Buying a second hand saddle online - ebay?

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poiuytrewq

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Something I swore I'd never ever do but....
Horse to be is currently ridden in a certain saddle which fits well. The owners wish to keep the saddle so I figured I'd track the same model and size down.
I know it's not a 100% guarantee it will fit due to flocking etc but assume it's a safe bet that a decent saddler could alter a bit to fit as well?
Next q- you hear of so many being not as advertised or with tree damage so how do I safe guard against this? Would just getting it checked by my saddler within a day or so of receiving be good enough to get a refund if there is a problem?
I'm going to leave details of what I'm after with local saddler's but ebay is significantly cheaper.
 
It's not something I'd do personally, but if it's the only way of getting the saddle you want at the price you want then a few things to consider - make sure the seller has good feedback, I wouldn't but my from anyone without high 90's rated feedback. Ask all the questions you can think of to the seller to ensure the item is as you want, request more photos etc. Make sure if you do buy the transaction is done using eBay (as opposed to doing it outside of eBay) as you get good buyer protection with eBay and pay with PayPal for the same reason. Find out what the returns policy on the saddle is - it's probably no returns but you would have ground if it turned out to be falsely advertised. If the seller isn't too far away I'd consider picking it up in person too if you can. Otherwise make sure it's couriered and tracked.

What saddle model is it out of interest? You should check preloved and Facebook too if you haven't already.
 
It's a Albion K2 17.5 mm or mw (need to confirm exact details)
Yes ideally one will appear on FB or preloved that I can go and view.
I plan also to ring saddler's outside the area and leave details as I don't mind bit of a drive to collect.
 
I believe that the width measure of MM means made to measure so if they currently have an MM and it fits well going down the eBay route may not find you a saddle of the same fit:frown4:
 
PeterNatt said:
Find yourself a reputable local saddler and get a brand new one fitted for your horse.
Ill fitting and broken saddles cause so many problems it is just not worth the risk.
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I've bought three brand new treed saddles in my time. Only one of them ever fitted the horse it was bought for! All from "top" UK well known saddle makers. The last one caused both physical and psychological damage to my horse. There was no change from 2k from any of them either.

If the horse is going well in that saddle there is no harm at all to buy one the same and having it flocked to fit.
 
I've bought from eBay several times. IMO as a buyer, you've more protection on there than on Preloved (unless you go see it yourself obvs). Never bought a bad saddle off eBay although did end up with two that didn't fit! If you know what you want then ask lots of questions, ask for more photos if necessary and only buy through Paypal.
 
FfionWinnie said:
I've bought three brand new treed saddles in my time. Only one of them ever fitted the horse it was bought for! All from "top" UK well known saddle makers. The last one caused both physical and psychological damage to my horse. There was no change from 2k from any of them either.

If the horse is going well in that saddle there is no harm at all to buy one the same and having it flocked to fit.
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Whilst i do agree to an extent (with PeterNatt) It will be the difference between me buying a decent quality and condition saddle or a cheapo synthetic. Anything i go for will be checked both before use and on the horse but i'd really like a nice saddle this time round.
With any luck it will be my local saddler that has the right one, I'm in no hurry and they have part x's coming in daily.
 
If you pay by PayPal (or credit card) you have good protection.

Brand new is not any safer and can end up with the same hassle as anything else. I wouldn't ever buy a synthetic either. Been there. Done that. Got the sore back!
 
I bought one recently on Ebay, ask a a question or two if you can find something not in the advert to ask about, the replies will tell you a lot about the attitude of the person selling and so what they would potentially be like if you had a complaint

I asked about a dozen people what breed they had their saddle on, I had some lovely replies and even more pictures from some really helpful people who had obviously loved their saddles, I had no replies at all from a few and while that didnt put me off completely it didnt make a £500 decision very easy

The saddle I bought was from a lovely lady, it arrived with no problems and luckily fitted perfectly

My thinking throughout the whole process was 'could I buy this and sell it on without losing a lot of money if it doesnt fit' some lovely saddles with no makers mark etc went by the wayside in that thinking
 
I bought an Albion K2 jumper from eBay with no problems. I had already borrowed a MW one and tried it on my horse. Just make sure, unless it's dressage, that you differentiate between the GP or jumper! They may even do more varieties?
 
I've done this twice on the basis of knowing the make and width that would fit a particular horse, ended up with good quality and fit at extremely reasonable price both times
 
We have bought and sold on ebay - when buying we asked lots of questions, the seller sent us loads of pictures with close-ups of slight damage - we ended up with a very good saddle which our saddler came out and checked for fit - luckily it was perfect for our horse.
When we sold a saddle I provided loads of pictures and loads of information - people were invited to come and view and when we sold it we put in loads of packing protection material (the buyer complemented us on it) If selling/buying make sure that the courier/delivery system understands that it is FRAGILE - yes they can weigh a lot but I plastered out box with fragile stickers and insured it.
 
Clannad48 said:
We have bought and sold on ebay - when buying we asked lots of questions, the seller sent us loads of pictures with close-ups of slight damage - we ended up with a very good saddle which our saddler came out and checked for fit - luckily it was perfect for our horse.
When we sold a saddle I provided loads of pictures and loads of information - people were invited to come and view and when we sold it we put in loads of packing protection material (the buyer complemented us on it) If selling/buying make sure that the courier/delivery system understands that it is FRAGILE - yes they can weigh a lot but I plastered out box with fragile stickers and insured it.
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This. I've bought and sold via Ebay and Preloved and not had any problems. Just make sure you ask loads of questions and see lots of pictures and if you can get the serial number check it with the saddle maker. Also if you are going for the Albion and it doesn't fit I am sure you will be able to sell it on fairly quickly, as its a popular saddle.
 
PeterNatt said:
Find yourself a reputable local saddler and get a brand new one fitted for your horse.
Ill fitting and broken saddles cause so many problems it is just not worth the risk.
Click to expand...

It's advice like this that lets people like me buy great second hand saddles at stupid prices these days. I've nearly always bought second hand because they need no breaking in and you won't get upset the first time you put a mark on it and ruin its newness. It used to be the norm to buy second hand. These days most people seem to want everything new.

You can usually ask to go and see a saddle on eBay, if its close enough to you. PayPal has made it pretty safe to buy on Preloved but do not pay by 'friends and family' or you get no protection.
 
Like others, I've bought and sold several saddles on Ebay. How else would I afforded two lovely but old Hawk Event saddles which have fitted nearly everything I've ridden for years? Sadly, they are now redundant as they're too big for Rowan so will be going back on there when I get around to it as I now need something that will fit a short backed table.
 
PeterNatt said:
Find yourself a reputable local saddler and get a brand new one fitted for your horse.
Ill fitting and broken saddles cause so many problems it is just not worth the risk.
Click to expand...

Sorry I have only ever had a one new saddle ( a present) in 40 years of horse ownership and I have had many horses and ponies. I would rather buy secondhand,if they are well looked after they can virtually last a life time and my favourite GFS most be a least 30 years old, the pony I bought it for is long gone.
I seen so many saddles supposedly fitted by trained fitters that do not fit and was actually present when a fitter tried to sell a saddle which before it was put on the ponies back I knew would not fit. It didn't and actually caused the pony pain.
 
Trouble finding a second hand? I'm having trouble selling! Been valued and that's what I'm selling for and still can't get sold! Guess the market is just what it is - have defected to an adjustable gullet saddle now to save the stress in future!
 
I have purchased a saddle from eBay before. It's the only way I ill ever be able to have a saddle that was £3K new!
it fitted very well and the seller was ore than helpful. Would I do it again? YES. Would I buy any old second hand saddle? No!
 
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