Advertising - Timewasters

marinitagsd said:
I really feel for you, its hard enough having to part with a friend without any added problems but it works both ways too!! Having recently advertised for a horse suitable for my beginner/novice hubby to accompany me on hacks out with my TB girls only to get replies from people that have "problem" horses they don't want!!
Rearers, gets excited in company etc, its done my head in to the point, I'm not looking anymore!
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Have you tried contacting riding schools to see if they have something that needs to retire & is looking for a quieter life?

I can understand people wanting photos when there are none or they are poor. It is good that you don't want to waste their time or yours by wanting to see a photo of it before going to view. When the photos clearly show the horse though maybe this is the cyber version of people just wanting a free ride? they think the horse looks nice & just want to pretend to be buying it?
 
Timewasters - hmm here are some really lovely questions asked by prospective buyersto a couple of friends who have loan/sale ponies/horses:

For sale: 3yr old Gelding - question - How old does it have to be before it can have babies.... Answer err at least 25

For loan: 10 yr old 16.1hh mare for competition home done BE - question - would my 4yr old daughter be able to compete in lead rein classes - answer - of course as long as you can run really fast for the trot part

For loan/sale: pony with history of laminitis - advised of laminitis history and that it will NOT pass 5* vetting - taken on trial - - returned lame as failed 5* vetting and has history of laminitis.

Honestly - I GIVE UP
 
I've just put my 2 up for sale, one rising 2, one rising 4 and so far have had:-

Question: "I'm enquiring about your stunning dun gelding".

I don't own a dun gelding (or mare).

Question: "can I ride him, does he come with tack and are you able to deliver him as I don't have transport?"

err no he's 21 months old.

Question: "where are you based?"

I tell her even though its on the advert

"no I want to know exactly where you are"

Do you want to make an appointment to view, I'll give you the address then.

No more response
 
Since Monday (yesterday) i have had 3 people email me (all asking for photos, but that is now a given!!) First lady asked if she could come and see him Thursday or Sat, i replied of course you can and i haven't heard back since. One lady sent me 4 emails, seemed really keen and said she would call me tonight at 7...it's now nearly 8 and not a word and the 3rd person wanted to know if i would hold on to him until August, they would pay to have him backed and if he's ok to be ridden they would buy him...A?
 
It so frustrating buying or selling is the worst thing ever! I was lucky and sold my connie to the second person who viewed him but had to deal with all the usual awful and pointless phone calls.

Now I'm trying to buy and it is just as bad!! Really can't understand why people want to waste their time telling me they have something which they haven't.
 
I got the opposite - lots of people asking how much I was selling my mare for when she was clearly advertised as "for loan" :rolleyes:. I got one spectacular email from a girl saying "My friend and I are interested in buying your horse. Do you think we could teach her to jump so that we could compete her?". I was like, which bit of "17 yr old Arab mare, happy hacker only due to health issues, for full loan....." did you not understand??
 
Also, am I the only one who only really takes people seriously if they ring me to enquire about a horse? I reply to emails, but am generally of the opinion that nothing will come of them - people either don't email back, or people keep on emailing even when you suggest it might be better to talk on the phone if they want more details - and I flat out ignore texts. When I loaned my mare out for the first time, I did reply to them, but people would then keep on enquiring via text instead of ringing me up, and it just started to get ridiculous!
 
I've decided to sell my cob and I had a lady a few days ago who asked if she could loan cobby while she decided whether to keep the horse she already had or buy mine, she would give him a lovely home and would keep him on loan if she liked him until she sold her other horse at which time she would give me some money! Think she thought I was mad when I said "er no thanks". It's hard enough making the decision to sell and having to go through the selling process, without dealing with people who think they have a right to buy your horse at half the price you're selling it at. When they tell me there's a lot of horses out there cheaper than mine I ask them politely to "go and buy one of those then" lol.
 
When I sold my mare, who was pretty much the "perfect horse" and eventually I had to choose between two very keen buyers, for the first month I got nothing but timewasters. For some reason they were mainly pony club mums who seemed to think if they offered to provide a home on a farm, they should get a fully schooled, winning horse for free for their little darling to ride for a few years until they went off to university, without any financial layout on their part. And returning an aged horse to me...

In fact, they are my least favourite type of buyers. When I was selling my 15.1 with no BSJA record, a family asked me to jump higher and higher. Eventually I was doing 4 feet 3, which we knocked down and then cleared. The father said she didn't have enough scope for them. I was only asking £2000!

I found that most email enquiries asking for further details were invariably a waste of time. Genuinely interested people pick up the phone, ask sensible questions and then either decide to come out and try or not.
 
I bought my horse from emails I asked about him, arranged to come and see him all on an email.
Obviously I saw him myself but before I met the stud I bought him off the only contact had been emails so don't dismiss all emails if a seller!
 
I can see both sides of the story. Selling can be one of the most frustrating things ever but by the same token, if you want to sell your horse it doesn't hurt to have a friendly, responsive attitude to potential buyers!

With regards to emailing rather than calling - I hate using the phone. Irrational I know, particularly for someone who spends half the day on the phone as a job. However I hate calling people I don't know, with no idea whether they're busy, what they're doing - I get flustered, forget my questions, and worry about getting a rude or a brush off response. Happy to have a phone conversation further down the line, but I'd rather find out first if the horse is still available and a little more information about it by email so I can get everything in writing and review in my own time.

Also about requests for more photos - that's not unreasonable in my view. Three photos really isn't enough - particularly if the horse isn't exactly down the road. Before taking serious time to go and view a horse I'd like to see as much as possible - a couple of conformation shots, ridden photos in trot and canter, and over a couple of jumps - ideally in a show situation or xc if its done any. Ideally I'd like to see a video too to get an idea of how it goes - should be easily done in this day and age and can save everybody time on a wasted viewing.

On the other side of the coin I've been on the selling side and nothing is more annoying and frustrating than people with plain bad manners who don't read the adverts, don't call when they say they will, don't turn up when they've arranged bookings, don't let you know if they're not interested etc.... absolute bloody nightmare!
 
LouS said:
I actually dread selling/loaning horses.

. I've had friends advertising green, not novice ride ponies and having people come to try then asking the owner to lead them because they're scared. People bringing their far too heavy trainers, or bringing everyone and the family dog to have a go on the pony. Nightmare.
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I've just had a howler.I have a young driving pony for sale, full details in ad, explaining that as he only started in October was not suitable for a novice.
A lady came with her expert friend from quite a long way away. I had the harness hanging up to put on, and I smelt a bit of a rat, so asked her to harness up. She and her friend spent 5 minutes trying to work out which way the breast collar went on, and then told me it was different from her harness. I replied that all harness is much the same. She then started putting the driving reins on the bridle before it was on the pony. For all you non driving people, this would mean that all 12 ft of reins would be lying around under the horse's feet while she tried to sort it out.
At this point, I told her that I was happy to take her driving, but that there was no way she was driving my pony on the main road, and that I wouldn't sell him to her. They were very annoyed, and told me she had been driving for years! Its the same as somebody not knowing how to put the tack on a ridden horse, would you let them ride it after that? I think I did her a favour by not letting her have an accident. I certainly wouldn't let my nice little chap go to somebody like that.
 
I remember advertising my pony for loan when I went to uni and so many people didn't even bother to show up...so rude!! And some turned up and said he was far smaller than they imagined-they were expecting him to be at least 14.2.....errrrr the advert clearly stated he was 13.2.
Someone else turned up with alorry and asked how much I would take for him! very dodgy looking bloke, drad to think where he was going to end up he went with him.

I the end I quit uni and kept him!
 
I do understand your frustration!

From my experience I find it best to put photo's / video's on an internet site like photobucket - create a folder for your horse and then just email the folder link. That way it saves your inbox from crashing.

If you have time it might be worth just creating a short video clip. Stand the horse up and just slowly go around him to show confo from all angles. Then walk/trot him up in hand to show how he moves. If appropriate and you can canter him loose in a school that might also help.

A decent video clip is a super substitue for a long wordy advert.
 
pip6 said:
Last time I advertised an event bred yearling I got a girl from the local stables ringing up to see if she was suitable for hacking, sounded about 14 yrs old. Wanted to know if she could come & ride her. I very polietly said I didn't think she had enough experience for a youngster & this wasn't the kind of horse she was after. Hope she found something suitable in the end.
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You're not anywhere near Oxfordshire are you? Between myself and my friends we have sold 5 horses over the past 18months and had the same number call each of us with the above scenario for each horse! :S
 
No, down on Devon/ Cornwaall border. Reckon girl had seen ad in local tack shop. Very definately think it was teenager angling after free ride though. This filly is very well bred so no bargain basement job, no-way (I hope) parents would consider her as a suitable teenagers play about with horse, a serious event rider would not have asked to ride a yearling.
 
Last time I sold a horse I had some howlers!

The horse in question was a 2yo PRE to make around 16h (he was about 15.2 at the time)



Call 1: Is it a racehorse (heavy accent)

Me: No!

Call 1: But would he be able to race

Me: No!



Call 2: What is his mane like?

Me: groan..............not as long as some PREs

Call 2: Oh I want one with a flowing mane



Call 3: What training has he had?

Me: He is a 2yo (clearly stated in the ad)

Call 3: Do you think he would be suitable for my 8yo to ride - she has been having lots of lessons and is a natural.

Me: I think not the horse for you



This was the best one as the woman actually argued with me!

Call 4: What training has he had

Me: He is a 2yo!!!!!

Call 4: I want him for my husband to learn to ride on

Me: Sorry I don't think he is the horse for you

Call 4: Oh I already have a horse of my own

Me: Oh yes? What have you got?

Call 4: I have a coloured cob he is 16

Me: Oh, but this is a young PRE, they are hotbloods and very sensitive, plus he is far too young to carry your husband yet, you don't seem to have had much experience of youngsters. Sorry I don't think he is the horse for you.

Call 4: Oh but I keep my horse at a riding school, they have had youngsters.

Me: No I am sorry, this is NOT THE HORSE FOR YOU!


The best was a series of text messages though, I had put in the ad that he was only for sale as my husband was a grouch!

Text 1: I am a fit horsey male, if your husband is a grouch call me!

I ignored said text

Text 2: Send ,me a photo of your riding boots, preferably with you in them

Ignored AND blocked!


I actually got so fed up that I took the little man off the market for a year and a half, then sold him to a lovely lady (who spookily had imported his father) who telephoned the first day his ad appeared :)
 
Bosworth said:
well from a buyers point of view I am starting to get really fed up with sellers who don;t respond to emails asking for photos. There is a fantastic sounding horse advertised on Horsemart, a TB who sounds as though he would suit a livery of mine, however there are no pictures at all of him, so 3 days ago I emailed asking for photos. I want decent photos so i can see his conformation and decide whether he is worth a visit. I don't want to waste time on a phone call, i want to see what he looks like. But no response at all. I even appologised for asking for photos and explained why - because I don;t want to waste anyone's time with a totally unsuitable type. If you want to sell your horse - please respond to your emails. Some of us are not timewasters and a decent photograph sometimes saves a wasted journey.
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I agree. When I was looking I emailed quite a few that sounded suitable with specific questions. A lot didn't even reply. One lady did reply and all my questions were answered satisfactorily, she sounded nice and was helpful and positive. I asked for the address so I could come and view (they were about 2 hours away, so not a short trip) and I never heard again! Maybe she sold him, but just a quick email or call back to say 'sorry, he's gone' would have taken a second or two!

I can understand a seller's frustrations if they've had a load of timewasters, and it must be difficult to spot the actual genuine purchasers when they do call.

Politeness costs nothing though, on either part!
 
i was looking for a permanent loan home with possible view to buy for my 4yr old pony, he was unbacked and i made it crystal clear in the adverts, i also said all his faults and quirks because i would rather keep him than him go to a dodgy home.

i was asked if their grand daughter could ride him in a safe place when they viewed, NO he's unbacked, would he be able to do pony club camp in 2 weeks, no he's unbacked.

i had numerous other questions about him and i got the impression they just saw a photo and phoned then asked the questions then rather than reading the ad!

when i've gone to buy a horse or loan one i've asked the right questions on the phone, gone to see it and it turns out to be totally different in the flesh. i went to view one for my step daughter, she rode it and i agreed to go back later in the week to ride it out on a hack with the owner on her youngster, the owner text me that morning (about an hour before i went) saying that the horse came in lame from the field, fair enough and fair play to her for letting me know. i went to look round the yard (was going to move my horses there) and there was a new owner with the horse, basically the horse was sold shortly after my step daughter rode it, she could have been honest about it.
 
hmm - my horse will be up for sale at the end of the week. For all the reasons you have said, it will be my YO dealing with this and not me. Slightly different position in that if she can't find him a really good home, then I will give up on my dream of going back to event and stay showjumping with him. Its not helped by the horror stories of vastly unsound horses that I keep hearing about when my boy has stayed well clear of the vet (apart from eating a wasp) for over 6 years - I also find him hugely enjoyable to do everything else with. As for looking, my heart does sink. - I will have a good budget (extra saved) to buy something with a basic eventing record but have wasted many journeys and hours in the past by going to see something totally unsuitable - and we are talking about people advertising a 16.2 and it turns out to be a 17.2. No good for a 5.5" rider! for long journeys, I WILL be requesting a video before going this time!
 
I've got our new TB mare up for loan, I've been extreamly honest about her and stated quiet clearly she isn't suitable YET for open fields or beaches...phone call from young girl wanting a horse to thrash across the BEACH near her home!! Ummmmmm did you read the ad?????:rolleyes:

I've put Jade on Project Horses now because I'm hoping the people that go on there know they are taking on something that needs some time and work.
 
Thanks to everyone who read and commented on this post. Just letting you know that i sold him today.
Mixed feelings but the buyer seems really nice and her yard looks great and i'm sure they will be really happy together.

So there are some genuine buyers out there that don't waste your time, just ask for photos and you never hear from them again or just turn up for a free ride. Hopefully I'm proof that as long as your honest and open with your buyers you will get a perfect match for your horse.

Good Luck everyone selling and buying a the moment.
 
Glad you got him sold in the end! I can't shift my current crop :(

When I was selling my last horse I had a girl comne and try him. He was a happy hacker and she just wanted to pooter around the farm on him. He literally was the perfect horse for that - quiet, biddable and 110% in any traffic. However, he was a TB (clearly stated in the ad) and after I had ridden him for her and he had behaved perfectly despite not having been sat on for about 5 months, she wouldn't sit on him because his veins were standing out a bit and his "blood was up" :rolleyes: Then he must be a kicker cos he kept switching and stamping at the 1000 cleggs that were mauling him alive. She asked me to school him for a week and she would come back again. I said I would, eventhough I didn't have much time and that was why I was selling him. I did as asked but never heard from her again, and she actually ignored my calls and attempts to get in touch to see if she still wanted to view.
 
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