Opinions of past yorkie buyers or current website sellers

[jasmanea]

I would like some opinions, tips, etc.. from those of you who have bought off a great yorkie website or those of you who have designed your own. I have been working on one for a while now and am not that computer savvy I have surfed a million (it feels like) different sites for ideas, graphics, etc. I would like some opinions on mine or what is really a necessity to use. I understand most people have different opinions. My site may look nice to one person and cheesy to another LOL. I am merely interested in some ideas for improvement, not necessarily opinions of criticism I usually sell my yorkies other ways, but have decided to do the website thing now. I don't have any pups available currently so I would like to have it complete and informative before I do. Keep in mind I do only have 5 pages to work with (as this is what I am choosing to use). Thanks for your help and opinions :-)Please feel free to pm me with ideas as well if you would rather not post.
My site is serendipityyorkies.homestead.com. I would like this to be a nice site, but not too much frill and lace

[Gingergirlsmom]

Did you check out the breeder reviews section?

Good luck in your search.

[bchgirl]

Okay some improvement ideas...and not criticism.

I think the font on your home page should be larger....not everyone that will view your page will have excellent eye sight.

I like websites with nice clear pictures that show the sires and dams...preferrably by themselves.....so I can see their conformation. That's hard to judge when held in someone's arms. I do like that you have past puppy pictures on there. If someone is offering champion lines...I like to know the title and venue the dog has placed.

I also like to read contracts if you have one....including whatever health guarantee you might offer.

Personally not being allowed to come to your home would turn me off...especially given the fact you prefer cash as a deposit....but that's just me. I would offer some other means of deposits too...paypal for instance.

HTH and good luck.

[jasmanea]

Those are some great ideas. I am creating a contract, but had never thought of the font idea. I will accept checks for deposits as well-listed, but they have to be cleared first before the puppy leaves me! The paypal is something I may look in to as well I know the house thing is a "big turn off" for some. I have had one person these past few years that I have sold puppies be a bit miffed, and two others question why, but other than that -no issues. I understand that could be a big deterrent. I am a bit torn on that, as I see many other people who sell from their home. I have gotten mine from people at their home. I don't know. I just hear so much bad stuff and know of a few people that have had their dogs stolen. Even a lady that owns a pet shop in our area (she even has cameras). I just have a nice place and worry about something like that. Not to mention people going to look at other pups/handling them and coming in to my home. I guess I am a bit paranoid. I have had a guy -very insistant that he wanted to come to my house. He was a bit aggressive verbally about it. I finally said I don't feel comfortable with that and he hung up on me LOL. Not someone I want buying my pups anyways. Also many people buy from people and have their pups shipped and never see the "home". Well any suggestions on what anyone does to take precautions with people in your home? Any bad experiences? Maybe I worry too much

[Lorraine]

Well here goes. I have no idea how a puppy can be sold via the internet shipped who knows where or to what situation, without meeting the person or family and yet claim the puppies are raised in a loving home to go to loving families. How do you know your puppy is not going into a puppymill small or large scale, gets rehomed many times because whoever got it decides it is too much trouble and yes i have helped people rehome that bought via the internet although it had nothing whatsoever to do with me except I can't let a poor little dog suffer, or that the home actually has young kids which will hurt or torure the poor thing or goes to a home with nobody around or not a safe environment for it.
I don't know about anybody else, but I cannot judge character with a couple of emails and/or a phone call or two or to be sure of where exactly my puppy is going. People who have bought from me also cannot judge my character or my dogs from a website on the Internet for sure. They are very happy about being screened and I answer their questions and if they do get to come to my home, they are quite happy to find my site matches me. They have told me they would not buy via the Internet because my policies are exactly what they are looking for in buying a puppy from a responsible breeder.
Nothing is advertised for sale on my website yet I get many hits of people looking at my site, reading all the info there about Yorkies and those that are interested contact me. I can also say I have nothing available if the intial contact is not what I am looking for.
For the most part, the ones that do enquire are often the best because they have seen the thought, love and care I have for my dogs as reflected by my site and that I do not sell that willingly, a good home is a must.
I start with telephone interview regardless if it is a phone call I have received or an email. From there if I have something available and the initial screening is passed, the enquirer is invited via appointment to come see us and the whole family must come. They go home without a puppy so we can all think about it.
My only hope is that with the economy crashing it will finally put an end to people breeding to sell puppies for an income because dogs and puppies are the first thing people aren't going to have money to buy in a financial crunch. Kind of puts a damper on the live animal market.
Anyone buying a puppy or older dog from me are local. i get phone calls from them on a regular basis and emails keeping me updated and I also get calls with questions about caring for the dog or puppy in the first week or sometimes longer after purchase. If I don't hear from them, they hear from me. People that have bought from me did so because they knew they would get the support from me on the raising feeding and care of the Yorkie.
JMHO
Email me privately if you want the link for my site, I can't post it unless I donate to thisforum and I will never do that.
I know I am likely going to get blasted because many especially on this forum do sell on the Internet, but if I can make just one buyer stop and think before purchasing about what I have said, then it is worthwhile.

[jasmanea]

Pm'd you!

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by jasmanea

Those are some great ideas. I am creating a contract, but had never thought of the font idea. I will accept checks for deposits as well-listed, but they have to be cleared first before the puppy leaves me! The paypal is something I may look in to as well I know the house thing is a "big turn off" for some. I have had one person these past few years that I have sold puppies be a bit miffed, and two others question why, but other than that -no issues. I understand that could be a big deterrent. I am a bit torn on that, as I see many other people who sell from their home. I have gotten mine from people at their home. I don't know. I just hear so much bad stuff and know of a few people that have had their dogs stolen. Even a lady that owns a pet shop in our area (she even has cameras). I just have a nice place and worry about something like that. Not to mention people going to look at other pups/handling them and coming in to my home. I guess I am a bit paranoid. I have had a guy -very insistant that he wanted to come to my house. He was a bit aggressive verbally about it. I finally said I don't feel comfortable with that and he hung up on me LOL. Not someone I want buying my pups anyways. Also many people buy from people and have their pups shipped and never see the "home". Well any suggestions on what anyone does to take precautions with people in your home? Any bad experiences? Maybe I worry too much

Most people interested in purchasing a puppy....aren't interested in a tour of your entire home. If you're worried they'll bring something into your home....have them remove their shoes, and wash their hands with sanitizer.

I wouldn't expect to pay for a puppy with anything other than cash. A deposit is different...puppy isn't going anywhere for awhile...plenty of time for a check to arrive and clear.

A detailed puppy application would help alleviate your fears. I have no problems completing an application which asks for my full name, hubby's name, home addresses, where we work, our vet's information to contact, and/or personal references....this doesn't include the multiple telephone conversations.

[jasmanea]

I love the detailed application idea. I believe that would help maybe weed out anyone with different motives

[Harley_chik]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Okay some improvement ideas...and not criticism.

I think the font on your home page should be larger....not everyone that will view your page will have excellent eye sight.

I like websites with nice clear pictures that show the sires and dams...preferrably by themselves.....so I can see their conformation. That's hard to judge when held in someone's arms. I do like that you have past puppy pictures on there. If someone is offering champion lines...I like to know the title and venue the dog has placed.

I also like to read contracts if you have one....including whatever health guarantee you might offer.

Personally not being allowed to come to your home would turn me off...especially given the fact you prefer cash as a deposit....but that's just me. I would offer some other means of deposits too...paypal for instance.

HTH and good luck.

I always prefer to see the parents and any grown past puppies b/c that's the best way to guess what your puppy will look like. I also like to know what exactly "champion bloodlines" means. Does the pup have 3 Ch grandparents or 1 great great great great grandparent way back there that was a Champion? I would never, never buy a puppy from someone who wouldn't let me see their home. To me that means there is something to hide, JMO.

[MyPeanutAbbyGra]

Originally Posted by bchgirl

Most people interested in purchasing a puppy....aren't interested in a tour of your entire home. If you're worried they'll bring something into your home....have them remove their shoes, and wash their hands with sanitizer.

I wouldn't expect to pay for a puppy with anything other than cash. A deposit is different...puppy isn't going anywhere for awhile...plenty of time for a check to arrive and clear.

A detailed puppy application would help alleviate your fears. I have no problems completing an application which asks for my full name, hubby's name, home addresses, where we work, our vet's information to contact, and/or personal references....this doesn't include the multiple telephone conversations.

When we went to see Abby at 6 weeks, the breeder brought her out to us and then we asked to see the parents and she brought them out one at a time. Her kennel is actually in her home, off her bedroom, so I understand why she didn't take us back there, but I think had we asked she may have.

She also had us remove our shoes at the front door before coming in.

I also think adding Paypal as a payment option would be a very good thing for both you and the purchaser.

[bildio]

I met Squirt at the breeder's home. I met Gus on neutral territory, the breeder's mother's home. I was very satisfied with both buying experiences.

I like using PayPal as a buyer, but the seller's fees are high.

[Katys mom]

You have been given some good advice. I will just offer up this. People get used to finding things in a certain place. Your menus are at the bottom. I would move them to the left or right of your text.

There is also a three click rule. They need to get where they want in three clicks, you have done that. You also have text on the front for keywords, that is good. You do need some pictures, most people will skip the text.

This is what you have for your meta tags. I don't see yorkie in there. You might want to fix that, search engines will have a hard time indexing your site.

<meta name="description" content="Dog Breeding Service">
<meta name="keywords" content="Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu, Cocker Spaniel, dog breeding, American Kennel Club, AKC, kennel club, stud service">

The only other thing is, consistancy through out the site. Each page looks like you are at a whole new site. So, whether it is a logo or the backround, something needs to tell the visitor that they are still at the same store.

I hope it helps.