Paying your farrier - a bit miffed!

[Jingleballs]

I've always payed my farrier by either cash or cheque - primarily cheque as it means that I'm not leaving cash lying around the yard plus I'm not always sure how much I'll owe as sometimes it's a new set, sometimes it's refits, sometimes I get stud holes etc and since I'm rarely there when the farrier come up it makes sense.

Today I got a message from Y/O saying that farrier was due this week and that could I just transfer the money to her as she was now paying him by bank transfer so he doesn't have to pay charges for paying in cash or cheque - this was totally news to me and if I'm honest I was a bit miffed - this hadn't been discussed with me previously, in fact farrier had told me he didnt' get charged for cheques and that he'd be happy for me to continue paying by cheque. I was just a bit annoyed that this seemed to have been decided by Y/O and I hadn't been consulted - I mean shouldn't it be between me and my farrier how I pay for his services?

I understand the logic in it but the way it was communicated just got my back up and as a result I was pushing to keep things as is.

Anyway, we had a bit of a back and forth about it and I explained I'd rather pay him directly myself and the current outcome seems to be that I'll continue to pay him by cheque as is my preference.

Please be honest and tell me if I'm over reacting? It seems that Y/O wants us to transfer money to her before the farrier comes which again I'm not happy with as I don't know how much I'll be on that particular month and on the odd occasison farrier has had to reschedule which means I'm down £60 - £70 for a service I've not received yet.

 

[honetpot]

Your contract is with the farriar, why does she have to be involved, and why should your money be sitting in her bank account. I would be annoyed as well.

 

[noodle_]

absolutely right to be miffed


with all due respect - What does it have to do with your YO???

 

[Bert&Maud]

If he's happy to be paid by bank transfer could you not pay it yourself? Get his account details, then he could text or email you the amount after he's been so you know exactly how much you owe him and you can pay him online. I've paid my farrier like that for years.

 

[Jingleballs]

Your contract is with the farriar, why does she have to be involved, and why should your money be sitting in her bank account. I would be annoyed as well.

Thank you!

Y/O does arrange farrier appointments so that liveries don't have to take time off work etc but I agree, the contract is between me and my farrier which is why I was annoyed about someone else making a decision for me.

If it comes to it, I'll transfer the money directly to my farrier - the money is better earning interest for me than anyone else!

 

[Jazzy B]

nothing to do with your yo I would say, unless of course she's standing around holding your horse for you (which I would presume if you had to you would pay for her services doing this anyway and pay her separately) your farrier's money is your farrier's money why should it sit in your yo bank account gaining her interest!

 

[Izzwizz]

Your right to be miffed - she could be spending your money for all you know. Speak to your farrier and see what he prefers. My guess he wants his money in his hand!

 

[topclass]

A YO shouldnt ask you for the money at all it's your horse and your farrier she needs to let you sort it out between you and not get involved I dont with my liveries even if im holding their horses for them I simply do it and put there next appointment on the board so they know I would never dream of doing that.

 

[depurple1]

If a bank transfer is required, why can't you transfer direct to the farrier? This would save transfer time, plus save hassle for YO too.

 

[Jingleballs]

If he's happy to be paid by bank transfer could you not pay it yourself? Get his account details, then he could text or email you the amount after he's been so you know exactly how much you owe him and you can pay him online. I've paid my farrier like that for years.

I think thats what I'll do. I'll drop him a text myself tomorrow and agree how i'll pay him from now on.

Thank you!

 

[Black_Horse_White]

Maybe she's having problems with others not leaving payment with her to pay him and she's doing it this way so she can get all the monies in. I could be wrong if this is the case and you always leave your cheque then you should be left to carry on as you are.

 

[Jingleballs]

nothing to do with your yo I would say, unless of course she's standing around holding your horse for you (which I would presume if you had to you would pay for her services doing this anyway and pay her separately) your farrier's money is your farrier's money why should it sit in your yo bank account gaining her interest!

Y/O does very kindly hold the horses while they are shod and has never charged for this (although I'd be happy to pay for this service if asked as it saves me trying to get time of work)

She does also arrange the farrier appointments to ensure that she can be there to hold the horses so she does take some involvement in it but in terms of what is being done and payment - I think this should be fully my decision.

 

[Lu1]

I dont see why the YO is putting herself in the middle? Your farrier can text you when/if he's been and then you can do a bank transfer-thats how i do it-and its in his account within 2 hours (much faster than a cheque and easy to keep track of)-then if your farrier has cancelled/rescheduled for whatever reason, then no money needs to be exchanged....it could get awkward with either people saying they hadnt recieved the money...good luck

 

[Jnhuk]

I cannot see with current interest rates that the YO would be suggesting it for the interest on the money. However, like you I don't like the principle of this.

Arrange with farrier to do bank transfer direct if that method of payment is his preferred way and sort out how he will contact you with the exact £ to be transferred.

Once this all sorted say to YO that you have arranged that with the farrier direct as you are not happy that the money for the farrier is leaving your account several days early. Or if YO dislikes this idea, say that you will quite happily transfer the funds for the farrier to her account on the production of a receipted invoice from the farrier i.e after the event.

 

[RobinHood]

Our yard farrier comes once a week and shoes 5/6 horses each time. He has a list of which are morning and which are afternoon turnout so he can just turn up when it suits him. He writes out an invoice for each horse and puts them on the wall in the office. The owner picks up the invoice and pays it by bank transfer. It's easy because the girls on the yard don't need to get involved with cash/cheques.