arrrghhhh really?selling rant with snarling

SaharaS

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:confused: pointless...but necessary..I'm sure you'll all have been here

decided I need to reduce my numbers after my accident & complications purely so that i can enjoy fewer horses properly, have lots of fun with them and not wear myself out physically which in theory would leave more energy to do more & get out more with them..heartbreaking but seems sensible so advertised 3 of my 5 with the idea of seeing which would go and ideally selling 2 and keeping three which really works for me.

Sold one in Dec which was a nightmare in itself that took a loooooooong 8 weeks from first contact..to a forever home that haggled me right down and appears to have dropped of the face of the earth or sold him since!!:eek:(lots of snarling and gnashing faces

...Last advertised youngster & broodmare in early jan so I'd miss bored teens texting over Christmas & New Year...had a good few responses on both and a few trickling in ever since despite not renewing. Had a good buyer lined up for each, but both fell thru due to genuine reasons with vet issues with their other horses but have kept in touch and they were both very professional & I appreciated how they were about it all,there are some genuine ones out there not all time wasters..

this is the silly bit but its really wound me up.Today i get a random text at 5 saying :
Hi, is your horse still for sale.
I simply replied :
Yes still for sale please can you call me between 7 & 8 for a chat and I'll make sure I'm in good signal.

I didn't ask which one, thinking that as both still are for sale and didn't want to sound like some kind of dodgy dealer, which I'm honestly not-it can come across bad on a text and don't really like doing much more than arranging when ok to call etc and confirming that horse is still available.
I've just had a text (11pm!!!!bit rude!) saying: Sorry what horse as my friend just text me your number.

*snarls and throttles person who sent text & shakes them till some sense happens*

I just replied happy to discuss any further details by phone when you call, thank you.

Now I am wide awake, feeling highly grizzly and irritated. Possibly kids, but sounds sooooo dodgy...you'd think the person would have some vague idea what they were looking for...have had another on email every single friday asking if mare is still available this is 6 fridays now. She refuses to call yet asks the most stupid questions..like I'm looking for a horse to breed off of..(eeeeekk bad grammar put me off straight away) THEN....the cracker..she sounds perfect..do you recon she'd be ok with that..??? Really bit my tongue not to put a facetious reply 'hang on I shall go and run it past her and see what she thinks.' She then got really stroppy with me for not reducing the price because it was double what she had in mind and STILL would not speak to me.

I refuse point blank to do any more than initial ok to call etc by text..and certainly never negotiations on price to some random unknown plonk who likely has three heads and no thumbs, never mind any relevant experience.


Going back to check my ads for any hidden codes that may have inadvertantly spelt out NUMPTIES RING NOW! grrrrrr.

...thank you for being venting recepticles, i do appreciate it! and champagne ice cream cubes dipped in white choc for all who've patiently listened. Please forward all unwanted Jubilee bunting...I'm going to use it to lassoo and restrain all nutters who call up in future:D
 
Good grief, people like that give buyers a bad rep! Just delete the numpties as and when they drop their cover :D That you even replied to the 11pm one means you're far more patient than I am.
 
I now have a craving for champers and white chocolate, oh dear. On the bright side you haven't got the "would you consider a loan" call yet :p
 
Sarah Sum 1..I've just eaten your share of the icecream cubes...you nearly had a whole tray!

Oh I didn't mention the loan requests..or the buy now pay in installments starting on month 8!!!!or the request to drive rising 4 yr old to Scotland from Somerset...for initial viewing...or the loonie woman who wanted me to take him to xc school somewhere if she hired a course or if we could go to an event to pop him over loose...just to clarify he is not yet backed!!!!

I hope these people realise they are very bad for my sensitive teeth!!!!!

we now need a 'losing will to live' smilie!:rolleyes:
 
But...:(

:D seriously though, I hope the numptys stop texting/calling. A sane buyer will come along.

Good luck :)
 
Good grief! I feel stressed for you! There really are a whole lot of numpties out there:( I hope the right buyers come along soon-good luck:) (And def the most intriguingly tasty sounding treats I've ever seen offered..) ;)
 
It dont get any better. I put ad up for friend selling her welsh b. One txt asking whats lowest i would go. She also kept txting on a friday to see if she was still for sale. One txt saying would you take £200 for her. She was up for £275 so ok dont mind , but she had not even seen her. Then i said come see her first. All went well. New owner was told Pony is just backed 4 year old needs bring on. I was still doing this till she went on the 26th may. My friend gets call 2 days later they have to resell her as cant do anything with her.. She is then back up for sale at £550. grrrrrrrrrrrrr i told my firend from off i dont like them. I also got call yesterday after i took all ads down asking if she still for sale...lol and to top it all off was not my horse grrrrr i really do feel for you.
 
I never except text messages. I just delete them. If people are serious they will ring or email if they cannot face picking up the phone. I put in my advert no text messages.

I also offer videos if people email or ring for them on request as think that makes a big difference.

I did not have a single idiot ring about my horse and he was cheap because of hock spavins but he still was ideal RC horse.
 
Unfortunately that is what happens when you sell a horse or anything for that matter!

When I sold my mare I strongly worded advert not novice ride. When anyone called I probably made her sound worse than she was so that they knew what they were coming to see. Still got idiots and novices calling me!
 
Good grief!! You deserve a medal!!

I do chuckle at adverts you see on Facebook pages stipulating quite strongly NO LOANS first comment underneath advert- would you loan? In the word of Michael macintyre ... idddeeeots!! Lol also a great way to prove they can't have read the advert that well and aren't even aware of what they are asking to loan!!
 
Or... perhaps they can't read and just copy and paste... would you loan? In pure hope that someone with a similar number of brain cells might loan to them!
 
Ah I bought my newer horse having texted the owner first time... but only to arrange a time to talk on the phone as I was away over the weekend and wanted to be at home for a chat, but wanted to remind myself and book a time to do it. I don't like texting - I've been trying to loan out one of mine and the amount of time wasters is insane. I'm a teenager myself (though on the 'old' side of it!) but getting little twelve year olds turning up having told me they are amazing and very experienced, to try my ex-racer for loan! I end up turning them away, once had to lead a girl on him...

There is no telling some people! You try explain your horse isn't a novice ride, or you are not taking any lower than x amount but they still try it on.
 
Or... perhaps they can't read and just copy and paste... would you loan? In pure hope that someone with a similar number of brain cells might loan to them!

true..I have had one deaf lady text, but she refused to even get a friend to speak to me and was reluctant to give me any of her experience or background via text or email so I declined the viewing-like to know a tiny bit of the potential home, even if its not spoken...and loans..I've trashed this one around for yonks while he's been growning up... couldn't loan in a million years!:D I've read too many nightmares on here for one!!! Also I'm sure some have the best luck etc & love the loan idea, but it just doesn't sit comfortably with me..I bred the youngster and he's currently a very unspoilt lovely young man who i've done alot of the basics & all the groundwork with incredibly carefully,I just can't risk the bringing on or backing baby bit after my accident-I was advised not to ride again as its all spine related so am sticking to older known quantities rather than take risks..I'd not necessarily have the strength in my back or legs when i'd need them and the risk of losing my mobility is too great to take the risk....he's incredibly well bred to event and ideally needs to be sold so I don't end up with him back ruined..in which case i'd be stuck with something with issues that I'd not be able to fix or a half started youngster i couldn't commit to riding consistently depending on how strong i feel day to day and each spook maybe putting me out of the saddle for 3 weeks as has already happened with my older'known quantities'and then having probs that way which again is unfair on him..

or plan B I pay for someone to start him and compete him (I have a victim in mind!) and just enjoy him that way. The broodmare, same really I would rather not loan simply for the nature of breeding and the complications it can bring, although she is a natural easy wonderful mum and excellent mare to do /have, I wouldn't want any indirect attachment..worst case which could equally happen to me, so not being off in the slightest, something could go wrong and i end up with a horrific bill or no mare..so I'd rather keep her as a field ornament than loan... I guess I just have a kind of anti loan device built in...or some massive mental block with it!:D:D:D i've run out of icecream cubes now :eek:
 
Ah I bought my newer horse having texted the owner first time... but only to arrange a time to talk on the phone as I was away over the weekend and wanted to be at home for a chat, but wanted to remind myself and book a time to do it. I don't like texting - I've been trying to loan out one of mine and the amount of time wasters is insane. I'm a teenager myself (though on the 'old' side of it!) but getting little twelve year olds turning up having told me they are amazing and very experienced, to try my ex-racer for loan! I end up turning them away, once had to lead a girl on him...

There is no telling some people! You try explain your horse isn't a novice ride, or you are not taking any lower than x amount but they still try it on.

Oh blimey...tho I'm very glad to hear it..I don't wish to be selfish & keep the nutters ALL to myself!!glad we sharing!I'm in a similar boat as mare is a very lovely but incredibly sensitive Tb who raced and the baby is homebred to event..neither are teen ones and both sensitive in different ways but in good ways..its just so hard to get the feel for people by text, not to mention horiffically expensive to give a fully fitting answer that does the horse any justice, PLUS all the querstions you need to ask of them!its ok ish on email, but its bad enough selling, they only really have to fool you for the length of the viewing and phone calls and email just doesnt flow as well as face to face or voice to voice instant answers and tone you pick up on from phonecalls... *scuttles off to make more iced goodies...I think you need some too by the sounds of it!!hic*
 
Good grief!! You deserve a medal!!

I do chuckle at adverts you see on Facebook pages stipulating quite strongly NO LOANS first comment underneath advert- would you loan? In the word of Michael macintyre ... idddeeeots!! Lol also a great way to prove they can't have read the advert that well and aren't even aware of what they are asking to loan!!

hehe judging by the way he frantically paces..hair in hot pursuit... i think he's had his fair share of loan de-rangers too!;-)
 
I never except text messages. I just delete them. If people are serious they will ring or email if they cannot face picking up the phone. I put in my advert no text messages.

I also offer videos if people email or ring for them on request as think that makes a big difference.

I did not have a single idiot ring about my horse and he was cheap because of hock spavins but he still was ideal RC horse.

I've specified exactly the same-no texts and pref no emails please. amd have one video on ad with 15 more on youtube all tagged and showing him not only working in school on lunge etc long reining, loose schooling but being himself too so they get a good feel for him & what he's all about-same with mare..pics wise, as many as add allows and a whole email prepared of 20 odd pics which i send out showing as much as poss..and the second with videos incase they are too thick to find it themselves by reading the link. the serious buyers I've had have been perfect, but genuine situations went pear shaped.. so at least I guess i have those almost experiences to keep me semi sane..i guess when the times right it will happen....or i'll keep them and use buyers for back filling garden features etc!:eek:
 
I started a thread about sellers and technology the other day, I don't see any reason to text though and certainly not for lengthy conversations.

I hate making phone calls to strangers, I like to think I am not a numpty, but I am a wee bit shy! Just emails for a few questions which I now try to minimise and if the seller comes across friendly and not hard work in text form then I have no problems calling them to discuss further :-)

Some people come across really short in emails like they really resent having to reply at all, so I don't call them unless the horse is amazing as they put me off!
 
I am scaling down following injury too. Nothing as serious as urs but a wake up call. I currently dread conversations by text or phone that begin with, 'she's just so pretty' which I think is code for, 'i can't ride and know nothing about horses but I want it'. Yes she's pretty and rare but don't u want to know what she can do? Sold my gelding recently, (just the mare to go) and advertised him as very forward going, not novice ride, previously badly treated, will run away with u if possible. The amount of 'i can now canter at riding school' calls I got and one old boy asking if he'd be good for a new starter, yes he did mean complete beginner! When the mare is sold i'm crawling into a corner and never buying or selling anything again.
 
Ah my gosh! I hope you find some sane person to sell to soon.

Regarding the text situation, someone said they just delete texts because if they are serious they will call. I have real issues with phone calls due to lack of confidence, I can't even call a takeaway because I get ridiculously tongue tied! (wet i know) So my first contact with most people is text or email. After that I seem to be ok. I'm not a bad person and wouldn't mess any one around but my confidence issues would drive me to texting. Thankfully the lady I purchased my horse off was happy to send lots of emails lol.
 
I do sometimes prefer to send texts due to my hearing problem, if someone had a very thick accent or bad reception I would struggle to hear them clearly and then I'd probably have to back up the call with a text or email just to clarify what I was trying to find out! It's not a shyness thing for me - I'm happy to speak to people if I can, but it's nice to know I can text/email too. But I take your point about time wasters, it's a lot easier to send a non-committal text than it is to pick up the phone!!
 
I also think the anti text and email brigade are potentially cutting out a lot of good buyers. There are many reasons people may not want to phone that don't mean they are time wasters. Awkward work shifts, poor phone reception, a speech impediment, confidence issues or phobias, hearing issues or other disabilities. They may also be quite embarrassed to bring that up in a first text or email to a stranger.

I know that at least one rider with gold medals to their name won't phone strangers.
 
I'm looking to buy at the moment and every email I have sent hasn't been responded to! I don't think I'm asking stupid questions, mainly where abouts in the country they are, if the horse has any serious issues ie health problems (most ex racers). Have then tried calling people - no answer and no response to voicemail messages! So end up texting, to which they reply within minutes grrr
 
The other thing is if you email you have a written record of what has been said. Useful if it goes tits up later. Makes me doubt a seller's honesty if they are reluctant to put anything in writing.
 
There're plenty of us serious and genuine buyers out there...we're just outnumbered by the idiots :D

:D we need to start a cull..I have my pea shooter at the ready!


I started a thread about sellers and technology the other day, I don't see any reason to text though and certainly not for lengthy conversations.

I hate making phone calls to strangers, I like to think I am not a numpty, but I am a wee bit shy! Just emails for a few questions which I now try to minimise and if the seller comes across friendly and not hard work in text form then I have no problems calling them to discuss further :-)

Some people come across really short in emails like they really resent having to reply at all, so I don't call them unless the horse is amazing as they put me off!

Totally appreciate this..particularly the not lengthy conversations by text...particularly if you've taken the trouble to write a very comprehensive and detailed but not waffled advert-not just "horse for sale call me!!!" If someone has issues with speaking i've kind of covered my back in the ad saying ('I've just checked) Happy to send further emails with info, photos as videos on request but would prefer calls or emails-no texts. Its when they don't bother to read the ad and ask you things like the text last night ie what horse is it.or ask its height and age already clearly stated in add and then if its been backed-again clearly stated this will not be done prior due to my health but have stated everything that has been done..and then the texts like the one asking to take him XC loose schooling!:eek::eek::eek:

I am scaling down following injury too. Nothing as serious as urs but a wake up call. I currently dread conversations by text or phone that begin with, 'she's just so pretty' which I think is code for, 'i can't ride and know nothing about horses but I want it'. Yes she's pretty and rare but don't u want to know what she can do? Sold my gelding recently, (just the mare to go) and advertised him as very forward going, not novice ride, previously badly treated, will run away with u if possible. The amount of 'i can now canter at riding school' calls I got and one old boy asking if he'd be good for a new starter, yes he did mean complete beginner! When the mare is sold i'm crawling into a corner and never buying or selling anything again.

Totally empathize with you is just horrrrrrrrrrriffic situation to be selling when you don't really need idiots to make it harderby not reading! I've got my hiding corner all mapped out & am practicing currently by sitting in it to rock back & forth burbling on a daily basis!(its where I hide my chocolates):D:D:D
 
Couple of devils advocate questions for the poster who says no texts at all :D ...

What if the buyer is deaf? Still no texts?
Cripplingly shy? Still no texts?
Poor signal? Still no texts?

IMO there are plenty of reasons to text first, I would never do full negotiations but first contact. If an ad says no texts to me that says they want to be able to talk you round and it really puts me off.

I always text first as I have had a lot of rude sellers on the phone so I always text to ask if it is still for sale (at a reasonable time) and you have said you answered this fair enough. She is saying her friend sent her the number which is why she didn't ask specific enough question in the first text, I don't think she has done anything wrong (my friends often send me numbers for adverts of things I am looking for).

However a text at 11pm!!!! Fuming!!!

That said buying and selling absolutely sucks and you have my sympathies!
 
I will hold my hand up and admit I am phone phobic, and if there are two similar ads I will respond to the one with the ability to use the written word, whether text or email, though I am not bad if initial contact has been made. This may be due to several reasons. I am painfully shy, stutter with strangers (even in a supermarket!) and get in a tangle with words, and I didn't use a phone at home till I was in my twenties.

Saying that, if I really have to use a phone I do, for example in an emergency (no problem).....and when I worked as a pet sitter for three years and had to phone clients. But it was very hard for me and took me a while to build up to it.

Wishing you all the best in the search for a new owner for one or the other of your horses OP.:)
 
Ah my gosh! I hope you find some sane person to sell to soon.

Regarding the text situation, someone said they just delete texts because if they are serious they will call. I have real issues with phone calls due to lack of confidence, I can't even call a takeaway because I get ridiculously tongue tied! (wet i know) So my first contact with most people is text or email. After that I seem to be ok. I'm not a bad person and wouldn't mess any one around but my confidence issues would drive me to texting. Thankfully the lady I purchased my horse off was happy to send lots of emails lol.

Poor you:) I do understand this and glad you got your horse in a comfortable way..I do respond to texts despite stating no texts..and am not scary..I'm happy to email-but if someone wants my address and is still not giving me a 'real name' or any info about them I am not even contemplating giving any info atleast until I've spoken to them to make sure ponystealer.com is actually an adult,the female they are claiming to be and not a hairy shotputting trucker and to give myself some confidence in inviting a total stranger to see my horses. Having had not one but 2 theft attempts on my horses since I moved here, I'm sure most people will appreciate the feeling of concern at leaving yourself open to a person whom you've never spoken to. incredibly vulnerable situation to be in, and from a safety point too, I am alone and would feel safer knowing who or what I'm expecting...I can get a good gut feeling from a voice and most girls on here I'm sure will appreciate exactly how dangerous it can be-yes it only takes one and likely won't happen, but better safe than sorry.pretty similar to those of you with phobias on speaking, I worry about a blind invitation to a total stranger -have alot to lose should the wrong person show up and not in the situation to have anyone with me.

I do sometimes prefer to send texts due to my hearing problem, if someone had a very thick accent or bad reception I would struggle to hear them clearly and then I'd probably have to back up the call with a text or email just to clarify what I was trying to find out! It's not a shyness thing for me - I'm happy to speak to people if I can, but it's nice to know I can text/email too. But I take your point about time wasters, it's a lot easier to send a non-committal text than it is to pick up the phone!!

Totally understand this too...i'll bend over backwards to accomodate anyone as best I can, particularly with an impairment or disability, its the texting teens & non genuine twits I've got the gripe with who don't even know what they're calling about...:D

I also think the anti text and email brigade are potentially cutting out a lot of good buyers. There are many reasons people may not want to phone that don't mean they are time wasters. Awkward work shifts, poor phone reception, a speech impediment, confidence issues or phobias, hearing issues or other disabilities. They may also be quite embarrassed to bring that up in a first text or email to a stranger.

I know that at least one rider with gold medals to their name won't phone strangers.

Again, totally understand these very valid points, I think I mentioned above my exact ad statement re texts emails (this reply or one previous) I send replies to anything sent, text or email, but I refuse to spend fortunes on random texts to give the full details I've already given -in writing in the ad and that I'm prepared to back up in email and have stated as such in the ad too..from my experience, any genuine person with a problem or worry has stated so in second text or email and been very comfortable with me when i do speak to them and thanked me for not being scary...(something i reserve for the ones that deserve it!)

I'm looking to buy at the moment and every email I have sent hasn't been responded to! I don't think I'm asking stupid questions, mainly where abouts in the country they are, if the horse has any serious issues ie health problems (most ex racers). Have then tried calling people - no answer and no response to voicemail messages! So end up texting, to which they reply within minutes grrr

how annoying..I do know what you mean and as above, I've no prob with replying to sensible q's but prefer email to texts. I have found particularly with horse quest the replies get forwarded to junk by my hotmail despite horse quest regularly being re added to my contacts...grrr!! I check my junk daily but sometimes when you respond to the email contact you go into their junk...technology a bit too smart at times I think!good luck with your search

The other thing is if you email you have a written record of what has been said. Useful if it goes tits up later. Makes me doubt a seller's honesty if they are reluctant to put anything in writing.

:D have you seen the length of my posts???? ;) I am more than happy to legally bind myself for anyone who cares to ask, I just am not texting essays!I'd need to sell the horse to pay the text bill the way i write!!Have mentioned this several times above, but had taken alot of time to write a comprehensive ad with 15 videos and over 20 pics. I put what i can in the ad and the rest plus any questions are merrily answered by email and pics and videos sent on request...texts could not make a scratch on the info these hold and i fully stand by everything I write in such detail purely as i love my horses dearly and want the very best homes i can find...no other sinister reasons and nothing to hide. both are advertised as open to any vet or inspection and if anything i probably give more info than people would expect-all relevant -the thoeory being it saves time answering stupid questions BUT I will always clarify or go further into depth happily when required.again tho, not by text.
 
I like to text. Emails sometimes take ages to get a response to, during which time someone could have phoned, viewed and bought the horse. It always surprises me, the lack of urgency many people seem to apply to buying horses, I like to see horses as soon as the ad goes up if I like the look of them.

Starting off with a text asking "is **brief description** horse still available? Is it OK to call and ask you a few questions about it?" and, if there's a POA "What sort of price is the horse?" I figure that's pretty straightforward and if a seller won't put themselves out enough to answer that by text, they're probably a PITA to deal with anyway and I'd just move on and keep looking.

Hang in there OP, it can take ages to find the right home for horses but if you're patient you've every chance of the right buyers coming along soon.
 
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