We always hear about the breeders etiquette in this forum. But not to forget the buyers also have to follow certain etiquette in dealing with the breeders, so that the communication and transaction can conclude in harmonious way.

Merely as a guideline to the buyers - here are some of the etiquette to be considered :

DO’S

1. Read the material on the breeder’s website carefully
Often, the website includes a sample contract, adoption application and purchase policy in addition to most information that may answer your question. If you’re not willing to abide by the policy, don’t waste your and the breeder’s time.

2. Be patient
Don’t expect an immediate response when you email. Most breeders have jobs and family to take care of or even could be at a show or out of town for the weekends.

3. Fill out the pertinent inquiry form or respond to all the breeder’s question
Most breeders are very cautious when placing kittens in homes, especially as breeders. If you won’t furnish the necessary information when asked, then don’t be surprised when breeders don’t get back to you. Quite honestly, if you’re too lazy to fill out a simple form or to respond to their question – then breeders have every right to question whether you will take the kitty’s best interest at heart if the need arises.

4. Note what colors the breeder gets on his/her website
Breeders get really annoyed when people email them asking for colors they don’t have and most sites say specifically what they get. For example, AAA Persians Cattery doesn’t offer whites, Himalayan or shaded silvers/goldens. So don’t bother that breeder by asking her about a blue eyed white, because she’s not going to get back to you

5. Make sure this is the cat you want before you put a deposit.Deposits are non-refundable for most breeders. Don’t try to manipulate around a breeder’s deposit policy.

6. Realize breeders are not under any obligation to sell you a cat.
You are not doing them a favor by buying one. They are doing you a favor by entrusting you with one of their furry children. Just because you inquire, show up at their home or even put a deposit on a kitty (without being asked), doesn’t obligate them in any way to complete the transaction.



DON’T :

1. Bother the breeder with only “how much”
Bother emailing the breeder just wanting to know ‘how much’ without providing much information about yourself. This tells the breeder that your only interest is the price not the kitty. If you’re looking for a ‘cheap’ kitty, there are local rescue agencies (SPCA). Furthermore if any enquiry sends without any introduction about yourself (your real name, your interest, your experience with cats, etc…) it could be considered as ‘rude enquiry’ – since you’re asking them to entrust you one of their family members. And don’t blame the breeder if they don’t bother to reply your enquiry.

2. Expect a breeder to refer you to other breeder
It’s not their obligation to try to find you another breeder. It is a courtesy if they wish to do so. Your best bet is to do a search on your own.

3. Pester the breeder unnecessarily
Don’t contact the breeder repeatedly about a kitten. Be patient and wait for the breeder to get back to you.

4. Go cattery hopping
Don’t shopping around just to know the price. Do know that breeders do communicate with each other and know when a buyer is playing one breeder against another.

5. Try to barter the price down
You’re adding a member to your family not purchasing a used car. Most breeders get extremely insulted when you treat them as such. Except if you have a very valid reason in doing so.

6. Insult their kitties.
As earlier explained, most breeders think of their kitties as their furry children. Just because you don’t like a certain color doesn’t make it ugly. Just because a cat may snort doesn’t make it sickly. How would you like it if someone commented on how ugly your 4-year old daughter is? That is just plain rude.

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Catizzadi Persians
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www.felinemalaysia.com
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Yes, I agree with Catizzadi. Its a very good rough guide.

I would like to enquire on some experience I had with previous breeders too.

1. I was recommended to breeders thru word of mouth, and they do not have a website. How do we tell if they are BYB or geneuine breeders esp overseas breeders? Thanks

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Yes Ger1011, those r very basis thing tht a buyer shud bear in mind when enquiring from a breeder unless u r dealing with BYB or kitten mill who r more then ready to oblige u immediately. Coz it's not a surprise tht a lot of buyer treat their deal like it's a cash & carry product tht they r buying. I personally hv receive a lot of rude enquiry with ppl just asking how much & not even bother to give their name or intro, which only show how sincere they r.

Check out with more breeders especially trust worthy & reputable breeder if u want to be sure as to what kind of breeder tht u r dealing with regardless of whether they do hv a website or not.

In my case...usually..

1. I do research thru web...looking for what I want...such as breed, colors, temp. etc

2. budget...I'll try to figure it out how much I would rather spent. One at a time..If I'm looking for colors...I add that particular colors first..then save more money to get another if necessary...I love to have 2 each breed (in my case Forest Cats)

3. Browse thru breeder website...looks for what they produce (again colors,temp etc)..their term & cons..

4. In my last time, I use EMail to communicate..I found this a little not properly...Now, I love to sits down with my future breeder..get to know him/her...visit their cattery (if invited)..talk about what I want...they usually come out with very goooood advices.

5. When I found my 'target' kitten...I get to know the kitten personally..such as its health..diet etc..then if everythings satisfied..paid the booking fee.

6. Make sure everythings in order such as health cert, guarantee, registry cert...before full payment.

TRUST is the main things here...both party must being 'transparent' each other...

Well Personally speaking is not hard to determine the genuine breeder... 1st of all i would say even a decent breeder who cares about their cat as the 1st priority will definitely forwards you with lots of question before even they name you the price of the kitties they are selling you. You must understand that is there are some breeder who breed for money. Some Breeder breed for the quality and temprement of the cats. They will care about where they future cats are going to? Well I have talk to many breeder oversea... Thru my experience Breeder will prefer a proper introduction of yourself, environment, your cats, your cat diet, caring for the cats... and etc etc.. Some breeder just won't ask anything.... and tell you about the price of their kitties.. So you know what kind of breeder they are.. as i mention above if MONEY is the priority no point to ask from them anymore....

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My Life, My Coons, Coons for Life....
[WhEn IcE MeLt InTo SiLveR ]......www.IcE-CooN.com
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this one is very good info for new guy like me

question:
how u know that particular buyer is sincere or pretending to be sincere?
since he/she know what to do,what to ask,how to ask etc?
just wonder if, those breeders was so much carefull, then kalo ada genuine good buyer yg tak pandai nak PR then u treat him/her mcm ordinary buyer je.

faham ke?..tak reti nak wat ayat la...i'm one of the person yg tak pandai nak pancing org nie..that why i rise the ques.tq

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macam nie asura...mula2 kenal breeder tu dulu...ibarat berkawan...takkan kalau u kawan dah 4-5 bulan tak kenal hati budinya...

second, masa nak 'merisik' tu bawala kawan yang ada experience tentang beli kucing BAKA tersebut...this will help you to get the right cat.

ermmm

adadalam malay x.. x bape pahamm

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www.kitten.com.my

(tersimpang kejap dari topic)

sorry i don't agree...sepatutnya kita kenal hati budi dulu..baru jadikan dia pasangan hidup barulah bila dia buat mistake, kita boleh terima..pasal kita dah tahu pros and cons dia...besar diri..dalam konteks positive perspective is a good things.

so..if we talked about cat passion...if u think u really good tha go ahead, talk big..well, if you really good no one will doubt rite??.

I don't really think having a website qualifies a breeder as genuine - I can think of a number of top breeders in Oz who don't have a website yet. And they may never!

The body a breeder registers with may be mentioned on the site, but that's no guarantee they're OK - so it's very difficult to tell who's who in the zoo. Perhaps word of mouth (providing it's the right mouth!) is best in the long run.

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Lesley (Tasmania)