Risk of buying a calf online

[SlickTxMaine]

I know there are a ton of online auctions, but what are the risks of buying from an individual based on pictures and videos?  I'm looking at a heifer two states over, too far to drive. Buyer has sent quite a few pictures and videos. Anyone ever burned?  What are things I should look for or ask? 

 

[WinterSpringsFarm]

Depends on if you are dealing with honest people. I've bought 6 sight unseen with pics and  videos and have been pleased every time.

I used a friend as a second opinion to make sure I am not looking past something.

 

[Gargan]

Depends on if you are dealing with honest people. I've bought 6 sight unseen with pics and  videos and have been pleased every time.

I used a friend as a second opinion to make sure I am not looking past something.

Good advice.  Ask every question you can think of too. I always ask about the size and anticipated grow the animal has also. That's one thing that's hard to determine. 

 

[Pleasant Grove Farms]

bought a supposed char composite online and never got papers

 

[knabe]

bought a supposed char composite online and never got papers

call the association. 

 

[hntwhitetail]

bought a supposed char composite online and never got papers

call the association.

I've been waiting for 2 years from DSUL to get me papers on a bull I purchased.  How many times is someone supposed to call them to ask where the papers are?  I was calling every 2 weeks then once a month.  I set my calendar to call.  I called the association a few times and I just finally waved the white flag...

I also bought one from Swanson in Iowa and the sent me the wrong bred.  I finally got ahold of the auction company because they kept changing the story on me.  I ended up buying the other heifer also that was already in my barn.  I tried getting papers on both and still waiting for a txt back or call back since last year....

 

[mark tenenbaum]

Go into town-get a lawyer and SUE THEM IN YOUR LOCAL KANGAROO COURT WITH A JURY OF YOUR PEERS THEY HAVE TO SHOW BECAUSE THE ANIMALS OR VARIATIONS THEREOF ARE ON YOUR PROPERTY AND A$10000 OR SO JUDGEMENT SERVED AT HIS SALE WOULD MAKE HIM LOOK LIKE THE POMPOUS NO CLASS HORSES A@$%^()_S THAT HE IS-Im so sick of smug ass$%&*)_:ES like DSUL I COULDSPIT-OR BOP HIM ONE ON HIS FASHIONABLE NOSE-IF HE GOT HIS ASS LIT UP IN PUBLIC HE MIGHT THINK TWICE ABOUT THAT PETTY GREEDY BEHAVIOR-WHICH SHOULD BE RELEGATED TO A COMMON SHOPLIFTER-YOU READING THIS BIGGGGGSHOTTTT? O0

 

[knabe]

what did the association say?


It is a civil matter?


at what point will the association pull memberships for this stuff?


is there a formal way to protest one's membership status?

 

[Steve123]

I always try to get a picture with a person next to the calf.  That will give you some idea of scale and proportion. I have bought some midgets and some monsters from photos that looked great but when compared to their contemporaries they didn't measure up.  If you can, have a friend that lives close run over and take a quick look.  Pictures and videos are a snapshot in time and tell the story at that moment, not the whole story.  Also, I like to see a persons place.  Champions tend to come from a place that is managed like a champion. 

Not getting registration papers is a whole other animal.  If I don't get promised papers I tend to make a hobby out of you.  Calling twice a day tends to get results and asking everyone they know- "Hey, have you seen "Joe".  I have been trying to get a hold of him and wanted to be sure he is OK.  Tell him to call me if you see him."

 

[PCJR21]

Frame size is the thing I really worry about. Like others have said, make sure you have an idea on the frame size or ask for a hip height. But at some point the price point of the calf is so high that you have to see it in person, in my opinion.

 

[mark tenenbaum]

what did the association say?


It is a civil matter?


at what point will the association pull memberships for this stuff?


is there a formal way to protest one's membership status?/// Actually maybe 6 or 7 years ago-there was a major meeting to boot the biggest money Shorthorn breeder that got shot down by one vote or something and he was warned -The secretary now doesnt have the guts to do anything though

 

[aj]

A lot of the club calf deal is about creating a image.......a mental picture........even deception. If you don't know the people or you haven't seen the calf before hand or don't have a trusted scout to evaluate the animal it is buyer beware. I have bought a bull sight unseen from a guy with an great reputation. A great reputation with commercial working class people. Just my opinion.

 

[Tallcool1]

A lot of the club calf deal is about creating a image.......a mental picture........even deception. If you don't know the people or you haven't seen the calf before hand or don't have a trusted scout to evaluate the animal it is buyer beware. I have bought a bull sight unseen from a guy with an great reputation. A great reputation with commercial working class people. Just my opinion.

I agree with you aj.  This deal is all about the reputation of the seller.

I have bought show steers sight unseen.  No video, no pictures, no nothing.  I trusted the seller, and the steers were BETTER than I imagined.

My one piece of advice, ask for a weight on the calf.  If I have the weight, and the pictures and videos...I always felt that I wasn't buying one that wasn't going to grow.  Most guys can guess a weight within 25 pounds below 450 pounds, and within 50 pounds above that.  That is close enough.  Where a guy gets in trouble is thinking you are bidding on a 550 pounder that really weight 400 pounds.

 

[mark tenenbaum]

Frame size is the thing I really worry about. Like others have said, make sure you have an idea on the frame size or ask for a hip height. But at some point the price point of the calf is so high that you have to see it in person, in my opinion./// You and Steve 123 above have both made very good points-I think frame is very important-Alot of these calves are a tick away from being dwarfs-but you cant tell with no reference points

O0

 

[hntwhitetail]

I bought a bred heifer from Jimmy Martin in Indiana, thru a sale he had with Trennopohl.  I was supposed to get papers,  but they never came.  I was selling the cow and really needed them.  I called and called his cell and finally got ahold of him.  He told me if I had bought her on one of his big sales, that he would have gotten me papers, but since i didn't he wasnt. I didnt take this as an excuse...I called every contact I had for his operation and finally got ahold of his wife and she promptly got everything straightened out and apologized for what I told her that I said. 

I dont get this.  I tell everyone i know to stay away.

 

[SlickTxMaine]

Thanks for all the comments.  We bought the heifer.  She arrived just as pictured.  Were told she was shown twice, but she is very nervous, jumpy and doesn't lead very well at all.  Doesn't seem to know what a show stick is and she kicks!  Other than her demeanor we are pleased.  She had a 15 hour trailer ride with about 12-15 steers before she arrived at her new home.  I think the attitude will come around soon.