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That's great and all, but Dave isn't exactly in it to expand. In fact, this last year he cut out a lot of his breeds to focus more on what he had available.
Yeah, he's a business, in the sense that I'm sure Dave makes enough money to have to file his taxes. But when it all comes down to it, I severely doubt he is calculating exactly how to increase his profit margins by another 4% this quarter.
Holderread's, for better or worse, is a hobby farm that does a lot of business, and makes enough money to make the effort worthwhile. Enough to not be declared, by the government, a hobby farm. But it all boils down to them doing this because they enjoy themselves. Cracking the whip isn't going to make them panic, hire some 15 year old nobody, and hope that they can keep the masses appeased. That's not what they are about. They have never been about that.
What's more, I have never heard of Holderread "pocketing" anyone's money. If someone doesn't like his timeliness they can request a refund and take their business elsewhere. They can find another breeder who probably has birds that are as good or better (Holderread has some great stuff, but he's not the only great breeder in America). They may be able to find the same prices (hah), or they may have to pay more.
No one is really "excusing" his behavior. We are simply saying Holderread didn't run off with this person's money and that they will return the message. If the individual is concerned they can write another message or call Holderread's farm and leave a message. Sometimes things get lost in the shuffle. Other times you think you replied to someone and didn't. I've done it before. We all have.
Personally, I am willing to give Holderread's farm a little more time than, say, a hatchery. The hatchery is a business. They are in that business to make money and, as a result, will try to figure out how they can get that extra 4% next quarter - which usually means not wasting money improving their quality (which probably isn't to standard in the first place). And while their employees are probably friendly, helpful people, you're still dealing with a terrible industry that intentionally and consistantly sells birds that barely resemble the breeds in which they are labeled in order to make a few dollars without going below the bottom line.
I will gladly give someone extra time for actually selling what they say they are selling. Especially when they have spent decades doing an incredible amount of work to improve and promote raising waterfowl.
Individuals who have dealt with Holderread will give him praise. Not because he is Holderread, but because we are pleased with what we received from them and we have been pleased with the amount of time they do put into answering questions thoroughly (see the Sebastopol email someone recently received that breaks down the genetics and history of angel wing in the breed).
Well said...