OT: Trust Between Fellow Farmers

Anonymous-0 · Nov 24, 2010

A few weeks ago I bought a piece of farm equipment over the phone that was advertised in a farm paper. Photos would be a hassle so I accepted his statement on condition and sent a fairly substantial check and an open date for pickup depending on weather. With farm work done and weather OK but projected to get worse, we decided to make the trip. The implement was in good condition and certainly represented the described condition. With some difficulty it was finally loaded, and a few minutes before leaving the farmer told me he hadn't got around to cashing the check. Certainly surprised me. Thought afterward about how many posters on this site would be so trusting, either as the buyer to send a check without seeing the equipment or as the seller to have the check and not cash it before the equipment leaves. My observation from many of the negative posts on this forum is that today few would be inclined to show such trust. The seller was certainly a fine interesting gentleman and it is refreshing to encounter an individual that still has such faith in humanity.

Nancy Howell · Nov 24, 2010

That's the way it used to be. That's the way it should be. Sadly, that's not the way it is anymore.

Gun guru · Nov 24, 2010

That is good, trust is a great thing.

What was the piece that you picked up?

I personally would never accept a check from anyone unless it was a cashiers check certified from the bank. And even then I would get all info from the guy like, address, name, Drivers lic. #, and licence plate.

thurlow · Nov 24, 2010

Yabbut..........you gotta look at the subject line (last 2 words). Back before Al, Jr. got this thing going, I ordered a part from a small company about 800 miles away; asked him where to send the check; he said he'd just send it 'open account' and send me a statement at the end of the month. He shipped the part and I sent him a check; wasn't the last time we did business together..............

State of Jefferson · Nov 24, 2010

I've never been stung, so I usually trust folks. Farmers I think are more trustworthy than most.

Certainly was not a big transaction, but I had advertised a F-11 Farmhand loader on this site a couple years ago. Ended up cutting it up for srap after salvaging all the cylinders etc. Somehow this spring I got an email from a hydraulic shop in the town I used to live in, asking if I still had the cylinders. Yup, still for sale. They forwarded my info, and I got a call from a nice older gentleman who wanted to buy them. Problem is, he lives about 500 miles north. He offered to send me a check with the understanding I'd find the cylinders a ride north before fall. I said "no way, I'll send em north when I can, you send me a check after you pick em up". Called him a month later said they were on their way so his son to pick em up half way. I got a check in the mail before he ever saw them. I waited a couple months before I cashed his check.

Nice to be able to trust your fellow man.

Ben

paul · Nov 24, 2010

There is a bar & grill that makes good food, broated chicken & pizza esp. In a town of oh, 100 people here.

They don't take credit cards.

So when a baseball kids tourny was, folks from 5 states away were here, and ordered a meal. Well was maybe 5 or 6 meals on the table.

They had no cash, and no checkbook, and didn't know what to do when the bill came & they realized.

Owner said here's our address, mail it in when you get home.

They just couldn't believe that things would work that way.

Now if I'm advertizing on Craigslist & someone from a state away calls, Id be a bit cautious.

But a local person, I'd rather have the check. Cash reminds me of drug deals and on bigger items the buyer is hung out withouta paper trail as far as stolen goods and such - as well don't like the idea of a stranger knowing I have a chiuck of cash sitting around. Special bank checks donno what they are, and can be counterfitted easier than personal checks, no point to that.

You can tell when the person walks up, what their intentions are. Anyhow, about as good as anything else. There isn't anything 'secure' any more if that's how people want to play.

Bought a chisel plow at an auction couple years ago, dern lost my checkbook I suspected it fell out of my pants in the bedroom but didn't know. Auctioneer said mail a check when you find it. I said I'd leave the chiesel plow there, he said doesn't matter, take it now.

Things are a little calmer around here I guess. I'm really uncomfortable with the solutions many of you have to this - seem scarier to me than just a check.

--->Paul

paul · Nov 24, 2010

Better one - hauling grain to the elevator 5 miles to town, truck ran out of gas on the scale this fall. At least I got it dumped, they just pushed me off with the bobcat.

I walked 5 blocks to the gas station, I had no id or money of any kind with. I did take a scale ticket with with my name on it.

The guy said sure, put $5 in their can, said there was a little in it already, talked the guy filling up to even give me a ride back to the elevator.

Well with only 2-3 gallons & no money, I really hated to drive the grain truch up hill to the gas station & screw around with time - 2 gallons will just get me back home... So just drove home with their can, and it was then after 5:00, needed to farm... Took the can back the next morning, filled it for the next guy, and topped off my pickup, paid, and all was fine. No one ever asked questions or worried about it.

--->Paul

Fordfarmer · Nov 24, 2010

While it isn't the norm anymore, some of us are lucky enough to be able to do business that way, either with local businesses or with individuals. I've met several people from these forums, and all have been great. I've done business with several here too, both as buyer and seller, and would have no qualms buying sight unseen or accepting a check from any I've met or have gotten to "know" fairly well here over the last couple years.

Gun guru · Nov 24, 2010

Cash reminds you of drug deals......Cmon, I only pay for things in cash except the mortgage payment and propain bill.

Cash is the fastest way to get paid, no going to the bank and no credit check or BS.

John T · Nov 24, 2010

Ive sold several vehicles on Flea Bay but if the buyer wants to leave my farm with the vehicle and with the clear signed off title in hand.......Wellllllll I'm sorry, I just gotta have the cold hard cash, but I advertise it and sell it subject to those terms. And even if they refuse to complete the sale and dont pay cash per the agreement, well at least I still have the vehicle and title so Im not out all that much.

I just get nervous if they leave with BOTH the vehicle and the clear signed title and all I have is a piece of paper like a check or a cashiers check.

Sooooooooo I guess I just dont trust some people. As the old saying goes, In God we trust, others must pay cash"

John T

Oldmax · Nov 24, 2010

Used to be a John Deere Dealer about 65 miles away from me. We have one localy but can't deal with him "distant cousin". If I needed a part for tractor would call him he would send it to me , and I would pay him the next Tuesday on my normal run that way. I always paid so never had any trouble.

dbernie · Nov 24, 2010

That's still how I do stuff.
For the most part, it works out.
Been burnt a few times too,
but the trust is a good thing,
and worth risking and testing
trust in fellow man.

But then again, never risk more than you can afford to lose,
just in case.

bison · Nov 24, 2010

i never got stung yet either,got close once when selling my entire calfcrop to one guy,i dropped them off on his yard ,collected the cheque,turned out to be rubber. Took another 14 days before it went trough. Was scary though.

Mike (WA) · Nov 24, 2010

I needed a hydraulic pump for an IH 504, and posted my need on this board. A frequent poster, whose handle you would all recognize, responded to my post and said he had one, but didn't know if it was any good or not.

I proposed the following: I'll send you 50 bucks. You send the pump, I'll put it on the tractor. If its good, I'll send you another $150. If its not, I'll tell you, and you refund my 50 less your shipping costs, and I'll send the pump back to you at my expense. He proposed one change- if the pump's no good, I don't want it back. Just junk it, and I'll refund your 50 less my shipping.

The deal was struck, the pump arrived, I put it on, and it worked OK. I sent the 150, and the deal was completed.

A postscript, that I didn't even tell him about- it turned out that my pump was probably OK all along- I thought a pipe plug on the side of the case was the proper fill level, but it turned out that the pump was continually starving for oil at that level. So now I've got two pumps.

As a bonus, I got to read a complete issue of the Omaha newspaper that was used for packing.

Wish I could always make deals like that. It seems like most of the guys on here make it a point of honor to deal fairly with each other. There's so many scammers around, that by god, I'm gonna bend over backwards to be fair. Good for all of us.

smallercrawler · Nov 24, 2010

I ran out of gas one time due to defective guage. Got off road and walked about a half mile to house where family was eating breakfast. Apologized for intrusion and asked if they had a gallon or so of mower gas that I could buy to get me to station. Guy said no mower gas, handed me the keys to a new pickup, told me he owned station in town, and get can and gas from there. He also said that if I was short on money, catch him next trip.
Got fixed up , returned truck and can, offered to pay for use of truck (already full of gas), he wouldn't hear of it, told me to pass on help if I could.
Great experience, and I do try to help if I can, gentleman has passed on now but still remembered.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 24, 2010

A rather large, ground-engaging implement with numerous smaller bearings and stuff that one can tear-up if used carelessly. I've seen many that have been "run hard and hung out to dry", which wasn't this situation. Perhaps could have bought it a little cheaper, but it was reasonably priced, therefore didn't consider making a lower offer. I tend to avoid situations when stuff is priced high with the mindset that the buyer is expected to haggle. It was thru a well-known farm publication which definitely increased confidence. I certainly wouldn't be so trustful of E-Bay transactions, seems to be too many, not-so-good results. It is certainly heartening to read that numerous others have also had rewarding experiences.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 24, 2010

Back in the mid 60's when I was in Korea in the army a buddy of mine shipped back to the states near the end of the month.(Just before payday). There was a piece of stereo equipment he wanted, but could not afford, nor could he borrow the money since we wre all in the same situation. He left a copy of shipping orders with me. On payday I purchased his item and shipped it to him. I did not know if I would ever see him again, but there was no doubt in my mind that I would see my money as soon as he had it. Needless to say I got it promptly.

Areo

paul · Nov 24, 2010

I'm meaning if we get into something worth 3-5,000 or so. Nothing wrong with cash if we are buying a $200 item, didn't mean it like that. But a big item, makes me kinda uncomfortable to be wadding that much cash around.

Just isn't done around here I guess, would seem strange.

--->Paul

Spook · Nov 24, 2010

Not a farming thing, but my wife has been in the pet grooming biz for 25 years. 90% of her customers are women. In that time, she had one bad check. From a car salesman.

504 · Nov 24, 2010

I have shipped parts and received the check later, and there are neighbors here I wouldn t take cash from because it is probably fake. I like checks, the county prosecutor has funded the county soccer league for years from the bad check fees. If you give him a check he collects it and you get face value and he keeps the 25.00 fee for soccer.(yes you loose the 15.00 the bank charges but it is no problem collecting an out of state check)

Spook · Nov 24, 2010

Not a farming thing, but my wife has been in the pet grooming biz for 25 years. 90% of her customers are women. In that time, she had one bad check. From a car salesman.

JMS/.MN · Nov 24, 2010

I started farming in "72. and since then, typically bought larger equipment in southern MN...it moves north, over time, as people update. Never had a problem giving anyone a check- many said, "you have an honest face" Here, farmers tend to trust each other. Sold my smaller equipment to folks north of me...never got a bad check...well. ok, from a next door neighbor that was struggling, so I traded the silo filling bill for a two-banger JD, and we are still good friends. I could relate to his issue. BTDT.

LAA · Nov 24, 2010

I take checks when selling hay or cattle, never any problems. Some people won"t take anything but cash because of the IRS.

gregk · Nov 24, 2010

I needed a load of sand this summer and called the local pit to order it. He told me now much and had it there that afternoon. Didn't get a bill and so I called him and he said he couldn't find my name in the phone book(we only use cell phones). I mailed him a check that afternoon and apologized for not getting it all straightened out at first, he just wanted to know if I needed more sand. By the way I just moved to this house and didn't know anyone in the area.

Brian Schmidt · Nov 24, 2010

Well, I was driving through western Iowa last fall and saw a Super M sitting by the road for sale. No one was around to talk to. Called the number on the sign and told the guy I would take it and be back that weekend with my trailer to get it. He said he would pull it in his shed and meet me there when I came back. When I got back with my trailer he had forgotten and wasn"t able to get there. Said it was in his shop that wasn"t locked. Go ahead and load it up and just put the money in his toolbox. So not only was he trusting of someone he didn"t even know, I thought later I guess I was as trusting that this was even his tractor. I have told a few guys this story and not many believe it.

Traditional Farmer · Nov 25, 2010

I've bought a lot of things sight unseen after dealing with people all my life I can usually get a pretty good idea about a person after about a 10 minute conversation on the phone,of course I've been off the mark a few times but thats life.

JWalker · Nov 25, 2010

I have farmed produce and horse hay for 25 years. In that time I have been given two bad checks. On one of them the guy called my and told me he had wrecked his truck and broken his neck. He explained it would take him while but he would pay me. He did. On the other check for horse hay a woman and her husband split up and are divorcing. On the advice of her attorny she tried to clean her account out and not pay the entire balance due. I collected the check but now have a worthless paper judgement against her. Having said all of this, I take each customer as an individual and try to get a feel for them to know if they are good for it or not.

JWalker

Anonymous-0 · Nov 29, 2010

Would be a better world if people just passed good deeds on. I once helped a guy change his tire; he offered to pay me, but I just said to help someome else when he had a chance. On the other hand it once cost me $150 to help my brother-in-law remove some trees and fencing. -- posion ivy - Dr. visits, chiro bills! Also I once drove 100 miles (total) and spent 4 hours getting his flat tire fixed. He gave the first guy who tried to help $20, but the spare needed to have the rim cleaned. Oh well, maybe he'll pass it on, but I kind of doubt it. Seems like whenever I have helped him out, I end up on the short end!

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