How can I find out if these dogs are priced right? Opinions please. - Page 8

The most expensive dog I ever bought cost $8500. She was barely 4 yrs old, V-20-something in the BSZS, SchH3 (the real kind, where they actually bite, track and retrieve when you get them home) KK1 (life) a-normal. She was a custom order for a client with a  $10,000. budget. I made $1500. on the sale and was very pleased with the whole deal as was the client.  (Granted, she'd probably cost me twice as much today!) The client bred the female to a top dog the next year, gave me the pick pup for training and handling in exchange for whelping the litter, but the male pup was SO promising I actually forwarded him to a top handler in Germany to compete there in higher level competition. (Unfortunately he was stolen in Germany, but that's another story)

The most expensive puppy I ever sold brought $3500. That was almost double the usual price I charged for a top show prospect pup, but about normal (maybe a little more?) for the "big names." The pup was extremely well bred and at 3-4 mos. old an absolute knock-out in every way. I did NOT want to sell him, but somebody offered me so much money I did, the breeder standing right next to me (at  SIeger Show) elbowing me in the ribs as the cash was waved in front of us, whispering "I'll GET YOU another PUPPY Stupid!" The buyer lost interest in dogs shortly thereafter, having spent a small fortune on over-priced dogs purchases from Eastern importers, which they bred with very poor results, and the pup never amounted to anything because he was never shown, let alone titled. (I still kick myself for selling him...dammit

I will not name names out of respect for my clients' privacy. I made over $60K (net) that year importing, breeding, training and handling dogs (incl. K9's) with fair commissions and reasonable fees, happy dogs beautifully cared for, trained and handled during their brief stays with us, but, sadly, no white fences. I never got rich in dogs, never will, but I sleep very well at night.

The point of the story is that one CAN earn a decent living in the dog business without gouging the crap out of one's customers to the point they lose interest in the sport and/or the breed.  If I had had a larger facility than my one-acre with 24 x 36 converted barn, and a couple more good people helping me, I probably could have made twice that much.  'nuff said.

SS

This is not a 1,200.00  Dollar dog !!!  I agree the asking price is way to steep  but   someone posted they could find dogs such as the above  for 1,200.00  any day of the week  !! who are you trying to fool ?? If you can find me a dog such as the above with certified hips and elbows and a BH  for 1.200.00  PLEASE CALL ME !!!   The dog is pushed down "enhancing " his hind quarter ( I hate when they do that  either they use their hand or a knee !!! .   judging by this dog's picture  he has very good angulation of the shoulder ( not seen very often)  excellent bone  not to thin not to thick , if the handler would not push his rear down so much we would see a dog with a very strong back and very good angualtions  ( also not over done !!)  his hook lenght is very good  shows no weakness  as we now see way to often  resembling the American GSD . dark eyes excellent pigment  the coat condition is also super.    Sitasmom  please call me as soon as you  got one just like that for 1,500.00  I be glad to give you a bonus of 500.00  for your trouble !!

Pia

I didn't say $1200. each. I did say I could probably get 4-5 of them for $15,000 though.

wasn't refering to your post ,Shelly.

 Sitasmom  posted this

happy holidays !!

Pia

"What you say is true, but people that practice this type of business, needs to learn what integrity is."

Integrity? What makes you questions this sellers integrity? The only thing that they could be doing that would call into question their integrity is to misrepresent what the dog is. Do you have some prove that they are doing that?

In the US a person has the right to sell a dog for what ever price they want. You may not agree with what they sell it for and that your right. You can express your opinion best by not buying a dog that you feel is over priced. It really easy.

Imagine if the next time you go to sell a car if some shmuck starts telling you that your selling that car for too much money. He feels that your car is only worth 25% of your selling price. He they says that you lack integrity and implies that you are dishonest. What would you do?

Also look at it from another angle. There are people in this country that consider people that you know and like to be dishonest, slave traders because they buy and sell dogs. They believe that no living being should be bought or sold. Their believes are just as valid as yours.

So it is probably best for us all to MIND OUR OWN BUSINESS AND TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BS.

I also think my math skills are OK; but you may want to work on your reading comprehension. But as far as your tidy little price breakdown goes I will say this. Cable cost the same whether you watch it on a 20 inch black and white or in a $100,000 home theater.

integrity might not be exactly the right word but i think we, in america at least, have gotten use to the concept of competitive pricing, which sets a price range that is generally considered fair.  this whole thread is about pricing and these dogs are indeed priced way above this range when compared to other dogs of equal quality.  i think it's a great thread because it can help people know what is a "fair price" for a gsd.  also when sellers choose to stay within this range some would call it having integrity and when someone pays above this range others will happily tell them they were 'ripped off'. it was a very good question to ask and i think many of the posts are very helpful for people who just have no idea how much is fair to pay for a gsd. capitalism you gotta love it

A "fair price" is a price that all parties are happy with. Who the heck are you to try to set that price? Are you the arbiter of fair? Just because you don't agree with a price it becomes unfair?

Dogs (and horses, cattle, cars, furniture, houses, etc) are worth exactly as much as someone is willing to pay.  If you are not willing to pay the price, then you don't have to.  You would look for a less expensive (dog, car, house) with the qualities you are looking for.  If the qualities you are looking for carry a high price tag, you may not find exactly what you are looking for and you may have to compromise - or you may be one of the lucky ones who can get exactly what you want for what you consider a fair price.  These two dogs look like nice dogs, I'll betcha the seller can sell them for the price they are asking, to someone who is willing to pay it for these dogs.  For someone, that price may be fair.  And if that "someone" doesn't exist, then the seller will find out by not selling the dogs until the price is dropped.

molly

Hey Molly, 

     You are a class act, and a credit to the German Shepherd breed as well as the sport of schutzhund. It is a shame that more people on this messageboard do not possess your intelligence and sense of fair play.

This is not a 1,200.00  Dollar dog !!!  I agree the asking price is way to steep  but   someone posted they could find dogs such as the above  for 1,200.00  any day of the week  !! who are you trying to fool ?? If you can find me a dog such as the above with certified hips and elbows and a BH  for 1.200.00  PLEASE CALL ME !!!  

I agree 100% with Pia. This dog is worth much more than $1200 and I would like to see any that are available for $1200 in the USA. Sure $12000.00  is too much but $1200?????? I want to see them!!!!!  Post them here!!! I am ready to Buy!!