Top tips for contacting a breeder?

Hi everyone, we've been thinking of getting a Maine Coon for a few years now but as our little boy is a bit older (and has learnt to be gentle with animals!) and we finally have a big enough house we are putting the plans in motion.

I know a breeder personally and I've been to the house many times so I know the set up etc. My problem is I don't know how to approach the subject on the phone when the next litter is ready to view. The breeder says that she refuses viewings if the people calling don't sound right for the kittens over the phone.

What questions will a breeder ask and what top tips would you give for expressing interest? I'd rather go with this breeder than further afield as I know they are reputable.

I've read as much as I can about the care of a Maine Coon and the temperament and size and feeding etc so I'm not going into this completely clueless although I'm looking forward to learning through experience too. It's just getting the cat that is the problem at the moment!

I think that the breeder's concern, and the reason why they might not wish their babies to go to certain types of families, is simply that they worry that the babies might not be loved or taken care of seriously.
So I would state first explain what you said above, which I think would be reassuring to anyone, that this would be a first maine coon but have enquired and read up a lot on the question. That there will be a little boy in the house but you're satisfied he has learned to be gentle with animals - All this tells him/her that you take the matter seriously and that you will do what it takes to make that baby-cat very happy.
Have you had cats before? if so, state that... Taking care of a MC isn't all that different really, it's just ... larger :-)
May be also they might have had bad experience with unsettling people coming and bothering their kittens unnecessarily, so now prefer to filter - I am sure that you don't sound like a crazy person, just be your likeable self, and I am sure you will get a viewing if babies are available to be viewed.
NOTE: I am not a breeder, so may be people with more experience might want to pitch in and see if there are things that make breeders tick?

Most good breeders that I know like their furry babes to be indoor cats {or safe outside space available for them} so might be something that you can think on before phoning,quite honestly this shouldn't be a torture to you so phone be yourself & do as Alketo says put it all across..... Is the breeder you know actually a MC one....? Just steer clear of the ones that offer babes cheap with no papers....... any worries get on here & one of us will pop up with our four penny worth & most probaly quickly followed by a lot more,good luck & looking forward to seeing photos of your future new babe & just remember when you start buying go for "big"you will need it.....xxxx

Yeah, a decent breeder will be as interested in you as you are in them; this is a good thing as it means they genuinely care about their cats and not just trying to make money. When they care about the cats, they'll take better care of them and will provide better pets. I've found that the better breeders will want to keep them with their mother for 12-14 weeks, whereas since that costs more, others will want them out 6-8 weeks old and don't give them a chance to socialize properly.

If you already know about the conditions in which the cats are kept, you won't have to worry about that. Ask what's endeared them to the breed- that's always an interesting question. If you follow that up with an explanation as to why you like the breed, it'll show them that you've done your research and will appreciate their cats.

If you're going to give the cat a good home, just be honest and upfront. :)