter ie supermarket not vet. Very small garden. Their previous GSD had issues with strange dogs even though taken on at 8 weeks old, but remember, this is a lovely friendly happy family; that may have been inherent and beyond their control. The puppy will be loved and cherished, no doubt about that. BUT, an unvaccinated puppy will be going into a household where there is an elderly dog who has never been vaccinated and anyway, will the elderly dog actually cope with a puppy in the house?

I usually require that all dogs and kids (indeed, anyone!) that might at some point "live" with the new pup actually come and visit me and my dogs and the pups. at the very least once, but hopefully 3 or 4 times.

Well, in that scenario and with specific concerns about the health and welfare of the pup, from me it would be a blanket "No". 

IMO if there are doubts about suitability for any reason that to me could compromise how well cared for the pup would be and how willing the new owners would be to follow my recommendations then I'd not be able to sleep for worrying.

That a new owner loves and desperately wants a puppy is obviously essential - but the standard of care, physical and mental, which has been lavished upon my pups while with me must be equalled by their new owners - any hint of that not being likely and I'd put the prospective buyer off.

Regards, Teri :)    

I have a good friend who breeds and shows dogs and have sat in on many a visit from potential puppy owners. It's put me off EVER thinking of breeding dogs! I'd say even if you only have a gut feeling something isn't right - go with that feeling and say no.

The best one was a 72 year old woman with a walking stick, needing a hip replacement and living alome with nobody to help her. And it wasn't a toy breed she wanted, it was a breed that weighs 40-60 pounds and is stubborn and energetic as an adult.

I would be a bit worried about a strong willed dog like a GSD going into a home with 2 elderly people and no formal training offered, but it's your choice - as you say, you know the dog will be loved!