[st425]

Hi,

I bought a cow in calf in February, to use as a house cow. According to the ad she was “due any day”. However, we’ve just noticed her in standing heat. I mentioned this to the seller. She hasn’t offered any financial compensation, and I just wondered if I should ask for something?

[sheeponthebrain]

compensation might depend on what you paid for her.  as in some cases she might be worth a good bit more if she's not in calf. 

[twizzel]

Was she scanned in calf by a vet or was it just a guess? Did you buy her privately or through a market?


Cows are not legally fit to travel in the last month of pregnancy so selling her as due any day is a bit dicey really.

[harmony]

Did she look in calf and as though she was due any day? I would say if you bought her in calf and at that stage of pregnancy then you are due compensation but the seller may query why you have waited so long before informing them.

[st425]

compensation might depend on what you paid for her.  as in some cases she might be worth a good bit more if she's not in calf.

She was part of a small herd that we bought (2 cows, 1 heifer, 2 steers) but the she only one who was advertised as in calf.

[st425]

Was she scanned in calf by a vet or was it just a guess? Did you buy her privately or through a market?


Cows are not legally fit to travel in the last month of pregnancy so selling her as due any day is a bit dicey really.

Not scanned. Bought privately. She was in with a bull until 19th July, so we have only just gone past the last date when she would have calved. We spoke about this, then the seller said she may be in calf to a male that was castrated in December - so potentially in calf until September. But she was definitely standing heat today.

[st425]

Did she look in calf and as though she was due any day? I would say if you bought her in calf and at that stage of pregnancy then you are due compensation but the seller may query why you have waited so long before informing them.

She does look round. We’ve been in contact with seller discussing her last possible calving date for a while, which has recently passed. Then there was a possibility that she’s pregnant to a different bull, making her due in September. But today’s the first time I definitely saw her in standing heat

[Backinwellies]

In standing heat then NOT in calf ......  previous owner fobbing you off.   You bought 2 cows ..... was there a differnce in price?

[twizzel]

If she wasn’t confirmed in calf by scanning then I don’t think you’ve got a leg to stand on really. She could have been empty and not cycling when you bought her. We’ve had cows that look in calf but when actually scanned are empty.

[PipKelpy]

It appears not all cow owners are honest then. Before i sold Juniper last year I had her scanned, so i could advertise her as sold as seen, empty, bulling etc. But I've known folk buy stores through the auctions and a few weeks later, if they are lucky, weedy calves born, if not lucky, elephants due to the corn the mothers have been scoffing and expensive vet bills. Even the auctions (around here) do ask that all store females are pregnancy tested "just in case". Besides, I would want to know so the cost of a vet and a scanner would confirm either way. But that's me.

[harmony]

Did she look in calf and as though she was due any day? I would say if you bought her in calf and at that stage of pregnancy then you are due compensation but the seller may query why you have waited so long before informing them.

She does look round. We’ve been in contact with seller discussing her last possible calving date for a while, which has recently passed. Then there was a possibility that she’s pregnant to a different bull, making her due in September. But today’s the first time I definitely saw her in standing heat

If she was "due any day" when you bought her surely she would have been bagging?


Whether you have been misled deliberately or the seller has been mistaken she clearly wasn't due any day and nor is she going to calve to the second bull. As Linda say's above was she the same price as the other cow? If she was more I think you have grounds for compensation. If she was the same price you could still argue your case as she was advertised/sold in calf.


You say the seller hasn't offered compensation but why would they? You have nothing to lose by asking for it.

[st425]

In standing heat then NOT in calf ......  previous owner fobbing you off.   You bought 2 cows ..... was there a differnce in price?

The 5 cattle were bought as a “job lot” so didn’t pay individual prices for them.

[twizzel]

You took the sellers word but I doubt you’d have a comeback, she’s essentially run with a bull but not been proven at any stage to be in calf   

[st425]

You took the sellers word but I doubt you’d have a comeback, she’s essentially run with a bull but not been proven at any stage to be in calf 

Yes... we live and learn I guess!

[harmony]

You took the sellers word but I doubt you’d have a comeback, she’s essentially run with a bull but not been proven at any stage to be in calf 

Yes... we live and learn I guess!

Yes, this is true but whilst there was no proven "in calf" she was advertised as such and you bought as such so personally I would speak to trading standards and the seller. I think it isn't worth a long legal battle but I think it is worth a couple of conversations that cost nothing.