Proper Etiquette When Buying Or Selling Animals

When Buying

* Do not waste people’s time asking for pedigrees, pictures, etc. if you are not truly interested in their animal. It is okay to ask for information and then decide not to buy if the animal is not really what you want, but asking for sellers to provide additional information when you are not really interested is a frustrating waste of time and effort for the seller.

* If you make an appointment - KEEP IT! If something comes up and you will be late or cannot make it - CALL!

* If you have requested time to think about buying the animal, make up your mind quickly and let the seller know so that they don’t miss the opportunity to sell to another buyer if you aren’t interested.

* Put a deposit down on any animals that you want to buy. This shows the seller that you are serious, and ensures that they will save the animal for you until you can come get it.

* The buyer is responsible for all costs of hauling animals.

When Selling

* The seller is responsible for providing honest and accurate information about the animals for sale, such as, good pictures, pedigree information, birth and weaning weights, etc. to the buyer in a timely fashion.

* If someone calls and makes an appointment to see your animal, do not sell that animal before that person comes. The livestock industry is a true first-come, first-serve industry, meaning that whoever sets up an appointment first has the first choice of buying the animal. If a buyer has seen your animal and has requested a few days to think about it before making a commitment, then you should not sell that animal until you hear back from the buyer.

* It is okay (and smart) to ask for a  nonrefundable deposit on an animal once a buyer has committed to buying it. This ensures that both the buyer and seller don’t back out at the last minute.

* The seller is responsible for transferring the papers to the buyer. The seller is also responsible for any fertility or pregnancy tests, health certificates, disease testing required for entrance into the buyers state, and brand inspections.