Buying & Selling: pushy buyers? how do deal with them?

[Snicklefritz]

I have several high-quality young horses for sale. Excellent pedigrees, fantastic scores in the inspections (conformation & movement), and they are all in age-appropriate training. Most of the inquiries are very straightforward: people ask questions about temperament and training, where I see the horse going in the future, what types of activities he or she has been doing (field trips, showing on the line, etc.). Some ask for additional video or photos. All fairly standard and pleasant.

One person called me very recently and was quite pushy and opinionated almost to the point of being rude. I vetted this person using google before the call to determine that they were a legitimate buyer and not a tire kicker, The person has a good performance and show record, appears to have experience with young horses, etc.

Several things they said were a complete turnoff, and I'm not sure I want to have any further dealings with them. How should I respond if they email me asking me for more photos, videos, or with additional questions? I don't want to be rude, but I am not interested in selling to this person.

Here are some examples of stuff they said that I thought was bordering on rude:
1) they asked where in [X] area I was based. I replied that I had moved to a different town and was now in [Y]. they pushed quite aggressively to find out what specific part of that town I was in and where the barn is. the tone of voice was pushy rather than friendly

2) After asking basic questions about one particular horse, this person said "What is your bottom line on this horse", in a similarly pushy tone. I replied with "are you speaking about price?" to which they replied "yes". My response was to say that the horse in question is priced at $X on the website. The discussion then turns to the person saying that is in their budget but they think the price is high because they don't think the horse will end up taller than 16:1 and therefore wasn't worth that price.

Interestingly, in the very same conversation, the person was bragging about one of their FEI horses who is doing well on the circuit and is "only" 15:1. so not a pony, but not a tall horse either by any means. My ad states very clearly what the horse's height and age age. I even state that the horse would be ideal for an amateur looking for a smaller horse as the expected final height is 15:3 to 16hh

What's up with that?

3) On the websites I use for advertising, there is a limit to one video allowed. I state in the ad that additional video is available on a variety of topics from movement to training exercises. This person said "All I saw was a single video showing the horse doing a despooking exercise with a tarp. That doesn't tell me anything". I replied very politely by explaining the websites only allow one video and that people who are know the pedigree and background of these particular lines, would recognize what this horse represents and then could contact me for more video, i.e. a way to screen serious people from the tire0-kickers.


And if that wasn;'t enough, during the general conversation, it didn't matter what I said, she had an opinion about everything, often countering everything I said, even simple statements that didn't even express an. opinion.


What's up with people like this? do they honestly think their behavior is going to get them anywhere? Also, if they know this horse's age and background, and height, why is one of their first statement an aggressive one about telling me they don't think it's worth that price? They should have known from reading the ad exactly what this horse is. especially if they previously told me how successful one of their smaller horses is????

How should I respond if they try to contact me again?

 

[AmyMay]

Just tell them you’re not interested in selling a horse to them, but thanks for their enquiry. Goodbye.

And put the phone down. Simples ?

 

[Snicklefritz]

I totally get it. Keep it short. Makes sense.

Not that it matters in the long run (because it doesn't) but I'm curious if this is a buyer's tactic to intimidate sellers to see how likely they are to drop the price or if this is simply someone with a rude personality. There's no way I would drop the price, because the horse will go under saddle soon and then the price will naturally increase substantially. It's already reasonable to begin with.

Just tell them you’re not interested in selling a horse to them, but thanks for their enquiry. Goodbye.

And put the phone down. Simples ?

 

[AmyMay]

It’s a tactic from a bully.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Some pros are a bit more straight forward, to the point, and down to business. They are often consider resale value too, so could be a bit pushy to try to get the best price. So maybe the case with this individual?

It does seem like it was an unpleasant interaction but you can just not sell them the horse or stop the conversation.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Yes, I could totally see that.

This person is as they describe it "old" as in well past retirement age. They still ride though but not 8-10 horses/day.

Is it normal though to push on price in the first conversation?

Some pros are a bit more straight forward, to the point, and down to business. They are often consider resale value too, so could be a bit pushy to try to get the best price. So maybe the case with this individual?

It does seem like it was an unpleasant interaction but you can just not sell them the horse or stop the conversation.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

Yes, I could totally see that.

This person is as they describe it "old" as in well past retirement age. They still ride though but not 8-10 horses/day.

Is it normal though to push on price in the first conversation?

Normal for some, yes. For others, no.

 

[Snicklefritz]

Perhaps price is going to be a top factor in their search for yet another young horse and their shortlist will be constructed that way.

But yeah, I don't plan to continue the conversation.

It would be stupid for me to drop the price now only to have the horse be ready to back in the very near future. Once this horse is under saddle, the price of his type increases dramatically. So if I don't have to sell the horse, it wouldn't make sense.

Normal for some, yes. For others, no.

 

[Sossigpoker]

I would just say that you've had a lot of interest in your horses and you're selecting the most suitable buyers for them- unfortunately this person isn't a good match with what you're looking for . And leave it at that.

 

[ycbm]

Just tell them you’re not interested in selling a horse to them, but thanks for their enquiry. Goodbye.

And put the phone down. Simples ?

This. I did it 2 weeks ago to a buyer. I emailed her while I knew she was on her way home from a second viewing and said that I didn't think the deal would be right for her, me, or the horse. I felt so relieved as I pressed "go".
.

 

[Floxie]

I don't think anything they said was too awful - they sound rather old school and blunt, and I know a few horsey women like that. But it's not my horse to sell - it's yours, and if for ANY reason at all you don't take to the person there's no need to continue with them

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

I'd probably tell her exactly why I wasn't going to engage in any further discussions...might bring her down a peg or two..!!!!

 

[Red-1]

I think sometimes things come across wrong in an email.

The location, I understand. The horse was advertised in X, yet on further questioning it is actually in Y. I too would want a little more detail so I could research Y, to make sure it wasn't a scam.

Usually prices are negotiable. Not so much since Covid, but people usually build a little wriggle room into the advert. Asking for the price seems reasonable.

A horse on a tarp would seem, to me, to be strange video to include. It really doesn't tell you anything. When I have used Horsequest, with one video, I have used a cheap video editing program to make a sales video, showing anything and everything. I include still shots, all paces, loading etc. For a horse not yet backed, I would expect a walk round to show conformation, loose schooling to show paces, as a minimum.

The height one would put me off. I never rubbish a horse if I want to buy it!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I’d rather see movement of the horse than a de-spooking exercise if you can only put one video.

Given the market post lockdown, you probably won’t lack buyers, so just tell her you won’t be selling to her.

 

[AmyMay]

I think sometimes things come across wrong in an email.

The location, I understand. The horse was advertised in X, yet on further questioning it is actually in Y. I too would want a little more detail so I could research Y, to make sure it wasn't a scam.

Usually prices are negotiable. Not so much since Covid, but people usually build a little wriggle room into the advert. Asking for the price seems reasonable.

A horse on a tarp would seem, to me, to be strange video to include. It really doesn't tell you anything. When I have used Horsequest, with one video, I have used a cheap video editing program to make a sales video, showing anything and everything. I include still shots, all paces, loading etc. For a horse not yet backed, I would expect a walk round to show conformation, loose schooling to show paces, as a minimum.

The height one would put me off. I never rubbish a horse if I want to buy it!

I absolutely agree.

But at the end of the day, it’s your horse to sell and if you don’t want to sell to a particular person, that’s entirely your prerogative.

 

[Snicklefritz]

she wanted to know the exact barn and facility. She Clearly stated she’s at the beginning of her search and not in the area. So I thought it was odd she wanted that much detail. Why does she want to essentially know my street address and exactly where the horse is when it’s clear she’s not ready to pay a visit? That seems weird.

The price is stated clearly in the ad. Since this was the first conversation, at most I would expect something like “is his price firm or negotiable?”, not an aggressive push for what my lowest number is. I mean I don’t even know her and she hasn’t seen the horse. If I met someone in person and had a good vibe, I might be willing to negotiate but wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this with a stranger.

As for the video, it isn’t a horse standing on a tarp. That would be silly. I have video of him moving through his paces and a tarp is flapping about on one side of the ring. You can see the horse doesn’t care.

I have video of anything and everything, basically start to finish of a typical in-hand training day. Shows the horse being caught, led in from the field, w/t/c outside, then doing some long-lining and round pen work, then later eating dinner alone before everyone else comes in the barn (doesn’t care the other horses aren’t there)

like with professional resumes, not every detail is included in the ad. The idea is for a resume to include enough detail to whet a persons appetite to know more, in order to have a REAL conversation where ALL the interesting things can be included, far more than there is space for.

likewise, with the ad, there are enough basics to give people an idea what this horse is about.

Even with an editing program, there’s so many Gig of video it’s difficult to include everything. So for serious buyers, I either send a usb stick, or direct them to a YouTube channel where they can click on what they want to see.

This person Seemed genuinely annoyed that I didn’t show exactly the video she wanted to see. Most people simply say “would you send a video of X” or “what video do you have available?”

She wanted to be critical … which was a turn off. She’s not making friends this way. Lol.

that’s my point. If she went so far as to say she knows the pedigree very well, likes it, then knocks the horse for his height even though it’s in the ad, then says she has other small horses that have done well, then complains she didn’t see the video she wanted, and I let her know I have a YouTube link with everything…???

why did she even bother calling?

what this tells me is maybe I should keep him for myself. Lol

I think sometimes things come across wrong in an email.

The location, I understand. The horse was advertised in X, yet on further questioning it is actually in Y. I too would want a little more detail so I could research Y, to make sure it wasn't a scam.

Usually prices are negotiable. Not so much since Covid, but people usually build a little wriggle room into the advert. Asking for the price seems reasonable.

A horse on a tarp would seem, to me, to be strange video to include. It really doesn't tell you anything. When I have used Horsequest, with one video, I have used a cheap video editing program to make a sales video, showing anything and everything. I include still shots, all paces, loading etc. For a horse not yet backed, I would expect a walk round to show conformation, loose schooling to show paces, as a minimum.

The height one would put me off. I never rubbish a horse if I want to buy it!

 

[honetpot]

I must be odd, I often just go to look on based on breeding and type, it's not very often I do not buy them, because I know they are a type I like. No pictures or video can tell you the horse's attitude.
I suppose a pro is looking for the cheapest price, the quickest buy and quickest sale, so they like to crack on, and have are looking for the ideal spec that they can turn over quickly, but as a seller if you have put at least three years in to a horse, that often the last thing you want for it.
It depends on how forthright you want to be, she doesn't probably know or care how off putting she is, it's just business, how would you deal with her in person?

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Wanting to know the exact location would worry me. The general area yes to check it is within the distance I would be willing to travel but actual address is not necessary till booking a viewing.

 

[Snicklefritz]

If this would have been an in-person visit my reaction would have been something like this:

“I like your competitive focus and show record, but this horse would do best with an dedicated amateur who has the time to continue the type of development I’ve been doing with him.”

if she continued to press, I would say: “I’m looking for a dedicated show home, not a resale situation”

I must be odd, I often just go to look on based on breeding and type, it's not very often I do not buy them, because I know they are a type I like. No pictures or video can tell you the horse's attitude.
I suppose a pro is looking for the cheapest price, the quickest buy and quickest sale, so they like to crack on, and have are looking for the ideal spec that they can turn over quickly, but as a seller if you have put at least three years in to a horse, that often the last thing you want for it.
It depends on how forthright you want to be, she doesn't probably know or care how off putting she is, it's just business, how would you deal with her in person?

 

[Snicklefritz]

she used to live in that area (which I verified) so it sounds like she’s trying to fish for info to see what yard we’re at and if perhaps she knows anyone there.

still though, it’s a bit much for my taste.

Wanting to know the exact location would worry me. The general area yes to check it is within the distance I would be willing to travel but actual address is not necessary till booking a viewing.

 

[windand rain]

The only things I need to know on an ad are location, price and breeding would never buy a horse without seeing it and getting to know if it has my kind of temperament. If those three are in my remit I would need the address to visit and make up my mind in person. Rarely turn down the horse but if we didn't like each other it would be a problem as they tend to stay for life and a lifetime of dealing with a horse you don't like is awful for both

 

[Snicklefritz]

Excellent points!

you sound like a very reasonable person. That’s the type of buyer I would like to deal with. Maybe that’s the problem with the person I was describing. This is clearly just business for her. my horse thrives on personal attention which I don’t think would be realistic in this persons program.

The only things I need to know on an ad are location, price and breeding would never buy a horse without seeing it and getting to know if it has my kind of temperament. If those three are in my remit I would need the address to visit and make up my mind in person. Rarely turn down the horse but if we didn't like each other it would be a problem as they tend to stay for life and a lifetime of dealing with a horse you don't like is awful for both

 

[Zuzan]

It’s a tactic from a bully.

And as such unfit to own a horse.