|
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. |
People always ask me that too and I say not enough they are priceless |
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. :) |
Quote:
|
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. (: |
Quote:
|
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. |
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... :) |
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. |
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. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
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!!:D |
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:D...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... |
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. |
Quote:
I wish you and your entire family (Yorkie babies included) the best! You are an amazing person! |
Quote:
|
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? |
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. |
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. |
Quote:
|
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. |
Quote:
|
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 |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
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 |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
| All times are GMT -8. The time now is 04:05 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2003 - 2018 YorkieTalk.com
Privacy Policy - Terms of Use