Dropping my price

[Linz81]

Hi! I just wanted an educated opinion. This is only my second litter of puppies and I am learning everyday. Our first litter of F1 puppies we sold for and they all sold very fast. This is our second litter they are F2's and very beautiful! I have only had 1 email about puppies and it was froma man telling me they were priced too high. I started them at and that is including All shipping expenses. I have since lowered it to and still nothing. I have wonderful vet and new family refernces. I am only advertising on puppyfind and my website (which probably does not get that many views) I am thinking of dropping my price to Any advice?

[Paintsmeblue]

Your pups are BEAUTIFUL!!!! I love the cream and rose nosed pups! I'm not a breeder, but I don't think $950 is high for F2's. Many charge higher than that. What kind of coats do they have? That might be your deciding factor. If they're non-shedding, I would say try to get your name out there with other breeders, and expose yourself, but your price is fair. If they're shedding, then you should discount them to distinguish between the wanted coat and the other coat. But again, I'm not a breeder. So hopefully other breeders will comment.

[Linz81]

Thank you for the complimet..we are proud! I can not get over how much your doodle looks like our Shelby did. Is he/she an F1? It is stunning!

[Tink]

If you do an online search for free classified ads and put your state behind it you chould find a lot more places to advertise. I have 11 free places I use and 3 low cost ones In mind for the next litter... I've been getting over 100 views of my site per day from them.

[Paintsmeblue]

Napa? Nope, he's an australian Labradoodle, about 4th generation from my own count. But, he's got a TON of poodle in him- something I just realized recently. Thanks though!

[lmtoth2]

Your dog Skeet resembles our Dexter quite a bit

I don't think your price is too high...however, maybe for your area it is? Here in the northeast, $1000 for a 2nd generation is actually low. However, since it's your 2nd litter may be hurting you.

I went through your website...I like the individual puppy photos...could you include something about their size/temperment? Also, do you offer any health guarantees? Were the parents tested (hips, etc), if so, what were the results?

I think it's very generous for you to include shipping in your price.

Good luck

[debbildog]

I agree with Leslie - the first things I look for when choosing a breeder online are test results on the sire & dam, the size of the sire and dam, and basic info on each pup (size/temperment). If you haven't tested your breeders yet, then I absolutely think you should bring your price down - if you have tested, then $900 inc. shipping is a great price for your second litter, and I would think advertising is your problem.

[MaxandMe]

Ditto to Leslie and Kristin

[Linz81]

Thanks for everyones advice! Lea is scheduled to have OFA hip test done when we take the pups for their shots at 8 weeks. She turned 2 in November and was pregnant. Skeet will have his done in October when he turns 2. Since Lea has not had testing we did decide to drop our price to $650 (not including shipping) I just hope this does not people think less of our puppies...As long as they get great homes all will be GREAT! Thanks again for everyones help! There are sme very nice dodle lovers here

[MaxandMe]

Linz i am confused...if you drop your price to $650 doesn't shipping run $250 avg to $300? so wouldn't that be $900 still or a tad more?

[Linz81]

OMG...I am so embarassed (totally blushing!) I swear it is people like me that give southerners a bad name! You are totally right! I promise I can add, it's just been a LOOOOOOONG day! I really need to make at least $600 to touch exenses! What do I do?? I have them listed at $650 on puppyfind, but I have not changed my website yet. Any suggestions????

[Tink]

Quite seriously the pups are worth whatever people are willing to pay for them... but if they're not selling at the current price, it will usually get harder the older and bigger they get. Sad fact since the longer you have them the more you've invested in their care. So maybe a combination of more advertising and pricing them without shipping but mention shipping as an option to get the ball rolling would help?

Good luck!

[Linz81]

I got some great advice and I did a little website tweaking (got a few new pics too) Thanks again! Ya'll are the greatest!

[lmtoth2]

I love your puppy descriptions

P.S. Concerning how to list shipping vs non shipping...I would list a purchase price for the puppies and then indicate shipping is $X extra.

[Jac]

Hello, I have been gone for a while and I am going to jump in here. I am certain that my comments may not be too welcome but I feel that these are important points to make.

The price we are charging is really irrelevant. It is determined by our expenses, our circumstances and the local market. (There will ALWAYS be unethical or well meaning breeders who will undersell you anyway.)

No matter what we are charging, we should be striving to better the breed and the public's conception of our breeding practices. To this end, we should pay close attention to the breeding standards in place and common among the reputable breeders, registries and forums.

These standards are, in part:

1) Complete health testing of the parents and selection of the parents based on temperament, intelligence and health
2) Conformation
3) Warranty (generally a 2 year health warranty for serious genetic disease and a short term well puppy warranty)
4) Breeder support throughout the life of the puppy
5) Responsibility to the puppies you are producing, regardless of fads and sales gimmicks (withholding Christmas Day puppies, careful selection of families, contracting to take the puppy back, even as an adult, if the family can no longer care for the puppy, and reimbursement for medical expenses whether or not you are obligated by contract
6) Giving your puppies premium diet, vet care, inoculations, parasite control, indoor housing, clean environment, love and socialization and as much training as possible
7) Micro Chipping or permanent marking for identification
Pedigree research where possible
9) A clear, soul-searching, response to the question…Why are you breeding?
10) A complete understanding of the breed, good and bad points and honestly representing these traits whether or not it costs sales
11) Putting the puppy’s needs (immediate and long term) above our financial gain
12) Preparing to register litters if our customers wish registration (having the ability to move forward on registration because we have all the necessary information, health testing and business ethics)
13) Guarding our reputations, striving for total honesty and integrity in our dealings

Price is often an indicator of quality breeding. This is not always the case. Many breeders, myself included, have found themselves in the unpopular position of literally giving puppies away (or selling them for far less than the money already expended on a healthy litter) because it is right for the puppy. On the flip side, many puppy mills, pet shops, puppy brokers and back yard breeders charge premium prices. So, if we are basing our business practice on monetary gain, rather than strong ethical standards our priorities are misplaced. It is not really about the price, it is about maintaining a standard of practice that compliments and supports all breeders and this forum.

We are continually battling the public typecasting of our programs and our dogs. You will see that just through the act of breeding mixed breed dogs, we are considered back yard breeders…therefore it is all the more important for us to strive to perfect the standards that will elevate our beloved breed well above the criticism from those who would stop us. Here are two samples (of many) comparing reputable breeders to back yard breeders. Price of the animal is only one consideration.

http://home.comcast.net/~NoPuppyMillsVA ... eder_.html
http://www.dogplay.com/Articles/GuestAr ... arison.htm