So... I hate to start my first post back, after a long time with no posts, with it being sort of a non-positive post, but...well... it just wouldn't be me if I didn't, now would it? Haha.
Just wanted to explain something though. I get people all the time, and I mean all the time -- often several daily -- where people ask me to let them know when something is available. Sometimes it is a product that is out of stock, more often they're waiting on a certain chinchilla.
I can give you endless examples.
The most recent one, and the one without me writing a 20-paragraph-backstory to it, is this: this involves a customer who comes by pretty frequently, at least a few times a year, maybe every other month. Last time she was here, I was out of both the herb samplers and healthy treat mixes. Not having them made up, obviously I didn't have them to sell, so she asked if I could let her know when I did have them, and she'd get right back to me and come by and buy them. So, I made them up, maybe 1-2 weeks later (as fit with my schedule, because she wasn't in a rush), and I texted her, a few times in fact, to let her know that I had them made up, and she could make an appointment to come get them.
I suppose you realize that I'm not writing this to tell you that she texted back and showed up and got them... well, no. Rather, I haven't heard back. And this is very typical.
Now, many people may look at this and say, but what did it hurt for you (me) to text her and let her know? Well, nothing... for one person. But mind you, this is multiple people per day.
Another example:
Them -- When will you next have a tan that carries goldbar?
Me -- Probably never, as no reputable breeder will ever have those colors together, and I sure won't be the first one.
Them -- Ok, well when you get in an angora rescue, will you let me know?
Me -- I never have yet, and I don't anticipate that I will, as they're still selling for thousands of dollars.
Them -- Ok, well when you do, make sure you keep me in mind!!!
Now that example above is for two chins that would be highly unusual. But it doesn't have to even be unusual chins -- someone could want a beige, when I just don't have any beiges... but then, often, here's what happens. When I do get in what the person is "looking for" (and note, I put that in quotes)... they actually come to see the animal, and decide it's not quiiiiiiiite what they're looking for. It's not as sweet as the last one, or the last one was darker, and this one is a little lighter, or the whiskers aren't quite perfect, or.... They find a reason to not get the chinchilla that was gotten in, pretty much especially for them. You may notice this on some ads, where a chinchilla is listed, and up at the top of the ad, it says the chin was brought in for a special request... that didn't end up getting the chin...often it's unusual colors that are harder sells and more money, and then I'm stuck with them.
Some people have suggested that when people want a specific chin, I should ask for a deposit to get it in. Part of the reason I don't want to do that is because these are living, breathing animals, and they are all different as far as their personality and temperament. So part of me can understand about someone wanting to see the animal before committing to it. That said... an awful lot of people back out based on (in my opinion anyway) minor things, which makes me think that it's all "I want it I want it!!" until it's in front of them, and they're actually faced with handing the money over... then they're not so sure...
I don't say this all to be mean, but here's the thing. If I had a list of everyone who wanted me to "keep them in mind" for when I get in a certain chin of a certain color / age / personality / cheap-price-for-unusual-color or whatnot... it would be miles long. If you read this blog with any regularity, you know that my waiting list (for chins and other animals to get into the rescue) is always a mile long, and yet even THOSE people half the time don't return calls when I get to them.
I think what often happens is this -- someone calls me wanting a certain color chin. In the past, I have said, I can let them know when I get it. By the time I contact them -- and I note, it may be like a week or whatever, so to me, this is pretty quick -- they've already gone elsewhere and gotten something else. Which is fine of course, we all have free choice... but I guess... why even ask someone to let you know when they have something in, if you're not willing to wait (even a little bit)? And honestly, after all these years doing this, the one thing that I can say for certain is that almost no one is willing to wait...for anything.
So... when you ask me to keep you in mind for something... and my response is something along the lines of, "please check back, I don't keep a list of people looking for specific chins, etc etc," please don't get upset, but please rather understand that you are one of many. If you really are wanting that chinchilla (or whatever it is), please do check back! That will show me that you're serious and I will be happy to tell you if I get something like that in... if you have been periodically contacting me. But I do not keep an on-going general list of what people are looking for.
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