Well, today me and a couple of my buddies toured to the next biggest town 60 miles away and went to the Polaris dealer. We were browsing and i see that they have a 03 XC 500 left over sitting out there for $6995. I am sure i could have got them down to 7000 tax included. I would have it sitting in my yard if it wasn't for the mad cow because i have $4000 in summer wages, a calf that should have been worth $800, and the XLT trade in at say even $1100. So, that is $5900 down, and only 1 100 or so left to pay.


The only problem is that my parents were my employers this summer because if i left they would have to get a hired man anyways and they don't have the money to pay me because of the mad cow, and feel like a real ### already even getting them to pay me, and i don't want to be like "I want my cash, NOW." THis sucks.

sounds like u are really in hole. sorry to hear that. i work for my dad and sometimes working for relatives makes things a bit hard. so in a way i can relate to what u are saying. let us know how u make out.

cheers

That sucks, but remember one thing.

You have your family for life, and a sled for only a few years.

The mad cow thing has definitely made for some tough times, but stick together as a family, and you will get through it. There will always be another sled in the future.

FishHog

Bauer,

You are doing the right thing! One more year on the XLT won't kill you. I would have loved to had a machine when I was your age. I feel for you guys and this mad cow stuff. hopefully it will be back to normal soon.

that mad cow thing is bigger behind the scene then what is up front. how about aylmer meats ? i think someone is knifing them to make ernie eves look bad in the end.

Bauer XLT's aren't that bad. Way better than no sled. you are doing the right thing, your parents will make it up to you when they can , I am sure. AS for the price of the sled it seems like too much.

Two thoughts on this. One, your parents hired you as an employee. If they hired someone else, they would still have to pay them. That being said, two, they are your parents and you have to stick with family no matter what.

Originally posted by paul yarek@Sep 25 2003, 09:43 AM
that mad cow thing is bigger behind the scene then what is up front. how about aylmer meats ? i think someone is knifing them to make ernie eves look bad in the end.
I agree that the beef farmers have had way more than their share of grief lately. As far as the Aylmer meat situation goes, they closed the plant because meat was being processed without government inspectors present. The reason government inspectors weren't present was the provincial government has slashed government inspectors to the bone. It was huge in the news when this came out about Aylmer, and everyone was talking about how they weren't going to eat beef anymore, but it barely hit the news when it was announced that they had tested all the beef from Aylmer and it was all fine; no problems.

Meanwhile, I'm picking up steaks at the grocery store for rock bottom prices because of this, but what about the farmer who has a mortgage to pay and cattle to feed? I don't think Ernie Eves needs any help to look bad. :devil:

So to get back on topic, I think your parents are dealing with a huge situation right now and I don't think I would be pressuring them when they are possibly concerned about making their other financial commitments right now. You do have a sled to ride, so you'll still be out there. :)

jacqui,
the owner of the meat packing plant lives inside of ten miles from me here in the country. he {the owner} has hired a lawyer that we all know to represent him. this lawyer never loses because he only represents those that are telling the truth.

stand by your old man he needs the help today and tomorrow he will help you......thats what familys are all about...

Sorry to hear about your dilema Bauer. I'm sure in time you will upgrade but if you have to ride the old XLT for another season i'm sure you'll find a way. The price does seem a little high though for a left over 500. Give randy's tire a call in Lundar. He usually has unbelievable prices on leftovers. Last year in December a friend picked up a left over 02 XC 700 for under 8 grand. Call him maybe he has something cheaper.

bauer,
get off the farm if it isn't paying you. go to school and get an education in something like accounting. accountants most have no personality but they own the big corporation that makes millions. stay away from anything like social work it pays noting.
I AM TELLING YOU FROM EXPERIENCE and you owe your parents nothing because i am sure you did not ask to be born.

Originally posted by paul yarek@Sep 25 2003, 02:16 PM
bauer,
get off the farm if it isn't paying you. go to school and get an education in something like accounting. accountants most have no personality but they own the big corporation that makes millions. stay away from anything like social work it pays noting.
I AM TELLING YOU FROM EXPERIENCE and you owe your parents nothing because i am sure you did not ask to be born.
Sorry to here of your predicament Bauer. That would be a tough decision to make.
Paul,
Now I do agree with you on the the education part but you owe your parents nothing because you never asked to be born ;) Thats pretty harsh man. Most parents will help there child no matter what they have done. And again MOST don't ask for anything in return. If my parents owed me money I wouldn't ask for it if it would make them unstable financially. However just my .02

No worries! Better to ride a mad cow than an XC 500 anyway. JK :D :D

I worked on our farm for my dad and the only pay i got was they paid my insurance. I had mowed yards and had 4-H animals to pay for my sled and first truck. I rode an 89 phazer for 5 years untill i bought my mxz last year. I would have loved to have been paid a regular wage but our situation wouldn't allow it. Now i am working full time and farming with my dad and brother. If i were you i would just be glad that my family was doing well enough to be able to pay me a wage. If you have to ride your old sled another year that will be that much more you can save up to buy the new sled outright. You never know maybe you will happen on the deal of a life time.

farming paid for my diapers so i know what it is like to not be paid to work 16 hours a day. it teaches you not to be afraid of work though. BUT i wouldn't expect my children to have a full time job on my farm for little or nothing. never hold a child back especially when all his buddies are getting paid for their effort. if the farm cannot support itself get rid of it.

B349,
if you think with your heart and not your head you get screwed every time. yes stand by your family but why should two starve ? been there and done that.

Rollo, I bet a mad cow could be fun to ride LOL!
Paul, I am only 16, still in school, can't just up and leave, but i have an accounting class in school, and i don't mind it.
98mxz583, The only reason i am getting a wage is because if i wanted to go and get a job, they would have to hire a person anyways.
Rob, i will have to keep that in mind!

Originally posted by Bauer@Sep 26 2003, 12:17 AM
Paul, I am only 16, still in school, can't just up and leave, but i have an accounting class in school, and i don't mind it.

well then you have a few years to go. stay in school, i know you have been told that before. the best years of your life.

I understand what your saying and i am not sure what i said sounded the way i wanted it to. I didnt mean to sound like an @ss. I was just saying that if you are like 99.9% of the other farm kids i know they would be very happy to be able to do what they love along with be with their family and get paid for it. I know i would have like to and would still love too. As for as "If the farm isnt paying for its self then get rid of it." I don't know many people could sell something that has been the way of life for their famliy for over 100 years. I have watched my grandfather who just passed away in january, my father, and brother put their blood sweat and tears into this farm right beside me. There is no way in hell i will just dump it because times get tuff. And i don't think my family held me back i learned a lot about life out their with my family. The most important thing i learned was to always cherish the time you get to spend with them. My grandpa's death was very sudden to us and i wouldn't trade anything for the time i got to spend working along side him.

Originally posted by 98mxz583@Sep 26 2003, 08:04 PM
I don't know many people could sell something that has been the way of life for their famliy for over 100 years.
you're right about that.

the biggest fear of change is the change itself.

I've worked in a family business all of my life there are good and bad times stick with it.