Did I do him wrong?

[tom4018]

Really didn't know how to title this but here we go.

I advertised a Angus heifer on Craigslist back in January. She was pure and could be registered. We have sold a lot of heifer on there, some want paper and others don't. I usually don't register until we sell them and just do the transfer at the same time.

A couple bought her and said they wanted to join the Angus Association so they would like her registered, they were supposed to do that week and get me their info to transfer to. Time went by and I forgot about it as we never heard from them. He texted me last we saying sorry it took so long to get back with me. In the mean time we let our membership expire as our registered numbers have dwindled over the years.

Even if I had stayed a member it would be about 3 times as much to register her and transfer her now compared to within the 30 days of sale. Basically $14 then and $39 now. Not much to some but for the price she was sold at it takes a lot of your profit. I really don't want to spend $80 to renew just to register and transfer one heifer. We are down to 4 registered head and really didn't think it was worth it.

What would you do?

 

[Caustic Burno]

They were not too interested in the first place if they didn't take care of business in thirty days.
I think I would offer up half the registration price the rest is up to him.
I just be doing that of the kindness of my heart, if he didn't jump on that I would quickly revert back to my timber rattler personality.

 

[dieselbeef]

tell em what ya just told us

 

[Jogeephus]

tell em what ya just told us

I agree but if they still want it registered and you sold the calf under the pretense that it could be registered I think you should do whatever it takes to keep your word even if it costs you money.

 

[dieselbeef]

not if their delay was the cost of the extra expense. at that line of thinking they should be charging him for the feed costs and the land usage til they came to get him....

I agree with keeping your word..it can be registered..but now at their expense due to the delay

 

[Craig Miller]

How long has it been? Time would play a big factor in deciding what I would do.

 

[Craig Miller]

tell em what ya just told us

I agree but if they still want it registered and you sold the calf under the pretense that it could be registered I think you should do whatever it takes to keep your word even if it costs you money.

I see what your saying Joe but there was also a pretense that they would get registered in a timely manner

 

[Rafter S]

Explain the situation to them and offer to get the heifer registered if they'll pay the difference between what it will cost you to register her now and what it would have cost within 30 days of the sale ($105.00 if I understand the situation). If they don't want to do that then leave things as they are, or offer to buy the heifer back for what they paid, assuming she's been well taken care of.

 

[slick4591]

I gotta agree with Jo. As someone who deals in registered animals I get the calves registered before they are weaned, so all I have to do is the transfer if the buyer wants them. Sometimes I lose a little when selling a steer and they don't want the papers, but I have them so the buyer knows what they are getting. Last thing I want is getting a reputation for not producing the papers.

 

[tom4018]

tell em what ya just told us

I agree but if they still want it registered and you sold the calf under the pretense that it could be registered I think you should do whatever it takes to keep your word even if it costs you money.

Even if it took six months to get back with me? Now the fees are more regardless of my membership status.

 

[tom4018]

How long has it been? Time would play a big factor in deciding what I would do.

Six months. Told me they had just bought some at a sale and were joining the AAA that week and would get back with me. Never heard from them again and really kinda or forgot it. We usually made a decision on registering calves at weaning. Probably should did all pure calves but didn't.

 

[M-5]

Personally I would make it right. You did say you would register and transfer it . How was he to know you were going to drop your membership. Now I would ask for him to pony up the difference from then and now. .

 

[dieselbeef]

just tell em its registerable but not registered. he can hve it evaluated and then registered if he wants to go thru it..he gonna eat it or breed it..registering is overrated

 

[Brute 23]

I would make it right. I would not risk my reputation for $125 no matter if agree or not with how they handled it. ;-)

Im a firm believer it pays long term to take your lumps in the short term. Personally I would consider it a blesssing that it only cost $125 on 1 head. That is a cheap lesson learned. Had you made that error or 10 head it could have been costly. Going forward write out the terms on the receipt when you sell some thing.... "buyer must provide info to register within 30 days of the sale". Problem solved.

 

[Craig Miller]

Do y'all think it would have been acceptable if the buyer had already been a member and ole Tom had waited six months to transfer the papers? No. There is an understood time agreement wether it's in writing or not.

 

[Jogeephus]

tell em what ya just told us

I agree but if they still want it registered and you sold the calf under the pretense that it could be registered I think you should do whatever it takes to keep your word even if it costs you money.

Even if it took six months to get back with me? Now the fees are more regardless of my membership status.

I understand your feelings but I suspect this couple were novices and don't understand the registration process nor why its important to do things in a timely manner.

That is why I agree with Diesel when he says you should explain the situation to them and maybe they will see the trouble their ignorance has caused and opt not to get the papers. BUT if they want the papers I would do everything in my power to get them the papers even if it cost me more - UNLESS, you had spelled all this out to them at the time of purchase and have this down on paper.

Tom, I wouldn't "like" doing it, and I'd bytch for a couple days about having to do it, but at the end of the day I'd do it because I'd rather take one on the chin than get a bad name especially a bad name when its totally undeserved. That is just me. You need to just do what your gut says to do and whatever that might be I think you and I can both agree that dealing with the public is fun stuff.

 

[ALACOWMAN]

If i think I wronged someone, my conscience will get the best of me...I'd make my end right regardless, apparently yours is to,are you wouldn't be worried enough to ask....

 

[tom4018]

Do y'all think it would have been acceptable if the buyer had already been a member and ole Tom had waited six months to transfer the papers? No. There is an understood time agreement wether it's in writing or not.

At the very least I think he should pay the difference between what it would cost now versus 6 months ago. He is not communicating very well with me so who knows what will happen.

 

[Nesikep]

Explain the situation to them and offer to get the heifer registered if they'll pay the difference between what it will cost you to register her now and what it would have cost within 30 days of the sale ($105.00 if I understand the situation). If they don't want to do that then leave things as they are, or offer to buy the heifer back for what they paid, assuming she's been well taken care of.

exactly my thoughts!

 

[TennesseeTuxedo]

Do y'all think it would have been acceptable if the buyer had already been a member and ole Tom had waited six months to transfer the papers? No. There is an understood time agreement wether it's in writing or not.

At the very least I think he should pay the difference between what it would cost now versus 6 months ago. He is not communicating very well with me so who knows what will happen.

How much did you sell her for? I ask because I've got a group of 20 that I plan to sell as bred heifers in the fall and I'm not sure how much I'll ask for them.

As for this situation, he waited too long and the window of opportunity to register the heifer has closed.

Thanks,

TT