Other Listings

Fraud Alert: Be aware that you may be contacted by fraud artists posing as buyers who issue you overpayments with cheques, money orders, or certified cheques. Before completing transactions or issuing refunds for overpayments, have your bank verify that the cheques or money orders you have received are valid. Visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre web site for more information.

Telephone and on-line fraud
If you believe someone has attempted to defraud you, you can report it on-line to: RECOL - Reporting Economic Crime On-Line. Complaints can be filed on-line (<Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre ) or by calling toll-free 1-888-495-8501. This service is administered by the National White Collar Crime Centre of Canada and is supported by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Visit these web sites to find out more about the most common types of fraud that occur on the internet. Protect yourself by learning to recognize fraud. These sites provide useful information, RCMP - Scams (http://www.rcmp.ca/scams/index_e.htm) and Phonebusters (http://www.phonebusters.com/english/index.html).

Read our guidelines about making transactions (buying or selling). Most individuals you do business with are honest and trustworthy, but you should learn to recognize the signs of an individual who is not acting in good faith. Only you can protect yourself from those who are not.

Be clear on who you are buying from or selling to
  • are they another farmer or are they a broker?
  • if you are selling directly to another farmer then will they be hauling the product themselves or will this be done by a third party? Where will this load be delivered to?
  • if you are buying and trucking is included, will they be delivering the product themselves? Is the shipping rate fair and reasonable?

    • Do not make assumptions - ask questions and make sure you have the information you need.

    Have everything in writing
  • detailed product description (type of product, weight, quality)
  • purchaser's name, full mailing address & phone numbers
  • seller's name, full mailing address & phone numbers
  • the specific address that the product is to be delivered to (legal land description)
  • the payment amount
  • terms of payment - paid in advance, cash on delivery

    • Under the Alberta Sale of Goods Act all contracts for goods sold over $50.00 must be in writing.

    For sellers:
  • have the shipment weighed and send the completed invoice with the trucker
  • have the purchaser sign for each load (confirmation of delivery)
  • have the trucker bring back the payment (or the balance of the payment) for each load delivered

    • Reduce the risk of non-payment
  • get part of the payment in advance before the product leaves your yard. This should happen when the buyer comes to inspect the product and the agreement to purchase is made.
  • do not ship the second load before the first one is paid for

    • If a payment is not made on time contact the buyer immediately to get it resolved. At the same time stop further shipments to the buyer. If necessary you can take legal action to recover the outstanding payment.

    The maximum amount that you can pursue through small claims court in Alberta is $25,000. To recover an amount greater than this you will need to hire a lawyer and go through the Court of Queen's Bench.

    For buyers:
    Know what you are buying
  • make the trip to visually appraise the product and ensure that it is in good condition
  • make it clear to the seller that any load which is of a lesser quality than that which you agreed to purchase will be refused and returned to them at their expense
  • be prepared to make a down payment at this time but do not put more than 50"%" down

    • Get what you paid for
  • each truckload must be weighed
  • pay to reweigh a load if you are concerned that the weight is not accurate
  • ensure that the invoice accurately shows the quantity received and the payment amount outstanding
  • stop unloading the truck if there is a quality problem and call the seller immediately to get it resolved

    • If you have put a down payment on your purchase but do not receive the product within the agreed upon timeframe then contact the seller immediately to get it resolved. If you are unable to resolve the problem you will need to put a stop payment on any other cheques to the seller so that you can limit your risk.

    The maximum amount that you can pursue through small claims court in Alberta is $25,000. To recover an amount greater than this you will need to hire a lawyer and go through the Court of Queen's Bench.