What would you do?

Well I've run into a hard question regarding the 200 or so square bales of straw still in my barn that haven't sold yet. See, recently a real nice fella moved into the county from down Cincinnati way and started his own little construction outfit with a bobcat. He only needed a few bales since he's a small outfit. The thing is, this guy didn't stop there. He said he'd get my straw sold. I was surprised. How could anyone be that nice these days?? Well, it wasn't a hoax. Yesterday he came out and told me he was gonna bring a fella out who would probably buy all I had. I couldn't have been happier. You knew this was coming though...there had to be a catch. The problem was the guy who was wanting to buy the straw. The fella owns a gas station close by and sells the hay and straw he buys for a dollar or so more than what I get for it. But this fella and our farm have a little history. See, back in the winter he talked to the farmer who leases out part of the crops and that farmer sent him our way for straw. The thing is, this guy didn't bother to stop at the house or contact us (the barn is down the road from our house). He just went down and got his straw, left, and sent the check to the other farmer (it was his wheat so half the money was his). I told the other farmer just how upset I was over this guy's actions and when the construction guy came I told him that I wasn't going to sell this guy any straw on account of what had taken place. Well, today that guy called the house and asked about buying straw. So now I'm in a little rut. I feel bad about not selling it because I feel like I'm holding a grudge against this guy. I need to sell the straw but just don't know if I should go ahead and sell it to that guy. What do you all think? God bless.

--old fashioned farmer

Ya ever have one of those times where you know deep down inside what ya have to do but need a little reassurance from another source? Yeah, this was one of those times. I have to agree with most of you on this and will get hold of him and let him know that I've changed my mind and also clear up the whole issue of the time before. I really can't say if that instance was a misunderstanding or not. Since he contacted my neighbor and not me, I have no idea if the neighbor really did tell him or not. See, that neighbor farms a lot of other farms and stores round bales and such on those farms and since he can't be everywhere at once, he often just takes payment and leaves it to the buyer to go to that farm and get his product. I don't like that way of doing business but it's him and not me so I don't say anything. Of course, I really didn't appreciate it last winter when his buyer came with two gooseneck trailers and a little loader tractor to pickup the round bales he had baled on us. They came on a really muddy day and proceeded to tear apart one hay field and the yard down on the farm. But I've let that go. The damage is healing itself. I'll be honest with you, I'm not one to hold grudges. Just ain't in this old christian's blood. The main reason I was not selling him the straw was because I thought his actions were really wrong. See, I disagree with the notion that the money is most important. Heck, I sell some hay so cheap that money couldn't be important. I live in an area that is pretty poor and I like to be able to help out some folks who may need that hay more than I need the money. But I also like to do clean business and don't want to reward someone who is out to make a buck and that's their life's goal and they don't really care what they have to do to achieve it. Just don't work with an old fashioned guy like me. Can't help it. I'm as stubborn as my grandad was and that isn't changing anytime soon. So, to sum things up. I do plan on selling him that straw. It probably was a miscommunication with the renter. And yes, I should have went to the buyer first when I found out it was him as opposed to speakin to others. I agree that this was a big boo boo on my part and I look to clear that up. Thanks a bunch for settin me straight again. I hope that this does turn out well. God bless.

--old fashioned farmer

And it does sound like a simple misunderstanding to me too. A total stranger couldn't be expected to know all the details about your arraingement with your "partner". (unless the partner told him)

I sell all of my hay and all of my straw too. This business seems to draw odd business arraingements. Lots of unusual deals. Just get "your price" and let him have the straw.

Dug