Am I expecting too much?

Bikerchickone

Bikerchickone

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I've ordered a brand new saddle for my boy who is down at Rockley. I was told it would take 6 weeks to be ready and that since the fitter regularly holidays in the area it would be possible for the saddle to be fitted down there.

Saddle wasn't ready until about a week ago at which point it's been 10weeks from ordering. Just spoken to saddle fitter about dates for her to come and fit and it turns out they're traveling to Devon the weekend I'll be there for my boy to come home so saddle can be fitted there 'no problem'. Great I think, that's perfect, until I'm then told I'm expected to pay half the fuel cost from their home to Devon to do so! Saddle is costing well in excess of £1200 and I had to pay a £50 fitting charge for the visit where he was measured up. Of course I'm then told not to worry I won't get charged another £50 fitting fee!

Realistically I don't expect anything for nothing but they're in the area anyway and I'm more than happy to pay the total cost of fuel from where they are to Rockley. Since when do saddlers charge fitting to brand new saddles they supply themselves? Last time I had one the cost of the first visit was deducted from the cost of the saddle.

I must admit I'm feeling pretty put out that they want to charge me fuel for doing a 400mile trip they're doing anyway.

I haven't part exchanged any saddles and the whole lot is being done as a cash deal. By the time they've added in shims and a saddle cloth I'm looking at close to £1400 I believe for this saddle.

Am I being unreasonable and expecting too much?
 
Glad it's not just me! I've refused to have the fitting done down there but I'm now stuck with waiting until they come back for the saddle. Not ideal with a newly barefoot horse needing to be worked but I just can't afford it. :(

I've texted them to say I'm not happy but had no reply. :(
 
I wouldn't be happy if they're doing most of the journey anyway. I'd be fine id the petrol money was split between the two Devon clients, but not them being paid twice for a single journey!

Could you PM me the saddle make and fitter please. I'm looking at saddles for my grey.
 
Wowsers, they're significantly late getting the saddle to you, they're in the area anyway and they're now demanding fuel costs? If you haven't paid in full yet tell 'em to stick it their jacksie!
 
As far as I'm aware they're spending a weekend down there anyway. I wouldn't have even asked but they offered to do it there, especially when they said saddle would be ready halfway through my lad's stay at Rockley. There was never any mention of me being expected to pay the fuel but then I guess I know why they offered now. :(

Will pm you now Faracat.
 
9tails I wish I could, but the saddles they had suited him so perfectly and I can't afford to have him out of work another 6 weeks whilst I try to organise another saddle. Hubby said exactly the same and it's his money I'm spending. :(
 
no that is ridiculous, if that was part of the deal of them doing it at rockley it should have been mentioned when it was first suggested :mad:
 
Well still no reply from saddle fitter so it looks like I'm stuck with waiting the extra time.

It's so frustrating because the saddles are really good quality and the fitter knew exactly what they were doing but all this makes me not want to ever get them out again. :(
 
So, quick update. Got a text from saddle fitter at midnight (!) Last night saying they stand by their fees and work hard etc. So I replied saying I had no doubts about the work etc but that I was unhappy because saddle was so late and felt it unfair to charge fuel when they were there anyway. No response to that.

However since then the transporter has had to change the dates for my boy coming home so he won't be in Devon when she is! Long story short there's one day between him coming home and her trip away. Thankfully she's agreed to come on that one day so we'll be able to crack on straight away, and she isn't charging me anything for fuel to fit it.

I wasn't expecting her to offer this so I'm very pleasantly surprised that she has. So glad I stayed calm despite being quite miffed last night.

Really looking forward to the boy being home and having his new saddle too! Thank you to everyone for your comments! Will be posting pics soon. :)
 
On the plus side, you were all doom and gloom and, "My horse may never work again" a few months ago.....

....I am quite delighted to hear you moan about saddle fitters now :D:D:D

If needed, you could pick up or borrow or trial a treeless from someone for a few weeks.

A Libra is a safe but uber cheap option, especially if you can find one on eBay.
 
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