What's your take on this?

[Plummie]

Okay, I have been rolling this around in my mind for a while now and I figured we could all have a discussion about it: What is your personal take on people selling adult breeding chins that have been used to sire or birth litters for the "price they paid"? I see many sellers who have used the animal for several months in their breeding program, then decide to let the animal go because it does not achieve an ideal size or conformation for their breeding goals. This is fine. My question is this, is it fair to ask $250 (or whatever) for this particular chin, because this is the same amount they paid?

You wouldn't purchase a car, drive it for a year, then sell it back at the "same price you paid for it" would you? Why are breeding chins any different? If the chin has sired or birthed offspring they have earned you profit, probably enough to pay for themselves. However the chin is not getting any younger and especially if they are used in breeding to a great extent, they probably need a long rest before being useful again to a breeding program.

Therefore, shouldn't the chin go for a bit of a lower price? I know there are many external factors to consider and this isn't meant to be an all-inclusive argument, by any means. I just want to get a feel for why this is acceptable in the chin community, when it isn't acceptable in other forms of business.

Thank you in advance for your replies. :)

[tunes]

Well, I can see two sides to this. If I put a lot of money into my breeders (which I do) and they produce excellent kits every time, then I might feel justified in asking for the price I paid, or perhaps just slightly lower than what I paid. If you are using breeders who are producing show winners every time though, why would you sell? Keep in mind though - I don't breed mine to death either. It may not result in a ton of babies, but I feel better about the extended breaks between breedings.

On the flip side - if they are older breeders or retired breeders, then no I would not expect to receive, nor would I pay, top dollar for them.

I am going to ammend this to say also - it is going to greatly depend on where the chin comes from. If it comes from someone that I know breeds their chins into the ground or has questionable breeding practices, then no I would not be interested in purchasing from them at the original OR reduced rate.

[Plummie]

For this discussion, I'm really referring to people who use them as breeding machines, then turn around and sell them for 'what they paid.' It doesn't make sense to me, as a consumer.

[CTChin]

Well if they've used them as "breeding machines" then they are probably greedy so that explains it right there. There is always some poor sucker that will pay them what they're asking because they don't know any better.

As for a chin 3 or younger that is top quality and has produced top quality, sure I would pay full price as long as it is still in top condition.

[Kansas City Chinchillas]

I agree with Brenda 100%.

[leaughxp]

Umm well I don't breed but I do browse the classifieds have also wondered why people post this. I don't see why people post that when it wouldn't matter to me how much they paid just maybe how much I would have to pay. For example, maybe someone purchased a chin as a kit and got a really good deal as the chin turned out really well and has produced several quality kits. Well then maybe the breeder changes their plans as to which colors they want to work with or have switched chins around and for some reason or another and no longer has a place for the chin in their breeding program. In this case I could see someone selling the chin for a higher price than what they paid for the chin. On the other hand as othes have mentioned, if it has lost quality then it should be sold for a lower price. It all depends on the quality of the chin. But when people write "that's how much I paid" it kinda makes me think that maybe the chin is not high quality if seller feels they must justify the price even before there are inquiries. This is especially true for ads where the seller has only had the chin for a very short amount of time and then sells it. Why would you get a chin and then turn right around and sell it to someone else?

[leaughxp]

Sorry I just saw where you are referring to them as being used as "breeding machines" so I guess my post doesn't really apply anymore. But as for if it's "fair" to ask for the same amount I think it's "fair' to ask for any amount. This is where research and knowledge come in handy for the buyer. It's "fair" to ask any price you want but it's up to the buyer to decide if the chin is "worth" that price. The chin's "value" is determined by the buyer. What may be valuable to you may not be to me. If they think so then they will buy, if not they won't. Just my opinion and I never did see the point of posting how much you paid.

[Le'ah]

I agree with leaughxp completely. just want to add that there is a difference in announcing what you paid for an animal and announcing the quality or worth of that animal. You may have gotten a really good deal on a high-quality chin, but that doesn't mean the chin is only worth what you paid. Then again, you could be the "sucker" that pays big money for a chin that isn't considered top quality and it wouldn't be worth that price at all. So announcing what you paid is pointless. Announcing what the chin is worth (ie. won 3 blue ribbons at "such n such" level) or something like that is perfectly fine.

[CorneliusChins]

I agree, the worth of the chin is definately not always what you paid. The value of the chin should be determined by anything other than what you paid for it.

[CHINCHILDREN]

just to echo every one else - VERY true. what someone pays for a chin has nothing to do with what it is worth AND what a chin is worth to me has nothing to do with what it is worth to you (diferrent herds etc.)

there might be some value to the fact that this is a 'proven' animal vs. one who has not produced live kits (good, bad, or so so quality) IF you want to breed; if you are not breeding that that too carries no value to the buyer.