Best place to buy 2nd hand Albion K2 Jump/GP?

[BeckyD]

My saddler came out this afternoon as I was worried about Ronnie's saddle as it's rubbing at the back of panels. Apparently it doesn't fit him at all now that he's grown and filled out, and I shouldn't use it any more.

The saddler recommended an Albion K2 (you may remember that I fell in love with this saddle a while ago so when she recommended this unprompted I was over the moon - apart from the expense). We tried a new one and it fitted him beautifully and was really comfy - but I can't afford a new one.

I now need to buy an Albion K2 Jump or GP, black, medium, 17 inch. Where's the best place to look for these 2nd hand and how much are they likely to cost? I can't buy it from another fitter or my saddler won't be able to fit it she says. Unfortunately my saddlers no longer do 2nd hands.

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

Can't you part ex your old saddle in against a new one. I have ordered another K2 today. They are giving me £400 part ex against the K2 price (£995) doesnt sound so bad then.
To be honest I was looking at a second hand one but the cheapest I could find was about £700 and then you have to pay saddle fitter to fit it so nearly as cheap in the long run to buy new.
They do hold their price second hand.

 

[BeckyD]

Well I currently have a Wintec 2000, p/x value prob only £150 - so off the £995 for a new one it's quite steep still (£845). I may have to resort to getting a new one (I would dearly love a new leather saddle, believe me!), but I'd prefer to spend less if possible bearing in mind my horse is still only 4 and likely to change more this year and may well need another saddle before the year is out...

Thanks for the advice though

 

[SpottedCat]

I got mine off ebay for about £400. Do not understand about not being able to fit it if you buy it from another saddler - firstly how will she know, and secondly, how does she ever get new clients if that is the case?! Does she only fit saddles that people have bought from her? I think she may want you to buy a new one from her....

 

[BeckyD]

No she didn't even suggest that I buy a new one (she's very understanding of budgets and young horses!). She recommended the Saddle Exchange to buy 2nd hand saddles from (I think she meant Saddles Direct) but they don't have any, hence my OP

£400 is excellent, I'd be over the moon if I could get one for that!

P.S. I have just found this minute one on another saddle fitter's site for £675 (ouch!), did wonder how she'd know - if I bought it from there

 

[SpottedCat]

I'd keep your eye on ebay - a very nice friend let me borrow hers until I found one as her horse was off work, but it didn't take long for one to come up and that seems to be about the price they go for on there. Mine was immaculate too.

ETA - there is one which is 17 inch and medium on ebay now, start price £300, BIN £600 ish. Not mine so not advertising!

 

[BeckyD]

Ok thanks for the tip - I'll check it out - just found that one you mention, looks like a GP though described as a Jump.

Fingers crossed I'll get one soon!

Thanks xx

 

[cpendle]

Have you looked at www.saddlesdirect.co.uk?

 

[BeckyD]

Thanks for the suggestion - yes I did try them but apparently the 17" is quite an unpopular size, and she's only seen about 3 in all her time selling saddles

 

[JanetGeorge]

Have a look at E-bay - there are quite a few K2's there at present - none exactly what you want. This one http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ALBION-K2-SADDLE_W...1QQcmdZViewItem ticks all boxes EXCEPT it is M/W

 

[Ludi-doodi]

Ebay! I got a brand new K2 Dressage for £620 inc P&P. I was looking for ages (about 18 months) but eventually one turned up. I suppose the difference with me was that I didn't need the dressage, I had a K2 GP so was in no hurry. I seem to remember I put some kind or search on ebay and everytime something came up it sent me an email - that way I didn't have to remember to look at ebay or run the chance of missing something.

 

[Madasmaz]

Have you thought about a Total Solutions Saddle. I know they are really expensive. I've just bought one to replace my Albion GP (sorry wide fitting), and have found it brilliant riding in one for the last month on trial. Reason I have changed is because my girl changes shape with the wind so was having to have it re-fitted sometimes every 6 weeks. I have also found the GP treeless so much easier to jump in than the Albion GP...I can actually get my bum out of the saddle properly. Give it some thought...initial cost is OMG, but they do fit just about any horse with the correct padding system, other liveries are now eyeing mine up and working out how to tackle their other halves...