question on return/fedund policies

[Jill]

I agree with Chambero, if they put him on the trailer they bought him, end of discussion!  The only way I would take one back or give credit was if the calf had a known problem, we discussed it and I said I would guarantee it.
On breeding cattle most all breeds have a standard sale agreement guarantee and most specify if you show the animal it is null and void.  I guess for me, if a heifer is infertile a credit is in order, I know some of you don't agree, but I have never had any of my show heifers that fertility was jeopardised by showing the animal. 

 

[DLD]

Just to clarify, I don't disagree with those of you who say no return is in order in this case. I just said that I have done it a couple of times in the case of families that buy one or two every year from me and do a good job with them, that just had to have some cute little hairball that wasn't going to get big enough or stout enough to be on par with what they'd been getting from me. Looking back, I think them trading up was my idea in both cases. If someone, especially not a regular customer, just wants to bring one back 'cause he's just not quite what they'd thought he was, I'd prob'ly just say too bad, too...

 

[afhm]

The calf is a good calf.  He told me the buyer and his advisor left tickled pink with their purchased  and even bragged on him up until a few other people looked at the calf and told them they didn't like him.  Maybe they were trying to promoted one of their own.  One of the people that looked at him never has anything good or nice to say about something that he didn't raise or sell and doesn''t get along with my friends so there is no telling how bad he ragged on the calf.  If I needed a steer, I would have bought him as soon as he came in. 

 

[knabe]

i'd say don't return the money, but bring the complainer next time so they can be held accountable for their selection.  maybe the complainer calls in on talk radio on monday mornings.  it was probably an expectation gap between price/qualtity and what that person thought of the ratio.  it would be an interesting experiment to quantify this gap and what it is for different people.  i'm willing to bet a dollar jill is probably one of the more consistent one's for accurate and fair pricing.

 

[chambero]

I sold a two year old bull to a cousin once he had him for 8 ys and he died, he asked me if I would return some of what he paid for him, I just laughed and didn't answer. Roni

I can say I practice what I preach on this one also.

We bought two bulls from a cousin a few years ago - a couple of pretty nice Strictly Business sons out of Angus cows.  One got struck by lightning and killed a week after getting him home.  We never even called our cousin to tell him because we didn't want him to feel bad.  He found out a year later when we saw him again and he asked how his bulls were doing for us.  

Sales almost always have breeding and fertility guarantees.  You run into these problems on private treaty deals unless clearly stated up front.  Although good guys will take care of you on breeding cattle.  I'll brag on Bobby Maddox on this one.  We bought two bulls from him literally ten years ago now, right before we needed to turn them out.  We had them tested and danged if one of them didn't have a huge wart in a very bad spot.  We called Bobby to tell him not sure what would happen - he hadn't made any guarantees and we hadn't asked for any.  These weren't real expensive bulls either.  He said he needed to think about it.  He calls back a few minutes later.  He didn't have another bull for that price, but he knew we needed one NOW and had a Meyer son he would sell us for an extra thousand.  He shows up with the new bull and takes back the one with a problem without even asking for proof.  I didn't even know who "Meyer" was then.  Said bull turned out wonderful for us and was the one mentioned in our carcass data post.  I tell everyone I know about his willingness to take care of us on that little problem.  

You have to keep that in mind on these issues - if you hack someone off they will tell everyone they know their side of the story.  You have to figure out which is most expensive - bending over backwards for them or telling them no.  On steers to first time buyers, that answer is usally "no".