Concern!! The responsibility as a breeder to answere e-mails recieved
 

This is something of concern to me!
I have been vividly searching for a breeding female, to replace my 15 month old Yorkie bitch in my breeding program. Emmy was diagnosed of having grade 1 and 3 in her knee’s, and I have been searching for a new Yorkie female ever since. Being a translator for a German breeder, I have found whenever I respond to an add for a puppy for sale, American breeders are very... lax about responding, or don't bother at all. I am very disappointed by this, because having dealt with many breeders in Germany and other countries, American breeders are the last ones to respond. What in the h...is wrong with them? I have 7 dogs, and 5 cats, we are self-employed, but this will not stand in my way to answer phone calls, or answer e-mails for people wanting a puppy. I understand this is a full-time job, but in my world the customer always comes first, it is high on my priority list.
Have you ever had this happen to you?
Karin

I have experienced that also. In my search for the boxer I have now and then again for my Yorkie. And the only person who responded to me was who I got my boxer from, and the person I am getting my Yorkie was the only person who responded to any of my communication attempts.

Karin,

Wow! You sound very frustrated. I am so sorry this has happend to you. I can't relate thankfully.

Best of luck!
Irene

My opinion is that if they have something right then that they think you may be interested in they will get right back with you. I for one do not always have puppies available and I get an average of 10 calls/emails a day. This may be hard to believe but it is very true. I cannot possibly get back to every single person who says "i am looking for a yorkie puppy" . If I get an inquiry where someone wants to ask me questions, and possibly after getting to know me be placed on my wait list, then I'm going to respond to this person much sooner.
I do not feel that I am obligated to respond to every single inquiry I get. It is up to me to pick and choose who i want to discuss my puppies with. If I get a bad feeling from the start, I will never respond. If I dont have anything available and get the feeling the person is ready to purchase then, I don't respond.

If someone calls or writes me and tells me a little more about themselves other than "I'M LOOKING FOR A YORKIE PUPPY, DO YOU HAVE ANY?" then we will talk. otherwise, sorry.

Actually, I have been annoyed by the same thing lately. I can't really go into details, but the breeder who I got Macey from seems to be avoiding my emails. Sigh. It's really frustrating, I know. I never had this problem when I was searching for a Yorkie before I got Macey, though.

I am sorry , but I feel it is our responsibility to act upon a request for puppy inf.! You can always have some sort of letter re-written and file them on your computer, so you can respond in the right manner.
Karin

That's your opinion to feel that way, but I don't. I am not going to waste my time on requests that I don't even have a good feeling about in the first place. Like I said, if you tell me a little more about yourself other than you want a puppy then I will talk to you. Too many irresponsible people will write and say something like "we are interested in breeding our male who we love to death and he is so cute. do you have any females available?" Or you get the holiday emails and phone calls..."I am looking for a puppy for my girlfriend for Xmas"

I want to know more about the person, their intentions. A one sentence email is not going to get a response from me.

This is a door that swings both ways. As a breeder I try to answer all my e-mails and phone calls. Just this last week I have two Clients who I have been working with for months- That I have terminated their files. I would hate to name the amount of time that I have put into answering the questions over and over again. I did not mind.


One of these folks purchased puppies from another breeder the other I suggested that they may be served better by another breeder.


The first gal found puppies that were cheaper and the puppies could go home at 7 weeks of age not 12-16 weeks. Did she learn anything from all our long and direct talks no. She has already e-mailed me and called me beacuse her rose colored glasses have slipped down her nose. She has problems with the puppies and EXPECTS me to help her solve the situation. Where is this breeder who she bought from.

My other client was too demanding- dictating what food she wanted her puppy fed- bottled water only- amount of play time each day for puppy- and that baby would willing wear her little dresses and not tear them- and if she did that I would replace them. Sorry folks my kids don't wear clothes- they wear bows in the hair- that is it- other then that they are naked.


You may not get a answer right away- remember these breeders do have lives also- this may involve- husbands- 2 and four legged children. Add dog shows, athletic events , work and just keeping you daily chores done. Breeders have a lot on their plates.

Okay all you have to say: I am sorry the puppy is already spoken for. This is your job, and you owe to respond.

I can relate to that part of your post all too well. It is very irritating when they find a cheaper puppy, let go way too soon, then they call you to find out what they should do when problems arise. I had a client that came to my home twice, i spoke with her at length atleast 5 times on the phone. She then found another puppy for half the price of mine, which she was very upfront in telling me this was her reason for going elsewhere, then called me at 6 am after purchasing her puppy to ask me why he was acting "strange". I helped her , but had to ask her why she didn't call on her breeder for this.

Some breeders may respond to every single call/mail, but I don't. I learned the hard way as to why I feel this way now. It is not because I am being rude or ignoring anyone, it is because too many people have really wasted my time in the long run. If someone tells me a little more about themselves, I will write them right back, or phone.

I understand what you mean When I was looking for my male, some breeders took days to get back to me, but I always respond as soon as I see an email.. and I'm on line everyday sometime 2 or 3 times a day! Go FIgure!

Well I have a story. A friend of mine had just bought a puppy from a high thought of breeder. Not a yorkie. Anyway, before she bought the puppy the breeder wanted breeding rights, right to show, and contract that he wouldn't be neutered before 2 years because he was a show prospect. That was 2 months ago. Now she has been trying to get the contract and Akc papers from this breeder, everytime she writes, the only reply she gets is an excuse and "it will be in the mail tomorrow" she still hasn't gotten anything! Now, I think as a breeder you should show responsibility toward your clients. I understand that you can't reply to every crank mail or phone call, but if someone does sound sincere, have a written reply ready, and all you have to do is copy and paste and send. It takes 10 seconds and let's everyone know where they stand...

Oh you left out part of the request. Do you have any teacup females? And how much? I agree is someone tells me somehting about themselves I will asked them to telephone. I do not like to sell puppies only by email. I like to talk and get to know a person. And that depends on their first impression. Otherwise I just don't bother. Sorry. <g>

emails
 

I get some that say..How much? Nothing else, just those two words.

I am sorry but do you realize how much time is involved in just emails and telephone calls. Yes I do try to educate and talk sometimes. This is dependent on the first email I receive. It is dependent on the first impression I usually do not respond to emails asking for a female to breed. Or do you have a stud I can use? Like others have stated I do not feel I must answer every request. Example: couple of weeks ago I get a phone call. Lady wants a Christmas puppy. No can do. I do not sell Christmas puppies. Okay so then she is ok with that. Can I send pictures of puppies I have that will be ready in Jan 06? I say yes but my time is limited so I will try. This frigging woman calls me everyday sometimes twice a day for 4 days. Then I finally get her some pictures of very cute Yorkie puppies. I HAVE NOT HEARD A WORD FROM HER! Not one word. You can bet your booty she is on my do not sell to list.....bigtime. So this door swings both ways. <grin>

[QUOTE=wnalegria]This is a door that swings both ways. As a breeder I try to answer all my e-mails and phone calls. Just this last week I have two Clients who I have been working with for months- That I have terminated their files. I would hate to name the amount of time that I have put into answering the questions over and over again. I did not mind.


My other client was too demanding- dictating what food she wanted her puppy fed- bottled water only- amount of play time each day for puppy- and that baby would willing wear her little dresses and not tear them- and if she did that I would replace them. Sorry folks my kids don't wear clothes- they wear bows in the hair- that is it- other then that they are naked.
QUOTE]


I too have had perspective buyers carry on several months in emails, as well as, somewhat mentored one via email for many many months, I hesitated commiting a puppy to her or a breeding pair until I got to know her and her breeding ethics and program better, poof next email was Ive bought else where.

I LMAO about the wearing clothes and bows, she wanted a girly girl, Kathy wonder if her next request would have been ballet class and charm school before adoption.

I say leave em naked and let them be pups!

BTW I answer every single one of my emails and promptly, if you take the time to inquire I take the time to tell you about my kids! I love talking Yorkies!

I'm sorry I just do not understand your thinking. I say I repectively I disagree. Breeding my Yorkies does not put food on my table or pay my rent. I am not a pet store. Breeding is strickly a hobby with me. Yes I breed to make money because the dogs must support themselves somewhat. This hobby is very expensive. I do not have waiting lists. I do not take deposits. I usually go on someone's word that they wish to purchase a puppy at the correct age. And I don't sell breeding animals. So there is very little else for me to respond to other to sometimes offer to educate people. And again that depends on the first impression. I mean geeze there is no shortage of Yorkie breeders. I don't feel I'm harming anyone there are too many other breeders willing to sell someone a dog. I know this is not the answer many wish to hear. <G>

I was always taught, and I firmly believe, that it is rude and unprofessional not to answer polite communications of any kind with some form of response in a timely manner. Period. As always, JMHO. :p

Yes, the door swings both ways, but please don't just ignore e-mails or phone calls, because this is your business. It will eventually catch up with you if you don't get back to people. Remarks like, oh she never even replied, or she is very rude etc., I can guarantee, it will back fire. I have heard many stories, and yes, if you do get the occasional annoying customer, you can always block their e-mail address, or not pick up their phone calls.
I am for one will most likely look oversees again. I have never had a bad experience yet, except for Emmy, but this part of being a Yorkie breeder. She will be just one more of our beloved pets.
Karin

We respond to each and every email we get concerning our beagles for sale and like someone else said, this sometimes is as many as ten in a day. But for us it goes in spurts. Then we, or rather I, have to deal with sending pedigrees and pictures out to those that request them. Sometimes, it is just such a hassle and you can tell if people are interested or not but I always thank them for their inquiry whether we have anything available or not. We had five litters going at once about a year ago and I flat out refused to handle the computer end of it unless I got something out of it. I made a nice commission that time LOL.

That is funny!!!!! I could see you breeders getting people like that from time to time.

I wonder how many times a person calls a breeder, the beeder emails back or calls
back many times and answers all the questions and gets the feeling this may be a good fit for
the pup she has.....then the person goes out and purchases a pup somewhere else
and never lets the breeder know. Bet that happens a bunch too.

I receive lots of emails in a week . I answer some but not all . Most of the peoples ask me How Much ? or the I am very poor , could you change your price of the pup ?

Now, I've always responded to the e-mails (even the scammers) and always answered or returned phone calls (local or long distance). But to try to tell someone what their job is is pretty tacky...IMO!

I've not had this happen to me but Paula told me it happened to her one too many times...that's why she will no longer hold a deposit for a pup. Someone put a deposit down, then went and bought a pup someplace else and wanted their money back. When the pups are ready to be sold, have cash because she won't hold one.

Also, she was telling me that she'd have people call..."I'M ON THE WAY"...and they never showed up.

I will admit, I have not replied to every email request I get. I need to 'feel' somethimg from the other person. My biggest pet peeve is "How much..?" being the only question. Another one is "How much are your DOGS?"..I HATE that..lolol.I know it's bad, but to me they are not dogs! I have a friend that goes round and round with me stating they are. But I dont' use the word "Dog" when referring to my Yorkies..lolo..It's Yorkie this or Yorkie that..but never Dog..lol.

Anyway, when I do reply. I put the same amout of effort that was put into the original email.

Well i can honestly say that no one will ever be able to say about me "that she was very rude" . Not replying to certain inquiries is my choice as the MAIN person who truly loves my puppies and it doesnt make me "rude" and i dont see how not responding to red flags would ever back on fire me. My problem with these post is that I need to let you and everyone know THIS IS NOT MY JOB. k? this is my hobby and I dont take it lightly. Especially with emails asking how much or what do you have. I posted my way of going about things early on in this thread, and i believe that 99% of the breeders understand where i'm coming from. I don't "ignore" anyone who shows a true interest and seems committed in their quest for a baby. But there are alot of inquiries that really make me scratch my head. Those... I will not respond to.

LOL I already made that point in another post. This is not my Job? It is a hobby. And a hobby I dearly love doing. And like you no one is going to call me rude because if I do respond I am never rude. I always am polite with my response. I too do not answer the two word or one liner emails. And I can usually tell a persons interest by the first words out of their mouth over the phone. LOL
I would like to add another thought to this thread about the potential dangers of breeding and selling puppies. I am alone about 50% of the time 24 hours a day seven days a week. My hubby travels a lot. So I must be very very careful about responding with too much information OR allowing someone to come over to visit the puppies. I have had several breeder friends who were robbed. If not out right then the person returned later because they had already "cased the joint". And a few years ago there was a woman who was killed and robbed of her baby. Remember she was preganant and the woman cut her and stole her baby. This meeting of two people occured over the internet in a forum just like this one!! In fact it was persons in the forum who aided the police in identifing the killer. The killer went to the house on the pretense of looking at puppies!! Sorry this is off subject but I just wanted to bring it up so other breeders could become more aware if you are not already taking extra care. As for me.....well I could lay here dead for several days and no one but the Yorkies would know. It's scary sometimes. I know I know....this has little to do with answering email and phone calls. But Yorkies are in great demand. It never hurts to be extra careful.

I try to answer all of my emails and return calls. But I too have a problem with many emails of How Much??, I want a yorkie, ect. The ones that show a little more interest will get the first reply. When I get one liners... I Just send them back as "Tell me what you are looking for and about yourself then we can discuss the possiblities of owning a puppy if I have one." The one line emails I usually never hear back from anyways. Those emails to me are very rude to me. I have no problems spending time with people that have questions... Or need education.. Yes, this is our jobs as breeders.

I try to answer in a timely manner, but with my schedule on some days it is impossible..Response time is 2 to 3 days at the lastest.

I always try to answer my emails in a timely manner.. If it is not the same day I receive it I will answer it the following day.. But I will NOT answer emails that do not have the name of the person that wants information about my dogs or puppies! I also will NOT answer emails that just say "what's available, price".. I want to know the kind of person I am responding to and at least what their name is, or they can purchase a yorkie elsewhere..