One of the families that bought one of my puppies rang me up to enquire and we chatted for about 10 minutes before I asked her any questions about working, arrangements etc. My first question was obviously did she work full time, at which case she said no, then automatically thought I thought she was a "dosser" (her words not mine
) She said she wasn't a dosser, she just had an 18 month old son so was now in a position to fulfil a dream. At the age of 13 when working in a vets, she decided she wanted a blue roan cocker spaniel bitch. Luckily for her when she rang me, one had become available. We chatted several times on the phone, I even spoke to her partner a few times too.....weeks of emails came checking on the puppy's progress, how she was getting on, was she ok after her injection etc, I just knew my puppy was going to a lovely caring home.
When the day came for the puppy to go, I felt i knew this young family like an old friend. When they saw the puppy for the very first time, they cried. They were overjoyed to see her. I knew from that moment, my puppy was in great hands.
The buyer was very knowledgeable on cockers. She had read a good book before she came and was asking me lots of questions on trimming etc. So I took Aimee and showed her where to trim etc. She was over the moon that I took the time to show her these things and explain things.
I know how first time buyers feel when buying a puppy. I was the third breeder this lady phoned and she told me later, she had spoken to a few who she felt were nasty, abrupt and couldn't be bothered to talk to her or sell her a puppy. Now this lady went the right way about buying a puppy. She started off with the Cocker Spaniel Club, who gave her the name and address of her local cocker club. She phoned this lady who was extremely rude to her, but eventually gave her an address of a breeder. Fortunately, she contacted my cousin who breeds cockers, who not having any puppies for sale, put her in touch with me. My cousin then rang me up and told me of this lady.
I know breeders like their puppies to go to loving and caring homes, I certainly do, but please give a thought for the genuine people out there who want to give a loving home to your puppy but are spoken to rudely. I agree with what Rachel said earlier in the post about not asking too many questions. Ask what you need to know nicely and politely, and you might find your prospective buyer will answer some of your questions without you even asking. Mine certainly did and I am proud that my puppies had loving and caring homes to go to, and I made nice friends in the process.
Sorry for the long epic, its just my thoughts on the subject!
Sandie