lmholden
Well-Known Member
What consumer rights do you have when buying from a dealer?
Buying a horse from a dealer
- Thread starter lmholden
- Start date
Cobland
Well-Known Member
I bought one of mine from a dealer, he was really nice, said if the horse didnt work out that he would let me bring her back. However i couldnt be happier with mine, shes an angel (thats what i called her lol). Shes so much better than i was told, even hacks out well on a main road!!!
horsegirl
Well-Known Member
Same as when you buy anything really, the problem is getting them enforced!
jumpthemoon
Well-Known Member
I bought mine from a dealer, too. They offered a two month exchange policy which i thought was really good. I think you definitley have more comeback against a dealer. I am having a few issues with my horsey, but I everything I was told seems to be true (ive had him 6 months now) and once I've sorted out my riding I think we'll be fine
Usually they have a contract so it would be worth checking this out.
Usually they have a contract so it would be worth checking this out.
measles
Well-Known Member
I've had the opposite experience - a dealer may say they will take a horse back if it's not suitable but persuading them to do so is entirely another matter.
We bought a pony from a person who sells many ponies and it was totally different from what we were told. The dealer said they had no stables free to take it back over a 2 month period although they could take it if I paid another 2K for something else that was hugely overpriced. We were told we had a case legally but would have to pay our lawyers fees up front before it got to court which were likely to be 10K, then possibly the dealer's lawyers at a similar amount if (though it was thought unlikely) the court found against us.
We walked away as the stress of this was simply too much and we couldn't put that amount of money up front. The dealer is a substantial distance from us and I was unable to find out anything about them beforehand but since then I've heard of many other horror stories. I am a very experienced horse person and so if it can happen to me...
That said, there are many reputable dealers who are entitled to make a living but getting views from previous purchasers is the only safeguard you'll get in my opinion.
We bought a pony from a person who sells many ponies and it was totally different from what we were told. The dealer said they had no stables free to take it back over a 2 month period although they could take it if I paid another 2K for something else that was hugely overpriced. We were told we had a case legally but would have to pay our lawyers fees up front before it got to court which were likely to be 10K, then possibly the dealer's lawyers at a similar amount if (though it was thought unlikely) the court found against us.
We walked away as the stress of this was simply too much and we couldn't put that amount of money up front. The dealer is a substantial distance from us and I was unable to find out anything about them beforehand but since then I've heard of many other horror stories. I am a very experienced horse person and so if it can happen to me...
That said, there are many reputable dealers who are entitled to make a living but getting views from previous purchasers is the only safeguard you'll get in my opinion.
charmaine
Well-Known Member
My advice would be DON'T unless you are absolutely sure of the dealer. You may think you are protected in law but from my nasty experience Trading Standards are not overly helpful, they didn't help me get my money back, I had to take out a private prosecution. Do your research if you feel you must buy from a dealer, take professional help with you and always have the horse vetted before parting with any money. Never ever rely on any promises to refund your money if the horse doesn't suit because in my experience written guarantees are not worth the paper they are written on. If you have some dealers in mind that you might want to buy from ask about them on the forum first and see what the feedback is.
airedale
Well-Known Member
sorry - but people buy from dealers a lot because they are 'cheaper' and then these 'horror stories' happen
yet people won't buy from reputable british breeders 'cos they think the horse is more expensive - but considering solicitors fees, livery costs, trauma, possible physical injury, etc, is it really 'cheaper' to buy from a dealer or isn't it better value to buy from a reputable british breeder with quality stock?!?!
localish dealer to me imports horses from France that are going for horsemeat and sells them at 5x or more the cost she buys them for to mug punters
yet people won't buy from reputable british breeders 'cos they think the horse is more expensive - but considering solicitors fees, livery costs, trauma, possible physical injury, etc, is it really 'cheaper' to buy from a dealer or isn't it better value to buy from a reputable british breeder with quality stock?!?!
localish dealer to me imports horses from France that are going for horsemeat and sells them at 5x or more the cost she buys them for to mug punters
PeterNatt
Well-Known Member
I would always try to buy a horse private and locally as locals will know it's true character and history.
Dealers need to turn over their horses as quickly as possible so as to keep overheads down. In many cases dealers buy their horses from other dealers or auctions and have very little knowledge of it's previous history.
Dealers need to turn over their horses as quickly as possible so as to keep overheads down. In many cases dealers buy their horses from other dealers or auctions and have very little knowledge of it's previous history.
pagancluf
Well-Known Member
There was one on Watchdog this year that sold doggy horses, wrong ages, bad temprements and he never exchanged - can't think of his name (not allowed to show it anyway) but he was in Yorkshire somewhere - DON'T use him..... one rider really hurt herself.
Shilasdair
Patting her thylacine
You have more legal rights buying from a dealer than privately. There's the Sale of Goods Act 1959 which, if memory serves, says that goods bought have to be fit for the purpose...so if they sell you a Shetland for 3 DE you have a case!
There's also the Trades Description Act...trouble is that if they sell you a 34 yo horse, claiming it's a 5yo, you have to prove that they KNEW it was 34 yo when they sold you it.
Best advice is to try the horse out thoroughly, get it 5 stage vetted, take bloods, take X-rays if expensive...and if you have any bad feelings about the horse, listen to them and walk away.
Oh, and go with a dealer someone has recommended.
Good luck
S
There's also the Trades Description Act...trouble is that if they sell you a 34 yo horse, claiming it's a 5yo, you have to prove that they KNEW it was 34 yo when they sold you it.
Best advice is to try the horse out thoroughly, get it 5 stage vetted, take bloods, take X-rays if expensive...and if you have any bad feelings about the horse, listen to them and walk away.
Oh, and go with a dealer someone has recommended.
Good luck
S
SilverSkye
Well-Known Member
There are reputable dealers out there www.oakwoodstud.co.uk is just up the road from me and are fantastic. I wouldnt trust anyone that offers an exchange period, means if you want to send it back they hold all the cards.
In terms of rights you have a lot more as shilasdair says, although dealers are becoming more clued up and are now saying ages cant be guaranteed and as soon as you have taken the horse off the yard if it goes lame you have somehow got to prove it was lame before you bought it.
If i was going to buy from anywhere now i would insist on a full 5 stage vetting with bloods, done by a vet of my choice.
In terms of rights you have a lot more as shilasdair says, although dealers are becoming more clued up and are now saying ages cant be guaranteed and as soon as you have taken the horse off the yard if it goes lame you have somehow got to prove it was lame before you bought it.
If i was going to buy from anywhere now i would insist on a full 5 stage vetting with bloods, done by a vet of my choice.
Orangehorse
Well-Known Member
I have had good and bad from dealers and private sellers. In law you do have more protection with a dealer, but really reputation is all. I wouldn't travel miles to a dealer, local knowledge is better.
There are some dodgy dealers, but there are others who try really hard to find the right horse. Being honest with what you want is a good start. But if you want them to find you the right one then they want to set the price for all their trouble.
I know a dealer who has had eventers in the past, but tends to stick with the lower priced animals now and a lot of the problems they have had are with buyers who get what they would like to be able to ride, rather than what they can manage!
There are some dodgy dealers, but there are others who try really hard to find the right horse. Being honest with what you want is a good start. But if you want them to find you the right one then they want to set the price for all their trouble.
I know a dealer who has had eventers in the past, but tends to stick with the lower priced animals now and a lot of the problems they have had are with buyers who get what they would like to be able to ride, rather than what they can manage!
Cobland
Well-Known Member
The dealer i used came recommended by our vet, i knew someone that used him before, they bought a TB but he turned mental and they exchanged it for another TB that turned out to be a blessing, and there was no extra charge involved.
I would ask around and find somewhere reputable. There are some dealers out there that give the bad name!
I would ask around and find somewhere reputable. There are some dealers out there that give the bad name!
comicduo
Well-Known Member
I think dealers are a fairly good place to pick up something young as a project but I would never expect to get something for a novice from one.
I think the dealer on Watchdog was one that I viewed down in Durham, he sold his dodgy horses unseen via the web, one look at his yard and the way he treated his stock and we left!
I think the dealer on Watchdog was one that I viewed down in Durham, he sold his dodgy horses unseen via the web, one look at his yard and the way he treated his stock and we left!
dieseldog
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
sorry - but people buy from dealers a lot because they are 'cheaper' and then these 'horror stories' happen
yet people won't buy from reputable british breeders 'cos they think the horse is more expensive - but considering solicitors fees, livery costs, trauma, possible physical injury, etc, is it really 'cheaper' to buy from a dealer or isn't it better value to buy from a reputable british breeder with quality stock?!?!
localish dealer to me imports horses from France that are going for horsemeat and sells them at 5x or more the cost she buys them for to mug punters
[/ QUOTE ]
Airedale - how many British Breeders have a family allrounder that has done a bit of everything and is about 10 years old for sale - they don't, they have youngsters, a lot of people don't want youngsters so buying from a british breeder isn't an option.
sorry - but people buy from dealers a lot because they are 'cheaper' and then these 'horror stories' happen
yet people won't buy from reputable british breeders 'cos they think the horse is more expensive - but considering solicitors fees, livery costs, trauma, possible physical injury, etc, is it really 'cheaper' to buy from a dealer or isn't it better value to buy from a reputable british breeder with quality stock?!?!
localish dealer to me imports horses from France that are going for horsemeat and sells them at 5x or more the cost she buys them for to mug punters
[/ QUOTE ]
Airedale - how many British Breeders have a family allrounder that has done a bit of everything and is about 10 years old for sale - they don't, they have youngsters, a lot of people don't want youngsters so buying from a british breeder isn't an option.
anniedoherty
Well-Known Member
DieselDog, I totally agree. The horse which you describe is the sort which many people want but that type is not available from any British breeder as far as I am aware. If there are breeders out there who keep horses until they are 8 -10 years old, and school them, do some jumping, dressage, XC whatever and then sell them on I would love to know where they are located. I cannot seriously believe that such people exist because they couldn't possibly make any money keeping a horse for a decade before selling it could they?
Walder
Well-Known Member
i bought from a dealer last year - a tbxwb 7 year old 15hh mare - told that she had 'done a bit of everything' had her vetted bought her home - she had done nothing green as grass - (and was 15.3hh) i found myself seriously overhorsed and lost all my confidence - when i tried her a the dealers i asked wether the dealer thought she was too much for me but was assured she wasnt - after 4 weeks i phoned the dealer and asked if she would take her back for an exchange or refund i would give them the 5* vetting for future buyers - they wouldnt kept making excuses - no room, nothing suitable for exchange ect ect . i would never buy form a dealer again as this has really put me off!!!