Pricing question

[HOWsMom]

I see many posts - mostly on facebook - that have two different prices for the same rabbit.

ie :
$75 with pedigree
$50 without pedigree

Why the difference, if it's the same rabbit ?

 

[Zass]

Pedigrees are for breeders.
Some breeders charge extra for them, some don't.

I think, it's mostly a matter of having paid more for pedigreed show rabbits or very good meat lines, and knowing the bloodlines are worth every penny to a breeder, but also knowing pet owners will not pay those prices, since they couldn't care less about show legs, or senor weights, or the coat colors their pet's ancestors had.

Hmm...Instead of seeing it as a way to charge breeders more, it might be best to look at it as a way to charge potential pet owners less.

 

[jimmywalt]

I'm very skeptical......

We got started in pet bunnies last year. Since then have found 2 "breeders" that said they have made up a pedigree or two in the past.

Unfortunately rabbit peds aren't as hard to get as AKC for dogs.

It's really a shame because I wonder how many $80+ rabbits with pedigrees are actually just pets.

 

[Zass]

I'm very skeptical......

We got started in pet bunnies last year. Since then have found 2 "breeders" that said they have made up a pedigree or two in the past.

Unfortunately rabbit peds aren't as hard to get as AKC for dogs.

It's really a shame because I wonder how many $80+ rabbits with pedigrees are actually just pets.

I've seen some suspicious pedigrees...Like the velveteen lop who's ancestors weights were ALL EXACTLY the desired show weights...to the oz, but the brute grew up over 8 lbs. It really looked like the weights were filled out as an afterthought...and the breeder just put whatever people wanted to see.

and the harlequin buck I have, who is supposed to have a GC blue magpie father, but he seems unable to throw dilutes even when bred to blue does and throwing big litters to them...(60 kits from him so far, not one dilute) Highly suspicious if you ask me.

His genotype seems quite pure and he's definitely a purebred, I just don't think he's out of a blue. Someone erred on paperwork somewhere

 

[Zinnia]

I've been reluctant to advertise this way, because it can be perceived wrong. Instead, since I have fiber rabbits, I will sell a nice extra rabbit as a wooler if I know I don't have a market for her as a breeder. My woolers should be as good (but won't have a pedigree), or nearly as good as breeding stock because I'd rather not hassle with finding a buyer for anything that I would cull. Probably a lot of good rabbits go in my freezer.

I feel it is respectful to pay more for a pedigreed rabbit. I know some breeders I buy from work very hard to create the lines they have. Out of respect... using their work... having their name on the pedigree.. It's all worth it to me when I buy a very good rabbit. I want them to get "credit" for their work.

I, too have to suspect that some people may not be honest. But, I guess the best you can do is get references and know your breeder. It really is sad to know that some people feel OK with cheating.

Edited: I like to think of a (legitimate) pedigreed rabbit as a well recorded and purposefully bred animal. The price for that animal includes proof of this. When I sell a wooler, I sell it w/o the pedigree for two reasons. 1.) Because I paid good money for my stock and if they wanted a wooler, it's because they didn't want to pay what I thought the rabbit was worth (so why should they benefit?). OR 2.) The rabbit was not one I would be proud to breed, in which case... wouldn't want to give it my "approval" (though I know that's not what a pedigree is for, you can't deny that people may look it it and wonder what the heck you were thinking when you bred them.

Since the purpose of a pedigree is supposed to be proof of lineage, it would be pretty cool to see another type of document... like :up: "This one's good to breed." But, really, a pedigreed rabbit could be anything... a total waste of money and still be legit. I've never registered a rabbit. maybe this is a better way? I don't know. I know with heritage pig assciations, you are fully expected... I think even sworn when you become a member... to ONLY registering stock that promotes good conformation. Perhaps that;s the way t is with rabbit associations, too? But, a pedigree is really just... proof of what you've done. So, I see where it can really be annoying to charge "extra". I don't advertise that way... but I do want my price for breeding stock.

 

[DBA]

It all comes down to how well you trust the breeder you are dealing with.

 

[Zinnia]

It all comes down to how well you trust the breeder you are dealing with.

Agreed

 

[Zass]

It all comes down to how well you trust the breeder you are dealing with.

It's just hard to have to learn by trial and error.

The breeder I bought my harlequins from, I'd highly recommend her to anyone. She wasn't the breeder of the magpie buck however, and isn't responsible for any inaccuracy in paperwork on that end. She didn't charge me a penny extra for the pedigrees, and I get the impression she was really happy to see someone interested in improving harlequins. She gave me a ton of advice and has remained supportive to this day. You can kind of just tell she loves the breed.

The person I bought the velveteen from...I'm not impressed with at all, and will never go back to. That was the most I'd ever paid for a rabbit, and he tuned out to be a genetic mess.

 

[TF3]

Having a background in the dog fancy I find it so odd, the way rabbits are done.
I know for dogs in Cansda it is illegal to charge more for a pedigree-- and that is governed by the livestock branch of things, so I wonder if it is the same for rabbits?
But given that they vary from dogs re. A registering body, maybe not.

((Thinking this through.., a pedigree is just a record of family, so not the same as chargin extra to get a dog registered which does have a cost and is s different thing --although a pedigree is involved-- so disregard my above!!))

I have the pedigrees for my daughter's HLops and will try to keep up pedigreed lines, but only provide pedigrees if requested by buyers. I can that some people charge more to dissuade pet buyers who figure they will breed their pet (as most of the public has no idea about these things).

 

[Bug4H]

I guess my question is because - either the rabbit HAS a pedigree, or it doesn't.
That difference in price does - or SHOULD - not change that fact.
The breeder is likely already tracking the pedigrees, right?

I guess I just don't understand this aspect of rabbit keeping yet.

 

[HOWsMom]

Sorry - didn't realize that Bug was still logged on to my computer !

 

[Zinnia]

I guess my question is because - either the rabbit HAS a pedigree, or it doesn't.
That difference in price does - or SHOULD - not change that fact.
The breeder is likely already tracking the pedigrees, right?

I guess I just don't understand this aspect of rabbit keeping yet.

Yes, a rabbit either does or does not have one, period. To sell one for "more" with the pedigree can be viewed in different ways. As someone else stated, perhaps it is easier or even more accurate to consider it a discount to take to rabbit without... Why? a variety of reasons, but maybe because the work they may have done to get such an such a breed to a certain point in perfection means something to them. And your offspring will benefit from their work... With a pedigree, you can then sell the offspring with that breeders wins, etc. Just my take on it.

 

[TF3]

Alternately, I suppose, if they are selling a pet because it doesn't meet their standards for staying in the gene pool, they may not want it bred with their name attached and sub par offspring.

 

[HOWsMom]

Alternately, I suppose, if they are selling a pet because it doesn't meet their standards for staying in the gene pool, they may not want it bred with their name attached and sub par offspring.

I fully understand that point.

I get not offering the pedigree with those who are of only "pet quality" and not breed standard.

What I don't understand is the option to pay the extra for it or to not get it on the same rabbit.

*shrug*

 

[katiebear]

What I don't understand is the option to pay the extra for it or to not get it on the same rabbit.

It is probably because you are paying for the breeders name...when you show or breed to sell you then sell his name. Very little to do with the rabbit, I see it a lot with people who sell the small breeds. But I have seen it with F.G. as well..almost double the price for the ped...

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Will add my two cents -

I breed meat rabbits. Most of my customers are backyard breeders. I don't show and I don't do pedigree documents. In my experience, usually the only folks that ask for a pedigree document are show people and pet people.

I do have extensive records and could put a document together on any of the litters I sell if I wanted to. All the pedigree document is (in my opinion) is a "family tree". Some people might charge more to include that family tree document to cover the cost of the time and effort it takes to create it.

Since I don't offer pedigrees, it simplifies things. If I did, I would certainly charge more. However, the absence or presence of that document has nothing to do with the quality of the animal it documents.

As Dood said, it's all a matter of how trustworthy the breeder is - the accuracy of the pedigree document is entirely in the breeder's hands.

On the other hand, a REGISTERED rabbit might be worth extra money. That rabbit has been examined by a third party and "certified" as meeting ARBA standards.

A rabbit has to have a pedigree document that shows it's a purebred in order to be registered. Even if they have that documentation, if they don't meet the standard, they won't be registered.

If I were a show person, and I had a rabbit that was a winner, I'd certainly go to the effort of having the animal registered. Then, if I decided to sell it, I could easily justify a higher price.

Again, just my thoughts.

 

[Bad Habit]

I don't print pedigrees unless they are requested, myself, and I used to do all pedigrees by hand. When I was doing pedigrees by hand, it was at least $10 worth of pain in my rear end to do it, which is why I started charging more for pedigrees. Now it's just kind of stuck.

The reason I continue to offer a different quality for pet only vs with pedigree is because people who only want a pet are not concerned with the pedigree, and it is a way for them to get a well bred, well handled rabbit for average pet store prices from a breeder. I do get the occasional pet purchaser who does want the pedigree, it's more of a bragging right for them than anything. <br /><br /> __________ Sat Jun 27, 2015 5:17 pm __________ <br /><br />

Having a background in the dog fancy I find it so odd, the way rabbits are done.
I know for dogs in Cansda it is illegal to charge more for a pedigree-- and that is governed by the livestock branch of things, so I wonder if it is the same for rabbits?
But given that they vary from dogs re. A registering body, maybe not.

There is no recognized registering body for rabbits in Canada, which means they do not fall under the pedigree act. However I do not know if this means we are free to call them purebred, or if they cannot be called purebred at all.

I simply do not call them purebred, and offer a $10 discount for anyone who does not need a pedigree with their rabbit.