Pueblo chieftain., 1922-01-09
HAY SHIPPERS SHOULD
KNOW TRADE RULES

Many of the difficulties and losses
that shippers of hay encounter would
be eliminated if more care were exer-
cised when making sales to see that
all terms are clear and practicable
and that both seller and buyer have
the same understanding of them. This
can be accomplished by observing the
following suggestions: by the Bureau
of Markets and Crop Estimates, Unit
cd States Department of Agriculture.
State clearly in all offers or accept
ances all necessary factors, including
quality and quantity of hay. together
with timc of shipment, routing, rates,
price, and terms OF payment.
Confirm all sales and purchases by
letter. in which is stated all terms as
understood by the seller or the buyer,
as the case may be.
Upon receipt of confirmation, cor
rect Immediately any Items that ap-
pear to be incorrect.
Too much emphasis can not be placed
upon the matter of care in stating
terms when making sales or purchases.
"A greater part of such transactions are
usually q. by telephone or telegraph
which makes brevity necessary. A
few more cents spent in telephone or
telegraph charges. however, is better
than several dollars lost on an unsa tis-
factory shipment. on the part OF tho
for sale. whether the offer is by wire
or letter, the following should be
stated: ii
(a) Quantity by bales. tons, or car
loads, II by bales. the size should al
ways be given. and If by tons or car
loads, 1t Is well also to state the size
of bales that will be shipped. as there
is n decided preference In certain sec
tions for certain types and sizes OF
bales.
tb) Quality. either in descriptive
terms or In tho terms of state or COM
mcrcial grades. When commercial
grades are used IL must be made GER
tain that both buyer and seller UNDER
stand what standards are being used.
1t Is sometimes advisable to state what
inspection agency is ~ determine the
grade. As organized at present, the
methods OF inspection OF hay vary at
different markets. so that a misunder-
standing may often be avoided IL tho
terms OF sale specify the place or
character Uf inspection.
tc) The timo of shipment should bc
specified either by naming tho exact
date on or before which shipment
win be made. or by using tho trade
terms OF Immediate, or prompt"
which are given the following inter
probation: Immediate or rush" Is
shipment within three calendar days,
quick" five calendar days, and
prompt ten calendar days, Sundays
and holidays excluded in each instance.
Id Tho routing which can be made
by the shipper. or that which is de-
sired by tho buyer. should be made in
the first bid or offer, as 1t Is an i'm
portant item and. together with tho
rates applying. may be the determining
factor in the transaction. Instead OF
stating the rate. the point at which the
price applies may be given, such as
'f. o. b. shippers rack or delivered
buyers station"
(c) The price should be stated clear
ly and II should also be made clear for
what length of time tho bid or Offer
holds good and whether or not the ac-
ccptancc OF either ia subject to con-
firmAtion by the maker.
G) Unless some definite agreement
has been made previously relative To
terms OF settlement. the terms should
be stated In the original articles. The
following telegram is suggested as
model for offers of hay:
Peoria. Wis, June ), 1920.
James Smith, Chicago, Ill.
Offer for Immediate shipment, sub
feet confirmation, twelve tons. medium
bales. number two timothy hay Chi
cnHo inspection at twelve dollars per
ton basis delivered Chicago via c. g.
y. w.
(Sgncd) james Brown"
SEND CONFIRMATION PROMPTLY
When bid or offer has been ac-
cepted and sale consummated.
whether by letter or wire. a confirma-
tiun b. letter. setting forth in detail
all the terms and couditionr % 'hc
transaction. should be mailed by each
party to the other. II, upon receIpt OF
these combinations. either party notes
any item that is contrary to his under
sanding of the terms he should notfy
the other Immediately by telegraph, so
that all errors may be corrected before
n shipment is made. II the hay was
ready for shipment when the sale was
made, however It may not be possible
to wait for written confirmation cf
the acceptance by the buyer, nut he
should forward n telegram to the buy
or confirming the terms of his original
nffnf nnd his understanding of tho ac-