Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 11:24 am Post subject: How do you manage your waiting lists?
I’d be interested to know how other breeders manage their waiting lists for puppies – PM me if you don’t want to comment on the open forum.
With Poppy’s first litter I took names for dogs and names for bitches. When 9 bitches and only 1 dog arrived I had to ring all the people wanting dogs to ask if they wanted a bitch instead. This time round I thought it easier to ask at the start “Is your choice your only choice or would you have the opposite sex if it wasn’t available?” I thought this would make things simpler, with the exception of 2 people on my waiting list everyone else said they would have the other sex if it came to it. Ha! Simpler? Fat chance. If anything its more complicated, most of the people who wanted dogs have now said they don’t want a bitch. I’ve also got someone high up on the list that I’m waiting to get back to me, which means in the meantime I can’t offer a bitch to anyone else yet. Fortunately I had the foresight to have a reserve list as well as the main waiting list so I’m not short of buyers, but it’s all becoming a bit of a pain in the bum.
My plan for my next litter is to revert to how I did it originally, taking names for dogs and names for bitches, hopefully having enough people on my list to cover all eventualities, but if anyone has a tried and tested method I’m keen to hear about it.
____________ Lynda x
Emily, Poppy, Maisie, Phoebe, Martha, Will, Ned and Isis
I'm happy to say I don't have waiting lists anymore Yeah!!! And it was great this time round.
Waiting lists gave me nothing but grief. I ask people to keep in touch with me if they are interested and I simply post on my website what is going on.
I got sick to death of people that put themselves on loads of waiting lists then forget to tell me when they have decided to get a pup elsewhere. They also have to come straight back to me if they are offered a pup or it will be offered elsewhere.
The thing is if they really want one of the pups they will be prepared to chase you for it.
Looking after the pups is hard enough without all the grief involved with a waiting list as well.
I found the really good homes, keep in touch, visit before pups are born to meet Spice, etc. etc., and were on the phone the minute they saw the litter was here. It really worked well for me.
I've spoken to quite a few breeders who have said that waiting lists are more trouble than they are worth.
I found the really good homes, keep in touch, visit before pups are born to meet Spice, etc. etc.,
At what point did you let them come and visit before the whelping, Jill? I've had some come and visit Poppy beforehand but is there then the risk that you could end up 'entertaining' lots of people beforehand that eventually don't have a puppy, for whatever reason?
____________ Lynda x
Emily, Poppy, Maisie, Phoebe, Martha, Will, Ned and Isis
Erm well I only let people come to visit beforehand who sounded absolutely A1 homes Lynda, and luckily my six sense worked well as they have all had a pup.
hi Lynda, I didn't let anyone see the pups until they were 4.5 weeks old. I did have loads ring asking to see the pups at 2 weeks old, and they when I said you can't see them for a couple of weeks yet, get shirty with me.
We were talking about people coming to meet the mums prior to them having a litter Martin. My pups went to mostly working homes and people came to meet Spice prior to her having the litter and I usually set up a little demonstration of her working abilities for them to watch plus they get to see what a great temperament she has prior to the pups actually being born.
I too don't let people here to see the pups until they are four weeks and over.
No-one will be coming to see mine until they're at least 4 weeks old either.
I've no problem with people going on more than one list so long as they let me know if they get a puppy elswhere, rather than waiting until they're contacted once my litter's here.
I try to treat people in the way I would want to be treated myself. I'm intending getting a puppy of another breed eventually (don't ask ) and have approached 3 breeders with a view to having one from them. This is because its a breed where only a very small number are bred each year and I specifically want a bitch. However, if one is available from the first litter born, I'd immediately contact the other breeders to let them know I wouldn't be wanting one of theirs.
____________ Lynda x
Emily, Poppy, Maisie, Phoebe, Martha, Will, Ned and Isis
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How do you manage your waiting lists?
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I think I'll take a leaf out of your book.
