4 Wiley Farm
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Our Winners
  • For Sale
    • Cows
    • Semen
  • Why Minis?
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • In Motion
  • Shop Our Farm
    • Merchandise
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Our Winners
  • For Sale
    • Cows
    • Semen
  • Why Minis?
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • In Motion
  • Shop Our Farm
    • Merchandise

This is Us​ - our life, our story, our farm

The Sale Isn't Over When You Cash the Check

9/23/2019

0 Comments

 
It is exciting to sell cows. 

Sometimes it takes years to get that sale.  Whether it is because it has taken years to build your herd to the point where you have enough to sell, or if it is waiting on that cow to have her heifer.  

The cattle industry isn't something that creates overnight success.  It is a long, hard process.  So, when you do finally get that sale, it is really exciting.  Plus, your bank account is usually looking pretty grim by this point.  
Picture
However, just because you have a check in hand and the cow has been loaded on the trailer doesn't mean your work is done.  
Sometimes, the work is just beginning.  You may have sold a cow, but you have just created a relationship.  A relationship with the new buyer.  

At this point, you know more about their new cow than they do.  This means they many have many questions that you already know the answers to.  Whether it is what kind of feed and how much of it you are feeding or when was the last time she was wormed.  You have a wealth of knowledge about that cow that can and should be passed on to the new buyer.  A lot of times, these conversations happen right there in the barn yard as the sale is being completed...other times, everyone has forgotten about these little details.  
Picture
If we sell a cows to someone that is going to be showing in the same local shows we will be attending, we always offer to help clip and fit.  Especially, if it is someone that doesn't have that experience.  It is something we can do for free (other than our time) that helps out the buyer in their new experience.  Just because we no longer own the cow doesn't mean we stop caring about the success of our cow and it's new owners.  

Over time, the new buyer generally has a question about something.  Sometimes, it is even a question about a cow you didn't sell them.  We always answer the questions to the best of our ability.  Building a working relationship is important, but more times than not, we are also building a friendship.  If I would do this for my next-door neighbor, then I should be willing to do the same for a new friend in the cattle industry.  
Picture
It may feel overwhelming to have to nurture so many friendships and business relationships, but it is part of the job. 

Customer service isn't confined to retail stores, it is also a huge part of the agricultural industry.  The buyer is my customer and it is my responsibility to keep the customer happy.  Relationships can go both ways and sometimes you might need that buyer for something.  There have been times that we have built a relationship off of a sale and then we have needed that buyer just as much or more than they needed us.  

Word of mouth is a very big part of the agricultural industry and sometimes all we have is our reputation.  If you treat someone right, they are going to pass that along.  If you don't treat someone right, you can bet that reputation is going to spread like wild fire.  Go above and beyond to protect your reputation. 

​Be helpful and kind, even when you don't have to  and you might be surprised, not only by what others gain from your relationship, but what you gain from it too.  We have built some of our greatest friendships all because we were available to answer the phone call of someone that just needed advice or a reassuring voice.  
Picture
Can those late night phone calls be frustrating at times?  Of course.  But, if you are not willing to be there after the sale, then maybe you should consider if you should be making the sale in the first place. 

​We are a people to people industry.  That means we have to deal with people.  Sometimes it can be a trial, but most times, it is what makes this job so rewarding.  

The Character of a Handshake
4 Things We Learned This Show Season
Fall Herd Management
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Let's Connect

    Picture

    Author

    Hello!  I am Heather... the city girl turned mom to manure loving country boys. My husband and I both grew up in the city, but spent weekends visiting grandparents in the country.  We are first generation farmers who learn best by almost always doing things the hard way.  I hope you enjoy following along with our adventures down on the farm.

    Shop Our Farm

    Archives

    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    10 On The 10th
    Books
    Calving
    Character
    Everything Else
    Food
    Hay
    How To
    Photography
    Showing
    Things We Love

    RSS Feed

    Popular Posts

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

The Cows

​Why Minis?
Our Winners
For Sale

The Family

Home
About Us
Contact Us
Disclosure

Follow Us

Blog - Down on the Farm
Instagram
You Tube
Facebook

Associations

​Miniature Hereford Breeders Association
American Hereford Association
Ohio Cattlemen's Association