Etiquette-Is it Rude to Ask "How Much?" - Page 5 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Mardelin · 08-08-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelseysmom

I was at a flea market with my mother and Kelsey, and some guy asked "how much?"
My mother immediately said "$100,000!" Then she proceeded to tell him how long I had been looking for a yorkie and how precious my dog is to me. She was a little defensive, yes, but the guy walked away and didn't say anything else. He was rude anyways.

I've a client that has bought two of my puppies. However, she adores the sire of one of the girls. The sire is the boy in my Avatar. She always says if you ever want a home for Charmer, I'll take him. I always joke back at her, well if you've got $10,000 and a new model Mercedes we'll discuss it.

lizzieg · 08-09-2010, 02:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chachi

Passing out cards is a great idea. Another good thing to put on there would be yorkietalks web address

Great idea! I found some pre-made advertisement cards for Yorkie Talk on the site; the admin. posted this link, which will provide you with 10 cards. Easy solution for the inquiring minds that would like to know more. http://www.yorkietalk.com/yorkietalk_cards.doc

deonk1 · 08-09-2010, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieg

I'm so curious to see a larger one. And in pictures it is so hard to tell; a lot of members on YT say their Yorkies are 14 lbs.+, and I've never seen one that big. I bet that they are just as gorgeous. Max was about 24 lbs. (a lot bigger than 14 lbs.), but I want to see a large Yorkie. Around here, the largest one that I have seen was 9 lbs. I may be wrong, but is a Yorkie only supposed to be 7 lbs. and under, or is that only by AKC standards? Are CKC standards for larger ones? Or perhaps it is past genetics from the larger breeds in the past showing back up?

CKC (Canadian) is the same. Or at least I think it is, I don't show but my breeder and I talk about showing a lot, and I've groomed for her at shows before.

I know a 10-15lb Yorkie. his name is Newton, and we always joke that he ate way too many Fig Newtons.. I absolutely adore him, he's a lot heavier than my little 3lbs boy, he's like a big fluffy teady bear, next to my little beanie baby.

Palmerck · 08-09-2010, 04:12 AM

A lot of my friends or people I know have asked me how much I paid for Dolly, especially when they see how sweet and entertaining she is. If it's someone who I think is asking because they're starting to want a cute small dog to put in their purse, I tell them she cost me more than $5,000 in the 1st 6 months, including vet bills, good food to prevent health problems, toys, treats, puppy school, gas money to go home at lunch every day to let her out since she's so small, etc etc etc. And I make sure to include that I keep at least $1,000 in savings for an emergency vet bill because small dogs get hurt so easily.
I think a lot of people ask because they want a cute little purse dog, more like an accessory than a pet. I hope to give them a dose of reality by always including the cost of owning the dog, not just the initial purchase price. A lot of my friends have asked but once they hear all that they change their minds!

deonk1 · 08-09-2010, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Palmerck

A lot of my friends or people I know have asked me how much I paid for Dolly, especially when they see how sweet and entertaining she is. If it's someone who I think is asking because they're starting to want a cute small dog to put in their purse, I tell them she cost me more than $5,000 in the 1st 6 months, including vet bills, good food to prevent health problems, toys, treats, puppy school, gas money to go home at lunch every day to let her out since she's so small, etc etc etc. And I make sure to include that I keep at least $1,000 in savings for an emergency vet bill because small dogs get hurt so easily.
I think a lot of people ask because they want a cute little purse dog, more like an accessory than a pet. I hope to give them a dose of reality by always including the cost of owning the dog, not just the initial purchase price. A lot of my friends have asked but once they hear all that they change their minds!

OMG parents used to have me do that to thier children who wanted horses (I'm a riding instructor) and that totally works, never thought of using it when people ask me about price. Another thing I always add in when I'm asked is that I don't feel comfortable telling a price because price is subject to change. I don't feel it's my place to quote the breeders price if she doesn't display it online. One day she may have a rescue for sale at cost (obviously to a good home) and the next she may have pups from champion parents.

Britster · 08-09-2010, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieg

I'm so curious to see a larger one. And in pictures it is so hard to tell; a lot of members on YT say their Yorkies are 14 lbs.+, and I've never seen one that big. I bet that they are just as gorgeous. Max was about 24 lbs. (a lot bigger than 14 lbs.), but I want to see a large Yorkie. Around here, the largest one that I have seen was 9 lbs. I may be wrong, but is a Yorkie only supposed to be 7 lbs. and under, or is that only by AKC standards? Are CKC standards for larger ones? Or perhaps it is past genetics from the larger breeds in the past showing back up?

You can see Jackson compared to his little friends, Nala (5.6lbs) and Bandit (4.5lbs).
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...h-img_8585.jpg
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...n-img_4508.jpg
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...s-img_2504.jpg

This is when Nala was a pup, so she was probably only like 2-3lbs. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...s-img_2501.jpg

lizzieg · 08-09-2010, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Britster

You can see Jackson compared to his little friends, Nala (5.6lbs) and Bandit (4.5lbs).
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...h-img_8585.jpg
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...n-img_4508.jpg
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...s-img_2504.jpg

This is when Nala was a pup, so she was probably only like 2-3lbs. http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/att...s-img_2501.jpg

Thanks for posting! Jackson is adorable, and I love his skull jacket. (: Thanks for sharing. And his friends are adorable too. 14 lbs. isn't big either, even when placed next to a 5 lb. dog.

Rhetts_mama · 08-09-2010, 04:37 PM

I've told people who have asked "Not as much as I'll be spending on vet bills, food and keeping them happy."

Islandloverr · 08-19-2010, 03:41 PM

hahaha. (im laughing because im the person that asks that question!)

i dont own a yorkie yet & still looking....but when i ask "how much..." its not to make it seem like your dog is some kinda product....i just want to get a good idea of how much i should be paying for a healthy yorkie. now im not just a bandwagoner whos joining the whole "purse puppy" trend...ive wanted a yorkie for years but never could (my mom finally agreed to let me get one

)! when i talk to owners i also ask bout vet bills & food & good yorkie products. im only 19 & never owned or bought a dog...so all of this is new to me....prices...what to look for...pedigrees... so me asking how much is only me doin research. if i didnt i would go out & buy a $5000-$10,000 dollar yorkie thinkin it a reasonable price!

BUT!....now that ive found yorkie talk...theres no neeed for me to piss off owners askin them how much they paid.

DaniMarie · 08-19-2010, 09:52 PM

Honestly, before I had a dog, that was one of the first questions I would ask when I saw an adorable little dog.

Not having a dog, I was very intrigued about the dog world and didn't know this question was impolite.

Now having my Yorkie, I feel like when people ask me how much I paid for her, they're looking at her as if she's a piece of property, when she's my baby.... haha, It's really different.

BUT I see where they're coming from because I was innocent and coming from their standpoint at one time. I try to think about how I would see a dog that was so precious I just couldn't take it, and asked how much she cost because I was fascinated and enthralled by the dog, not because I was trying to sticky her with a pricetag.

BamaFan121s · 08-20-2010, 07:08 AM

IMO, yes, it's rude. Just as I would think it inappropriate to ask someone how much they pay for their car, or house or anything else that can be considered a personal finance. (My husband's family does this all the time and it drives me nuts. Mainly because I know when they do it, it's always with some hidden motive....something they can run back and gossip about.)

If I'm ever asked, I try to skirt around the subject. I'll say, "Why, are you intrested in getting a Yorkie for yourself?" Generally, that's usually enough of a hint to the other person.

ViviDior · 08-20-2010, 07:23 AM

Yes I think its rude.When people say how much did she cost I just say well she was worth it regardless of price.

bellasmomok · 08-20-2010, 07:38 AM

I didn't read everyone else's posts....BUT I get asked that by nearly everyone too!!

It's amazing how no one seems to understand just how RUDE that is, isn't it?! My canned response is, "just as much as any other purebred dog!" Really, I thought Yorkies were alone in how much they were...only because we only had mutts when I was a kid...but most other breeds have about the same price range. (Of course, there's a wide range in price for Yorkies...just like all the other breeds too!) Sometimes I also say "Well, she wasn't free!" No one ever persists with that line of questioning after I say either of those 2 things.

(Note: I HATE to lie, so that's why I came up with those 2 responses. They're both true, but I also just side-stepped their question. AND I don't really care if it's obvious I side-stepped it....maybe a little light will "ding" on in their heads that they were being rude for asking. Probably not though

)

bellasmomok · 08-20-2010, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lizzieg

I'm so curious to see a larger one. And in pictures it is so hard to tell; a lot of members on YT say their Yorkies are 14 lbs.+, and I've never seen one that big. I bet that they are just as gorgeous. Max was about 24 lbs. (a lot bigger than 14 lbs.), but I want to see a large Yorkie. Around here, the largest one that I have seen was 9 lbs. I may be wrong, but is a Yorkie only supposed to be 7 lbs. and under, or is that only by AKC standards? Are CKC standards for larger ones? Or perhaps it is past genetics from the larger breeds in the past showing back up?

I don't think anyone answered your question (I might have missed it though???)....

The AKC, CKC, and KC (the Kennel Club in the UK) breed standards are ALL "not to exceed 7 lbs". HOWEVER, there are lots of purebred Yorkies that are larger than 7 lbs...and that doesn't make them any less "Yorkie"!!!

My Bella is ~4.5 lbs, and some people say, "Wow, she really tiny!!" because they've only seen larger Yorkies. And some people say, "She must be a bigger Yorkie" because I guess they've only seen smaller ones?! Either way, I always say, "The breed standard is 7 lbs and under, and she's on the small side of what reputable breeders breed for...anything larger than 7 lbs is considered "off-standard", but that doesn't make any difference for a pet, and anything smaller than 4 lbs is usually the small one in the litter (or runt)." Not sure if that's true, but some people seem to think 2 lb'ers are the norm, so I try to "educate" them that 2 lb'ers are extra tiny, and shouldn't be considered the norm!!

Personally, I think making comments on her size (as being either too small or too big) is about as rude as asking how much!! She's perfect just the way she is!

(A lot of people do ask me "How old is she?" and/or "How much bigger will she get?" or "Will she get any bigger?", and for some reason these don't bother me at all. I think they're trying to ask about her size WITHOUT being rude, and I appreciate the effort!

)

Islandloverr · 08-20-2010, 08:37 AM

i feel really mixed about this subject. YEA i understand it can be rude to ask people how much they paid on ANY living thing....but from SOME of the responses ive read on this thread i feel like your putting it in peoples heads that yorkies are nothing but a Finacial burden...& "if you dont have enough money...then you dont deserve one!" i have a BEAUTIFUL 10 year old cat me & her been through so much together...i consider her to be my baby/ lil sister. ive had people come to my house..they'll see her & go " omg where did you get her from....how much did you pay for her!?" (i actually got her for free!

)...But if i did pay anything i would tell them....& ill also mention the pros & cons of having her. who gave us the right to judge who deserves a yorkie & who doesnt just by a simple question? if you dont want to tell us how much you paid....tell us you dont like talking about your yorkie in that way...we'll understand.

PERSONALLY, i feel like theres nothing wrong with that question. maybe because im on the otherside. but a REAL RUDE question would be..."what color underwear are you wearing?" ....now thats something to be offended at!!

08-09-2010, 04:37 PM	#68
Rhetts_mama Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,959 Blog Entries: 1	I've told people who have asked "Not as much as I'll be spending on vet bills, food and keeping them happy." __________________ Don't get your knickers in a knot. Nothing is solved and it just makes you walk funny.

08-19-2010, 03:41 PM	#69
Islandloverr YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New york Posts: 258	hahaha. (im laughing because im the person that asks that question!) i dont own a yorkie yet & still looking....but when i ask "how much..." its not to make it seem like your dog is some kinda product....i just want to get a good idea of how much i should be paying for a healthy yorkie. now im not just a bandwagoner whos joining the whole "purse puppy" trend...ive wanted a yorkie for years but never could (my mom finally agreed to let me get one)! when i talk to owners i also ask bout vet bills & food & good yorkie products. im only 19 & never owned or bought a dog...so all of this is new to me....prices...what to look for...pedigrees... so me asking how much is only me doin research. if i didnt i would go out & buy a $5000-$10,000 dollar yorkie thinkin it a reasonable price! BUT!....now that ive found yorkie talk...theres no neeed for me to piss off owners askin them how much they paid.

08-19-2010, 09:52 PM	#70
DaniMarie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 138	Honestly, before I had a dog, that was one of the first questions I would ask when I saw an adorable little dog. Not having a dog, I was very intrigued about the dog world and didn't know this question was impolite. Now having my Yorkie, I feel like when people ask me how much I paid for her, they're looking at her as if she's a piece of property, when she's my baby.... haha, It's really different. BUT I see where they're coming from because I was innocent and coming from their standpoint at one time. I try to think about how I would see a dog that was so precious I just couldn't take it, and asked how much she cost because I was fascinated and enthralled by the dog, not because I was trying to sticky her with a pricetag. __________________ Mommy to Poppy & her kitty siblings: Sophie, Lily and Cubbie

08-20-2010, 07:08 AM	#71
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	IMO, yes, it's rude. Just as I would think it inappropriate to ask someone how much they pay for their car, or house or anything else that can be considered a personal finance. (My husband's family does this all the time and it drives me nuts. Mainly because I know when they do it, it's always with some hidden motive....something they can run back and gossip about.) If I'm ever asked, I try to skirt around the subject. I'll say, "Why, are you intrested in getting a Yorkie for yourself?" Generally, that's usually enough of a hint to the other person. Last edited by BamaFan121s; 08-20-2010 at 07:11 AM.

08-20-2010, 07:38 AM	#73
bellasmomok ♥ love my girls!! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: OKC area Posts: 1,140 Blog Entries: 1	I didn't read everyone else's posts....BUT I get asked that by nearly everyone too!! It's amazing how no one seems to understand just how RUDE that is, isn't it?! My canned response is, "just as much as any other purebred dog!" Really, I thought Yorkies were alone in how much they were...only because we only had mutts when I was a kid...but most other breeds have about the same price range. (Of course, there's a wide range in price for Yorkies...just like all the other breeds too!) Sometimes I also say "Well, she wasn't free!" No one ever persists with that line of questioning after I say either of those 2 things. (Note: I HATE to lie, so that's why I came up with those 2 responses. They're both true, but I also just side-stepped their question. AND I don't really care if it's obvious I side-stepped it....maybe a little light will "ding" on in their heads that they were being rude for asking. Probably not though ) __________________ Tara Bella's & Maya's mommy

08-09-2010, 04:12 AM	#64
Palmerck Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alden, NY Posts: 28	A lot of my friends or people I know have asked me how much I paid for Dolly, especially when they see how sweet and entertaining she is. If it's someone who I think is asking because they're starting to want a cute small dog to put in their purse, I tell them she cost me more than $5,000 in the 1st 6 months, including vet bills, good food to prevent health problems, toys, treats, puppy school, gas money to go home at lunch every day to let her out since she's so small, etc etc etc. And I make sure to include that I keep at least $1,000 in savings for an emergency vet bill because small dogs get hurt so easily. I think a lot of people ask because they want a cute little purse dog, more like an accessory than a pet. I hope to give them a dose of reality by always including the cost of owning the dog, not just the initial purchase price. A lot of my friends have asked but once they hear all that they change their minds!

08-20-2010, 07:23 AM	#72
ViviDior Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44	Yes I think its rude.When people say how much did she cost I just say well she was worth it regardless of price.

08-20-2010, 08:37 AM	#75
Islandloverr YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New york Posts: 258	i feel really mixed about this subject. YEA i understand it can be rude to ask people how much they paid on ANY living thing....but from SOME of the responses ive read on this thread i feel like your putting it in peoples heads that yorkies are nothing but a Finacial burden...& "if you dont have enough money...then you dont deserve one!" i have a BEAUTIFUL 10 year old cat me & her been through so much together...i consider her to be my baby/ lil sister. ive had people come to my house..they'll see her & go " omg where did you get her from....how much did you pay for her!?" (i actually got her for free!)...But if i did pay anything i would tell them....& ill also mention the pros & cons of having her. who gave us the right to judge who deserves a yorkie & who doesnt just by a simple question? if you dont want to tell us how much you paid....tell us you dont like talking about your yorkie in that way...we'll understand. PERSONALLY, i feel like theres nothing wrong with that question. maybe because im on the otherside. but a REAL RUDE question would be..."what color underwear are you wearing?" ....now thats something to be offended at!!