states vary as to what a hostile act is.
for instance, someone could put a 10 cents lock on their gate, and you break it, it could be considered a hostile act.
get prepared. these deals protect those in possession of the cattle and lawyers.
never let someone go without a check. a bad check and they can be arrested.
the days are over of gentlemens agreements. there are too many people who use that to take advantage of you and they cry fowl, you are ruining their family because you won't loan them money cattle whatever and you have the audacity to expect to be paid back or return what you sold them if they can't pay for it. get ready for a sob story or someone pissed, usually both. remember, they think it's your fault you put them in this predicament.
this is happening more and more as people who do this on a small scale are starting to do it on a large scale as the economy tightens and they can't stop being dishonest. they don't tell you they expect you to carry them till they can rob peter to pay paul. get ready for lots of excuses.
i'm thinking we should set up some sort of SP contract for people that goes something like
party A agrees to pay to party B
only a check is acceptable means of payment
if party A check bounces, Party B agrees animals can be picked up.
No brand can be put on the cattle until payment.
one needs tattoos etc.
it's time to put the squeeze on these people. they have made things difficult for the people they have screwed. it's time to make their names known when appropriate to do so, like filing of bankruptcy, decisions in court, accidents, any public knowledge documents without getting into a he said she said argument.
these people know they have the upper hand with delay tactics abusing the gentlemen's agreement. it's pretty clear they are not gentlemen.