Any ideas why my saddle won't sell?

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PercyMum

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This really, really isnt an ad so please don't button press me! Just want to know if there is something obvious I'm missing?

I have had an ongoing trauma with a saddle that just does not fit my horse. Nothing wrong with it, just the saddler I used was an idiot and she won't take it back and I have given up with trying to fight with her about it.

Anyway, have put said saddle on eBay and not a sniff of interest. Its a 17.5" GFS GP-X Monarch saddle and has literally been sat on 4-5 times! I have put a starting bid on it of 400 quid. I thought that maybe that was too much but it cost £650 so thought that was reasonable? have also taken lots of piccies etc etc.

My only other option is to try and sell it through a saddler but they will charge me 20% commission. Completely understand why but its alot of money...

Any other ideas - am seriously broke as the horse had a £2.5k vets bill this week :eek:
 
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I've just sold a very nice and almost brand new Tekna, cost around 500 quid, for a shocking 60 quid on eBay ....so I suspect that your starting price is just too high.
 
rubysmum said:
I've just sold a very nice and almost brand new Tekna, cost around 500 quid, for a shocking 60 quid on eBay ....so I suspect that your starting price is just too high.
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:eek::eek::eek::eek:

Thats outrageous!!! I think i'll hang onto mine then. I really couldn't bring myself to sell it for such a low price :(
 
amymay said:
I agree.
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Bums!! Its brand new though - when I say sat on, I mean sat on!!! No riding around in it!

Will have to have a rethink about whether its worth hanging onto in case I get another horse its does fit or dropping the price radically. What do you think would be a reasonable price? I thought I could also look at selling it via ads in local tack shops but again not sure what price to put on it?
 
PercyMum said:
Bums!! Its brand new though - when I say sat on, I mean sat on!!! No riding around in it!

Will have to have a rethink about whether its worth hanging onto in case I get another horse its does fit or dropping the price radically. What do you think would be a reasonable price? I thought I could also look at selling it via ads in local tack shops but again not sure what price to put on it?
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I know, it stinks. But people are looking for bargins - and that's why they look on Ebay.

I'd start it at £250 (with a reserve of £390), and you might just get it.

I've always done really well selling saddles on Ebay - and have always got what I considered a fair price for very decent second hand ones.

The last saddle I sold was a lovely Albion - purchased for £290, sold for £350.
 
amymay said:
I know, it stinks. But people are looking for bargins - and that's why they look on Ebay.

I'd start it at £250 (with a reserve of £390), and you might just get it.

I've always done really well selling saddles on Ebay - and have always got what I considered a fair price for very decent second hand ones.

The last saddle I sold was a lovely Albion - purchased for £290, sold for £350.
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Great, thanks AmyMay. I might also have one last shot at trying to get the saddler to take back her saddle - I don't have anything to lose!!! If no joy I will pop it on at £250 as you suggest. I generally avoid buying new saddles for this very reason - they are a bit like buying new cars in that as soon as you buy them, they lose a load of value!!
 
PercyMum said:
Bums!! Its brand new though - when I say sat on, I mean sat on!!! No riding around in it!

Will have to have a rethink about whether its worth hanging onto in case I get another horse its does fit or dropping the price radically. What do you think would be a reasonable price? I thought I could also look at selling it via ads in local tack shops but again not sure what price to put on it?
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Saddles direct will probably buy it off you if you contact them for a price. Put it on ebay with a low start say £100 but a reserve on it
 
Maybe you shud hang on it till next year and re-advertise just before the show season starts as thats when most people start looking to buy a new saddle.
 
I just paid 500 on ebay for a only been girthed up and tried on 1499 squids saddle direct from a saddler. I'd try preloved to sell and eBay if you are looking to buy ;)
 
Just a quick thought re the commission the saddler would charge. .. Don't forget ebay will take a cut from a final selling value, as do paypal if you get paid that way. So if the saddler is confident they could shift it for you it might not be that different :)

I've had success selling on local horsey websites, riding club etc.
 
I sold my second hand older Albion on preloved for £500, so maybe try there instead? I also had it on eBay but ended the listing early. Also, have you put that you will post it? That would help lots too
 
Although it costs more, the reserve price on Ebay is worth using as people get excited and bid higher than they meant to. If you have a high start it's more daunting to get them started. I do think saddles even in good condition tend to go for only about 50% of the original price, and less if they are 2 years old or more.
 
Can you not part ex-change it for a saddle that does fit ( using a different saddler)

Apologies for lack of questionmark, key has gone on strike
 
jokadoka said:
Can you not part ex-change it for a saddle that does fit ( using a different saddler)

Apologies for lack of questionmark, key has gone on strike
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Long story but due to the ongoing fued with the idiot saddler I engaged the services of a competent saddler so I could actually ride my horse! Hence the Old new one being sat around for a while.

Thanks guys for all the suggestions. I have emailed Saddles Direct to see what they might offer and have also going to pop it on a local horsey website and see what happens. Never buying a new saddle again!!!

Oooh, unless I win the lottery...
 
I sold several decent saddles this spring on Preloved. Took some good pictures, some sat there for a while, and you do get a fair few timewasters on there, but I held out for what I wanted and got it. No commission or fees, great result.
 
Have you thought about horsequest? Nice tack ob there and i imagine the people searching on there wouldnt be looking for a bargin, they would be after quality. You could also try preloved, its free so nothing to loose.. Id try that before droppin the price :D
 
I'd try preloved, i sold my old Barnsby saddle on ther (well over 10yrs old) for £350. I'd had it at tack shop, e-bay and gumtree for about 3mths before i put it on preloved. It sold within 2weeks. Best of luck
 
PercyMum said:
This really, really isnt an ad so please don't button press me! Just want to know if there is something obvious I'm missing?

I have had an ongoing trauma with a saddle that just does not fit my horse. Nothing wrong with it, just the saddler I used was an idiot and she won't take it back and I have given up with trying to fight with her about it.

Anyway, have put said saddle on eBay and not a sniff of interest. Its a 17.5" GFS GP-X Monarch saddle and has literally been sat on 4-5 times! I have put a starting bid on it of 400 quid. I thought that maybe that was too much but it cost £650 so thought that was reasonable? have also taken lots of piccies etc etc.

My only other option is to try and sell it through a saddler but they will charge me 20% commission. Completely understand why but its alot of money...

Any other ideas - am seriously broke as the horse had a £2.5k vets bill this week :eek:
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Your starting price is way too high.

If you look how much solution saddles cost (between £1850 - £2850) they are around £500-£700 second hand, yours needs to drop way more in price.

Hope your horse is ok and Preloved is a great site for selling your saddles on :)
 
I'd let the saddler have a go, even with 20% commission taken off you'll probably still get more than you would on ebay

Presumably the saddler wont charge if it doesnt sell so you have nothing to lose!
 
A saddle that retails at £650 will only be worth £300 s/h, sadly. Depreciation on anything new is very very high & it gradually tapers off so a saddle 4-5 years old will hold it's value, relatively speaking.
I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if I am saying anything that has already been mentioned. If the saddler came out to you to fit the saddle then he/she should have told you you have 7 days to cancel for a full refund (7 day distance selling regs) If she didn't tell you this, you are entitled to a full refund AT ANY TIME. Speak to Trading Standards, but I think I'm right. It would certainly help with your situation.
If you bought the saddle in the shop, then sadly you don't have the same right to return
 
I agree about the starting price, it is too high. Put a reserve on to prevent it selling too low, then start the price low. At a low price you should get bidders hoping for a bargain. The more people who bid in the hope of a bargain, the more people will bid.
 
longdog said:
A saddle that retails at £650 will only be worth £300 s/h, sadly. Depreciation on anything new is very very high & it gradually tapers off so a saddle 4-5 years old will hold it's value, relatively speaking.
I haven't read the whole thread so apologies if I am saying anything that has already been mentioned. If the saddler came out to you to fit the saddle then he/she should have told you you have 7 days to cancel for a full refund (7 day distance selling regs) If she didn't tell you this, you are entitled to a full refund AT ANY TIME. Speak to Trading Standards, but I think I'm right. It would certainly help with your situation.
If you bought the saddle in the shop, then sadly you don't have the same right to return
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Sorry - I think you are wrong. DSR is only applicable for Distance selling i.e. by post/internet. If you bought the saddle on credit then you have more legs to stand on.
 
EllenJay said:
Sorry - I think you are wrong. DSR is only applicable for Distance selling i.e. by post/internet. If you bought the saddle on credit then you have more legs to stand on.
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I think it still applies to goods sold outside of the retail premises. A lot of saddlers now carry forms telling their customers about their right to return goods within 7 days. These regs were introduced to help deal with pushy kitchen salesmen/double glazing......etc

Trading Standards would certainly know, so worth a phone call IMHO :)
 
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I wouldn't put it on eBay- if you want a decent amount for it you'll end up paying loads in fees after its sold
 
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