wmoebis,
We simply don't pay handling charges or freight. Or waste money on demmurage. Or spend $$ on grading that isn't relevant to our buyer. Port cleaning bills at Vancouver aren't on my debit sheet.
We often deal directly with the end user, but we do use companies at times, if they provide a service we need. Usually, their service is excellent, professional, and worth the money. Many of them have invaluable services.
CN provides containers and is excellent to do business with. Timely. We sometimes depend upon Cargill, using some of their equipment. They are very accomodating. UGG has tremendous knowledge, and is used as a resource.
Payment from our buyers goes directly into our bank accounts. 30 days. Sometimes cash up front.
The load of grain that we sent through the border last week was accompanied by our numbered bar code enabling the trucker to whiz through US Customs. You can do it online.
It's a quickly changing world, one where worrying about equality, (getting paid the same as what your neighbor gets ) is the least of your worries; whereas, serving the customer is our top priority. (charliep has many times, tried to hammer this idea home, the idea of 'what does the customer want?'.)
I consider these were positive changes in our farming operation. Busy, but effective. I don't consider we have a
"lack of control over..life", as you accuse, but I certainly read your frustration and sense of helplessness in your last post.
You say, "free marketing has been devastating for me," while my experience has been exactly the opposite. Change has been our best ally.
Can we learn from each other, wmoebis? More important, what have we learned from each other ?
Parsley
We simply don't pay handling charges or freight. Or waste money on demmurage. Or spend $$ on grading that isn't relevant to our buyer. Port cleaning bills at Vancouver aren't on my debit sheet.
We often deal directly with the end user, but we do use companies at times, if they provide a service we need. Usually, their service is excellent, professional, and worth the money. Many of them have invaluable services.
CN provides containers and is excellent to do business with. Timely. We sometimes depend upon Cargill, using some of their equipment. They are very accomodating. UGG has tremendous knowledge, and is used as a resource.
Payment from our buyers goes directly into our bank accounts. 30 days. Sometimes cash up front.
The load of grain that we sent through the border last week was accompanied by our numbered bar code enabling the trucker to whiz through US Customs. You can do it online.
It's a quickly changing world, one where worrying about equality, (getting paid the same as what your neighbor gets ) is the least of your worries; whereas, serving the customer is our top priority. (charliep has many times, tried to hammer this idea home, the idea of 'what does the customer want?'.)
I consider these were positive changes in our farming operation. Busy, but effective. I don't consider we have a
"lack of control over..life", as you accuse, but I certainly read your frustration and sense of helplessness in your last post.
You say, "free marketing has been devastating for me," while my experience has been exactly the opposite. Change has been our best ally.
Can we learn from each other, wmoebis? More important, what have we learned from each other ?
Parsley
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