Buying timeline

[sanderss]

Is it normal to be expected to view, put down a deposit on the day, then vet and purchase within a week?

The sale is through a very reputable agent who I do believe is trustworthy, however, I have felt extremely pressured and it’s been keeping me awake at night! It’s been hard to find an independent vet who can do the vetting in the timeline and I’m being told that there are others queuing up to buy the horse so I might loose out.

Is this just the reality of buying?

 

[AmyMay]

Yes, basically.

 

[sanderss]

It’s stressful!

 

[Patterdale]

Yes. I usually vet the next day and get the horse home. I have even in the past, when travelling a long way to view and fairly sure I’d like the horse, had the vetting arranged for the morning, then rode after, loaded the horse up and took it (6 hours!) home. Wasn’t doing that journey twice

But yes, it’s normal. Get sorted or you might lose out.

 

[MissTyc]

It's tricky if you're not confident in the horse world currently or yet or out of your local area.
But once your decision is made, whenever that is (never feel pressured right there and then - you have a right to sleep on it as long as you understand the horse isn't sold to you until the deposit is handed over and could be snapped up by someone else), transfer deposit, organise vet (call around every practice in that area - they are used to it!) and then process the purchase as quickly as possible. I know plenty a dealer who won't turn out a horse that is sold, so it's in everyone's interests to get it to the new home quickly. With dealers, it's just business, a clinical transaction. They will pressure you because they want the horse gone but won't care if you or someone else buy it. With private sellers, they will often hold the horse while you make up your mind and allow return visits, if they like you! (and if they like the horse and think you're the right home for it)

 

[sanderss]

Thank you so much for your comments guys. I didn’t appreciate this difference in process for agents vs private sellers and have been approaching this the same as I would a private sale. It makes more sense to me now.

 

[ycbm]

Is it normal to be expected to view, put down a deposit on the day, then vet and purchase within a week?

I'm going to go against the grain here and say no, it's normal to allow a second viewing.

If the market is hot you risk losing the horse meanwhile, but if you are being pushed into buying without a second viewing then I would walk away.

This applies to agents, dealers and private sales but the agents and dealers are professional sellers and you will find some of them a lot more pushy.
.

 

[sanderss]

To be fair, they are happy for me to have a second viewing but still want it all wrapped up in a week. I think the pressure is from the seller because obviously sales livery isn’t cheap.

 

[ycbm]

To be fair, they are happy for me to have a second viewing but still want it all wrapped up in a week. I think the pressure is from the seller because obviously sales livery isn’t cheap.

As a seller I can tell you that the pressure is because we all know that any horse can injure itself any time and having a horse you have mentally signed off from enough to place with a dealer then go wrong and require rehabilitation is an absolute nightmare.
.

 

[sanderss]

As a seller I can tell you that the pressure is because we all know that any horse can injure itself any time and having a horse you have mentally signed off from enough to place with a dealer then go wrong and require rehabilitation is an absolute nightmare.
.

Thank you for the insight. That makes sense.

 

[ihatework]

It can be unfortunately - especially for types of horses that are in high demand. If a seller has a few people lined up then they aren’t going to want to faff around on 2nd/3rd viewing on someone who may/may not end up buying the horse.

That said it can also be a tactic by the less scrupulous to put pressure on someone to panic buy something without a vetting.

As you are a little unsure be inclined to listen to your gut. Dont put down deposit, Book a second viewing for 2-3 days time and in parallel start checking out vets.

If the horse is sold in the interim few days, C’est la vie.

I’m happy to run my eyes over the horse to gauge how genuine it seems if that helps.

 

[sanderss]

It can be unfortunately - especially for types of horses that are in high demand. If a seller has a few people lined up then they aren’t going to want to faff around on 2nd/3rd viewing on someone who may/may not end up buying the horse.

That said it can also be a tactic by the less scrupulous to put pressure on someone to panic buy something without a vetting.

As you are a little unsure be inclined to listen to your gut. Dont put down deposit, Book a second viewing for 2-3 days time and in parallel start checking out vets.

If the horse is sold in the interim few days, C’est la vie.

I’m happy to run my eyes over the horse to gauge how genuine it seems if that helps.

Aw, thank you. That’s a kind offer .

As I am new to buying I didn’t really appreciate the difference in speed when buying from an agent/dealer so was not really prepared enough!

The yard where I was viewing is extremely reputable and the agent has a fab reputation so I don’t think there was anything underhand going on to be honest, they were more than happy for me to have a full vetting, but wanted it to happen very quickly and I wasn’t prepared for this mentally or practically. I think it was the situation as you described where there’s other buyers wanting to view so I needed to move fast.

It didn't work out for us this time but next time I will be much better prepared and understand what I need to do to be happy myself and move at the right pace, and yes, sometimes it’s better to risk loosing out than rush into something you’re not comfortable with!

 

[sanderss]

Yes. I usually vet the next day and get the horse home. I have even in the past, when travelling a long way to view and fairly sure I’d like the horse, had the vetting arranged for the morning, then rode after, loaded the horse up and took it (6 hours!) home. Wasn’t doing that journey twice

But yes, it’s normal. Get sorted or you might lose out.

Wow that is fast! Do you also check out the medical history in that time or does that not bother you?

Good idea re finding the vet before the viewing, I’m going to remember that tip!

 

[Fire sign]

To be fair, they are happy for me to have a second viewing but still want it all wrapped up in a week. I think the pressure is from the seller because obviously sales livery isn’t cheap.

I would have a second viewing and take experienced friend or riding instructor with me . If all goes well I would then pay the deposit to secure the horse .. once the agent has your deposit they will be more patient while you organise your vetting

 

[Birker2020]

Wow that is fast! Do you also check out the medical history in that time or does that not bother you?

Good idea re finding the vet before the viewing, I’m going to remember that tip!

I alwaysviwed Saturday or Sunday, put a deposit down on two of the seven I bought (both private sellers), the others were dealers and never wanted a deposit but that was then.

Then I'd ring the vets on the Monday and get a vetting arranged for the following day, and bri g the horse home Thursday.

 

[Goldenstar]

I viewed Blue at one thirty by half six he was in the stable at my home .
That was quick even for me.
A week is a long time in my book .

 

[dapple_grey]

I'm surprised that people have managed to get a vetting booked so quickly. When I called around various practices, the earliest I could get was nearly 2 weeks away - I've never been able to get next day.

 

[Patterdale]

I’ve never struggled. In the last few years though I’ve used a specialist vetting vet, who is freelance and mainly does PPEs. That makes it much easier!

 

[Wishfilly]

The only dealer I know with this policy isn't one I'd consider especially scrupulous, so it would make me wary. I think a lot of people who are used to buying will arrange a vetting almost before they view. If you're viewing out of area and aren't known to the local vets, it can be tricky to arrange an independent vetting within a week.

I don't think it's a red flag per se, but if you feel pressured, I would walk away- there are other horses out there and it's a huge thing to get wrong.