Cattle Buyer Etiquette - Off Topic

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

We sold two loads of cattle today by my cattle buyers recommendation. They sold really good and I wanted to show him my appreciation by giving him a monetary gift. However, I was weary of doing so because I did not want to offend him.
Usually on the days when I sell I go to the salebarn to watch how everything does. I let my cattle buyer go ahead and use my number to buy the calves and he always does a great job. He is always really good about picking them out, and making sure they are calves that we want.

How does everyone else thank their cattle buyers? Any recommendations?

Dick2 · Apr 3, 2014

Why chance messing up an arrangement that is working? If it wasn't working, then it might be worth trying something like that.

You know the old rule: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

And once you start something like that, you can never back off!!!

kyhayman · Apr 3, 2014

I'm not real certain about some of the terminology but if I am assuming correctly, and this is always dangerous, you are using a market that has 'members' who represent you in buying and selling transactions? The Louisville stockyards here used to operate that way. The other markets in the state operated (and operate) where anyone can get a number to buy and sell.

As to ways to show appreciation, I usually use monetary gifts to people who are typically hourly employees as a tip and generally give a tangible gift (bag of Gevalia or Starbucks premium coffee, bottle of wine or spirits, case of beer, etc) to salaried employees, owners, etc.

redforlife · Apr 3, 2014

If I understood that right, your buyer bought the calves for you with your number and represented you as a buyer. Was not envolved in the selling, except advised you as to when to sell. I presume you paid him some sort of a fee, commission, or X amount per head for representing you as a buyer. Thats how it works with buyers that I know of. Therefore no compensated wage is owed in the selling. Being a cattle buyer, he is always right on top of the market. He didn't really give you any information that he didn't know right off the top of his head. He gave you a helpful hint from one friend to another. I would suggest something in the way of a tip. He sounds like a really good guy, and I'm betting he refuses to take it. I don't think you will make him mad or offend him by offering, but don't be suprized if he not except it.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 3, 2014

A dinner out, or a gift certificate, for same, can't be called overboard, at least not in my book!

Mike (WA) · Apr 3, 2014

I'd also go with the gift card for 50 or 100 bucks (depending on the scope of the transaction) to a restaurant he likes (or you think he would like).

Some say "its what he does, he's just doing his job, you don't owe him anything extra." Yeah, that's true, and if you want to stay back in the pack among his customers, don't do anything. But lets face it- people respond well to appreciation, and you can get yourself to the front of the line by showing him you appreciate what he does.

My mechanic is a very busy guy, because he's very good. We take good care of him, and its funny how when we need quick service, we always seem to get it. I don't think its a coincidence.

Formerly PaMike · Apr 3, 2014

I had a local guy that represents the "other" sale barn buy some for me. I thanked him several times and told him I really appreciated it. Everytime I see him I tell him how well the cattle are doing that he bought me. I am selling a load next week and I am going to make sure I let him know I am sending them to his barn, not the sale barn I used to deal with.

Anonymous-0 · Apr 3, 2014

I learned that as a young kid. Dad would always take a few beers to the blacksmith when he needed some work done. Was really good at sharpening plow shares. He would drop what he was doing and work immediately for Dad. What I never understood as a kid is that he would sit the beer above the forge and let it get warmed up before he drank it.

farmerwithmutt · Apr 3, 2014

My cattle buyer also locates cattle for me when i hit a rough patch with the bank and i can say without a question one of the reasons i have it is because of him not only do i thank him when i butcher i give him some of the meat but the biggest way i think i can say thank you is buy being his best salesman i will go out of my way to get people to make contact with him.

PJH · Apr 3, 2014

My vet takes good care of me, and I've always felt that he undercharges for his work. A fifty in a thank-you card around Christmas always puts a smile on his face. It never hurts to show appreciation for being treated well by someone that you know and like. In my case, once a year is probably not often enough.

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

That's kind of what happened to me. I used to sell thru another barn and never had a problem at that barn, but when I got fixed up with this current buyer, he went to work at a different barn. He does a good job for me of buying, so I wanted to return the favor and sell where he wanted, and I have never regretted that decision.

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

PJH - We try to do that at Christmas, and like you, it probably is not enough.

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

Mike (WA) - The one load I probably would have held two more weeks, then they would have been too heavy - they weighed 711 today and brought $1.77. The other load would have normally been held another 45 days, and today they weighed 645 and brought $1.9125. Both loads were heifers. By following his recommendation, the second load brought almost as much as the first load, and I did not have to feed them another 45 days! That saved me and made me alot of money, plus I'm getting limited on time with fieldwork getting started. I thought about slipping him another $100.00, but I was afraid that might be a slap in the face to him. He is my order buyer and does charge a flat rate per head.

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

Diydave - I agree, but thought maybe this might call for a little more!

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

redforlife - Just think maybe I ought to show him how much we appreciate his advice!

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

kyhayman- This is just a regular salebarn - anybody can buy or sell - no membership. We use him as an order buyer - he knows the cattle and knows the ones to stay away from. Alot of times it is easier to let a good order buyer work for you instead of setting in the ring bidding against them. I think some order buyers work among themselves to make sure everyone can fill their orders without running them up on each other.

4020 · Apr 3, 2014

Dick2 - Everybody likes being shown appreciation, but you're right - it shouldn't be expected.

redforlife · Apr 3, 2014

absolutely. Thanks is in order. Offer a tip and hopefully he excepts it. On another note, return business means alot to people too. Good businessmen deserve it. Got 3 people I have done business with for years. They all appreciate my return business. They treat me right and because of that, they know I won't give in to someone that wants to undercut them. I have had my chances, but have always done the right thing and stayed with the people that treat me right. Return business in itself means alot to these people. Probly more than anything else. I sold cattle for years through same salebarn. The guy lost his lease on it because it sold to new owner. He became an order buyer, and I continued to sell cattle straight through him, bypassing the salebarn. I know that meant a super lot to the guy.

LAA · Apr 3, 2014

If you think he went above and beyond and choose give him a bonus I doubt there is a cattle buyer alive who would turn it down or be offended. On the other hand, it is probably 99% certain that it is very much in his interest for you to get a higher price becuase most sale barns pay a negotiated percentage to buyers for the cattle they bring in or cause to be brought in to that market. My Dad used to get 1% of the sale price on cattle he directed to a particular barn, this was 40 and 50 years ago and 1% is still a fairly common percentage. A buck a hundred is pretty good lagniappe.

John A. · Apr 3, 2014

4020, I Recon We do things A H3LL of Differently Down here in Texas.
The Buyer works for, Get paid by, the Guys/Feedyards He Buys For! not the Seller!
H3LL It isn't Your place to give him anything!!!
Buyers sit on their Butt at the Salebarn, swat flys, Smoke Cigarets/Cigars, Cuss, Chew and Tell lies while buying cattle to filling Orders! in Semi size lots.
We DO NOT PAY or GIVE BUYERS ANYTHING! it is their Job to buy cattle!
My/Your job is to recognize the market, and raise cattle that the End Buyers want, Sooo... The Local Buyers will get in a bidding war with the fellow across the isle from!
Making just shy of $1000 on a 400wt calf IS your Reward! The Feedyards WILL tell the local buyer to pay Top $$$ for ANY calves that carry your Brands in the future, It Damm Sure happens just that way!
+
If you are selling Private Treaty in the country, taking a given price - a given %age pencil shrink on live wt on the truck, at the closest set of scales to your pens! Then maybe a thank you might be in order! But even then the Above description still applies!
Later,
John A.

John A. · Apr 4, 2014

OK, Too tire to post, re-read 3 times next time before posting, Open mouth and inset foot! My mess up.
John A.

kyhayman · Apr 4, 2014

Ah, I understand, especially reading the other posts. Yard I sell with, its the manager who is also an order buyer. I always call him and let him know when I've got cattle selling and he's always taken care of me. Usually a 10 cent premium across the board. Its always good to let people know you appreciate them.

redforlife · Apr 4, 2014

I agree with your post, but I think you might of mis-understood the original post. The way I read it, 4020's calves were not raised but originally bought at salebarn by his buyer. I just presumed he was selling them to be finished out at feedyard which is common in my area for people to buy and feed calves, but not all the way out to finish. Then his buyer advised him when to re-sell them. Maybe 4020 can clearify. He was a little vague on that, but thats how I read it.

Ultradog MN · Apr 4, 2014

A friend of mine from Eunice, LA uses that term so I knew what it meant.
I had tried to look it up before but didn't know the spelling and couldn't find it.
Thanks for spelling it for me.
It's a nice word.
Lagniappe

paul · Apr 4, 2014

Its ok John, cattle buyers around here work the way you think as well, an interesting thread. Hard enough to make money on cattle, to farm out the buying and selling too not much left for the grower.....

Paul

Lazy WP · Apr 4, 2014

I have a very good friend that is an order buyer, and has done quite well for himself over the many years of sitting in barns, and looking at cattle in the country.
He is always the one that shows up with donuts for the cowboys, when we gather, or brings the right bottle, or maybe hand a really good hand a gift card to a steak house. He is a big rough and tough guy, but my wife brought him to tears a couple years ago, by just giving him a gift card back. They are humans too, and appreciate thanks as well!!

Traditional Farmer · Apr 4, 2014

I'd say its sort of like tipping a loader operator at a sale yard where they are the paid help and expected to load for the customers,yea its their job and they are getting paid to do the job.But as a practical matter a $20 tip will get you a whole lot better service and get you loaded a whole lot quicker.I'd give the man a gift certificate to a steak house that'd cover a meal for 2 people.

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