Serious Buyers Only/No Tire Kickers - Page 2

I don't mind tire kickers. Bouviers are not a really well known breed to most people and any time I can pass on the knowledge to someone I feel its helping the breed. On our web site there is an application and what I do is if someone calls or writes I ask them to go there and fill it out first so I know something about them and their needs and let them know once that is done I will contact them. I always call when I get an application and its not that hard to sort out who is serious and who is not. A potential buyer down the road can be as important as a buyer today. I always let them know they can come here to see our dogs as well on an appointment basis. The only time I do not allow visitors is when there is a litter on the ground. I will let people come see a litter at 6 weeks and not before.

We had a similar discussion a while back..  I totally agree with all the posters here.  Every time I have inquired about a dog, I may have been considered a tire kicker to some (if I didn't go with their dog) but I was as serious as they come.

I won't even look twice at a dog if the ad says  "Serious buyers only".

Last time I bought a GSD pup, there must have been at least 20 e-mails back and forth between me and the seller, followed by a couple of phone calls.

If I am going to pay over $1,000 for something, I am entitled to know EXACTLY what I'm getting!

And ITA with Rik: I would never buy a dog sight unseen!  I've heard of far too many people getting ripped off when the pup they picked up at the airport did not at all resemble the one in the ad, or papers were missing, etc., etc. I also want to know what the kennel looks like (cleanliness, health of dogs, etc.) and see the parents, if at all possible. With the above pup, I made the 11 hour drive to the seller's home to complete the transaction. It was well worth it both for my peace of mind, and for the seller's. The got to meet me, see my other dog, and hear me spin endless stories about previous dogs I'd owned. They knew beyond a doubt their pup was going to a good home.

If I were the seller, I would know just how serious/educated about dogs the buyer was by the number and sort of questions they asked.

Good post Sunsilver. Guess up here in Alaska most of our puppies will be sold in the lower 48 if the inquireies I have been getting recently are any indication. Its pretty hard for someone to come out to see the puppies when thats the case unless they have money to fly up here which very few people would do. So what I did was talk to my vet who knows all of our dogs very well as well as the conditions they live in. When someone asks about our kennel I refer them to him as my local reference as well as several other people that have either been here or know our dogs. I also send lots of photo's from the time the puppies are born until they leave home as well as photos of our place. If a buyer wants a certain photo at a certain angle then I will take the photo they request and send that. I try my hardest to bring them here through photos, phone calls as well as emails. I do not know what more I could do except try to be as honest a forwrite as I possible can be given the fact I am so far away. Steve This was his recommendation the last time someone inquired. If any of you can give suggestions I have not thought about for dealing long distance please let me know if you were up here and dealing from such a long way. Dear Ronald, I am the veterinarian who provides care to the Bowerman's dogs. They take very good care of their animals and they are current on their medical needs. Sully is a very nice dog and I can see why you'd like to mate him with your own Bouvier. Sincerely, Ronald K. Williams DVM Palmer Veterinary Clinic 907-745-3219 vet@mtaonline.net

I always took the phrase, "serious buyers only" to mean....

1) You must be 18 years of age or older to contact the seller.

** Back when I sold a horse, I had several teenagers and pre-teens e-mailing me asking me if my horse was still for sale, and their mom/dad/whatever said they could have one one day, etc.

2) The seller is not someone that appreciates "picture collectors."

** Same time period as above,  I had people who [supposedly] lived a few miles away ask for every angle of pictures of the horse instead of just coming out and seeing it.  I began to be concerned that they may be using the pictures on their own for a fake ad, etc.

3) If you currently have the finances to purchase the animal (if all checks out,) THEN contact.

** "I have cash!" then they show up to buy the animal, and they say, "well I don't have the money right now, but can we work out payments of, I don't know, $25 per month?"  

If a seller doesn't want to print the price, they can use the term "Private Treaty" though...they're selling the dog so why not print the price? (Unless they have something to hide.)  The same goes for the dog's registered name, etc.  I don't think educated buyers fall under the same category as "tire kickers."  I'd appreciate someone doing their research, consider their options, actually physically come see the animal (or send a representative to check it out,) etc.  Those folks are not "tire kickers." 

While not dog-related we had tire kickers when we recently sold our SUV.  "I have cash.  I'm leaving RIGHT now and will see you at six."  No show, no call, no e-mails returned.  At least have the courtesy to call and say, "sorry I'm not coming." 

ETA: I am guilty of posting "Adult inquiries only" or "only persons over the age of 18 need inquire." 

I guess based on others' definitions, I'd be a tire-kicker seller because I can talk dogs all day long