How to collect (sold Hay)

[AC cattle]

I sold 8 truckloads of hay without collecting for any of it, (business the old fashoned way). The buyer lives two counties away in the same state. Now its been almost a month since he got the last load, the first load was hualed out about November 1st. I've been very nice about it to this point, but with the operating note due at the first of the year I'm getting nervious. Any ideas what to do? Thanks

 

[TexasBred]

I sold 8 truckloads of hay without collecting for any of it, (business the old fashoned way). The buyer lives two counties away in the same state. Now its been almost a month since he got the last load, the first load was hualed out about November 1st. I've been very nice about it to this point, but with the operating note due at the first of the year I'm getting nervious. Any ideas what to do? Thanks

Print an invoice and go talk to this person face to face. Drive him down to the bank if necessary but get your money. Then make yourself a note...NO SALES C.O.D.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Hang in there! Do what is necessary.

In future, 50% down on order. Balance before unload. Otherwise, cash in advance. During "hard times" sometimes even the best intended promise but don't have funds immediately. Those are times to "show me your money...then I'll show you the merchandise"... Lessons from the drug dealers...LOL!

 

[Anonymous]

Just go demand your money. 30 days is my limit on collecting on new customers. Regulars ysually pay quick but if they dont they get a pass until the 45 day mark.
Collecting is the hardest part of any business. But in 20 yrs ive only been stiffed once. And i caused that guy enough headache that he had a heart attack and died. But he also set out to screw me from the beginning.

 

[Jogeephus]

Just gonna guess that you don't have a contract and don't have a signed receipt of his receiving the hay do you? Let's all hope he is honest.

 

[hillrancher]

I sold 8 truckloads of hay without collecting for any of it, (business the old fashoned way). The buyer lives two counties away in the same state. Now its been almost a month since he got the last load, the first load was hualed out about November 1st. I've been very nice about it to this point, but with the operating note due at the first of the year I'm getting nervious. Any ideas what to do? Thanks

AC that is the reason I will never sell hay. Most ever time got beat out of all or part.Will loan, give it , or buy cattle and feed it and sell cattle or let it lay in the yard and rot I never plan on selling anymore hay. Good luck on collecting. A face to face contact will be the best, Stay collected on the first trip.. The second trip have the best tractor on the trailor when you knock on the door.

 

[CJohnson]

I had to buy a lot of hay this year from out of state because of the drought (I am in East Texas). From a buyer's perspective, I hated it! I bought sorry hay that was misrepresented. No test available, you would buy one load and test it. By the time results were back the rest would be sold if it was any good. Some wanted money up front and I always felt like I was taking a big risk of sending money and never seeing the hay. Everybody wants money to be wired, which is a pain to go to the bank every time a load comes in. Hard to find anyone that will sell by the ton instead of by the bale. I guess last year was a seller's market. Oh well, I survived the drought and am thankful. Got lots of grass now and enjoying every drop of recent rain.

 

[Amo]

Hey neighbor, been there done that. I was nice and polite about my deal. Had 2 going at the same time. The one guy was a horse deal. Sheriff came in and "rescued" them. Id send a load when I got a check. He was one load behinde all the time. Then a check bounced. That jumped it to 3. He finally paid up. The other guy had some sheep. I was cool, polite, and paitent. Sent it in Nov. Got about 1/2 in end of Feb when I "poped in" for a visit. Sent bills with interest at 24%. Called, certified mail, etc. Finnally mid July I sent him a certifed letter saying pay up or I was going to court. He didn't have the money and so he never fought it. Garnished his wages till I got it back. PITA, but got it done. Hope its not Howard County. The clerk there is annoying!

Like others have said. Make a visit. Be cool and calm. If he can't pay, and he is trying to smooth things over with you, have a bill of sale or something that you can get him to sign. Then you have proof that he owes you and also something other than hear say for going to court as well as something to take to your banker. Was the trucking hired?

If ya need help, give me a call...youd look like a better bouncer than I would though! LOL

 

[Amo]

If you do go to court, the defendant has to pay ALL of your expences for taking him to court, and interest. Long process hope you can get it worked out. My sheep deal was a whole goose neck load of hay. Your looking at district court. Not real sure on that. IIRC less paper work. Would need a lawyer though. Midge(county court clerk) answered a lot of my questions. They aren't soposed to. They aren't lawyers, but nice enough to help ya out. The witch in Howard co even Midge said theyve heard she was a pain (by the book). Midge will tell ya thats a lawyer ? if its out of line. Junior IDK. He likes to b.s., but IDK how helpfull he would be. Better get some proof some how. Like the one guy says, we all have the best of intentions. Crap happens. Thats how my messes got started.

 

[3waycross]

I sold 8 truckloads of hay without collecting for any of it, (business the old fashoned way). The buyer lives two counties away in the same state. Now its been almost a month since he got the last load, the first load was hualed out about November 1st. I've been very nice about it to this point, but with the operating note due at the first of the year I'm getting nervious. Any ideas what to do? Thanks

Same ole story. registers to ask one question and then goes away....guess he got his money :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

 

[TexasBred]

I sold 8 truckloads of hay without collecting for any of it, (business the old fashoned way). The buyer lives two counties away in the same state. Now its been almost a month since he got the last load, the first load was hualed out about November 1st. I've been very nice about it to this point, but with the operating note due at the first of the year I'm getting nervious. Any ideas what to do? Thanks

Same ole story. registers to ask one question and then goes away....guess he got his money :lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

His wife is probably still kicking his ass. :lol2:

 

[bigbull338]

if you sell 1 load of hay without cash on delivery your a sucker.if you sell 8 loads that way your a chump.an theres prolly no way in heck he will get his money.i had a real good friend do me the sameway.except he told me he didnt have the money.so i says thats ok ill carry you pay when you can.well this fall he came up wanting to know if i had extra hay.an i says cant sell you hay since you owe for last years hay.so he payed me off in 2 months.but i still didnt have extra hay to sell.

 

[Amo]

I do a lot of percentage down. Unless your driving the truck yourself its kinda hard to know what the weight is. Its nice if you get paid for every load after its unloaded. It just don't always work that way to line up trucks and etc. Guess thats why some sell by the bale. I don't think thats fair to the buyer though.

I thought about going south (TX OK). Just like the other guy said though....Id want some money up front, but then how would he know I wasn't just scamming him? I was going have a cashiers check with say 85% of what the bales should weigh. Then ballance cash or check once we knew the empty weight. Glad I didn't have to worry about all that mess.

 

[Brute 23]

Dont worry, its better to not get paid in full right away for the tax benefits. :lol:

 

[bigbull338]

if im buying hay from some1 i dont know the hay wont be payed on or payed for till it gets to my farm an i unload it.then they get the check.

 

[TexasBred]

Dont worry, its better to not get paid in full right away for the tax benefits. :lol:

It often is but it is something that both parties need to agree on ahead of time...not something you find out after the hay is unloaded 500 miles from home.

 

[AC cattle]

[Same ole story. registers to ask one question and then goes away....guess he got his money /quote] Sorry to dissapoint you 3WAYCROSS but I'm back. (and for the record I had posted twice)

AMO thanks for your input, live and learn is better than the alternatives. I still haven't collected, but am hopeing to before the 1st of the year or my taxes will be a wreck. I had my banker call his banker and he is working on the paperwork for it. Thats the story just hope it all turns out OK. Gonna have to protect myself a little more in the future.

 

[3waycross]

[Same ole story. registers to ask one question and then goes away....guess he got his money /quote] Sorry to dissapoint you 3WAYCROSS but I'm back. (and for the record I had posted twice)

AMO thanks for your input, live and learn is better than the alternatives. I still haven't collected, but am hopeing to before the 1st of the year or my taxes will be a wreck. I had my banker call his banker and he is working on the paperwork for it. Thats the story just hope it all turns out OK. Gonna have to protect myself a little more in the future.

Welcome back AC CATTLE SURE HOPE YOU GET YOUR MONEY. IT MUST HAVE BEEN VERY TOUGH FOR YOU COMING ON THE INTERNET AND TELLING SEVERAL HUNDRED STRANGERS THAT YOU JUST LET YOURSELF POSSIBLY GET SWINDLED OUT OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARs.

BUENA SUERTE AMIGO :cowboy: and I really do hope you get your money. it's tough enuf to make a living in Ag without some ahole taking a bunch of hay and not paying for it. Yer probably just a real good hearted guy who trusts everyone and sees only the good in people! As far as being disapointed goes we get a lot of folks who come on here and ask a question and never return, glad you're not one of them.

 

[TexasBred]

[Same ole story. registers to ask one question and then goes away....guess he got his money /quote] Sorry to dissapoint you 3WAYCROSS but I'm back. (and for the record I had posted twice)

AMO thanks for your input, live and learn is better than the alternatives. I still haven't collected, but am hopeing to before the 1st of the year or my taxes will be a wreck. I had my banker call his banker and he is working on the paperwork for it. Thats the story just hope it all turns out OK. Gonna have to protect myself a little more in the future.

Shouldn't affect your taxes at all. You'll just ahve a big "account receivable" on the books. All that's hurtin' is "cash on hand and in bank".

 

[whitewing]

These days, selling hay is a significant part of my ranch's income.......selling cattle and hogs accounting for the rest. I got started last year selling my product to feed/farm/ranch-supply stores in a major city about 60 miles from my place. Actually, I placed most of the bales on consignment...the client would take a load of 150 bales or so, and pay for the previous load when they requested the next. Works pretty well actually. And my line of thinking has been that if they didn't pay, I could always show up and collect my money in the form of feed, medicine, fencing, or whatever farm/ranch gizmo I needed. Sometimes I send my truck with a load of hay and it's like Christmas when it returns, loaded with all sorts of stuff I've been needing. :D

This year I've been getting more and more private sales but request payment on delivery or payment at point-of-sale (ie, the ranch).

I've got only one outstanding invoice to date, a private sale with a promise to pay. :devil2: The guy was a whiny pain in the rear too....didn't think the bales were heavy enough when delivered so I gave him a price break. :lol2: He'll pay eventually or else he'll get what non-payers here normally get......a bullet through a foot. :cowboy: