Bourgeois or Too Sensitive?
 

And maybe bourgeois is too harsh a term, but it's all that comes to mind.
Now, personally I try to use proper etiquette whether in a conversation or written correspondence and I anticipate the same from others. Am I too being overly sensitive when people ask me how much Bubba "cost"?

Their comments, "I know those dogs are realllllllly pricey, the smaller they are the more they cost, what did he set you back"? "Wow, how much did he cost?" "I paid $3000 for mine and she looked just like yours". "My wife wants one of those little dogs, but I know they're expensive, right, what did you pay?"

The way I see it is, it's financial, it's private. I try not to talk politics, religion, or finances, people will just never agree. It's just so awkward. I especially cringe because he is my pet, what does it matter? My champion bloodline lab was "free" and still, I could never put a price on him.

I have put the shoe on the other foot so to speak, and unless I was interested in the same breed, same breeder, wanted more information for possibly expanding my own fur family would I ever have the gall to ask price, even so I think I'd ask in terms of adoption/breeder fees etc.

I don't mind sharing those details on this forum. People come to this site for information, and if listing the breeder's fee in my area would help someone that is considering adding a yorkie to their family, that is good with me.

Maybe I am just too sensitive :confused:

I just say, "a Yorkie puppy in this area will probably cost about x", along with a little lecture not to buy from a pet store. I figure it's a good opportunity to educate a potential Yorkie lover.

If someone asked me that I wouldn't answer them or would probably be very sarcastic with what I said because really it is a personal question and nobody else's business.

I would come up with a stock reply. Like well his harness was 30.00, his leash was 20.00, his grooming was 40.00, and he is priceless. Then possibly follow up with something and it is a toss up betweem him and hubby. Or say something about he didn't cost as much as my kids did.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Haha ! One of my replies was " 50,000 yen"

I really like that, thanks:thumbup:

Ive had one person ask me a question like that and there were many more about my baby before that. I wanted to grab her up and run. It made me so nervous!
I did actually tell this guy that I thought his question a bit personal. I told him that the price was different from area to area and breeder to breeder.

"How much did Bubba cost? Are you kidding me? Bubba cost all the love in the world!!!" (and change the subject...) ;)

- Cat

And that is the truth;)

Those type of questions bother me also. Its nobody's business how much you pay for anything. I am already preparing my responses. I think this time I will say a lot of research and love thats how much my puppy costs. I got a few of those questions when I got Kirby. I think some people are being nosey. Its my business how I spend my money. Some folks get their hair done every week and that's their business. We all choose to spend our money differently.

...but it's okay...they give it all back and then some extra...we use that to get the playmate, and we wouldn't have it any other way! :)

- Cat

I had a stranger ask me that when Jack was still way tiny and I was so shocked that someone would ask that I blurted out a tad over x-amount of money - which wasn't what I had paid for him but it was over the amount I told this stranger. I figure if they wanted to purchase a Yorkie, they could do some research and yes, it is personal. I don't go asking people how much they paid for their car or the home, same principal if you ask me. What I should have said to him should have been something along the lines of "more than what my husband thinks..." lol

How about PRICELESS ? That is how I will answer people.

That is a question I have been asked off and on for many years. It is something that I don't have a stock answer for, because you really have to tailor your answer to the person asking. Sometimes the people asking are friends and sometimes total strangers. My main response is that she is worth far more to me than I paid for her.:p

For me, it just depends on who is asking. If it's someone I know then I'll tell them and say that my boyfriend and I split the cost and all of the money was definitely worth it. If it's a stranger, I'm more apt to not answer and just give a roundabout response.

When people ask me that about Oz I just hold my pinky finger up to my mouth and say "one million dollars".

Honestly though I don't really care and it doesn't bother me if people ask, but we did not pay a lot for him, and he's the best puppy in the world and I'm infinitely glad we made him part of our family. And knowing Oz as I do now, I would have paid anything that was asked.

If someone asks Me what I paid for my furbutt(love that term,picked it up here), I ask them how much they make. They look astonished! Whatever...

I agree, they are priceless. I love our little Andy!

I'll keep that one in mind. One imposing question deserves another.:D

:eek:That is very good. I wish I were a little more brave to pull this off, and I may get fed up here soon and have to resort to this answer:D

I would just say he cost me my whole heart:2hearts2:and leave it at that.;)

cute I like that!

Yes, it is nobody's business. For me its the equivalent to asking my age or weight, what does it matter, it is irrelevant. Nosey and no manners.

If the questioner makes me really nervous because I am afraid they might want to steal my "expensive" dog, I say, something like, " they can be expensive, but we got him much cheaper because he's not perfect. They're only expensive if they are like really rare show dogs." I say this because I think it could cut down on Yorkie theft. Now this nosey or maybe unscrupulous person can go home and tell nosey or unscrupulous friends that Yorkies are not a good thing to steal!

I tell them not nearly as much as he is worth

This isn't the first theft comment I've seen! Oh my goodness my mind doesn't go there that quickly, and it should:thumbup:

I know when I leave our lab in the back of the truck while going into the store, all the young kids that bag groceries and collect the baskets know him and I tell them to keep an eye out for any funny business ;) My lab is so handsome and super friendly, he would leave with anyone and the thought is frightening at times.

:thumbup:Thanks for the reminder that strangers may have horrible motives behind rude questions.:thumbup:

Ha! My son (now 19 & who grew up with a yorkie since being 3yrs old)says that same thing!

His standard reply is: "Are you interested in buying one yourself and wondering if you can afford it? How much money do you make?" He says it so well and looks them right in the eye.

I've never had the gumption to pull it off myself so my standard response is "not near what she's worth to me." But now reading the other responses about theft, I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't be saying that...as it sounds like I'd be willing to pay a hefty ransom for her...which of course I would, but probably shouldn't advertise the fact.

A family near here left their beautiful big dog in the back of their truck while they ran into a store for just about 15 minutes. Their dog was stolen while they were in the store. He was found after two weeks and tons of posters, as well as extensive searches and newspaper ads.

I've been asked that a few times. I think people are just curious. I usually say that they weren't too expensive, or I agree that yorkies can be pricey. Something vague, and if I can get a laugh, all the better. :p

I will have to practice this reply in the mirror, it is short and to the point:thumbup: