Skip to main content

quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.


Yet you assumed that you were being kind to not embarrass him. I think you were trying not to embarrass yourself.


Oh? You think it is just an assumption on my part that refraining from embarrassing the man is a kindness. I thought it was pretty much self-evident that avoiding an embarrassment to someone else is a kindness. What kind of warped condition is your mind in that you would not see that?

As to avoidance of embarrassing myself--that is also silly. It would not have been embarrassing in the least to me to advise the fellow of my problem with his weights and measures. When I am in the right and can prove it, I find no reason to be embarrassed.

If, however, I had called his hand in front of others, you and others who care not about truth in weights and measures would likely have come down hard on me, accusing me of making a spectacle to embarrass the man.


My point is you assumed that calmly talking to the man would have embarrassed him. It might not would have embarrassed him at all. Now, had you acted as arrogant and self-righteous as you come across on this forum, I'm sure you would have embarrassed both of you. Most people don't mind being asked to verify that the sale is correct. It might not would have at all, but at this point you will never know. However, you removed all doubt from many of our minds what we think about you. I agree with another that said had you brought this to his attention -- like I said, I'm sure he would have thrown more onions in your bag just for your honesty. Instead, you chose the rant on the forum method that will get you no resolution but more confirmation that your arrogance is the biggest thing about you.


Wrong, like so many others who do not pay attention.

I declined to talk to him because there were numerous others around. Put yourself in the position of your scales being questioned in front of others; you would naturally be defensive, wouldn't you? I did not have time to wait around until the area around his booth was out of earshot of others.

As to alleged ranting on the forum, I do not know how you distinguish ranting from simply reporting facts, but all I did, as my original post proves, is report the facts. I will repeat the description here to stimulate your recollection:

"Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scale at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have."

You contend that I ranted. You must not know what ranting is. Merriam-Webster does:

rant : to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
2 : to scold vehemently

Is this what I did? Be honest with yourself. No ranting here. Your allegation of ranting is obviously just something you have thrown in to try to give your post some credibility it does not deserve.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Eastside:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by Matted Down Weirdo:
I am certain the farmer would have been grateful to knew his scales were off so he could have attempted to fix the problem.


You might be right about that and you might be wrong. You have no way of knowing with certainty how he would have responded. Like others commenting here, you are making an assumption.


Yet you assumed that you were being kind to not embarrass him. I think you were trying not to embarrass yourself.


Oh? You think it is just an assumption on my part that refraining from embarrassing the man is a kindness. I thought it was pretty much self-evident that avoiding an embarrassment to someone else is a kindness. What kind of warped condition is your mind in that you would not see that?

As to avoidance of embarrassing myself--that is also silly. It would not have been embarrassing in the least to me to advise the fellow of my problem with his weights and measures. When I am in the right and can prove it, I find no reason to be embarrassed.

If, however, I had called his hand in front of others, you and others who care not about truth in weights and measures would likely have come down hard on me, accusing me of making a spectacle to embarrass the man.


My point is you assumed that calmly talking to the man would have embarrassed him. It might not would have embarrassed him at all. Now, had you acted as arrogant and self-righteous as you come across on this forum, I'm sure you would have embarrassed both of you. Most people don't mind being asked to verify that the sale is correct. It might not would have at all, but at this point you will never know. However, you removed all doubt from many of our minds what we think about you. I agree with another that said had you brought this to his attention -- like I said, I'm sure he would have thrown more onions in your bag just for your honesty. Instead, you chose the rant on the forum method that will get you no resolution but more confirmation that your arrogance is the biggest thing about you.


Wrong, like so many others who do not pay attention.

I declined to talk to him because there were numerous others around. Put yourself in the position of your scales being questioned in front of others; you would naturally be defensive, wouldn't you? I did not have time to wait around until the area around his booth was out of earshot of others.

As to alleged ranting on the forum, I do not know how you distinguish ranting from simply reporting facts, but all I did, as my original post proves, is report the facts. I will repeat the description here to stimulate your recollection:

"Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scale at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have."

You contend that I ranted. You must not know what ranting is. Merriam-Webster does:

rant : to talk in a noisy, excited, or declamatory manner
2 : to scold vehemently

Is this what I did? Be honest with yourself. No ranting here. Your allegation of ranting is obviously just something you have thrown in to try to give your post some credibility it does not deserve.


Your initial post was not the rant -- the continued defense of your arrogance in the situation is the rant. Your need to post a defense to every post just about that disagreed with your opinion on this matter -- that is the rant. You refuse to listen to what most of us have posted as our opinions of the scales -- so you continue to berate us for our "non caring attitude of being taken". You even compared apples to oranges (farmers market to Walmart). Some of us just don't get bent out of shape over 50 cents like you do.

You refuse to see that had you talked to the guy politely -- most likely it could have been resolved without your needing to tout the government needed intervention that you love in your life. Most of us don't want them in ours and we stated such. You refuse to just say -- Ok.

But my last point is this. You didn't have time to stand around and wait for his area to clear to discuss the shortage with him, yet you had plenty of time to run to another vendor with "certified scales" and ask them to weigh it for you to confirm your righteousness -- that is the rant. If you knew in your heart and mind you were short and you knew you weren't going to address it with the vendor at the time to correct the situation -- why take the time to get it reweighed? Oh that's right...just for your righteousness sake. Roll Eyes

If you have to throw a definition at me to try to discredit me I obviously hit a nerve. That is what you do -- pick out words and punctuation to belittle the poster. Typical beternu. Nothing new there.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Eastside: Your initial post was not the rant -- the continued defense of your arrogance in the situation is the rant. Your need to post a defense to every post just about that disagreed with your opinion on this matter -- that is the rant. You refuse to listen to what most of us have posted as our opinions of the scales -- so you continue to berate us for our "non caring attitude of being taken". You even compared apples to oranges (farmers market to Walmart). Some of us just don't get bent out of shape over 50 cents like you do.

I SUPPOSE THAT I SHOULD, BY YOUR STANDARD, DECLINE TO ANSWER THOSE WHO POST OPINIONS CRITICAL TO THE SUBJECT I INTRODUCED. YOU HAVE INTRODUCED A WHOLE NEW MODUS OPERANDI TO THE FORUM, NAMELY THAT THE FIRST POSTER GETS ONLY HIS/HER FIRST POST AND FEW OR NO OTHERS, WHILE ANY AND EVERY OTHER PERSON IS WELCOME TO LOAD ON THEIR DISAGEEEMENTS AND CRITICISM. I HAVE NO HESITANCY IN AFFIRMING MY PREROGATIVE TO RESPOND TO ANY OR ALL REPLIES TO MY POST, ESPECIALLY WHEN, AS IN MANY OF THE REPLIES IN THIS STRING, THE RESPONSES WERE IN ERROR. MY 'CONTINUED DEFENSE' WAS NO MORE THAT A SERIES OF CAREFULLY-DEVELOPED REFUTATIONS OF SEVERAL IRRATIONAL AND ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS BY OTHERS. I SEE NOTHING WWRONG WITH THAT, AND MUCH THAT IS IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT THESE FORUMS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.

________________

You refuse to see that had you talked to the guy politely -- most likely it could have been resolved without your needing to tout the government needed intervention that you love in your life. Most of us don't want them in ours and we stated such. You refuse to just say -- Ok.

JUST SAYING "Ok" MIGHT BE ALL IT TAKES TO SATISFY YOU. I JUST PREFER THAT WHEN I PAY FOR SOMETHING OF A CLAIMED WEIGHT OR NUMBER, I RECEIVE SAME. IT IS ASTONISHING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OBJECTIONS TO SUCH A SIMPLE AND REASONABLE EXPECTATION. BARNUM WAS RIGHT.

AS TO GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION, WOULD YOU PREFER THAT PEOPLE WHO SELL YOU GAS FOR YOUR CAR BE LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES TO CALIBRATE THE DELIVERY OF THEIR PUMPS? WHEN GRAIN OR COTTON ARE SOLD BY A FARMER TO THE LOCAL GIN OR GRAIN BROKER, SHOULD THE PRODUCE OF THEIR EFFORT BE WEIGHED ON SCALES CALIBRATED INDEPENDENTLY BY THE GIN OWNER OR BROKER OR UNDER OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE?

_______________

But my last point is this. You didn't have time to stand around and wait for his area to clear to discuss the shortage with him, yet you had plenty of time to run to another vendor with "certified scales" and ask them to weigh it for you to confirm your righteousness -- that is the rant. If you knew in your heart and mind you were short and you knew you weren't going to address it with the vendor at the time to correct the situation -- why take the time to get it reweighed? Oh that's right...just for your righteousness sake. Roll Eyes

ROLL EYES ALL YOU WISH. IT TOOK ONLY ABOUT 10 SECONDS TO GET TO THE CERTIFIED SCALES, AND THERE WERE STILL PLENTY OF FOLKS AROUND THR FIRST VENDOR'S GENERAL AREA AT THAT TIME. I WAS THERE; YOU WERE NOT. WHY TAKE THE TIME TO GET IT REWEIGHED? I CAN ANSWER THAT EASILY. SIMPLY TO SEE IF I WAS GETTING THE WEIGHT I PAID FOR. I AM PRETTY GOOD AT ESTIMATING WEIGHT, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT CERTIFIED SCALES ARE A BIT BETTER AT THAT THAN I AM. SOMETIMES THESE VERY BASIC THINGS SEEM TO ELUDE CRITICS LIKE YOURSELF, WHO PREFER TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS AND ROLLEYES AND MAKE ACCUSATIONS THAT THEY CAN NOT PROVE.

If you have to throw a definition at me to try to discredit me I obviously hit a nerve. That is what you do -- pick out words and punctuation to belittle the poster. Typical beternu. Nothing new there.

IT IS YOU WHO HAVE A PROBLEM. I DID NOT PICK OUT THE WORD; YOU DID. YOU OBVIOUSLY USED A WORD THAT WAS INCORRECT FOR THE PURPOSE FOR WHICH YOU USED IT, AND YOU USED IT IN CRITICISM OF ME. I AM NOT OBLIGED TO IGNORE THAT KIND OF HOSTILE MISCHARACTERIZATION. IF YOU FEEL BELITTLED, THEN MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO AVOID MISUSING WORDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH ATTACKS ON OTHERS WHO KNOW ARE LIKELY TO KNOW THE MEANINGS OF THE WORDS YOU MISUSE AND WHO CAN THEN CALL YOUR HAND ON THE MATTER. MY NERVES ARE IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, THANK YOU.
quote:
I will be away from this string for a while, since I have eaten sufficient lunch here to be satiated for quite a while. If, in my absence, you kind providers of lunch will leave more of your typical comments, I might return for supper.


You might feel as you have been over charged for your helping of humility.

It is more amazing to me that you are able to tell the difference of less than 8 oz in your hand.

Maybe they should hire you at the farmers market to be a certified scale.

But as most on this forum know you are certified.

I think I will get ready and go to the farmers market this morning and see if I can support our locals since it seems your only reason for this thread was to try to kill off their business.

I think everyone who reads your posts on here can see you are not for the little man but for the big bad govt to take care of things for you!

I hope we can all help you with a serving of breakfast this morning
As I expected--a series of caustic little posts that do nothing to address the real issue I have presented here--that when anyone, whether Walmart or Farmer Brown, charges X amount for Y quantity, then Y quantity should be as represented and not some reduced amount.

And barksdale,jeff , you wrote, "It is more amazing to me that you are able to tell the difference of less than 8 oz in your hand."

You are too easily amazed. With a little practice, just about anyone can do it and can do it not just within 8 ounces, but usually within 4, when dealing with quantities in the range of 1 to 5 pounds.
Once again, it is a matter of PRINCIPLE!
it shouldn't matter if it's one penny or a thousand bucks.
If someone charges by the pound, they better be dang sure they can accurately deliver the product. period. Yall are giving better a hard time- he was just giving everyone a 'headsup' so that we may be diligent in "getting what u pay for!"
quote:
Originally posted by vplee123:
Once again, it is a matter of PRINCIPLE!
it shouldn't matter if it's one penny or a thousand bucks.
If someone charges by the pound, they better be dang sure they can accurately deliver the product. period. Yall are giving better a hard time- he was just giving everyone a 'headsup' so that we may be diligent in "getting what u pay for!"

i disagree. If it were a simple matter of principle, he would have tactfully addressed it with the farmer from whom he purchased the produce. He apparently discovered the discrepancy while still on the premises of the local market.

INSTEAD, he cowardly left, hot headed and proceeded to use this forum in an attempt to perpetuate an issue in which he could have reasonably resolved on his own BUT CHOSE NOT TO.
quote:
Originally posted by gnostic nine:
quote:
Originally posted by vplee123:
Once again, it is a matter of PRINCIPLE!
it shouldn't matter if it's one penny or a thousand bucks.
If someone charges by the pound, they better be dang sure they can accurately deliver the product. period. Yall are giving better a hard time- he was just giving everyone a 'headsup' so that we may be diligent in "getting what u pay for!"

i disagree. If it were a simple matter of principle, he would have tactfully addressed it with the farmer from whom he purchased the produce. He apparently discovered the discrepancy while still on the premises of the local market.

INSTEAD, he cowardly left, hot headed and proceeded to use this forum in an attempt to perpetuate an issue in which he could have reasonably resolved on his own BUT CHOSE NOT TO.


Oh, stop beating that old tired dead horse. In my original post, I made it clear that I did not approach the vendor because others were around, and it was thus far from an optimal time to call attention to his problem. Your silly canard, "cowardly left, hot headed" is simply a speculative, unprovable and wrong assumption on your part. I was not "hot-headed" about the matter and there was nothing cowardly about declining to confront the vendor with others around. You have simply joined others here to extend their silly season on this string.

Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by gnostic nine:
quote:
Originally posted by vplee123:
Once again, it is a matter of PRINCIPLE!
it shouldn't matter if it's one penny or a thousand bucks.
If someone charges by the pound, they better be dang sure they can accurately deliver the product. period. Yall are giving better a hard time- he was just giving everyone a 'headsup' so that we may be diligent in "getting what u pay for!"

i disagree. If it were a simple matter of principle, he would have tactfully addressed it with the farmer from whom he purchased the produce. He apparently discovered the discrepancy while still on the premises of the local market.

INSTEAD, he cowardly left, hot headed and proceeded to use this forum in an attempt to perpetuate an issue in which he could have reasonably resolved on his own BUT CHOSE NOT TO.


Oh, stop beating that old tired dead horse. In my original post, I made it clear that I did not approach the vendor because others were around, and it was thus far from an optimal time to call attention to his problem. Your silly canard, "cowardly left, hot headed" is simply a speculative, unprovable and wrong assumption on your part. I was not "hot-headed" about the matter and there was nothing cowardly about declining to confront the vendor with others around. You have simply joined others here to extend their silly season on this string.

Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.


It would do you a great wealth of good to review several episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show" and realize that Andy would have told your portrayal of Barney to "simmer down now,ya hear"
quote:
Originally posted by barksdale.jeff:
It would seem to me that if you wanted to correct things you would have informed the others at the market or taken the farmer aside and said sir/madam your scales are off a bit.

Yet you just want to gossip and not correct the issue.

I went there this morning and had a great time and did not think twice about was I getting ripped off.


I went there this morning also and I also had a great time, but I was vigilant enough to assure that I was not getting ripped off.

Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:


Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.


you should have taken issue with the vendor. what you have done here is ASSinine
quote:
Originally posted by gnostic nine:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:


Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.


you should have taken issue with the vendor. what you have done here is ASSinine


Yu did not really pay attention to my first post. I said:

"Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scalde at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have.

And I have several times explained why I did not go back.

As to posting here, in case you have been equally oblivious to discussions on the forum, there have been two previous strings dealing with weights and measures at the farmers' market. Interest having already been expressed, it seemed appropriate to me to describe a recent related experience. If that bothers your sensitive butt, too bad.

Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
quote:
Originally posted by gnostic nine:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:


Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.


you should have taken issue with the vendor. what you have done here is ASSinine


Yu did not really pay attention to my first post. I said:

"Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scalde at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have.

And I have several times explained why I did not go back.

As to posting here, in case you have been equally oblivious to discussions on the forum, there have been two previous strings dealing with weights and measures at the farmers' market. Interest having already been expressed, it seemed appropriate to me to describe a recent related experience. If that bothers your sensitive butt, too bad.

Bottom line and end of story: Selling something to others at a stated weight or volume and then giving them less than they paid for is no fair way to do business, regardless of whether you are a big box store or an independent vendor. It is foolish to contend to the contrary.



I probably won't sleep over twelve or thirteen hours tonight worrying about being ripped at a farmers market. Roll Eyes
quote:
Originally posted by midknightrider:
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Bottom line and end of story



Promise????

When I first saw the title of this thread, I thought maybe someone got mugged at the farmers market. Then I read the OP and saw what it was about. I thought it was so silly it would just fade into oblivion. Man was I wrong. Wink


And no doubt you have been wrong before and will be wrong again. Don't feel bad; you are only human.

As to "End of story," I have posted that more than once, but my admirers on this forum just will not let it end. It would be rude and inconsiderate of me not to answer all their inane responses, since my goal is to help improve their wisdom as consumers, a commodity that is sadly lacking in some, as is evident from the shallowness of their replies to the wise guidance of beternU!
quote:
Originally posted by earthmomma:
There are two solutions to beternU's specific problem.One is that he stop going to the farmer's market. The other is that he buy only from those who have the certified scales. Possibly there is a third solution. He can take his own scales with him. Certified ones, of course!


Or better yet....stay home and grow his own d#@$ onions.
I agree with most of you of how beternU handled the situation. I just can't see how some of you can argue that it is only 50 cents, a 25% markup is ridiculous. What if I ran a restaurant and decided I'd buy 100 pounds of "Farmer Brown's" delicious onions? Would it be fair to cut into my profits to charge me $125 for $100 worth of onions? Will you be so willing to send me the petty $25 at that point?

While supporting locals is great, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to be responsible also? I don't expect some of the smaller timers to carry certified scales. But, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to carry around a 5 or 10 pound bag of sand to throw on his scale every other day to make sure he is measuring accurately? I sure as heck would enjoy a 25% raise at my employment.
quote:
Originally posted by ffemt:
I agree with most of you of how beternU handled the situation. I just can't see how some of you can argue that it is only 50 cents, a 25% markup is ridiculous. What if I ran a restaurant and decided I'd buy 100 pounds of "Farmer Brown's" delicious onions? Would it be fair to cut into my profits to charge me $125 for $100 worth of onions? Will you be so willing to send me the petty $25 at that point?

While supporting locals is great, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to be responsible also? I don't expect some of the smaller timers to carry certified scales. But, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to carry around a 5 or 10 pound bag of sand to throw on his scale every other day to make sure he is measuring accurately? I sure as heck would enjoy a 25% raise at my employment.



Farmers markets typically don't deal in large volumes. You are trying to add a scenario that just doesn't exist.

At farmer browns market you have the absolute right to not do business with him. As for me, I am glad these small time farmers provide us the access to FRESH vegetables.
quote:
Originally posted by WH:
quote:
Originally posted by ffemt:
I agree with most of you of how beternU handled the situation. I just can't see how some of you can argue that it is only 50 cents, a 25% markup is ridiculous. What if I ran a restaurant and decided I'd buy 100 pounds of "Farmer Brown's" delicious onions? Would it be fair to cut into my profits to charge me $125 for $100 worth of onions? Will you be so willing to send me the petty $25 at that point?

While supporting locals is great, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to be responsible also? I don't expect some of the smaller timers to carry certified scales. But, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to carry around a 5 or 10 pound bag of sand to throw on his scale every other day to make sure he is measuring accurately? I sure as heck would enjoy a 25% raise at my employment.



Farmers markets typically don't deal in large volumes. You are trying to add a scenario that just doesn't exist.

At farmer browns market you have the absolute right to not do business with him. As for me, I am glad these small time farmers provide us the access to FRESH vegetables.


I wouldn't necessarily say 100 pounds is a large volume, say I buy a few pounds for personal use and I decide the farmer makes some darn good vegetables. So I decide that I will approach him to supply my vegetables for my small time greasy spoon restaurant. I can't see how this scenario isn't plausible.

But, you know what just throw out my scenario, forget about it. Address the fact that the farmer should have some responsibility of carrying some kind of weight or sandbag and just occasionally check that his scale is weighing somewhat fairly. You are right I could just not do any business at Farmer Browns and I doubt anyone would if they knew his scale was 25% heavier. At what point do you draw the line, can he charge you for 50% of product your not getting then?

I mean why does it have to be aw he's just a local farmer just let it go. Heck I'd be willing to pay the $1.25 a pound he is charging, it's just not fair to advertise $1 a pound and charge something else.

I can illustrate it in your rosy glasses since you can't see this fact. Say Farmer Brown is set up next to Farmer Smith. Farmer Brown is advertising $1 a pound but in this conversation we know in fact he is charging $1.25 a pound. Farmer Smith is charging $1.10 a pound. Faced with this decision and trusting both have fairly accurate scales I'm going with Farmer Brown. Tell me how is this fair to Farmer Smith?

The fact his scale is off by 25% is indefensible and I don't understand why people would attempt to defend it.
ffemt I think you may be missing the point. At least mine. I don't think anyone has advocated the practice of overcharging. What most replies say is that the proper thing would be to make Farmer Brown aware of the situation and give him the opportunity to remedy in before making a post on a public forum with the bold title "Ripped Off". I find it hard to believe that he is aware his scales are off and may have even been thankful for someone letting him know. But you have a valid point with the bag of sand.
quote:
Originally posted by ffemt:
quote:
Originally posted by WH:
quote:
Originally posted by ffemt:
I agree with most of you of how beternU handled the situation. I just can't see how some of you can argue that it is only 50 cents, a 25% markup is ridiculous. What if I ran a restaurant and decided I'd buy 100 pounds of "Farmer Brown's" delicious onions? Would it be fair to cut into my profits to charge me $125 for $100 worth of onions? Will you be so willing to send me the petty $25 at that point?

While supporting locals is great, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to be responsible also? I don't expect some of the smaller timers to carry certified scales. But, what is so hard for "Farmer Brown" to carry around a 5 or 10 pound bag of sand to throw on his scale every other day to make sure he is measuring accurately? I sure as heck would enjoy a 25% raise at my employment.



Farmers markets typically don't deal in large volumes. You are trying to add a scenario that just doesn't exist.

At farmer browns market you have the absolute right to not do business with him. As for me, I am glad these small time farmers provide us the access to FRESH vegetables.


I wouldn't necessarily say 100 pounds is a large volume, say I buy a few pounds for personal use and I decide the farmer makes some darn good vegetables. So I decide that I will approach him to supply my vegetables for my small time greasy spoon restaurant. I can't see how this scenario isn't plausible.

But, you know what just throw out my scenario, forget about it. Address the fact that the farmer should have some responsibility of carrying some kind of weight or sandbag and just occasionally check that his scale is weighing somewhat fairly. You are right I could just not do any business at Farmer Browns and I doubt anyone would if they knew his scale was 25% heavier. At what point do you draw the line, can he charge you for 50% of product your not getting then?

I mean why does it have to be aw he's just a local farmer just let it go. Heck I'd be willing to pay the $1.25 a pound he is charging, it's just not fair to advertise $1 a pound and charge something else.

I can illustrate it in your rosy glasses since you can't see this fact. Say Farmer Brown is set up next to Farmer Smith. Farmer Brown is advertising $1 a pound but in this conversation we know in fact he is charging $1.25 a pound. Farmer Smith is charging $1.10 a pound. Faced with this decision and trusting both have fairly accurate scales I'm going with Farmer Brown. Tell me how is this fair to Farmer Smith?

The fact his scale is off by 25% is indefensible and I don't understand why people would attempt to defend it.


The fact that you have to change the scenario to have a point should clue you in.

50 cents...I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.
quote:
Originally posted by WH:

The fact that you have to change the scenario to have a point should clue you in.

50 cents...I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Did you even read my post? I said forget the scenario (and no I didn't change the scenario, I elaborated further). I'll make it short since you don't want to read.

I would be OK with paying $1.25 a pound. It isn't fair to advertise $1 and charge $1.25. Not fair to the consumer and not fair to other farmers.
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
As I expected--a series of caustic little posts that do nothing to address the real issue I have presented here--that when anyone, whether Walmart or Farmer Brown, charges X amount for Y quantity, then Y quantity should be as represented and not some reduced amount.

And barksdale,jeff , you wrote, "It is more amazing to me that you are able to tell the difference of less than 8 oz in your hand."

You are too easily amazed. With a little practice, just about anyone can do it and can do it not just within 8 ounces, but usually within 4, when dealing with quantities in the range of 1 to 5 pounds.


i saw a movie where drug dealers could do that...
quote:
Originally posted by earthmomma:
I have a most marvelous off-color joke about a store clerk, onions, and a hard headed woman customer. It hurts terribly not to get to tell it on the Forums. LOL! I heard it 60 years ago and it is still one of my favorites. (It really has just one taboo word in it!)


off-color joke?
really?
quote:
Originally posted by ffemt:
quote:
Originally posted by WH:

The fact that you have to change the scenario to have a point should clue you in.

50 cents...I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

Did you even read my post? I said forget the scenario (and no I didn't change the scenario, I elaborated further). I'll make it short since you don't want to read.

I would be OK with paying $1.25 a pound. It isn't fair to advertise $1 and charge $1.25. Not fair to the consumer and not fair to other farmers.



You said "forget the scenario"...but yet you "elaborated further on it"...hmmm
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scalde at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have.

My experience illustrates the reason the Department of Agriculture officials initially instructed vendors at the market to obtain certified scales. Of course, the reason Ron Sparks backed off that position is because even though it is his job to enforce accurate weights and measures, he now wants another job--that of Governor--and he does not want to do anything that would alienate voters, even if it is the right thing to do.


You need to go to Walmart and buy their tomatoes if you can't afford to get "ripped off" for 50 cents. Give me a break!
quote:
Originally posted by beternU:
Today I bought some onions from a vendor at the Lauderdale County farmers market. They were priced at $1.00 per pound. He weighed them on his uncertified scalde at 2.5 pounds. When I hefted the bag, it did not feel like 2.5 pounds and I am very good at estimating weight. I took my purchase down to one of the vendors who has a brand new certified scale and weighed it there. It weighed 2.01 pounds. I did not go back to complain to the first vendor, but probably should have.

My experience illustrates the reason the Department of Agriculture officials initially instructed vendors at the market to obtain certified scales. Of course, the reason Ron Sparks backed off that position is because even though it is his job to enforce accurate weights and measures, he now wants another job--that of Governor--and he does not want to do anything that would alienate voters, even if it is the right thing to do.


Problem: A local farmer's scales are off, resulting in a 49 cent overcharge on bag of onions.

Solution A: Do not deal with the farmer directly. Instead, post on an anonymous internet forum about how you were "ripped off" and a government institution should be adding more regulations to local merchants and enforcing them properly. The result would lead to more government involvement, bureaucracy, and more hassle for the farmer to sell his wares. Years later, farmers could face stiffer fines for slight miscalculations and the Dept. of Agriculture hires more employees to regulate everyone, requiring more tax money to pay their salaries.

Solution B: Politely return to the farmer and let him know his scales are slightly off. He adjusts them, re-weighs your bag of onions, and you get your 49 cents back or an additional half pound of onions.

Personally, I would have went with solution B.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×