I run a Agriculture custom application business. Basically I spend a few months every winter spreading fertilizer, ag lime or cover crops for farmers. The work is steady and ive built up a solid clientele the past 6 years.

Part of the job sometimes involves getting calls from farmers ive never dealt with inquiring about my prices etc. Cue sketch ball McGee. (SB for short)

I get a call from a farmer not in my territory, which was a red flag. My service isnt super unique. You travel and hour or two any direction and you find another of me thats happy to do the work. Why wasn’t he calling them?

Says he cant get anyone to spread ag lime for him. Red flag #2. Has 120 acres he wants a whopping 4 tons to the acre. (Note, 1-2 tons an acre is most common, 3 is max if the ph is awful). I say sure ill do whatever you want. Asks for a quote, get him one, $30 a ton for purchasing the lime, trucking and spreading. $120/acre. He says sure sounds good. Start anytime.

Now normally with my usual farmers this is no big deal. I spread, pay all the inputs, then bill them for all materials plus my time on top. Never had an issue. But something was off with him, but at the same time if he was real this was a big profit job. My dad whose much wiser than me told me to ask him for half up front. “Tell him this is standard procedure with new clients.” So I did. Dude said ok ill get back you. Never heard from again. Dodged a bullet i think.

Now I know why no one in his area would work with him.