Hello!
I am in the process of picking out two Bengal cats. Based off personality, we liked the siblings shown here. However, they are approx $1500.00 each and my research tells me that is too expensive for the coats shown. To me, it looks like one of them is definitely ticked. Both look low contrast. Can anyone offer any advise? They are 16 weeks. Thank you!!!


http://imageshack.com/a/img922/3553/IdndbR.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/1893/XvHweG.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/9868/5cvuCy.jpg (face of the little guy in the pic above).

I have no idea about the "value" of silver bengals based on coats in 2016. Part of it will no doubt be based on where you live and the supply/demand. A few things to keep in mind though:

1. 16 weeks is kinda "old" for a kitten. To me that might indicate that the breeder is having trouble finding a home for them? That might give you some bargaining power.
2. It is pretty common for breeders to give you a sizable discount when you get two together. Another bargaining chip if you need it.
3. Part of the value of a kitten is what the breeder is bringing to the table imo., and that should be heavily factored in. Have they been screened for heart problems? Did they get all their shots and have medical records? dWhat sort of diet are they on? What sort of place where they raised in? A cage? Run of the home? How well socialized are they? Will the breeder take care of the spay/neuter for you? Is there a health guarantee? If so what are the terms and for how long? Do they come with temporarily pet insurance? And so forth... if the breeder is exceptionally dilligent, paying more (despite the coat) might actually make it well worth it.

If you are taken with their personalities though, they are pretty handsome kitties...

_________________
The little monsters 3

Great Questions - thanks for your feedback. I have visited the facility and I feel they are reputable. The kittens will have all of their vaccines and I believe their health is "guaranteed" for a year (but I will have to double check).

I am hoping that these cats are still in the "fuzzy uglies" stage, and over time, the coats will increase in contrast and depth. I have been doing a bit of research and that seems common, so my fingers are crossed. From what I have read, the type of coat you end up with can be a roll of the die.

Thanks again for your feedback. It's a lot of money, and I plan on having these friends around for a very long time. :-)

Cheers!
A

_________________
The little monsters 3

What cuties! If a breeder still has kittens at 16 weeks, then the price is probably too high. That's at the very high end for a pet quality bengal. You have visited these kitties in person? Held them? Looked closely at their coats -- you may be seeing glitter. Price can also depend on the pedigree of the kitten -- lots of Supreme Grand Champions? Outstanding sires or dams? Have you done research on the breeder? Are there any complaints online? I'm guessing you are in the US? Feel free to PM me the name of the breeder. I'm familiar with quite a few of them.

I am curious if you decided on a kitten and which one! they are all so cute

They WERE very cute, but unfortunately, not what I wanted. I am looking for rosetted Bengals and these were not them.

Through the help of one of the members, I found out that the place I was looking at was not a good fit for me, and now I am a more educated consumer. :-) I found two catteries that produce beautiful coats at a price that is less than what was presented to me on the kittens above. (Not that price is everything, but I don't think the original kittens were a good deal).

I will be checking out a new cattery next weekend and I am so excited. I like that the breeders are investigating ME to make sure that I can provide the right home for these little guys.

I'm so excited, but unfortunately now..... is the waiting game. And I must.... be ........ patient...............

Thanks for checking in!
Angie

Thats so good to hear that a member stepped in to help you get the best kitten possible.

I am looking at a few reputable and registered breeder myself and it looks like all the breeders I like their kittens are between $1500-2000 but the parents and previous kittens coats are beautiful like a show quality Bengal, highly rossetted with other desirable traits. I wonder if its because I live in California that the price is so high.

I am in NY And I am working with numbers only slightly lower than that. I think that is within the "normal range", but I'm sure other members can help you decide if it is a good buy. :-)

$1,500 to $2,000 is a good price for a show quality cat. Pet quality should be less than $1,500. I say that because a cat is a cat in the end. Price really depends on a lot of things. There are breeders who show their cats and have a ton of Supreme Grand Champions or Outstanding Sire and Dams in their pedigrees. That does count for something. You also have breeders who are more concerned about the quality of their cats than the quantity of their kittens. That's so important. Everything is more expensive in California, I'm sure. Breeders set the price they believe they can get and if there aren't a lot of breeders in your region, the price could be higher. Thing is ... for the above price, the kitten should be stunning! Parents should be stunning as well and the box "not for show" should not be checked on the TICA registration papers.

Way too bad coats for that price - not only are they ticked they also have a lot of tarnish.
I agree with Sherry, at that price they should be show worthy...

Haha, I know the waiting game, it's horrible!! But very much worth it so I really hope you'll stay on the patient road :)
I look forward to hearing and seeing what you get to pick from :D or what you pick!