top of page

Buyer Terms and Conditions

1. Agreement to Terms
By registering an account, clicking “I have read and agree to the buyer terms and conditions,” or placing a bid on any lot, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms. These Terms govern all bidding, purchasing, and participation on the CattleLink platform.

These Terms constitute a binding agreement between you (“Buyer”) and CattleLink (“Platform”).

​

2. Buyer Eligibility & Registration
2.1 Only registered Buyers may bid or purchase cattle.
2.2 All registration information must be accurate, complete, and kept up-to-date.
2.3 Registration includes Buyer consent to receive SMS and email notifications regarding auctions, new listings, platform updates, and marketing communications.
2.4 Buyers must be at least 18 years old or the age of majority in their state of residence.

​

2.5 Buyer Approval, Credit Limits & Bidding Eligibility

2.5.1 CattleLink reserves the right to require Buyer pre-approval prior to participating in any auction.

2.5.2 CattleLink may assign a maximum bidding limit (“Credit Limit”) to each Buyer. Credit Limit represents the maximum amount Buyer can hold in unpaid purchases at any given time. Buyer's Credit Limit will be reset once payment is completed.

Buyers may not exceed their assigned Credit Limit. Bids exceeding this limit will be automatically rejected.

2.5.3 CattleLink may require:

  • Proof of funds

  • Bank references

  • Financial documentation

Failure to provide requested information may result in denial or removal of bidding privileges.

2.5.4 CattleLink may adjust limits, require additional verification, or revoke bidding access at any time.

2.5.5 Registration does not guarantee approval to bid.

 

3. Binding Nature of Bids
3.1 All bids are final and binding. Placing a bid creates a legally enforceable purchase agreement with the Seller if you win. 

Payment obligations arising from a winning bid must be fulfilled through CattleLink in accordance with Section 4.
3.2 “Accidental,” “mistaken,” or “unauthorized” bids will not be excused. Buyers are responsible for their account security.
3.3 Failure to complete payment constitutes breach of contract and may result in legal action and permanent removal from CattleLink.


4. Part Payment, Full Payment & Transportation
4.1 Part Payment

A non-refundable Part Payment of $40 per head is due upon winning a lot.

Buyer must complete Part Payment within 24 hours of the auction closing (“hammer fall”).

Part Payment is processed through CattleLink and applied toward the total purchase price.
4.2 Full Payment

Full payment is due upon cattle being weighed on the scheduled shipping day.

For shipments occurring over multiple days, each day’s draft/weight constitutes a separate payment obligation.

Buyer must:

  • Initiate full payment at that time; and

  • Ensure payment is received by CattleLink within 24 hours of that day’s weighing

Buyer may not delay or combine payments across multiple shipping days unless expressly approved by CattleLink in writing.

Failure to initiate payment at the time of weighing or failure to complete payment within 24 hours constitutes Buyer Default.

4.3 All payments must be made directly to CattleLink. Direct payment to Sellers is prohibited unless authorized in writing by CattleLink.

4.4 Accepted Payment Methods

  • Wire transfer (primary and strongly preferred)

  • ACH (if approved in advance)

  • Overnighted check through FedEx or UPS (FedEx or UPS only, with prior approval)

USPS is not accepted. All checks must be sent via overnight delivery. 

CattleLink reserves the right to require wire transfer for any transaction at its sole discretion.

4.5 CattleLink may verify payment initiation and availability of funds and may delay shipment pending verification.

4.6 Buyer is responsible for arranging and funding transportation unless otherwise stated.

4.7 Buyer authorizes CattleLink to contact financial institutions to verify funds, payment status, and creditworthiness.

Failure to cooperate may result in account suspension or termination.

4.8 Failure to complete Part Payment or initiate full payment as required constitutes Buyer Default


5. Buyer Inspection & Condition Standards
5.1 All descriptions, weights, classifications, and conditions are provided by the Seller and are believed to be accurate but are not guaranteed by CattleLink.
5.2 A CattleLink representative may be present at the time of loading to observe cattle and confirm general consistency with the Seller’s listing.

This is a visual observation only and is limited in scope. It does not constitute:

  • A full inspection

  • A veterinary evaluation

  • A guarantee of health, condition, or performance

Buyer acknowledges that such presence is for quality control purposes only.

5.3 Buyer is responsible for inspecting cattle immediately upon delivery/unloading and verifying that cattle reasonably conform to the listing.

5.4 All cattle are sold “as-is,” subject only to the accuracy of Seller representations at the time of sale.

5.5 Buyer may not delay payment, refuse delivery, or attempt to renegotiate terms after cattle have been loaded and shipped.


6. Claims for Misrepresentation
6.1 Valid Claims Include:

  • Mis-sexing

  • Major undisclosed illness or injury

  • Significant weight deviation

  • Incorrect lot quantity

6.2 Claim Submission

Claims must be submitted promptly with:

  • Photos/videos

  • Written explanation

  • Delivery documentation

6.3 Determination

Cattlelink may use third-party inspectors or submitted evidence. Decisions are final.

6.4 Remedies

May include:

  • Financial adjustment

  • Partial refund

  • Other reasonable resolution

Full returns are not guarenteed.​

6.5 Normal cattle behavior, stress, shrink, minor injury, or transport fatigue are not grounds for claim.

​

7. Finality of Sale
All sales are final unless a valid misrepresentation claim is approved.


8. Risk of Loss, Transportation, and Title Transfer
8.1 Risk of loss, injury, illness, or death transfers to Buyer immediately upon cattle being loaded for shipment. Buyer is responsible for all transportation risks, including but not limited to:

  • Injury

  • Death loss

  • Shrink

  • Stress

  • Delays

8.2 Buyer is responsible for:

  • Arranging and funding transportation 

  • Ensuring timely pickup

  • Providing suitable receiving facilities

  • Complying with all applicable laws and regulations

Any delay caused by Buyer may result in:

  • Additional costs

  • Liability for damages

All such risks and costs are the sole responsibility of the Buyer.

8.3 Title & Ownership

Legal ownership/title of the cattle remains with Seller/CattleLink until full payment has been received and confirmed.

Risk and ownership are separate: while the Buyer bears responsibility for the cattle during transit, the Seller retains legal ownership to protect against non-payment or default.

Once full payment has been received and confirmed, legal ownership/title of the cattle transfers to Buyer.

8.4 By participating in the auction, Buyer acknowledges and agrees to this split of risk and ownership, understanding that:

  • Buyer assumes all risks once cattle are loaded, and

  • Cattle cannot be commingled, sold, transferred, or encumbered until full payment has been recieved and confirmed by CattleLinkand ownership transfers.

8.5 In the event of Buyer Default, CattleLink and/or Seller may pursue recovery of the cattle, the purchase price, and associated costs in accordance with Section 10.4.

8.6 Force Majeure / Acts of God
Buyer assumes all risk of loss or damage to cattle during transit, including but not limited to accidents, natural disasters, severe weather, or other events beyond the control of Seller or CattleLink (“Acts of God”).

Buyer is responsible for any resulting loss, and CattleLink or Seller shall not be liable for damage or death of cattle caused by Acts of God.

Buyer is strongly encouraged to obtain transit insurance to protect against potential losses.

8.7 Cattle Received Prior to Payment Confirmation

Buyer acknowledges that cattle may arrive at Buyer’s location before full payment has been received and confirmed by CattleLink.

In such cases, Buyer agrees that until payment is fully received and confirmed:

  • Cattle must be kept separate and identifiable

  • Cattle may not be commingled with other livestock

  • Cattle may not be sold, transferred, or otherwise disposed of

  • Buyer must take reasonable steps to preserve the condition and identity of the cattle

CattleLink will notify Buyer once payment has been received and confirmed.

Failure to comply with this Section constitutes a material breach of these Terms and may result in recovery actions under Section 10.

 

9. Health, Quality & Representations
9.1 Seller representations are believed accurate but not guaranteed by CattleLink.
9.2 Buyer acknowledges normal industry variation.
9.3 Responsibility transfers to Buyer once cattle are loaded for shipment unless a valid claim exists.


10. Buyer Default
10.1 Failure to pay, accept delivery, communicate, or comply with these Terms constitutes Buyer Default.
10.2 Upon Default, CattleLink and/or Seller may:

  • Retain Part Payment

  • Recover full purchase price

  • Recover losses (resale difference, feed, transport, etc.)

  • Pursue legal action

  • Permanently ban Buyer

Buyer is responsible for all legal and collection costs.

​

10.3 Right to Recover Cattle & Additional Remedies

In the event of Buyer Default, Buyer agrees that CattleLink and/or the Seller shall have the right to pursue all available remedies to recover losses, including but not limited to:

  • Recovery of the full purchase price

  • Recovery of possession of the cattle (will be pursued to the fullest extent allowed by law and applicable state/federal regulations.)

  • Recovery of any proceeds from the resale of such cattle

  • Recovery of all associated costs, including transportation, feed, yardage, veterinary expenses, and administrative costs

Buyer acknowledges and agrees that:​

  • CattleLink and/or Seller may take reasonable actions, in accordance with applicable law, to reclaim or secure the cattle in the event of non-payment

  • Any attempt to sell, commingle, or transfer cattle prior to full payment may constitute fraud and may be referred for civil and/or criminal action.


11. Dispute Resolution & Arbitration

CattleLink acts as a neutral arbitrator for disputes under these Terms.

Decisions are final and must be pursued through CattleLink prior to outside legal action where permitted.


12. Platform Role & Limitation of Liability

CattleLink is a marketplace only and does not own, transport, or insure cattle.

CattleLink is not liable for indirect or consequential damages.


13. Indemnification

Buyer agrees to indemnify CattleLink from claims arising from handling, transport, or use of cattle.

​

14. No Bid Manipulation

Collusion or bid manipulation is strictly prohibited.


15. Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, unless otherwise specified.

bottom of page