Etiquette-Is it Rude to Ask "How Much?"

[jltwigg10]

I loved reading all your replies. My crew and I have not been out a lot but I think I feel more prepared for any questions like that. I think I got a very good price for my little ones and they are from a very good breeder. My past experiences would make me hesitant to answer that type of question. I have encountered some really arrougant people around here. If you did not pay 1500 for your dog than it must be of sub-quality standards.
Sorry I got on a soap box there for a second. I have just had a couple of bad encounters with a few people who "owned" Yorkies.
I think they saw them as possessions and not treasures to be enjoyed and cherished.

I think I will go with the pricesless route. I use to volunteer with a small breed rescue so I always point people towards rescues and shelters.

[lizzieg]

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...

You are doing such a sweet and admirable thing. . Your kind actions brought this quote to my mind... "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated." ~Mohandas Gandhi

I wish you and your entire family (Yorkie babies included) the best! You are an amazing person!

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by YorkieChick1

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!!

Amen, sister! It is rude to ask the price on anything, especially since our pets aren't objects, they are considered family. No excuse to ask the price on objects either, though. I'm in favor of obedience training for rude people.

[Ladymom]

It's horribly rude IMO. I doubt the same people would ask you how much you paid for your jeans or a piece of jewelry. Why is it okay to ask the price of your dog?

[lizzieg]

Thank you all for allowing me to vent. I really enjoyed reading your experiences. Please continue to add and share your encounters with bringing your furbabies into the public. I'm weary to let strangers hold Khloe as a result, except children (children are innocent). Another peeve I have is when people ask me if I am going to breed her, and when I respond "No", they come back with "You should, there's a lot of money in that." Ugh, ignorant people. If they knew the medical costs and the additional vet bill expenses during pregnancy, the risk of a c-section with small dogs, the small litters that they produce, the risks that Khloe would go through, and that I purchased her AS A COMPANION and nothing more, then they would understand. The only reason people should breed is to improve the overall breed of the dog, not for monetary gain. And with that considered, I understand why Yorkies are so expensive. When people run puppy mills for the love of money, that just makes me sick.

[Britster]

I think a lot of times it's not people being necessarily rude, they just don't really know any better. For example, most people that go to our dog park have never asked me or my friend (w/ two little yorkies) the price they were. Most people at the dog park know better, I think, than to ask. There's been 1 or 2 but that's it. But people that go to the dog park are typically 'dog people'. In general, other public places are where I find more people asking things like that.

To me, it's almost like the teacup thing. Some people just sincerely don't know better. Because Jackson is bigger at 15lbs, people will ask if he's a Yorkie, etc, and be matter of factly "oh, he's not a teacup..." People think Yorkies have classes like teacup, regular, etc. That's just them not knowing, I don't think they're trying to be rude, they just come across that way. I don't mind telling people how much I paid for Jackson ($550)... but I always add, he was not from a good breeder and is not a Yorkie standard, and I probably shouldn't have paid as much as I did, lol.

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

It's horribly rude IMO. I doubt the same people would ask you how much you paid for your jeans or a piece of jewelry. Why is it okay to ask the price of your dog?

I'm so relieved that I'm not just oversensitive. Believe it or not, people have asked with jewelry also. I get offended at that also, but I blow that off by telling them that it was handed down through the family, or I got it for a steal at an estate sale, etc. People are just rude. It's way more personal and way more annoying when it comes to our furbabies. I think I am going to buy her a hoodie this winter, and on the back of it in gold sequins, sew PRICELE$$. Haha. I add a lot of details on her stuff and on my daughter's; when she gets out of this puppy stage and I'm not so fearful that she will chew it off and swallow it, I'll fancy up more of her stuff.

[PiePiper]

I've been walking Piper everyday for the last year and met many people and their pets. I have to say not one person has ever asked me, "How much did you pay?" The only questions I usually get are, "What breed of dog is that? Little girl or boy? How much does she weigh? What's her name?" I get comments like, she's so small, her little legs move so fast, she's so cute, I would love to own a dog like her. If I'm ever asked the How much did you pay question, I now have excellent come back comments.

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by Britster

I think a lot of times it's not people being necessarily rude, they just don't really know any better. For example, most people that go to our dog park have never asked me or my friend (w/ two little yorkies) the price they were. Most people at the dog park know better, I think, than to ask. There's been 1 or 2 but that's it. But people that go to the dog park are typically 'dog people'. In general, other public places are where I find more people asking things like that.

To me, it's almost like the teacup thing. Some people just sincerely don't know better. Because Jackson is bigger at 15lbs, people will ask if he's a Yorkie, etc, and be matter of factly "oh, he's not a teacup..." People think Yorkies have classes like teacup, regular, etc. That's just them not knowing, I don't think they're trying to be rude, they just come across that way. I don't mind telling people how much I paid for Jackson ($550)... but I always add, he was not from a good breeder and is not a Yorkie standard, and I probably shouldn't have paid as much as I did, lol.

You are a very modest and kind person. If that is Jackson in your profile pic, he is a studmuffin. And as a companion, dogs initially have 'price tags', so to say, but after that, they are priceless (at least to me). The teacup thing is another thing that drives me nuts. A teacup is a nickname for the smallest of the litter, but breeders try to market them as spectacular and different to make more money from buyers. They are cutie pies, and are ideal for certain owners who are drawn to their tee-tiny size, don't get me wrong. The smallest of the litter scared me; we chose the bigger one (there was only 2 to pick from, and she's still tiny; I have developed a habit of dragging my feet across the floor so I don't step on her). I trained her to get out of the way by saying "Big Mama's coming thru". lol.

[peachesmom1sc]

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

i so do agree around here lil dogs go missing all the time the lady over on the next street had her lil one just a few days and someone got him about 6 months later the dummy that took him took him to her groomers she did s scan with his chip and she called the law then Patti
so the dummy went to jail and patti got her dog back but by that time he was around 10 months old and they has not done anything with him so she had to retrain him

but no one knows how much i paid for my lil one but hubby
kid or grandkid's have asked and i just say you can buy love yorkie love that is

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by PiePiper

I've been walking Piper everyday for the last year and met many people and their pets. I have to say not one person has ever asked me, "How much did you pay?" The only questions I usually get are, "What breed of dog is that? Little girl or boy? How much does she weigh? What's her name?" I get comments like, she's so small, her little legs move so fast, she's so cute, I would love to own a dog like her. If I'm ever asked the How much did you pay question, I now have excellent come back comments.

You are very lucky. How much did you pay? No, I'm only Joshing you. lol. She's very beautiful, and yes, it is amazing how fast their little legs will move.

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by peachesmom1sc

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

i so do agree around here lil dogs go missing all the time the lady over on the next street had her lil one just a few days and someone got him about 6 months later the dummy that took him took him to her groomers she did s scan with his chip and she called the law then Patti
so the dummy went to jail and patti got her dog back but by that time he was around 10 months old and they has not done anything with him so she had to retrain him

but no one knows how much i paid for my lil one but hubby
kid or grandkid's have asked and i just say you can buy love yorkie love that is

I'm glad you shared that. And yes, the only love you can buy is a Yorkie's love. I love that quote. Very cute. And honestly, the only one that knows how much we spent is my fiance'. My future stepson and his side of the family would find it 'wasteful' that we would spend so much on a dog. But it is none of their business, and the happiness she has brought us is priceless, so they even think that she was a shelter dog. lol. Happy Sunday to you and your family; good seeing you on here today.

[chachi]

Some people are very innocent when they ask. They think what a cute dog and they want to know if they could afford one or if they are out of their price range altogether

[lizzieg]

Originally Posted by chachi

Some people are very innocent when they ask. They think what a cute dog and they want to know if they could afford one or if they are out of their price range altogether

That is true. When I knew that I wanted a Yorkie, I went online and researched prices, and they were all over the map. But I found out that I wanted a Yorkie from researching online also; not from seeing one in person. Now I'm feeling evil. I guess people are bad with words, and I should take that into consideration. Feeling pretty bad right now... You're right.

[chachi]

Originally Posted by lizzieg

That is true. When I knew that I wanted a Yorkie, I went online and researched prices, and they were all over the map. But I found out that I wanted a Yorkie from researching online also; not from seeing one in person. Now I'm feeling evil. I guess people are bad with words, and I should take that into consideration. Feeling pretty bad right now... You're right.

Now your not bad your human. I have a couple really nastry mean to be nasty people in my life so Ive learned to pick my battles. It use to bother me when people asked that.