Lowering prices...how low is too low?

[Megan.]

To anyone who breeds- Do you lower your prices for people?

Because I'm not in this for money, if a friend is interested in any of my chinchillas i'm willing to lower the price. I've also taken money of chins that I just wanted to give the people a deal on because they seemed like a good home.

Recently I sold a tan male and a het. ebony male for $150, together. I've sold other chins, including a extra dark ebony, white ebony, and very dark ebony for way less than $200... so my prices are not high at all... I think they are more than fair.

Recently I was selling a pet only het. ebony female. I had lowered my price from $100 to $80. It seems that because she's pet only, everyone wants her ofr $25 or less. She is NOT a rescue, just something i don't want bred. I don't think $80 is too much to ask for an pet quality ebony female. For one lady I was willing to drop her price to $60 - but of course, that was still "too much".

I've wondered though...the rest of you--how far are you willing to lower your prices for friends? For people who just want a good deal? I think I may stop being a "nice person" and set my prices. The only time I'll lower them is if I KNOW the person, like I do several people on these boards(I'm not talking about people I go to school with, but people i've talked to on here for a while). The other people--my prices are going to be set. Why constantly lower my prices, if people aren't going to be happy?

With the het. ebony in question- I decided to keep her- and just find her a female friend, and let her stay as a pet here.

[Megan.]

I'm going to state my opinion...

I feel that if I'm purchasing from a breeder- it is their right to set the animals price. I have never asked a breeder to lower their prices of an animal. What they say-- is what I pay. I was more then greatful when a breeder I know took off $15 off the price of on of the chinchilla's i'm getting from her. I would have NEVER asked her to lower the price of this animal.

I've been more than happy when I went to a ranch, and he took $25 and $50 off the final price of two chins I was getting. I was more than prepared to pay the price he had quoted before I got there, and would have never asked him to lower his prices.

Yes, I would love to get the best price and not pay a fortune, but I also don't ask breeders to lower prices for me. If they want to do it--thats great---I honestly really appreciate it but I do NOT in any way expect them to lower prices for me.

[Chingal]

When Purchasing chins I pay the price they ask if I want the animal as I know allready the people I buy from I have purchased from for a few years now and they are extremely fair to me and anyone i buy from so discount sare not necessary.

When selling chins, lets see I have given sapphires, Ebonies, and solid violets away to many different hobbyists over the years just because I wanted too. There are many reasons but for the most part it was a chin I knew they wanted and at the time I had an abundance and so why not??I try to break even ,but when it comes to helping others improve their herd and get the animals they need to do that that is first and foremost90% of the time. money is NOT everything when breeding chins. I also give discounts to repeat buyers and to pet people as I feel why pay top dollar for a chin when you are not going to show it , breed it , etc. There is no way to get your investment back so to pet people they sign a no breeding contract and get a significant discount.
IF someone asked me for a discount then I would not do that as I feel it is RUDE. There is a reason the animal is going or the price I set. I go by the quality of the animal first and foremost.First time Discounts come from me based on what kind of home you would give the animal, who you plan on mating it too, can I get babies back at some point, and who you are in my life, friend ,stranger, etc.

Megan as for people wanting pets for $25 nor less I tell them to go buy a rat or a hamster ( no pun intended I swear) but their is a Reason chinchillas are higher priced they live longer , do not reproduce 100 babies every 6 months, even pet chins are still EXOTICS and take alot of work to breed. I think in a way people are thinking more like dog people think when it comes to chins. that Pet means something bad, when they need to realize that pet could mean you have one awesome animal that has one undesirable feature ( say long ears)that the breeder cannot use it in its breeding program so they are selling it as pet.That is where honesty plays a huge role and Pet chins are just a CUTE as Breeding quality or SHOW chins!Just my opinion, but that is the speech I give people who want cheap chins from me because I have not invested the $$ and time and tears in this for years to have someone tell me my chins are to expensive. That is why they are guaranteed and everything else.

[Kev Rob]

As far as pet quality goes, I do not think that should mean a lower price ($25 and under). A chin can live for a long time, and needs alot of work. If someone is looking for a pet, then they shoudl expect to pay a reasonable price. Besides, consider the amount of money you will spend on the pet over its life time, $100 for the animal itself is still a deal.

[Megan.]

Trin,

That is what I think. I have no problem giving discounts to friends, or people that I think would make an awesome home. One guy wanted a chin as a pet, and had asked if I would lower my price a little bit... He seemed like a nice person, so I lowered from $100 to $80. The guy was nice-- and actually gave me the $100 because I was a "Good breeder" and said he wanted to support someone like me that takes care of my animals. I was amazed, and shocked--had no idea what to think. I had NO regrets selling to this person. He was great before I sold to him, and I still get updates from time to time.

I just can't see selling a pet quality chin for $25. Her only problem is her confirmation, and the fact that her dads health is in question...but it WONT affect her. I'd rather keep her, make sure she's happy and healthy--and find her a friend myself. IF she was a RESCUE with questionable health/background, I'd sell her for $25.. but she wasn't. With the chin in question I've had her a year already... I spent a lot more than $25 feeding her, taking care of her ect..lol

[starleomach]

I have given away several of my babies, to friends, If Flower has a Black velvet male I plan on giving this baby to a very dear friend of mine. I have also sold several of my babies without budging on the price, a couple of times I have lowered the price. It all depends on how I am approached. If you are nice about it and honest I will think about it. I have always paid what was asked, I would never ask for a price to be lowered. If I am not willing to pay what is asked then I have to question whether it is the chinchilla for me. I find ranchers and reputable hobby breeders to be very reasonable in price,

[iwantone!]

i think 60 dollars for a pet quality ebony is a really good deal. i'm thinking of getting a second chin, maybe a mosaic or an ebony, and even though i just want pet quality, i'm prepared to pay 150-200. i think since their your chins, you have the choice of how much they go for. and you put in so much work, selling one of your babies for 25 dollars or less just doesn't make sense. if you don't have the money for the chin, and the breeder is firm with the price (which is totally the breeder's call, i mean, they raised the chin!) then either it's not the chin for you or you need more money. simple as that.

[foxbite2]

My husband has been dying to get an ebony or black velvet female... (I keep telling HIM two is enough.... for now).... I would NEVER expect to buy an ebony for under $150 (at the least).... If I saw one for $80 I might have a heart attack. (where exactly are you in Pennsylvania.. in case you're ever selling another low price ebony :rolleyes: ) I would NEVER think to bargain on a chin... If I'm buying off a breeder, then I expect a better class chin, then a pet store chin.. you pay for what you get... it takes ALL kinds of people in ths world... some people just have no morals or ethics... they try to get what they want for the lowest price possible... try working in retail.... that's the worst.

[Megan.]

Joye- I'm in Summit Hill , PA... Not fair from Allentown PA, Hazelton , Jim Thorpe , Or Leighton... all are less than an hour away :)

[TheChinClique]

I'm not a breeder as of yet, but I still wanted to say that I too, have noticed that people are getting ridiculously stingy with what they pay. First of all, if you do not have the money to afford the Chinchilla that you are inquiring about, I don't think that you should inquire at all. Asking breeders to lower their prices is extremely rude. I think that it should be up to the breeder as to how much their animal will go for, and whether or not you will get a discount. I am always prepared to pay the full asking price of any animal, and if I get a discount then that's fantastic...and if not, I understand that the breeder wants X amount for his/her baby, and I will pay it if I think it is a fair price, which it usually is. I would never sell to someone who was begging me for a discount. Usually this is a sign that they are cheap, and who knows how much they will spend on the animal's care once it is in his/her posession. I spend at least $50.00 a month on my SINGLE Chinchilla, plus about $50.00-$70.00 a month on my kitten. Owning animals can be expensive, and if you are not even willing to pay the full price of that animal because you don't have it readily available, then that is probably a sign that you should NOT get the animal. Megan, if I were you I would just start setting prices, and for repeat buyers, friends, or special circumstances (like if you feel it is a really great home for one of your babies), then I would possibly allow for a small discount. 80 dollars is TOTALLY fair for an ebony, and the fact that you would even lower it to 60 and the person still turned you down? Ridiculous. People are just too cheap now-a-days. I would understand someone being turned off if you were asking $300 or something, but for that low of a price, someone should have been willing to offer a home.

-Andrea