Farrier Dilema

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samp

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Not sure what to do. My farrier is very reliable in the fact he turns up when he is meant to and if he can not make it always calls. I have never had a problem with my horses feet or them going lame from him. However he is no longer Vat reg'd and has also increased his prices to more than they were when he was Vat reg'd. He has in effect given himself a 20% pay rise, which to me seems very wrong.

Not sure whether I stick to him cause of the above or save myself about £15 a time and to use one of the other farriers on the yard?

I have asked if he will do cash deal but he says no. Though I may get a deal on the stud holes?
 
I think 1 is reliable but doesn't shoe to my standard and the other probably doesn't shoe as well and is not that reliable.
 
TBH, if he is on time, calls you if there is a problem and shoes your horse well and you are happy with him, then I would stick with him. Remember cheaper shoes does not mean cheaper. You could end up with waiting weeks to get on the books of a new farrier and then find out they are not so realiable or accommodating. That is only my opinion. My farrier is the salt of the earth and I would pay or do anything that he needs me to do to keep him shoeing my horses.
 
may as well stay with the guy who shoes to your liking and (a rarity) turns up when he says he will!
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I'd stay with your current farrier.
It could cost you a lot more in the long run if you change to a dodgy farrier!
 
I doubt if he has given himself a payrise!

Looking at all the costs involved

farrier insurance-employers, public and CCC
The cost of diesel
the cost of running his vehicle & losing money on it (resale value)
Injury insurance for him

It starts to add up!

If you are happy with him continue to use him! Value for money!
 
I'd stick with him and put up with the extra cost. Finding a good, reliable farrier can be difficult!... I trust mine 100% and wouldn't want anyone else touching my horses feet.
 
Echo what others have said - if he's doing a good job and is reliable and communicative then stick with him.

I can't help but think how unusual it is for a farrier to de-register for VAT though.
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Very strange. If he's working full time as a farrier and isn't earning upto the VAT threshold then he must be VERY cheap! LOL!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I doubt if he has given himself a payrise!

Looking at all the costs involved

farrier insurance-employers, public and CCC
The cost of diesel
the cost of running his vehicle & losing money on it (resale value)
Injury insurance for him

It starts to add up!

If you are happy with him continue to use him! Value for money!

[/ QUOTE ]

don't forget tools
 
OK thanks guys. I will stick with his, see if he will add stud holes for cheaper than £1.50 each for cash. If he becomes unreliable etc then I will look elsewhere. Also if I got a horse to play with for a while I may use that as a guinea pig for another farrier
 
A good farrier is worth his weight in gold.

Stick with him. We don't think twice about spending £80 odd quid on a new rug that we probably don't need - but so many of us get upset when our farrier puts their prices up - which we do need.

My farrier is one of the more expensive ones in the area - but I wouldn't change him for love nor money!
tongue.gif
 
good farriers are hard to come buy! i wouldn't be without my farrier, i have been through a few that were awful and horrible, surprise surprise my farrier is a woman lol and she is reliable shoes to a high standard and is good to the horses i would hate to have to find another one at her standard for the same price!!!
 
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