Etiquette-Is it Rude to Ask "How Much?" - YorkieTalk.com Forums

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 07:14 AM

I just took a poll on this, and it triggered a peeve that my fiance' and I share. Maybe it is wrong, and it is probably an innocent question since the pet market prices range so drastically. But still, we find it nosy and annoying. When we are out in public, the first thing people say is "Aww, your Yorkie is so cute!"...immediately following that is "How much did you pay for her?" Maybe if it just happened once or twice, it wouldn't be so annoying, but literally every time we go out, that is the second thing they ask. I, personally, have never asked someone how much they have paid for their pet (no matter what breed), jewelry, or anything that could range in price and that I couldn't guess, because I don't care. I appreciate things for what they are, not what they cost, and I guess that just drives me crazy. My fiance' made a joke of it when we got back in the car and said he should have responded back to the lady "Aww, your kids are so cute...how much did you pay for them?" And that we should named our dog 50 cent. I know I'm venting now, but really. Too much is too much. I know others experience this also. Please let me know that I am not just an oversensitive witch, and that it is rude to ask someone how much they paid for their pet, or anything for that matter.

chachi · 08-08-2010, 07:20 AM

People always ask me that too and I say not enough they are priceless

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 07:28 AM

I like that. I will definitely have to use that. When someone asked me how much I would charge to sell her, I was thinking, she isn't for sale. But I told him my life, because she is priceless and means the world to me. I will definitely use that. Very nicely put.

chachi · 08-08-2010, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieg

I like that. I will definitely have to use that. When someone asked me how much I would charge to sell her, I was thinking, she isn't for sale. But I told him my life, because she is priceless and means the world to me. I will definitely use that. Very nicely put.

Good its not worth it to get upset with people I just try to find a good comeback for them and go on

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 07:31 AM

Happy Sunday to you and your beautiful family, by the way. Is that your daughter in the picture? I don't think I've seen that picture before, but she is a cutie, and so are your other babies. (:

chachi · 08-08-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieg

Happy Sunday to you and your beautiful family, by the way. Is that your daughter in the picture? I don't think I've seen that picture before, but she is a cutie, and so are your other babies. (:

Yes thats my Daughter. Shes 10 now so older but I love that picture so much I leave it up. Thank you for the compliment! Happy Sunday to you also

TexyorkieMom · 08-08-2010, 07:36 AM

Yes Lizzieg.. i agree about it ... When I announced a weeks ago that Im going to be a new mommy of a fur baby .. the 1st question was how much is that going to cost you..(kinda breaks the whole tone doesn't)
So I guess we can ask the same of all the human mommies.

Mitzis Mom · 08-08-2010, 07:42 AM

I think it IS rude but people are just that sometimes. I never tell b/c I don't want them to see my babies as a high value and therefore something to steal... When I'm asked I always say they are from the pound and I paid just a few bucks. And then I point out that they are special needs and how much it costs to keep them alive...
BTW... I'm not really lying b/c three of them are rescues and two are special needs...

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 07:44 AM

We came up with a system to lie and tell people that we got her from a shelter for many reasons. One is so people will actually go help a dog in need (I know, it sounds like a double standard). Initially, we looked for a Yorkie at a shelter because I have to have a hypo-allergenic breed and a small breed for the house. Every time one popped up at the shelter, we drove to the shelter, but by the time we got there, they would already be gone. So I'm hoping those who aren't so allergic to everything like me will fall in love with another dog in need. Secondly, I'm hoping to illustrate the point that you can't put a price on a 'good dog'. In the past, my family has paid a lot of up front costs for dogs based on their pedigree/breed that required a lot of rehabilitation to get them to be good dogs. This is my first Yorkie, and other than the minor puppy things, she is good by nature. My Westie required a bit more rehabilitation; however, it could have been because he was the alpha male of his litter, or the bloodline. Many, many, factors go along with it, but you can't put a price on a dog merely from it's breed. Max, my Westie, was more expensive than Khloe, and I loved him to pieces through it all, but he was hard work.

deonk1 · 08-08-2010, 07:55 AM

I've been asked several times, but usually only by people who are interested in buying one and are looking for a breeder. I've been a walking testimonial for my breeder and several of those people are now on her waiting list.

I just say, he wasn't cheep, but knowing where he came from and all the added stuff I got for that price, was worth it's weight in gold.

Another reason (which is sad) that people ask their price, is because they are a valuable thing to steal. It is horrible to think that some nice person on the side of the road, may be saying hi, just to find out if the dog it worth stealing, but people really are that low. I think the priceless or shelter response is the way to go. Telling them the value of your dog is really risky.

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexyorkieMom

Yes Lizzieg.. i agree about it ... When I announced a weeks ago that Im going to be a new mommy of a fur baby .. the 1st question was how much is that going to cost you..(kinda breaks the whole tone doesn't)
So I guess we can ask the same of all the human mommies.

It is aggravating. And I really wasn't aware that society thought that this breed was so high value. I wasn't going to microchip Khloe so soon until I heard this so much. The earliest that a microchip has been inserted with any of my dogs in the past was 6 months. I guess they can be done sooner. I'll talk to my vet. I'm sorry that redundant question ruined your spirits. At times, I love to get around people who have no appreciation for the 'little dogs of the world' just so I don't have to hear that stinking question. Enjoy your new baby, and congrats. You would think the questions that would evolve would be "How old?" "Boy or girl?" "What is his/her name?" But no, what a shallow society we live in...

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitzis Mom

I think it IS rude but people are just that sometimes. I never tell b/c I don't want them to see my babies as a high value and therefore something to steal... When I'm asked I always say they are from the pound and I paid just a few bucks. And then I point out that they are special needs and how much it costs to keep them alive...
BTW... I'm not really lying b/c three of them are rescues and two are special needs...

Agreed, we take the shelter approach also. (:

lizzieg · 08-08-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deonk1

I've been asked several times, but usually only by people who are interested in buying one and are looking for a breeder. I've been a walking testimonial for my breeder and several of those people are now on her waiting list.

I just say, he wasn't cheep, but knowing where he came from and all the added stuff I got for that price, was worth it's weight in gold.

Another reason (which is sad) that people ask their price, is because they are a valuable thing to steal. It is horrible to think that some nice person on the side of the road, may be saying hi, just to find out if the dog it worth stealing, but people really are that low. I think the priceless or shelter response is the way to go. Telling them the value of your dog is really risky.

The priceless and shelter approach are both good tactics. We usually tell people she was a shelter dog in hopes that people will honestly go give their local shelter a visit and give a shelter dog a home. The shelter occasionally calls us to foster hypoallergenic breeds for a few months if their facility becomes overcapacity, and we will when we can. I'm a big advocate to give all dogs equal rights. There aren't bad dogs, just bad owners.

YorkieChick1 · 08-08-2010, 08:17 AM

Yes, I agree with you, it is rude to ask the price of anything that someone else has. I was taught that by my parents and obviously some people haven't gotten the same training! Maybe they need obedience training!!

Sweet Apple · 08-08-2010, 08:29 AM

I hate it, when people ask me how much I paid for my pups...However, at my age, I can tell you it is usually the "ignorant" people, who ask, and, unfortunately, there is no cure for ignorance...I love the "priceless" answer, and will use that from now on...Being such an open and honest person, I usually tell them the truth, and then regret it afterward, wondering if they might, possibly, be thinking of stealing them? Anyway, iatyq...a big ol' YES, it is rude...I didn't even ask a good friend of mine how much she paid for her pup...I figured she'd tell me, if she wanted me to know, and one day, she did...

08-08-2010, 07:14 AM	#1
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	Etiquette-Is it Rude to Ask "How Much?" I just took a poll on this, and it triggered a peeve that my fiance' and I share. Maybe it is wrong, and it is probably an innocent question since the pet market prices range so drastically. But still, we find it nosy and annoying. When we are out in public, the first thing people say is "Aww, your Yorkie is so cute!"...immediately following that is "How much did you pay for her?" Maybe if it just happened once or twice, it wouldn't be so annoying, but literally every time we go out, that is the second thing they ask. I, personally, have never asked someone how much they have paid for their pet (no matter what breed), jewelry, or anything that could range in price and that I couldn't guess, because I don't care. I appreciate things for what they are, not what they cost, and I guess that just drives me crazy. My fiance' made a joke of it when we got back in the car and said he should have responded back to the lady "Aww, your kids are so cute...how much did you pay for them?" And that we should named our dog 50 cent. I know I'm venting now, but really. Too much is too much. I know others experience this also. Please let me know that I am not just an oversensitive witch, and that it is rude to ask someone how much they paid for their pet, or anything for that matter. __________________ "It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie

08-08-2010, 07:20 AM	#2
chachi I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana Posts: 37,147	People always ask me that too and I say not enough they are priceless __________________ Chachi's & Jewels Mom Jewels http://www.dogster.com/?132431 Chachi http://www.dogster.com/?132427

08-08-2010, 07:28 AM	#3
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	I like that. I will definitely have to use that. When someone asked me how much I would charge to sell her, I was thinking, she isn't for sale. But I told him my life, because she is priceless and means the world to me. I will definitely use that. Very nicely put. __________________ "It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie Last edited by lizzieg; 08-08-2010 at 07:30 AM.

08-08-2010, 07:31 AM	#5
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	Happy Sunday to you and your beautiful family, by the way. Is that your daughter in the picture? I don't think I've seen that picture before, but she is a cutie, and so are your other babies. (: __________________ "It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie

08-08-2010, 07:36 AM	#7
TexyorkieMom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 80	Yes Lizzieg.. i agree about it ... When I announced a weeks ago that Im going to be a new mommy of a fur baby .. the 1st question was how much is that going to cost you..(kinda breaks the whole tone doesn't) So I guess we can ask the same of all the human mommies. __________________ Yorkies Are Angels With Paws ..We Do Not Choose Them ..They Choose Us!!

08-08-2010, 07:42 AM	#8
Mitzis Mom No Longer a Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 2,837	I think it IS rude but people are just that sometimes. I never tell b/c I don't want them to see my babies as a high value and therefore something to steal... When I'm asked I always say they are from the pound and I paid just a few bucks. And then I point out that they are special needs and how much it costs to keep them alive... BTW... I'm not really lying b/c three of them are rescues and two are special needs...

08-08-2010, 07:44 AM	#9
lizzieg YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 537	We came up with a system to lie and tell people that we got her from a shelter for many reasons. One is so people will actually go help a dog in need (I know, it sounds like a double standard). Initially, we looked for a Yorkie at a shelter because I have to have a hypo-allergenic breed and a small breed for the house. Every time one popped up at the shelter, we drove to the shelter, but by the time we got there, they would already be gone. So I'm hoping those who aren't so allergic to everything like me will fall in love with another dog in need. Secondly, I'm hoping to illustrate the point that you can't put a price on a 'good dog'. In the past, my family has paid a lot of up front costs for dogs based on their pedigree/breed that required a lot of rehabilitation to get them to be good dogs. This is my first Yorkie, and other than the minor puppy things, she is good by nature. My Westie required a bit more rehabilitation; however, it could have been because he was the alpha male of his litter, or the bloodline. Many, many, factors go along with it, but you can't put a price on a dog merely from it's breed. Max, my Westie, was more expensive than Khloe, and I loved him to pieces through it all, but he was hard work. __________________ "It is much easier to show compassion to animals. They are never wicked." ~Haile Selassie

08-08-2010, 07:55 AM	#10
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	I've been asked several times, but usually only by people who are interested in buying one and are looking for a breeder. I've been a walking testimonial for my breeder and several of those people are now on her waiting list. I just say, he wasn't cheep, but knowing where he came from and all the added stuff I got for that price, was worth it's weight in gold. Another reason (which is sad) that people ask their price, is because they are a valuable thing to steal. It is horrible to think that some nice person on the side of the road, may be saying hi, just to find out if the dog it worth stealing, but people really are that low. I think the priceless or shelter response is the way to go. Telling them the value of your dog is really risky. __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

08-08-2010, 08:17 AM	#14
YorkieChick1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bay Area, California Posts: 2,249	Yes, I agree with you, it is rude to ask the price of anything that someone else has. I was taught that by my parents and obviously some people haven't gotten the same training! Maybe they need obedience training!! __________________ Nanci 's her furbabies!! Brooke,Binky,Bunny,Buster & BooBoo And My Chichis: Baby & Bitsy There's nothing that brightens my day more than a puppy kiss!

08-08-2010, 08:29 AM	#15
Sweet Apple Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 2,473	I hate it, when people ask me how much I paid for my pups...However, at my age, I can tell you it is usually the "ignorant" people, who ask, and, unfortunately, there is no cure for ignorance...I love the "priceless" answer, and will use that from now on...Being such an open and honest person, I usually tell them the truth, and then regret it afterward, wondering if they might, possibly, be thinking of stealing them? Anyway, iatyq...a big ol' YES, it is rude...I didn't even ask a good friend of mine how much she paid for her pup...I figured she'd tell me, if she wanted me to know, and one day, she did...