Buying from a dealer

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poorchickens

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Hey all!

Ok, so after many years of dreaming, i'm finally able to buy a horse of my own (yippee!) I've been searching around, but keep getting pipped to the post or the horse isn't suitable.

I've found a gorgeous one on Horse Deals but it is for sale through a dealer. Am I right to be wary? She does seem a tad over-priced - can I still haggle or is it not 'the done thing'? How can I find out whether they are reputable or not? They have lots of 'testamonials' on their website but i'm being a sceptical old moo!
 
Hi there,

I am sure you will get alot of mixed views on here...Many people have only had experience with 'dodgy dealers' ( there are, sadly alot of them about ) But there are alot of good, honest dealers about too.. In my experience of buying horses ( before meeting OH and getting involved in family business - stud / selling horses ) I would have probably said the same as you...Should I be wary, but actually, I have experienced far more 'dodgy' private sellers than I have dealers! With a private seller you have no come back really, with a dealer, most of them have some sort of exchange warrenty or will always help you to find something more suitable should the one you end up buying not be right for you...

There are alot of people on here that can find the perfect horse in a matter of minutes on the internet...If you post exactly what you are looking for I'm sure you ill get some help too!

As long as you go to a well known dealer with a good reputation you should be fine...

Good luck!

: )

x
 
good and bad dealers and good and bad private sellers - No difference between them other than it'd be easier to check a dealers reputation than it would be an individuals.
 
I have bought several from dealers - I like the fact you can try a few and a good dealer will tell you what they have - not that they have whatever you are looking for(does that make sense).

I found looking for a horse - some private sales have some great ideas of what there horse is and what it is worth and this wastes a lot of time and travel.

Just always be wary whoever you buy from (sadly the way of the world)- I got swindled buying a pup from a nice man in a nice house who you would think would never tell lies.
 
I have had total nightmares with both a 'highly reputable' recommended dealer and private seller. I think its just a case of buyer beware and take your time to find out as much as you can about it before buying. The only plus side to the dealer is if they are reputable they have a reputation to worry about and the law is much more on your side should you want to return the horse. Private sellers can be far worse and there is no way to vet them at all....
 
There are horror stories of people buying duds from both private sellers and dealers. I think you would at least have more comeback with a dealer though.

Perhaps post a link to the ad or give us a clue about which dealer it is and people can PM you feedback?
 
there is good and bad in dealers and private sellers, i brought my old pony from a dealer in leighton buzzard and he was priced right for what he was advertised as but hes advert didnt match him! he was meant to be a confidence giving cob been used in a riding school usual story! but all he had done was drive and had someone sit on him teach him a bit of stering and that was about it because all he really knew was how to trot in a straight line and have no brakes!

now i have got a TBxID i got from a private seller and he has been a nightmare! he is fine now 8 years later but the seller was worse than the horse i should of known but let my heart rule my head and my poor dad was so pleased i liked a horse after driving up and down the country for me in the evenings and at weekends. she wouldnt let me have him vetted but said i could have him on a months trial 2 weeks later she was on the phone wanting her money. when we left her yard with him she was crying saying how we must stay in contact the only contact she wanted was her money.

I was put off more by the private seller than the dealer and went to the same dealer when i was looking for my TBxID.
 
theres more chance with a 5yo like that for them to be relatively unspoilt, esp if imported from Eire, in the sense that it is worth the while for them to break them hunt them a bit and take them to a few shows then import them. So thats hopeful, theres not necessarily a hidden bad story like there can be with older horses. Price is also OK, sometimes people want a perfect horse but only want to pay £1500 and while they might get lucky, a good horse will be a full price normally, beware the bargain.

Def 5 stage vet incl blood sample, trial as much as poss and also the only thing in the ad is it doesnt really say anything about hacking out, I would def be wanting to know this as shes an allrounder type rather than being goggle eyed high dressage type where you might overlook hacking manners or lack of. The other q is how fit she is, and what you want her for, if shes unfit and suits you now, she might be a tearaway once shes fitter. But she might be fit already.

Good luck!
 
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