What's your policy on selling calves ot of state?

[SKF]

Last month I posted a steer calf for sale on here and sold him right away to someone out of state. Well almost a month later we still have the calf and no money. Now the people have backed out and said to go ahead and sell the calf. Now my questions how do you guys handle selling calves long distance? I asked for a $100 non refundable deposit to hold the calf and then I helped find a ride for the calf. I also asked that the calf be paid in full before it leaves. I have tried to be very understanding and as helpful as I can be but at the same time I hate holding a calf for a long time and miss out on a sale. How long do you hold a calf for someone? How long do you give them to get some money to you? Of course I had the problem of collecting money from local kids in the past that I knew personally. I use to letthe kids  take a calf and either make payments or pay after they sell the calf at the fair the following year. This past year I had a kid not pay so I no longer do that. I guess i am just being to nice. I wish people would realize that when you speak for a calf the sellers pass up on other chances to sell that calf. Just any ideas and suggestions?? Thank you!!!!

 

[TMJ Show Cattle]

Just another sad fact of life. I have done this in the past also. Not any more. Actally the people closest to you[friends] can be worse than strangers. Just be as polite as you can,and demand payment in full. I set a time limit of 10 days for anyone to put their money together on a spoken for calf.I'm lucky I suppose,because I usually have an "out" in case problems arise.

 

[SKF]

Just another sad fact of life. I have done this in the past also. Not any more. Actally the people closest to you[friends] can be worse than strangers. Just be as polite as you can,and demand payment in full. I set a time limit of 10 days for anyone to put their money together on a spoken for calf.I'm lucky I suppose,because I usually have an "out" in case problems arise.

I think a 10 day limit to pay for the calf sounds like a fair deal. I guess I am going to have to start doing that. Thanks

 

[justme]

I like the 10 day deal...that is plenty of time for the post office to get you the cash.  Kinda stinks when you try to be nice and they stick it to ya.  Sounds like several people in the classifieds had the same trouble.  Another way of doing it is paypal for the down payment.  It's instant and easy.  I do this for puppy payment but to use it, I add 3% due to fees.

 

[SKF]

I like the 10 day deal...that is plenty of time for the post office to get you the cash.  Kinda stinks when you try to be nice and they stick it to ya.  Sounds like several people in the classifieds had the same trouble.  Another way of doing it is paypal for the down payment.  It's instant and easy.  I do this for puppy payment but to use it, I add 3% due to fees.

Thats another good idea. I never though of paypal but I think I might try that.

 

[OH Breeder]

Sent you a PM.

What folks don't realize in many states if they made an offer and you accepted you get into an oral agreemnet. Offer and consideration is all it takes. I am NOT a lawyer but I do know  in many cases can seek damages if you are holding a calf for a period of time and pass up opportunities to sell or lose opportunities to sell . I am NOT GIVING legal advice. Just personal experience only.

It wouldn't hurt to call the state the folks live in or send an email to the states attorney general. Most AG's office have an online site and you can ask them if its worth seeking damages.

 

[pjkjr4]

Sent you a PM.

What folks don't realize in many states if they made an offer and you accepted you get into an oral agreemnet. Offer and consideration is all it takes. I am NOT a lawyer but I do know  in many cases can seek damages if you are holding a calf for a period of time and pass up opportunities to sell or lose opportunities to sell . I am NOT GIVING legal advice. Just personal experience only.

It wouldn't hurt to call the state the folks live in or send an email to the states attorney general. Most AG's office have an online site and you can ask them if its worth seeking damages.

That's all fine and good, if you are making the deal with another adult (over 18), but if it's with a minor.....you're stuck.

I'm not a breeder, my kids just show steers. I WILL NOT even offer money on a calf unless I am serious enough to write a check for him then and there. My main problem has been taking possesion. We're pretty limited on pen space, and have not had any breeders gripe about keeping the calf/calves until we were ready.

Also, if I were in the breeder's shoes, I would really wonder what kind of care/feeding/representing of my cattle that individual would do. I tell the breeder's that I deal with is that all I can do is represent their cattle to the best of our ability. If they don't live too far away, I also prefer them to stop by every once in a while to see what we're doing right/wrong. If the situation were reversed, I would appreciate people doing that for me, and I would lean more for taking less for an animal to them as I would to someone whom I don't know how they would treat my cattle.

 

[OH Breeder]

Sent you a PM.

What folks don't realize in many states if they made an offer and you accepted you get into an oral agreemnet. Offer and consideration is all it takes. I am NOT a lawyer but I do know  in many cases can seek damages if you are holding a calf for a period of time and pass up opportunities to sell or lose opportunities to sell . I am NOT GIVING legal advice. Just personal experience only.

It wouldn't hurt to call the state the folks live in or send an email to the states attorney general. Most AG's office have an online site and you can ask them if its worth seeking damages.

That's all fine and good, if you are making the deal with another adult (over 18), but if it's with a minor.....you're stuck.

I'm not a breeder, my kids just show steers. I WILL NOT even offer money on a calf unless I am serious enough to write a check for him then and there. My main problem has been taking possesion. We're pretty limited on pen space, and have not had any breeders gripe about keeping the calf/calves until we were ready.

Also, if I were in the breeder's shoes, I would really wonder what kind of care/feeding/representing of my cattle that individual would do. I tell the breeder's that I deal with is that all I can do is represent their cattle to the best of our ability. If they don't live too far away, I also prefer them to stop by every once in a while to see what we're doing right/wrong. If the situation were reversed, I would appreciate people doing that for me, and I would lean more for taking less for an animal to them as I would to someone whom I don't know how they would treat my cattle.

The first question you should be askng a KID is can I talk with you parents. I have sold cattle on the board. If you are dealing with someone under 18 and try to enter into a contract with them ouch..... I would not deal with just the kid first rule of thumb. No offense to any young person but i had lots of inquiries from kids but usually they aren't the one writing the check.

 

[TJ]

Depending upon the selling price, 20-25% non-refundable & due within 10 days.  Balance at pick up. 

With that said, back in late spring/early summer, I sold 2 packages of embryos that I haven't been paid for.  I got a 25% deposit on both packages.  1 person paid almost all of their package off in a couple of payments, but I haven't heard from them in a while & they owe me 1 more payment.  The other person sent me a deposit back in late spring/early summer... they kept telling me that they would settle up in a few weeks... it's been several months since I've heard from them.  I'm going to wait until after Christmas to contact them, but I am going to give them both 1 final deadline.  If these had been live cattle, I wouldn't have let it drag on this long, but embryos don't take up much space or eat much feed.  Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that even if you get a deposit, you may not get the rest.  But, at least you will have something.       

 

[RSC]

Depending upon the selling price, 20-25% non-refundable & due within 10 days.  Balance at pick up. 

With that said, back in late spring/early summer, I sold 2 packages of embryos that I haven't been paid for.  I got a 25% deposit on both packages.  1 person paid almost all of their package off in a couple of payments, but I haven't heard from them in a while & they owe me 1 more payment.  The other person sent me a deposit back in late spring/early summer... they kept telling me that they would settle up in a few weeks... it's been several months since I've heard from them.  I'm going to wait until after Christmas to contact them, but I am going to give them both 1 final deadline.  If these had been live cattle, I wouldn't have let it drag on this long, but embryos don't take up much space or eat much feed.  Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that even if you get a deposit, you may not get the rest.  But, at least you will have something.         

That's a totally different situation especially if your talking about LOWLINE embryos!  <party>  Sorry TJ, couldn't resist!! Nice to see you posting more lately!

Tony

 

[CPL]

Depending upon the selling price, 20-25% non-refundable & due within 10 days.  Balance at pick up. 

With that said, back in late spring/early summer, I sold 2 packages of embryos that I haven't been paid for.  I got a 25% deposit on both packages.  1 person paid almost all of their package off in a couple of payments, but I haven't heard from them in a while & they owe me 1 more payment.  The other person sent me a deposit back in late spring/early summer... they kept telling me that they would settle up in a few weeks... it's been several months since I've heard from them.  I'm going to wait until after Christmas to contact them, but I am going to give them both 1 final deadline.  If these had been live cattle, I wouldn't have let it drag on this long, but embryos don't take up much space or eat much feed.  Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that even if you get a deposit, you may not get the rest.  But, at least you will have something.         

That's a totally different situation especially if your talking about LOWLINE embryos!   <party>  Sorry TJ, couldn't resist!! Nice to see you posting more lately!

Tony

Tony, that was a LOW blow!  ;D ;D ;D

 

[TJ]

Depending upon the selling price, 20-25% non-refundable & due within 10 days.  Balance at pick up. 

With that said, back in late spring/early summer, I sold 2 packages of embryos that I haven't been paid for.  I got a 25% deposit on both packages.  1 person paid almost all of their package off in a couple of payments, but I haven't heard from them in a while & they owe me 1 more payment.  The other person sent me a deposit back in late spring/early summer... they kept telling me that they would settle up in a few weeks... it's been several months since I've heard from them.  I'm going to wait until after Christmas to contact them, but I am going to give them both 1 final deadline.  If these had been live cattle, I wouldn't have let it drag on this long, but embryos don't take up much space or eat much feed.  Anyway, I guess what I am saying is that even if you get a deposit, you may not get the rest.  But, at least you will have something.         

That's a totally different situation especially if your talking about LOWLINE embryos!   <party>  Sorry TJ, couldn't resist!! Nice to see you posting more lately!

Tony

Tony, that was a LOW blow!  ;D ;D ;D

The only thing easier on your pocket book than running a herd of Lowlines, is running a herd of frozen Lowline embryos!    Both will make you a profit, even if you only get a deposit.  (thumbsup)  (clapping)           

The only real negative is waiting on the $$ & I had a potential buyer call me last week, from Brownstown, IL, wanting to buy one of those packages & he was ready to pay right then.  I've got 3 eggs left out of 3 different sires, but no Doc's left.  He wants fullblood Doc's.  I told him that I could make some more, but it will be a few months down the road.  Also, I've got a guy that lives near Tony who wants to buy 5 fullblood Doc eggs, but again, I have none & I have no fullblood donors currently available.  Bummer...   

 

[SKF]

Thanks for all your ideas!! I am for sure changing my policy when selling calves no matter where their going. Everything will be in writting with 10 days to get the deposit or full payment or the calf is back on the market. Plus I think I am going to try out the paypal might make things earsier for some people. By the way as of this morning the calf is sold. He was sold to a SP member and he wil be leaving Sunday for Texas!! Once again THANK YOU for all the advice!!! (clapping)

 

[Show Heifer]

I guess I figure if someone comes and looks at calves or lambs (especially with a trailer) then they should have remembered the checkbook, or cash. No payment, no critter." Thanks for coming to look."
There is absolutely no excuse of "buying" an animal without taking some form of payment, except for the reason of wanting to steal the animal or rip off the seller.

Sorry for your bad luck. Maybe the next prospective buyer will be better, maybe not. Next time, don't be so nice!

 

[farmboy]

Paper Paper Paper.

 

[dori36]

Last month I posted a steer calf for sale on here and sold him right away to someone out of state. Well almost a month later we still have the calf and no money. Now the people have backed out and said to go ahead and sell the calf. Now my questions how do you guys handle selling calves long distance? I asked for a $100 non refundable deposit to hold the calf and then I helped find a ride for the calf. I also asked that the calf be paid in full before it leaves. I have tried to be very understanding and as helpful as I can be but at the same time I hate holding a calf for a long time and miss out on a sale. How long do you hold a calf for someone? How long do you give them to get some money to you? Of course I had the problem of collecting money from local kids in the past that I knew personally. I use to letthe kids  take a calf and either make payments or pay after they sell the calf at the fair the following year. This past year I had a kid not pay so I no longer do that. I guess i am just being to nice. I wish people would realize that when you speak for a calf the sellers pass up on other chances to sell that calf. Just any ideas and suggestions?? Thank you!!!!

Even though you 'did' have some terms that the buyer had to adhere to (deposit), what you didn't have to make a valid contract was a beginning and an end. And it needs to be in writing so everyone knows what page their all on.  It's real important to set an end date right when you do the sale.  That way, you don't hold the calf off the market for an unfair amount of time.  Sorry it turned out that way for you.

 

[kfacres]

Most of the time, we require a 1/2 down deposit on anything that leaves here- within a week of the yes nod...  No deposit, no hold...  I have been in that situation many times too many...  In terms of delivery and travel arrangments, I do what I can to help, especially if it is convienient for me...  We've sold into 14 states thus far...  Only had a problem once! 

I agree, it can be those closest to you that you have the hardest time getting money out of...