How's Business?

[mtcreeklabradoodles]

Just wondering if anyone has noticed a slowdown in the last few months.
We have never had puppies this late in the Spring/early Summer so I wasn't sure if it is this time of year or the economy.

We had a litter of 10, they are just 8 weeks now. We have had lots and lots of interest, however they are mostly lookers. We are trying to determine if summer is simply a bad time for most families to add a puppy because of trips etc or if they just don't want to spend the money right now. We are hearing both of those as reasons to not commit.

Would love to hear everyone else's experiences!
Thanks

http://www.mountaincreeklabradoodles.com

[doodles151]

I think that the economy is playing a big part in the slow down. Usually, this is the time of year that I can sell the most puppies. It is the end of summer that is usually slow for me. Like you, I have lots of lookers, but very few wanting to spend the money.

Kris

[Dizneydoodle]

lots of lookers , still have some pupa left
Could be the money

[Lucky Me]

I have bred/sold parrots for years....end of summer into fall is ALWAYS a rough time. Nothing seems to move until everyone is settled after school starts. It will be interesting to see how things will be this fall .
my next LD litter will not be till next spring.....hopefully things will turn around. The desire to own a labradoodle does not seem to have slowed down.

[mtcreeklabradoodles]

Thanks to all of you that have replied.

There is definitely still lots and lots of interest. We have many phone calls and emails each day. Many times people are just about to commit but something is holding them back. We are going on vacation this summer and so are most families I guess. Not a good time to be bringing a puppy home. If it is simply timing, that is no big deal. We can adjust that in the future. Just wondering if anybody thought it might be more then that such as the state of the economy and rising gas and food prices.

Thanks again for replying, I really appreciate it!
Tom

[Mhyles30]

It's a little different for me this time and my website really plays an important role. I had 13 puppies and they are only 9 weeks right now. I think how much we sell them for is a big factor too. From the past two litters, I usually have 3-4 puppies until they are 13-14 weeks old and by that time I realized they will usually sell faster when I dramatically lower the cost.

Most people tell me that they think the Summer is a perfect time to bring home a puppy but of course there's a lot of other factors.

Good luck on your puppies.

-Mhyles
http://www.coloradomountainlabradoodles.com

[Lucky Me]

Way to go Tink!!!
sounds like you are building up a good reputation in your area!!

[Tink]

What's funny Judi, is that not one of my pups has stayed "in my area"... The closest one is 40 miles away and others are 4 hrs or more away.

[lieverdmom]

The phones have definitely slowed down since my litter was born in mid-May, and another local breeder has had the same experience.

Last year about this time, folks said they were going on vacation (although nobody has mentioned that this year), so it might be a bit slow until everyone gets home and is ready to start school.

I had my entire litter pre-sold, but had requests for girls, and got all boys except for my keeper girl, so still have one boy available.

I get a lot of looky loo activity. I suspect, as you said, the price is a sticking point.

[Doodlesville]

I really think its the economy, and gas prices,
I reduced my prices due to that fact

[MaxandMe]

I wonder at times if part of the reason is geographical location for slower times in addition to OTHER Factors listed here: time of year, economy, more advertising etc.

[Lucky Me]

How's business lately?? Anyone see a slow-down?
With the uncertianty of the stock market & economy in general, I am a bit worried.

[MaxandMe]

I know of 3 doodle breeders , 1 golden breeder and 1 lab breeder who have all had slower than usual business recently just in my area.

Some usually have litters SOLD before they're born others half the litter
REGARDLESS ......it took more aggressive advertising for them and a few lowered prices.
ONE doodle breeder never has a problem.......go figure.

the lab breeder has been approached several times to do doodles as she's been breeding for 15years , does full testing, etc
this is the 1st year SHE ever had a litter sell SLOWLY and had a few older pups. Her prices are much lower than doodles too. her litters usually are spoken for before litter is born and she gets mostly referral business and her website.


i've also had other breeders in various states of US have had slower than usualy sales the past 4mos. Many did temporarily reduce prices.

MOREOVER: price of dogfood has greatly risen in past 6mos
and homecooking? i do it there's very little if any savings vs kibble.
OUR food costs have risen steeply as well due to gas prices and taxes.

i know how much it costs to afford 2 doodles vet visits,meds, supplies and food costs and have insurance on them.
also one job the company imploded and the other one is in financial trouble, thus i am looking for work for 2mos with salaries being lower than 5 years ago. Unemployment is up to 7%

Lastly, i also hear and see of some Doodle breeders selling doodles much less expensive in the paper giving reason to people : Why pay a higher price [of testing breeders] and why such a price variance?

[b]we KNOW the answers but the general public doesn't always nor come to sites such as this forum to learn.[/b]

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ok i just got off the podium -----> NEXT
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[Tink]

Luckily, with a litter due in days, I am getting one or 2 inquiries per day now about them. I am finding people are more determined to come meet the parents dogs and are asking a lot more (good) questions now than they have in the past. I get the sense that the buyers are becoming more informed and so far, they're telling me my prices are about what they were hoping to pay for a pup. When I explain that next year the prices are going up, and why, they seem to accept that as well. Several still ask to be put on my waiting list.

So I guess I'll have to see in a couple months whether things have tightened up here when my pups are old enough to be going to new homes. I would think it only stands to reason if the economy is rough that we'd see it in something like the sale of puppies early on. Besides the purchase price, there's the after care and having a proper home to keep them to consider. If you're struggling financially, I would think buying a pup would not be high on your list of priorities.

[lieverdmom]

I'm getting a lot less traffic to my web site than I got when the May 2008 litter was pending, or growing and publishing weekly photos.

I had the entire litter pre-sold, then two fell when there were no girls for sale. I sold those two boys again, but they fell out when one broke his leg (The cute little golden boy on the avatar) and another had such a demanding buyer that I returned her deposit in just three days.

The fair haired boy is all well and I've donated him to an autistic boy who will hopefully take advantage of Bubba's help in learning to speak.

The other one is still here. I get a couple of contacts a week, so far they are all seeking miniature dogs, and this one will be large medium to small standard, I'm guessing standard. Two calls yesterday, the first question was how much, which ended the call. I'm taking advice from a long-time poodle breeder, who suggested that one Never discount the price, on the theory that folks who don't respect the dog enough to pay it's value will not respect the dog enough to give it good care.

With my first litter, I was getting the bargain hunters by the time the pups were this age.

I'm getting a bit of traffic, with nothing more than word of mouth, with a handsome re-home that I've got from the previous litter. He's really a great dog... can't understand why they gave him up, as I haven't been able to duplicate any of the submissive peeing with men only, the "needy" behavior of wanting to push in for his share when they pet their other dog, or the separation anxiety of creative redecorating when Mom left home for more than two hours. I crate young dogs when I leave, so this has not been a issue.