This is a follow-up that my friend Jean received from the guy who is looking to basically steal a finished dog.  He didn't have the courtesy to reply to my inquiry.  Click here for the original post.  I suspected "reasonable" meant cheap, but I didn't have any idea it was this cheap.  I've added my comments to the original message.

Yes I can give you some clues to your pricing questions. First, I'd like to state what I'm sure is obvious to you and your "PRO" friends. It seems the more responses I get, the more these two (2) descriptions VARY and OVER-LAP; for a "started dog" and for a "finished dog". That's the REASON for the rather lengthy 2 pages of WANTS from me (the wants description AND the question FORM). I think this makes it pretty easy to avoid generalities this way.

• It seems this guy thinks we are a bunch of folks who make a living of dogs.  In fact we "PRO"s are mostly serious hobbyists.  Again, the long form I posted earlier might have gotten even more verbose.

1. "Started" dog within my included " revised- specifications" = RANGE of $750.00 to $1750.00

• Good GSP puppies in New England generally sell for $900 to $1,250.  Rarer breeds more.  His spec. for "started" was an AKC Senior hunter, which is a "finished" dog to most people.  "Started" generally means some basic commands taught and introduced to birds and the gun.

2. "Finished" dog within my included "revised-specifications" = RANGE of $1500.00 to $2800.00 (i.e) $2800= AKC "Master Hunter" & house-broken.

• I can't think of any reason anybody would let a titled Master Hunter go for $2800.  Keep in mind that he also wants hips, eyes and genetic screening (about $1000 worth of tests) included in this price.  If she were a bitch with these qualifications (unless she failed one of the criteria), you'd breed her.  If he were a male, you could easily stud him out for more than $2800 annually.  
• You would need to find a spayed or neutered dog who somebody put this much time and effort into and then wanted to sell cheap.  You'd have to wonder about the motivation.
• How can you finish a dog that isn't house broken?  Our PUPPIES go home nearly house broken.

3. Please remember my letter said I WILL visit EVERY potential in a trip very soon. I plan on visiting 4 to 6 potentials while in Ariz. My wife has 2 sisters who each live close to Phoenix, and my uncle who lives in Tucson, if needed. I plan on staying a few days, to hopefully make a purchase. But I'm also okay in coming home "empty-handed" on this trip, if need be. Naturally I'd want MORE of my "wants" met, the closer each group gets nearer the higher $ range.

• Here's the thing.  He seems to be willing to spend thousands to find the cheapest dog on the planet.  In the initial inquiry he indicates that this dog will be the centerpiece of hunting trips and preserve hunts that cost thousands of dollars annually.  Why not raise the price cap a bit and actually get what you want?  It reminds me of the guys who take a $500 Honda and try soup it up to Corvette performance.  When a Corvette would have been cheaper and better in the long run.

Thanks for you follow-up Jean. If you did NOT get the slightly revised letter, let me know. Best regards ... Craig.

• This thing has obviously gone viral on the internet and he has no earthly idea who he's contacted or what's going on. 

BTW, I've kept the guy's personal info private.  I have his work, home and fax numbers, his company e-mail, etc.  I could easily look up his home address from the info I have withheld.   This isn't any attempt to embarrass him, it's here as an example of some of the crazy stuff folks come up with and an example of folks' unrealistic expectations that breeders deal with regularly.

So how should someone handle this kind of thing?  Ah, god question.  If it was me, I would write down my list of criteria (just as he did).  Then I would go shopping.  You see, the stated goal of the questionnaire is "so neither of us waste time."  But really what he means is "so as not to waste my time" by having to read any ads.   If I wanted to send out a "request for proposals" I think I would have kept it brief.  Something like:  "I'm looking for a finished hunting dog and I have $2500 to spend."  Then sort through what comes across your desk.