Arrgh! (appointed, attorney, home)

[Submariner]

This evening an adventure in our life has come to a close. I write this with an odd mood, I am angry, I am confused, I am disappointed.

Months ago a fellow vendor at the Farmer’s Market, had spoke of her goats being bred and needing a market for the kids. I inquired further and we ended up with a deal.

All 34 of her milkers [purebred Alpines] are expecting in April. Last year they mostly dropped triplets. She offered them to me, for $10 each, if I took all of them, and did not become picky about male or female, just took them all from her. She makes a living from making cheese, and she does not want to keep any of these kids on milk from their mothers longer than necessary.

I urged her to keep a few for replacements for her milkers, but she insisted that this year she did not need to do that. Her milkers are at their peak production, and any kid getting milk will cut her profits. So okay fine, I agreed to take all of her kids.

We have been planning, and preparing. We have built pens for them [enough pens to hold 60 kids, and a neighbor wants in on this deal and wants any and all kids beyond our 60]. We bought a trailer for hauling them. We got bottles for feeding 30 kids at a time. We got nipples. We got powdered milk [125 pounds of it]. We stocked up on meds. We stocked up on vaccines.

We are psyched up for it, knowing that they will need four feedings each day for a week, then three feedings each day for three weeks, etc.

<Time delay>

Two weeks ago [one week before April when the milkers were timed to begin having their kids], I contacted this vendor once again. I reminded her of our agreement. And I assured her that we are prepared and waiting. She reminded me that she wants to get rid of them each as young as possible, and I told her that so long as they each had their colostrums, I am willing to take them each at 12 hours old.

<Time delay>

Tonight I sent her an email asking what is happening, she responded to me:

“Sorry to be out of touch! I've been out straight in kidding land for the last week.

We didn't have as many triplets this year as last,
… I need to keep extra replacement kids for myself.
… I'm trying to do an inventory for everyone who has asked for kids this year.
… At this point it looks like I can let you have 6 buck kids. If you can pick them up either Friday or Monday (the two days I will be at home this week), the price will be $25 each. Every week I have to hold them after that, the price will increase $20 to reflect the cost of the milk I have to feed them.”

???

[Maineah]

I don't blame you for being ticked off. It sure sounds like she over committed to others as well as you. I'd be interested in knowing how many she promised to others and at what price. From 60 to six is quite a drop. You should see if someone else picked up 40 or so at $15 dollars or more!

[Nor'Eastah]

Gee whiz, Forest, no wonder you've been so contrary lately...you were about to become a mother and didn't let any of us know it! Milk, nipples, bottles, kids, playpens - quite a family you were expecting there!

You er, didn't get a contract in writing by any chance, eh?

[maine4.us]

I suspect the price was upped and the kids went to a higher bidder. Perhaps she could sell smaller groups for more money. I cannot blame you for being upset. A person's word is their bond. If you can't depend on their word, you cannot depend on the person.
I am sorry you made all those preparations for nothing. She didn't even give you any females either.

[flycessna]

Thats too bad Forest. Sound's like she wanted keep all HER options open while at the same time keeping you on a leash making what you beleived was a commitment.

Sefish people Some times they do not even realize it....other times they do it intentionaly.

Where do you go from here?

[mainebrokerman]

forest, maybe this loss can open the door for more opportunities, could you place an ad in the bangor daily, that you are looking for kids.....you may be surprised what you get from a response, the bangor daily reaches more area in maine than any other newspaper, and perhaps it will open more doors to fellow farmers in maine.
ive got to believe thier are farmers out there that have too many kids and want to sell them..

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

forest, maybe this loss can open the door for more opportunities, could you place an ad in the bangor daily, that you are looking for kids.....you may be surprised what you get from a response, the bangor daily reaches more area in maine than any other newspaper, and perhaps it will open more doors to fellow farmers in maine.
ive got to believe thier are farmers out there that have too many kids and want to sell them..

I agree with MBM.

Hey Forrest, it could be worse!

You could have paid up front and ended up with a bunch of bucks, at a higher cost, or worse, and no chance of getting your money back from these people.

You seem to have had a good run with the folks up here, but not everyone can be taken at their word. Not everyone is as honest as they seem to be.

Good luck!

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

All 34 of her milkers [purebred Alpines] are expecting in April. Last year they mostly dropped triplets. She offered them to me, for $10 each, if I took all of them, and did not become picky about male or female, just took them all from her.

If you can pick them up either Friday or Monday (the two days I will be at home this week), the price will be $25 each. Every week I have to hold them after that, the price will increase $20 to reflect the cost of the milk I have to feed them.”

???

Ohhh I would be so0ooooo angry.

Can you write something like, you can keep them, since I have to cover cost for what you promised me with pens and a trailor to haul them in. Have any additional questions on this end, I can have this put in a formal letter from my attorney.

That is just really wrong.

[peachie_in_maine]

Originally Posted by mainebrokerman

forest, maybe this loss can open the door for more opportunities, could you place an ad in the bangor daily, that you are looking for kids.....you may be surprised what you get from a response, the bangor daily reaches more area in maine than any other newspaper, and perhaps it will open more doors to fellow farmers in maine.
ive got to believe thier are farmers out there that have too many kids and want to sell them..

That's probably the right way of looking at it.
My other response was evil and sitting on my right shoulder holding a pitch fork.

[starwalker]

What came out of both our mouths here as I read your post aloud cannot be printed in a family forum.

You have every right to be angry and, feeling your anger, we very much are wanting to throw negative energy toward that cheesemaker and her products. That is NOT honorable behavior and is totally inexcusable.