[PC Mom]

I need to just vent a little. I am so frustrated! Since Sunday I have contacted 8-10 breeders and/or clubs and haven't heard back from hardly anyone! I contacted the Potomac Valley GRC breeder referral service and haven't heard anything. I work with GRREAT (a rescue) and I always hear back from them right away, usually within an hour, and it's like that with everyone I contact there. I know that these people are busy, have jobs, families, lives outside the dog area, etc. and I'm not in any hurry to get a puppy, but still, why don't they contact me back?! It just seems like a common courtesy to email or call and say, thanks but I don't have any plans for puppies right now or whatever. As it is, I know nothing. I don't want to pester people, I just want some answers! GRRRRRRRRR! Is this normal?!

 

[esSJay]

I'm sorry to hear about your frustration. Did you call or e-mail these breeders? I would give one more try and then carry on with your search. Unless they are out of town, or had a family emergency, I would take it as a sign of how easy it would be to get ahold of them if you had a question or problem with your puppy after you brought it home.

Molson's breeder always responded back to me within 24 hours of an e-mail/phone call - before and after placing our deposit and bringing him home.

 

[GoldenJoyx'stwo]

Taking care of puppies
Away at Shows and Events
H1N1

I'm sorry. I don't know, but don't give up. Someone will contact you. Have you contacted the puppy referral person for your state?

 

[Maxs Mom]

Amy I know your frustration. I just went through a process looking for a lab pup. Remember these people do show, travel to shows, have families, jobs etc. I agree even a message saying "I got your email I will get back with you" would be nice or return call saying that.

I come from a customer service background, however not all people do. Try to be a bit more patient. Of course a "second request" email or follow up phone call can't hurt. People miss things from time to time too. I try to give the recipient the benefit of the doubt. I do usually only two tries, if no answer I move on to a new method.

Good luck! Hey let me know what you find out about breeders. I will be looking for a golden in about a year. I am just starting my breeder search. I am will to travel within reason for the right dog. We are going to MN (from MI) to get our lab. Share the wealth.

 

[cubbysan]

When I was looking I sent out multiple e-mails to breeders, and only ONE answered back.

She e-mailed me with her phone number, because she said I had too many questions to answer through e-mail and that was who I got Brady from. She spent a lot of time with me on the phone.

Last year I took Brady to a dog show as a spectator. A breeder was looking at him, and came over and asked who he was out of. Told her, and found out who she was. I had told her that I had tried contacting her when I was looking, and her answer was, "I don't answer e-mails if I don't have any puppies available."

 

[Griffyn'sMom]

I had a bit of that too - it seems that if they don't have pups available or due soon they don't respond.

It might help of you ask them to respond - either way?? Not sure.

If the first question of your email is How Much? They might not respond.

 

[buckeyegoldenmom]

Keep trying. I know it can be frustrating. Some people are better with phone calls, some with email. I try both. Phone calls are sometimes quicker, because if they don't have puppies soon, maybe you can then ask them if they know of other breeders who will have puppies soon. I find most of them are great to talk to and if they don't have puppies they don't mind passing on info of others they trust who might be having puppies soon.

I did find I had to be persistent and sometimes I had to broaden my search. And sometimes I just had to be patient and wait.

Good luck. You will find your puppy.

 

[grrrick]

I will say I ran into the same thing while researching. More than half did get back with me eventually but it took some time. Then others, I never heard from.

I guess the only advice I would have is if you feel you are very interested in a particular breeder, call them back again. If they still don't respond after two attempts, move on.

 

[Noey]

I tried contacting them early in the week and nothing still. (GRC)

 

[jwemt81]

I completely understand that it's frustrating when you don't get a reply from someone. How did you contact these breeders? If it was by email, some people aren't in the habit of checking their email every day. Some people only check their email a few times a week, if that. It's also coming up on the holiday season, which keeps a lot of people very busy. A lot of them also have jobs, kids/families, and other things going on in their lives. If it has been a few days and you still haven't had a response, I would give them a quick followup phone call. We have been keeping in touch with our breeder via email on a fairly regular basis since we're getting another one of her pups this winter, but sometimes it takes a few days for her to respond to emails because she has a family with 2 young kids who are involved in fall and winter sports, dogs, a part-time job, and is in school for her masters degree. Some people just get really busy.

 

[sammydog]

Also please don't forget the GRCA (Golden Retriever Club of America) National was last week, many people who went are probably just getting back into the swing of things, and may have lots of emails, unpacking, still traveling etc...

Don't get discouraged!!!

 

[Loisiana]

I know of one performance breeder who states on her website that she already has a waiting list years long for pet puppies, and does not have time to reply to all the inquiries she receives for pets. She does, however, respond quickly to those emails about working homes.

 

[PC Mom]

Thanks everyone. I didn't realize the GRCA was this past weekend. That definitely makes sense why hardly anyone has gotten back to me. It also explains why the local GRC hasn't gotten back to me.

Most people I have emailed because that is the only contact info I've had/been given/ found on their websites. In my email, I've tried to give them a quick idea of what we are all about (i.e. we have 2 goldens already, looking for a pup in the next 6 months or so, etc.) without overwhelming them with our full story. I haven't mentioned price at all, because, thankfully, it honestly isn't too much of an issue.

I'm definitely trying to be patient with people, after all, I know how it is. I'm sure they do get a lot of emails and maybe I just need to email them again to show them that I'm serious. On the other hand, I think Molson's Mom is right, if that is any indication on how they are going to be, it doesn't bode well if I do have a problem with a pup later on.

So, when I send another email, do I make it longer (it's hard to tell about what we are looking for and why in under a paragraph) or just keep it short and sweet?

 

[NuttinButGoldens]

You know whats funny?

Back in January when I was looking for a Pup, every breeder I left a message with NOT recommended here (found via web searches, etc...) never did return my calls.

Every breeder listed here on GRF as a recommendation DID call me back, even if they had no pups available.

Im sure several of you remember my search for a pup that started in January a bit after Comet passed away. All the threads and messages should be assembled into a training manual for how to and how not to buy a puppy

 

[PC Mom]

Nuttin'- Glad you posted here. I'm also legal to reply to your PM, just need 2 more posts. Thanks for your note and in a bit here, I should be able to respond!

 

[buckeyegoldenmom]

Thanks everyone. I didn't realize the GRCA was this past weekend. That definitely makes sense why hardly anyone has gotten back to me. It also explains why the local GRC hasn't gotten back to me.

Most people I have emailed because that is the only contact info I've had/been given/ found on their websites. In my email, I've tried to give them a quick idea of what we are all about (i.e. we have 2 goldens already, looking for a pup in the next 6 months or so, etc.) without overwhelming them with our full story. I haven't mentioned price at all, because, thankfully, it honestly isn't too much of an issue.

I'm definitely trying to be patient with people, after all, I know how it is. I'm sure they do get a lot of emails and maybe I just need to email them again to show them that I'm serious. On the other hand, I think Molson's Mom is right, if that is any indication on how they are going to be, it doesn't bode well if I do have a problem with a pup later on.

So, when I send another email, do I make it longer (it's hard to tell about what we are looking for and why in under a paragraph) or just keep it short and sweet?

I would definitely email again. Be sure to say this is your second email and that you are very interested in getting a puppy in the next six months. And if they don't have a litter planned do they know someone else they would recommend you try to contact?

 

[danni's_girl]

I just wanted to chime in here because I also had a "bad" experience with clubs responding. I called 3 times--the first time I left a message, the second time she told me she would call back, and the third time there was no answer. This was over a period of 2 weeks and so I got a real bad taste in my mouth and searched the local classifieds instead. I'm still a little peeved at that person. I was polite and consice, and it would have been nice to get some information about anything!!

Anyways though, good for you for staying patient! You're on the right track. I completely love my Danni to the end, but if I did it again, I would definitely look for a breeder with dogs that I could trust in. So don't give up!

For a follow-up email, I would write pretty much exactly what buckeyegoldenmom said. Short & simple

 

[Griffyn'sMom]

If you can find a phone number, I'd call as a follow up. I know Griff's breeder isn't on the computer more than once a week and she's all thumbs with attaching photos and such. She does enjoy getting them though.

 

[gabbys mom]

I was told to use my local golden club as a referral when we were switching from labs to goldens- it took two months for them to get back to me

I think you'll find varying response times- a lot has to do with the "real" job of the breeder, how often they are showing, their computer saviness, etc. be patient.