Questionable Post On A Golden Retriever Forum Thread States Importing A Puppy Is Considerably Less Expensive. "And That's The Truth". We Look At The Numbers?
You Be The Judge
On a Golden Retriever forum I came across this post that I have to question. I believe this post could cause serious consequences for anyone that takes it as a rule rather than a possibility. There is obviously information missing so I believe it deserves a response. Of course on forums you don't know who is posting, the persons actual knowledge of the subject, or reason for the post? Knowing the history of this post I have to believe it was made without research. Please understand incomplete information is as dangerous as inaccurate information. I would advise people that do read forums to first ask themselves if the post is the whole story? I also recommend readers research before they accept any information as fact. The comment in question seems to be posted by a person that is upset about the prices that some Higher quality English Golden Retriever puppies bring in the US! It seems it was posted in an effort to devalue European, or English type Golden Retriever puppies, and possibly some English Golden Retriever breeders. I believe the post is inaccurate and is without doubt incomplete. Readers must research the variables involved with importing a Golden Retriever before they decide its the best way for them to proceed. It is a serious decision, there are risks, and not a decision to be made under a blanket statement like it is considerably less expensive to import.
I try to deal with facts rather than opinion when possible. I will list some of the variables that affect cost when importing a Golden from Europe. I have personally imported six Golden's in the last three years and have two in Europe at this time being promoted.
I have never looked to purchase a cheaper Golden so I can only give numbers and comparisons I have dealt with. Some countries I am not familiar with so costs could vary. All dogs I am quoting from have both parents, all four grandparents, and all eight grandparents that are promoted dogs with titles. If you are looking for a puppy without this variable in quality the price for the purchase may vary. But other costs and risks will still remain. But the higher priced puppies are the quality of puppy we believe the post is referring to so there is no reason to include lower priced purchases.
Some Variable Costs Related To Importing A Golden Retriever Puppy
The first variable is the overall quality of the puppy in consideration. Then you will need to look at the currency exchange rate. This can vary hourly. At the time of writing this article 03/29/11 the exchange rate is 100EU = 146.66 US dollar.
Import costs we have paid.
Puppy only cost with no titles 1000 to 1600 Euro = 1466.60 to 2199.90 US dollars
Shipping only 800 to 1300 Euro = 1173.28 to 1898.00 US dollars
Total range for puppy and shipping only = 2639.88 to 4097.90 US dollars
Airport customs fee = 50.00 US Dollar
Average cost for puppy and shipping = 3427.93 US dollar
+
Other costs that come into play
The broker to clear the puppy through customs = 275.00 to 485.00 US dollars
No Broker/puppy may be held overnight
Overnight kennel = 75.00 US Dollars
Hotel = 65.00 to 85.00 US dollars
gas/time to and from an international airport = ???.??
Estimated cost to import a quality Golden Retriever puppy in our experience. The estimated costs shown does include the broker, not the travel, hotel, over night kennel, and misc. costs that might occur. Estimates are made using the exchange rate listed above for EURO to DOLLAR.
approx. LOW = $2,958.94 approx. AVERAGE= $3,825.47 approx. UPPER END= $4,687.00
NOTE; For a Golden with show titles Jr. Ch. and above add $3,500.00 to $5,000.00 to the prices listed above at this time.
One cost/risk that you must also consider is the value of a warranty, or in the case of most European imports the lack of a warranty. I have not dealt with many Golden Retriever kennels in Europe that will warranty their puppies for hips, elbows, hearts etc. So if your puppy grows up and fails a hip, elbow, or heart test you have a pet at a cost of over $3000,00 (this is a low estimate) with no warranty. If you purchase another puppy of the same price you have now spent well over $6000.00 on average and may or may not have a breedable Golden. I will never tell anyone not to import a Golden, it can be very exciting and rewarding. But be prepared and willing to loose it all in many cases if your imported puppy fails a test. This potential cost/risk is a reality not to be ignored. And if a breeder in Europe would agree to exchange puppies you would at minimum be required to pay shipping again to exchange the puppies, that means additional shipping fees. I will however that I have found the breeders I have worked with in Europe to be honest in business matters.
It is possible there may be some omissions or errors, if you are aware of any and have evidence of it please let us know. Also a complaint of questionable or incomplete information about the thread involved has been filed with the forum but no corrections have been made by the forum at the time this was written. 03/29/11
You Be The Judge
This Article May Not Be Reproduced In Any Fashion without written permission. If You Have Questions Please Contact Satin Sea International Golden Retrievers.
This is actually a hard subject for me to approach because the subject in the end is an individuals opinion of value only. To make a broad statement such as importing is cheaper I would have to assume the person making the post is stating you can purchase the same puppy in Europe cheaper than if you purchase that same puppy in the US? Understand value lies in what the individuals sees as important, Everyone has different wants, needs, and priorities.
Note: The forum posts states; Importing would be considerably less expensive then buying from these less then reputable breeders.
This is not only an unethical and inaccurate post, but a potentially liable statement as well. With that in mind the question would have to be raised as to who is really less than reputable? The person that made the post, or the forum for allowing the post? Incomplete information is only a small part of this problem.
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