Me vs. Trausch Farms

If anyone is thinking of selling calves to Trausch Farms, I'd like to warn you to get your money up front, before anything leaves the farm.  Apparently, they don't feel obligated to pay for calves, even after they've been sold and their show careers are long over.  It's been one excuse after another for well over a year now.  After threats and many un-kept promises, I've recouped half of what they owe me.  I am pretty sure I'm not the only one they've stiffed out there, and although I HATE speaking badly about anyone, I feel an obligation to try to keep this from happening to anyone else.  My next stop is court, don't let them do this to you. 

Wow!  I commend you for posting this.  I hope you get it worked out.

From reading your post, I am betting that you have your paperwork in order!

PM me if you want.

rmbcows said:

If anyone is thinking of selling calves to Trausch Farms, I'd like to warn you to get your money up front, before anything leaves the farm.  Apparently, they don't feel obligated to pay for calves, even after they've been sold and their show careers are long over.  It's been one excuse after another for well over a year now.  After threats and many un-kept promises, I've recouped half of what they owe me.  I am pretty sure I'm not the only one they've stiffed out there, and although I HATE speaking badly about anyone, I feel an obligation to try to keep this from happening to anyone else.  My next stop is court, don't let them do this to you.

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We, too, had a similar situation, that, after TWO years of consistent and constant communication, on OUR part, the issues have been ( partially ) resolved. It, however, was a long, tedious, and HIGHLY unnecessary process.  You may PM me for more information if you'd like.  Best of luck to you.

Pat Wolfe

Good for you rmbcows you done what should have been done a long time ago. Another friend went through the same thing but to modest to go public. They avoid your calls, never honest, always a story. Bull partners i hear are in the same boat. Never making good on their deals. You always think you are the only one and scared to come forward. I say keep this subject front and foremost till Trausch comes forward and make thing right with people. And to that question was it the last person in charge, yes he probably was but at the end of the day it is the Owners that have to make it right and they are the ones who avoid you.

I'm going to address the questions about the last person in charge being responsible for this.  I can't speak for anyone else that Trausch owes money to, but in my case, Chris was nothing but professional and helpful as far as trying to get my money for me.  When Esther wouldn't reply to e-mails or return calls, I could always get ahold of Chris and he would go to bat for me.  I realize I wasn't ever in the room for any of these conversations, but I always felt he was doing his BEST to get me paid.  I truly believe in my heart that people not being paid played a big part in him leaving Trausch.  I have no doubt that he will be blamed, but the bottom line is, he was doing his job, and it wasn't his job to write the checks, and I talked to Esther directly on many occasions and still didn't get paid.  I wouldn't hesitate to do business with Chris again, as a matter of fact, I'm looking forward to it, but that's a subject for a different day. 

Just Kind of curious, but regardless of who was buying it, why on earth would you let a calf leave your farm that wasnt paid for??????

I thought long and hard about posting on this thread but at the end of the day I have decided to speak my piece. I used to sell semen, buy calves for them, and help with fall sales. When I would go to a farm and buy a calf they would get paid before the calf was picked up. Where it falls apart is when the farm sends one on commission. After the calf was sold they would receive their check for their percentage. Well a lot or most of the time these customers where not recieving their checks. This made it extremely difficult on us (the people that worked TF). Numerous times I had to call to Esther and ask what was going on with these customers checks. As stated above it was always one excuse after another. As far as it being the previous managers fault......he was in the same boat as the rest of the salesmen. He has went to battle for numerous customers with the owners. This was a big reason I left, as well as my co-workers. You cannot continue to do business like that. It has taken a few years but it is catching up with them. This is just my experience.

Yea I have heard they owe a lot of people money and yes you are correct it is the owners responsibility.

You are absolutely right Sizzler, in the grand scheme of things, this is my own fault.  My fault for trusting that a company that had built a name for itself had done it the good old fashion way by following honest business practices.  I have a receipt for my calves, it isn't like they walked off the place with no paper trail.  I didn't sell them on commission, all I wanted was a modest price for some pretty good steers.  I've heard every excuse and promise under the sun.  I'll miss using their bulls, Eye Candy clicked very well with my cows, and the calf in my avatar is a Carpe Diem, but I refuse to spend one more penny lining their pockets.  Just sign me "looking for a new semen distributor". lol  Anyone have any suggestions?  ;D

Lol good luck finding one you swear by. I know a lot of people still looking for a good used car salesmen. They seem to have a lot in common with bull owners  (clapping)

rmbcows said:

.  I'll miss using their bulls, Eye Candy clicked very well with my cows, and the calf in my avatar is a Carpe Diem, but I refuse to spend one more penny lining their pockets.  Just sign me "looking for a new semen distributor". lol  Anyone have any suggestions?  ;D

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Go check out Competive Edge  Genetics. Raymond Gonnent is one of the co owners and is WAY good with customer service. A lot of Trausch bulls and Rodgers are in their catalog .

Raymond is not a co-owner he is the CEG manager.

Unfortunately this happens too often.Its basically the same as not paying for your gas at Caseys.The world of a persons word and a handshake don't mean much to some.Bad checks are easy to prosecute but judgements are hard to collect.You cant judge a buyer by how new his truck and trailer are.Most people are honest but some make it hard for those that are.I am sure you will get paid as bad P.R.is something no one wants.

I have heard rumblings before, but you would think someone that is fairly prominent wouldn't be screwing over customers.  Keep us updated.

This has made me think twice about trying a couple of their bulls this year.

IF YOUR in this business or almost any transaction you should use SIZZLER 14  rule of thumb every time .....Also don't have them give you  a check dated ahead of time because they are no good ....

Sorry for your bad experience but thanks for sharing it.  If you are looking for a reputable semen distributor, I would recommend Bovine Elite, College Station, Texas.  They have a good assortment of clubby bulls and do a good job of promoting them on the website and shows.

My dealings are from the other side. In the Oct 2012 sale I purchased an advertised purebred Hereford hfr out of Cyrus. When I paid, I said that I wanted her registered.
I called a month later to check on the progress. Then again a month later. The breeder in Neb. did not want to paper her was the excuse. We were registered for Iowa beef expo in Feb 2013 and that date past. Out entry fees.
After many phone calls to Trausch Farms and a call to the Hereford Association I found out the paperwork had been setting in KC for several months waiting for payment.
The phone calls became biweekly after that. I finally received the papers in late March.
Needless to say I will not go back again and also have went elsewhere to get semen.

rmbcows said:

Just sign me "looking for a new semen distributor". lol  Anyone have any suggestions?  ;D

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A semen distributor is only as good as the bulls they promote.... if everyone had the same eye for cattle the world would be a boring place.... that said I look more at these bulls pics to see if the background had been changed.... when they have what else have they changed in the pic? That's 1 reason I enjoy Wade Rodgers bulls.... I feel like im looking at a real bull unlike a lot of Trausch Farms and Matt Lautners that seem doctored up. I don't base what bulls I use off a pic but if you cant be honest about the bull in a pic then obviously your just not an honest person!