What is eLonghornSales?

Setting Up an Account

How to Become a TLMA Member

Logging In

Listing an Animal for Sale

How Can I Edit My Listing Later?

Other Options for Listing an Animal

What are the Fees?

How to Pay Fees

Completing the Sale of an Animal

Bidding on an Animal

Completing the Purchase

What if My Animal Does Not Sell?

Getting the Best for Your Listings

What is eLonghornSales?  back to top

eLonghornSales is the nation’s online cattle marketplace, a unique approach to allow you to quickly market and sell your Longhorn cattle. It consists of an online site that allows sellers to place their Longhorns in front of a nationwide audience, and allows buyers and sellers to participate in an open trading platform where a broad market determines the value of the Longhorns that are sold.

This approach gives a seller the potential to quickly place his animals in front of a large audience while saving time, fuel, and other expenses associated with traditional cattle auctions. Buyers can shop from the comfort and convenience of their homes, view a large selection, and bid anonymously.

Here’s how eLonghornSales works:

• A seller lists an item on eLonghornSales.
• The bidding opens when the item is listed, and remains open for 15 days. Buyers may bid at any time. When the listing ends, the buyer with the highest bid wins.
• When the listing is ended, an email is automatically sent to the buyer and seller, providing each party’s name and contact information and advising them of the terms of the sale. This is the only time that identities are known. At this point, buyer and seller consummate the sale.

It’s really easy, and the eLonghornSales support staff can help you get started.

Setting Up an Account  back to top

Go to 'Create Account' on the side menu.The member registration screen will appear. Fill in all fields. Note that fields marked with an asterisk are required. Select a password that you can remember and write it down and keep in a safe place.

Select 'yes' under TLMA member if you are a current member of the TLMA. If you are not a current member, select 'no'. If you would like to join the TLMA, you will be given the option at this point.

Please read the disclaimer and then select the box to accept the User Agreement. You will not be allowed to proceed if you do not.

After creating an account click 'Save'. You will be taken to your new personal User home page where you will see your personal User name and bidder #. Your bidder # is anonymous and no one but you will know it. You are now a registered User and can list animals for sale and bid on animals consigned.

You may later edit any field except your email address and your membership status. Please contact auction@eLonghornSales.com if either of these fields requires editing.

How to Become a TLMA Member  back to top

Anyone can set up an account and use eLonghornSales.com. TLMA members receive discounted rates.

You may become a TLMA member by calling 512-556-0300 or you may email your information to auction@eLonghornSales.com. You may also submit an application through the website: www.thelonghornalliance.com.

You may also become a TLMA member when you create an account through eLonghornSales.com. When asked if you are a member, you will select no. An option will appear that will allow you to join the TLMA by completing the membership application on line and paying your membership fee by credit card.

After submitting the application and credit card payment, you will be taken back to the 'Create an Account' screen. You will see that 'Yes' is selected, indicating that you are a current member.

Once you have become a member, you will immediately receive the discounted member rates for consignments as well as other membership benefits of the TLMA.

Logging In  back to top

Users may log in to their accounts at any time by going to the eLonghornSales.com home page and clicking on the 'Login' button on the top of the side menu. You will then be asked to enter your email address and password. Click 'Submit'. You will be taken to your User home page.

If you lose your password, you may request that it be sent to you by clicking on the 'Forgot your Password?' button on the login page.

Listing an Animal for Sale  back to top

Log in to your account and go to 'List New Item'. This screen will acknowledge your email address and your own personal bidder #.

In the drop down box select the category in which you want to list an animal. This will open the rest of the screen to allow you to submit information on the animal you wish to sell. Complete all fields. In the description section, you may include contact info, website address or other information if you do not wish to remain anonymous.

Each animal listed is open for auction for 15 days and the bidding will end at 8:00 PM Central time on the 15th day.

Animal location is the city and state where the animal is currently held.

ELonghornSales will not sell a listing for less than $500. If you wish, you may protect your listing by entering a higher reserve amount. This amount is not visible to anyone visiting the site and will not effect the bidding process. You may state in your comments that your animal sells with reserve or sells without reserve, if you wish.

Enter a start date for your auction. For members who choose to be billed, auctions may begin the next business day. You may choose to delay the start date in order to give yourself time to promote your animal.

Click the 'Browse' button to choose a good photo or photos on your computer. You must select a jpeg file. Photos should be good quality close-ups showing your animal at its best. When you click on the file, the link will be shown on the form and will upload automatically. Be sure that your photo does not exceed 1 MB in size.

After reviewing the screen for accuracy select 'Submit'. You will then be asked to confirm your information. This is your last chance to review your info. If you wish to change anything, select 'Edit'. You may then make any changes, and then select 'Update' to accept them. When you are satisfied with your information, click 'Continue'. The only fields that can be edited after you click 'Continue' are the 'Additions and Corrections' field and your 'Reserve Amount' so be careful in entering your information. After you click 'Continue' you will be taken to the payment page.

How Can I Edit My Listing Later?  back to top

You may discover that you made a mistake in listing your animal, or your animal might have had a calf or could have broken its horn. Maybe you have had second thoughts and want to adjust your reserve price. In any case, circumstances may arise where you might need to make a correction, adjustment, or add additional information to your listing. Changing the description or terms of sale on an animal in mid-sale can be touchy if potential buyers are already bidding.

Some items can be changed without affecting the buyers, such as:
• Reserve price
• Adding Comments & Corrections

For the buyer’s and seller’s protection, certain information cannot be altered once the listing has been submitted. However, you can add corrections and update remarks in the “Comments & Corrections” field, which is active if you go to the “Edit” page.

Please be aware that a correction or update that might reduce the value or desirability of an animal in any way could give a bidder the right to withdraw a bid. For more information, please see the User Agreement.

Other Options for Listing an Animal  back to top

You do not have to be a member of the TLMA to use eLonghornSales.com. However, if you are a member of the TLMA and have created a User account, your animal(s) can be listed for you. The fee for this EZList service is outlined in the “What are the Fees” section. You will need to furnish all information concerning name, date of birth, pedigree, and any additional comments. You will also need to furnish a photo of your animal. This information can be mailed to: TLMA, 523 E 3rd St., Lampasas, TX 76550 or emailed to: auction@eLonghornSales.com.

What are the Fees?  back to top

There are no fees required to bid for any item on eLonghornSales.com

There is a fee required to sell an item on eLonghornSales.com

1. Non-TLMA Members are charged $199.00 to consign a cow or bull. Credit card payment is required.
2. TLMA Members receive a discounted rate of only $99 each on cow and bull consignments, and may pay by credit card – or we can bill you later.
3. SPECIAL SERVICE AVAILABLE – (TLMA Members only) If you do not want to post your consignments information yourself, we can do it for you for a small up-charge of $50. Total consignment cost is $149. Pay by credit card or we can bill you later.

At times, eLonghornSales may offer special programs or discounts through the Texas Longhorn Journal. Click here for the latest promotions.

How to Pay Fees  back to top

If you are a TLMA member, your cost for listing an animal on the site is $99. You may pay by credit card or request to be billed.

If you are not a TLMA member your fee is $199 and you must pay by credit card.

If you select to pay by credit card, complete the credit card information. Type your card number without spaces or dashes. Enter your 3-digit security code from the back of your card. Select expiration month from the drop down box and type in the year of expiration. Type the name, as it appears on the card—then click 'Submit'. If you pay by credit card, your auction animal will be active immediately upon acceptance of your card payment unless you have elected to delay your start date.

If you are a TLMA member and wish to be billed, select 'Bill me' and 'Submit'. Leave all other fields blank. If you choose to be billed, someone will contact you within one business day to activate your listing.

Completing Sale of an Animal  back to top

You may watch the progress of the bidding on your listed animal within your account. Log in to your account. Select 'My Current Items'. Refresh your screen to view updates on bidding.

When your auction has expired, you will receive an email notifying you that your animal has or has not sold. This email will also contain contact information for the winning bidder. You should make contact with the buyer as soon as possible to complete the transaction and arrange for change of possession of the animal.

The seller is required to handle the paperwork and pay for the registration (or transfer of the registration) of the consignment, and to provide any health papers needed to transport the animal.

Bidding on an Animal  back to top

You must be logged in to bid on an animal. Select the category you wish to view from the side menu.

If you attempt to enter a bid without logging in, you will be taken to the Login Screen. After logging in, choose the category you wish to view. Select the animal you wish to bid on.

The time remaining on the listing as well as the current high bid will be shown on this screen. If you wish to place a bid, click 'Bid Now'. If you choose not to bid, you may click 'Go Back to the Listing' to select another animal.

If you click 'Bid Now' you will be taken to the bid page for the animal you selected. You will again see your User info along with the time remaining and the bid history for this listing.

You may submit your bid in one of two ways—single bids or automatic bid maximums. Please remember that the eLonghornSales system will not accept a starting bid of less than $500.

You may enter a bid amount—please note the minimum bid increase in parentheses. If you fail to bid more than the high bid plus minimum bid increase, you will get a message telling you your bid failed. Enter a correct bid. If you enter your bid in this manner, you will have to re-enter a new bid each time you are out-bid.

You may also enter an automatic bid maximum and then select Auto bid. Your autobid maximum must be higher than any other autobid max on the same animal. If you attempt to enter an autobid max that is less than or equal to another max bid, your bid will cause the system to bid on behalf of the other bidder. You will receive a message that you have been out bid. If you enter a successful autobid max your first bid will be the current high bid plus the minimum bid increase. If you are out-bid, the system will automatically raise your bid by the minimum bid increase unless it exceeds your maximum bid. This bidding will continue until your bid stands as the high bid at the close of the listing or until the bidding exceeds your maximum bid. If the bidding exceeds your maximum bid and you decide to bid higher, you may enter new single bids or a new automatic maximum bid. Use the "Refesh Bids" button found below the list of current bids in order to refresh your screen after bidding. If you wish to continue watching for new bids, you can stay on this page but be sure to use the "Refresh Bids" button frequently in the event new bids are placed.

You can monitor the animal you are bidding on by going to 'My Account' on the side menu. This takes you to your own personal Users home page.

Completing the Purchase  back to top

If you are the winning bidder of an animal, you will receive an email with your purchase price and contact info of the consignor. Please contact the seller promptly to complete your purchase and arrange for possession of your animal.

Unless stated in the comments section, the buyer is required to provide for transportation of the animal to its new home.

Congratulations!

What If My Animal Does Not Sell?  back to top

If your auction expires without receiving a bid or without reaching your reserve, you will receive an email. This email will tell you why your animal did not sell as well as give suggestions for improving your auction listing. You will then have the option to re-list this animal within 15 days at no additional cost.

An individual animal can be re-listed one time at no cost. If you are unsuccessful on your second listing, you will be required to pay to list the same animal again.

Animals cannot be re-listed at no charge if they have changed ownership.

• Log in to eLonghornSales.com
• Select the listing that did not sell
• Click the RELIST ITEM button
• Edit Your COMMENTS (if you wish)
• Attach New PHOTOS
• Enter New RESERVE
• Enter New START DATE
• Click SUBMIT
• Review your listing, then click SUBMIT

Getting the Best Results for your Listings  back to top

Photos

What should you do to get a good photo?

• Make sure to take a nice, close-up pose of your Longhorn. Don’t shoot down at your animal. Get down to their eye level.
• Keep background clutter to a minimum. While photographing your Longhorn, position it on the horizon where its horns appear to be in front of the sky, without trees and unnecessary clutter taking up to much of the photo.
• The most recent photo of your Longhorn is best. You want to have a true representation of what you are selling.
• Your digital photo should be visually clear. Low resolution will make the photo fuzzy or pixilated.

Description

What should you write about your Longhorn in the 'Description & Breeding' field?

• Give a brief description of the Longhorn, be clear on the breeding of the Longhorn, note if there’s a calf at side, which bull(s) it has been exposed to, indicate any great offspring, and other things of this nature. Think about what you might want to know about a Longhorn you are looking to buy, and make sure that you indicate those features & selling points in this Description & Breeding field.
• Consider making some type of delivery consideration. If you make it easier for someone to acquire your Longhorn, it will be more likely to sell.

Advertise/Stand out Above the Rest

How do I make my Longhorn consignment listing stand out?

• Consign regularly. The more you’re out there, the more you’re noticed.
• Tie in your consignment with some advertising. There are a lot of options with the Journal and websites
• Promote guarantees (examples: tested Johnnes negative, OCV’d, shots up to date, guaranteed bred to…, etc.)
• Add some assurance or value in horn growth measurements, calving records, etc.
• All of the above will help a buyer make a decision, much better than a general statement like, 'She’ll look good in your pasture!'
• Remember that you are representing your program, so put your best foot forward. You want to be known for producing great Longhorn cattle.

Finally

Be realistic in your expectations. Ultimately, anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay. In other words, 'value is what the market will bear.' Your goal is to help add value in the minds of the potential customers.