Nudibranch
Well-Known Member
This is actually about sheep but I'm sure some of it will apply equally to horse buyers.
I breed pedigree sheep. Some I keep back, some are sold to other breeders, some go to a tiny family run Welsh abbatoir for meat boxes. Some also go as pets/lawnmowers/holiday lets as they're an attractive breed.
Until recently selling was dead easy and I couldn't actually keep up with demand, so I haven't even done any meat boxes for 2 years. I have 2 ewe lambs still advertised at the moment because for some unknown reason the timewaster factor has exploded. Someone local wanted them. I declined the deposit as they were nearby (stupidly) and arranged a day and time to deliver. Moved the relevant lambs onto convenient grazing for loading. Messaged a couple of days before to get the address...ghosted.
Next buyer was further afield. Wanted to view, arranged a date. They then messaged asking if I could deliver. I explained it was a 3 hour round trip but I would do it for the cost of the diesel as a favour. Again...ghosted.
This week someone called, again further afield. Said they would come and view. Then asked if I would deliver. I explained it would be a 250 mile round trip, and take pretty much a whole day, but I could fit them in the back of the pickup to save diesel. Offered to do it for the cost of diesel (£100) and a couple of quid extra for my time. A haulier would have charged double or triple. She then texts back with a stupid offer saying "if you do it for 300 it's a deal."
I mean, wtf?? I am doing you a MASSIVE favour lady, and you have the nerve to take the absolute p***. That doesn't even cover the fuel plus the two toll bridge fees! I don't know if it's ignorance or entitlement or both, but if you are buying from a decent breeder please know this:
I do it for the love of the breed, yes. But I have costs. In a good year we cover feed, meds, vaccs and hay - for the horses too if it's a really good year
. But farming is bloody hard work and so many things can turn a good year into a crap one. Last year's drought was a disaster. I'm not sure we have enough hay to last until spring. I lost 3 lambs early on when normally I lose nothing. The grass is still suffering even with the endless rain we are now having.
I have anemia and a recurring chest infection. I run the animals by myself. I have a demanding teaching job 3 days a week and a young family. This time of year is just endless hard work. The feed and supplement bills are eating into my salary something chronic.
And then this woman comes along and insults me by thinking I'll deliver 2 sheep 250 miles in my non existent spare time for basically nothing! Anyway, I've blocked her rather then get involved in haggling. But if you fancy some pets or lawnmowers, please don't offend the person who raised them with blood, sweat and tears (literally) by wasting their time, or making silly offers. If you want them on the cheap do a bit of research and raise a couple of spare lambs on the bottle. Whatever. Just don't take the p***.
End of sermon....
I breed pedigree sheep. Some I keep back, some are sold to other breeders, some go to a tiny family run Welsh abbatoir for meat boxes. Some also go as pets/lawnmowers/holiday lets as they're an attractive breed.
Until recently selling was dead easy and I couldn't actually keep up with demand, so I haven't even done any meat boxes for 2 years. I have 2 ewe lambs still advertised at the moment because for some unknown reason the timewaster factor has exploded. Someone local wanted them. I declined the deposit as they were nearby (stupidly) and arranged a day and time to deliver. Moved the relevant lambs onto convenient grazing for loading. Messaged a couple of days before to get the address...ghosted.
Next buyer was further afield. Wanted to view, arranged a date. They then messaged asking if I could deliver. I explained it was a 3 hour round trip but I would do it for the cost of the diesel as a favour. Again...ghosted.
This week someone called, again further afield. Said they would come and view. Then asked if I would deliver. I explained it would be a 250 mile round trip, and take pretty much a whole day, but I could fit them in the back of the pickup to save diesel. Offered to do it for the cost of diesel (£100) and a couple of quid extra for my time. A haulier would have charged double or triple. She then texts back with a stupid offer saying "if you do it for 300 it's a deal."
I mean, wtf?? I am doing you a MASSIVE favour lady, and you have the nerve to take the absolute p***. That doesn't even cover the fuel plus the two toll bridge fees! I don't know if it's ignorance or entitlement or both, but if you are buying from a decent breeder please know this:
I do it for the love of the breed, yes. But I have costs. In a good year we cover feed, meds, vaccs and hay - for the horses too if it's a really good year
. But farming is bloody hard work and so many things can turn a good year into a crap one. Last year's drought was a disaster. I'm not sure we have enough hay to last until spring. I lost 3 lambs early on when normally I lose nothing. The grass is still suffering even with the endless rain we are now having.I have anemia and a recurring chest infection. I run the animals by myself. I have a demanding teaching job 3 days a week and a young family. This time of year is just endless hard work. The feed and supplement bills are eating into my salary something chronic.
And then this woman comes along and insults me by thinking I'll deliver 2 sheep 250 miles in my non existent spare time for basically nothing! Anyway, I've blocked her rather then get involved in haggling. But if you fancy some pets or lawnmowers, please don't offend the person who raised them with blood, sweat and tears (literally) by wasting their time, or making silly offers. If you want them on the cheap do a bit of research and raise a couple of spare lambs on the bottle. Whatever. Just don't take the p***.
End of sermon....
