How's Business?

mtcreeklabradoodles · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject: How's Business?

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 and they are just 8 weeks now and we have 3 left. 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

www.mountaincreeklabradoodles.com
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doodles151 · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:19 am Post subject: business

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 · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 6:29 am Post subject:

lots of lookers , out of 8 got 2 left at 10 weeks
Could be the money
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Lilly Belle and Walter D and Roy O and Brier Rose
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Lucky Me · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:10 am Post subject:

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 Confused

.
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.
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"Happiness is a warm puppy with wet kisses"

mtcreeklabradoodles · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:18 am Post subject:

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
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Mhyles30 · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:33 pm Post subject: How's Business

It's a little different for me this time and my website really plays an important role. I had 13 puppies and only 2 are left, those two may be sold by the end of the week as I will be meeting a couple of families who are positively interested, 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
www.coloradomountainlabradoodles.com Very Happy

Tink · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:17 pm Post subject:

My 7 week old litter was 8 pups... all but one are reserved.
My one week old litter was 4 pups and 2 are reserved.
I'm not feeling any sense of worry about needing to be selling any number of older pups.
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Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

Lucky Me · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:07 am Post subject:

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

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Judi,Tuesday& Marley(and little Reba too!)
"Happiness is a warm puppy with wet kisses"

Tink · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

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.

Oh I should have also mentioned that I have a waiting list forming for when Hickory and Chip have their first litter!
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Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

lieverdmom · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 3:46 am Post subject:

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.
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A Sky View Labradoodle
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Doodlesville · Senior Member Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 1896 Location: VA

My next 3 litters are sold already Goldendoodles and Aussiedoodles

I have a few Labradoodles (chocolate caremels) still available Big litter
but i am very surprised that i do have still have them , they are ready this weekedn
the colors are beautiful and the coats are perfect!!!

I really think its the economy, and gas prices,
I reduced them due to that fact
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Aussiedoodles, Goldendoodles &
F1/F1B Labradoodles,

Breeding only Early Generation Doodles!
Keeping the Original Goals for this breed First!!
We do NOT Breed Australian Labradoodles!!

MaxandMe · Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 12:50 pm Post subject:

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.
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Lucky Me · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

How's business lately?? Anyone see a slow-down?
With the uncertianty of the stock market & economy in general, I am a bit worried.
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Judi,Tuesday& Marley(and little Reba too!)
"Happiness is a warm puppy with wet kisses"

MaxandMe · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

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 Shocked

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?

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

[b]**********************
ok i just got off the podium Wink

-----> NEXT Very Happy

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Annmarie, Max,& Peanut
Forum BLOG ARTICLE LINK http://blog.labradoodle-dogs.net/

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." Anatole France

Tink · Posted: Mon Oct 06, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

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 for next spring.

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.
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Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)