We've been raising sheep for 35 years. Instead of relying on the farm markets, I want to try to sell direct to customers. We can't sell meat directly due to Dept of Agriculture rules. We plan on selling live lambs and deliver to the butcher. The buyer would buy the live lamb and pay the butcher. The market is very very good right as there is a shortage of lamb. I thought we would sell about $30 over market since the market is so good. I also thought we should ask for a deposit before we deliver to the butcher. I work in a fairly large office building and I thought I would just pass some cards around during breaks, etc. We also have a diverse ethnic group of people in our community and I would like to post cards in the ethnic grocery stores.
Any suggestions or opinions?
Selling lamb?
I would get a non-refundable deposit but I would make sure that the customer pays you in full by the day the lamb is going to the butcher. I'd also make sure that they are the ones dealing directly w/ the butcher in case there are any discrepancies in the cuts, packaging, and price. You don't want the butcher calling you directly about someone not picking up and paying for a lamb.
You may want to set-up an information sheet(contract) stating what each party expects from the other. ie: the deposit amount, price required by shipment to butcher, their obligations w/ talking directly to the butcher themselves, who is picking up the meat from the butcher, ect.
By our own experience, it's good to be very clear and not assume anything! It sounds like you will have a good customer base. We are fortunate that the customers we have will take live animals so we don't have to deal w/ bringing them to the butchers.
I can't add anything to your deliberations, but I wish one of you lived near me because we would love to find a source of good lamb! We raised sheep for many years but stopped because our pastures were scanty and feed was expensive. I agree with Sandy that you should get payment in full when the lamb goes to the butcher, though. The information sheet is a good idea, too. It's amazing the details people forget when they're not nailed down!
Absolutely, greenhouse_gal!
Another thought: You could sell the live lambs for one price and give them the option to pick it up themselves or for an added cost you could deliver it to the butchers for them.
Thanks for all the wonderful advice.
:-)