Gypsy Cob Sale or Loan dilemma - advice please??

rosiecob

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I am new to this "forum thing" - so please bear with me.

I have a beautiful little Gypsy Cob who I need to rehome. THe trouble is, with the "market" the way it is at the moment and as we are now heading towards winter, it really isn't a good time.
I have had her advertised for a while and not a single phonecall? I have started considering the whole "loan" idea but you hear so many horror stories, even with a so-called contract in place, the thought of loaning to a stranger, worries me greatly!
I realise that there are lots of genuine people out there but I'm worried that with times as they are - horses and ponies are going to unsuitable homes, especially with winter on the horizon.
ALthough sensitive - she is not a complex horse, so I thought I would get some interest in her but not a single response - are people still buying out there??? I love her to bits, so I am very conscious that she has the right future.
Is it safe to loan? Are contracts really a safeguard??

ANy help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
as your unsure about loaning while not look for a share till the market picks up. There are still many good people looking for loans, its a matter of finding someone you feel is right, and never let them take the passport and sign a contract. I believe if worded right contracts can be used if the law has to be brought in.
 
Really even if someone wanted to buy her you would be letting her go to a complete stranger & the future is always uncertain.So loaning to a complete stranger can't be any worse, at least you can get her back if you don't like the way she is treated which you can't selling. Try & loan her out locally so you can keep an eye, check on her regularly, have a good contract etc. Life is full of risk but the majority of people are genuine, you never hear about them only the rogues that come to light.
 
If you need to get rid of her why not try either a) reduce the price and see if that gets some interest, b) offer her on loan with view to buy or c) permanent loan? Loaning is not necessarily unsafe as such, we only tend to hear the horror stories not the thousands of successful loans going on all the time. Good luck and I hope you find a lovely new home for her!
 
Would you be able to post the advert so we could have a look & see if any bits can be improved?

Maybe she is up for too much? It's also just the market. I have had my youngster up for months and months, reduced price twice!! Just found someone very keen and they are 99.9% getting her decision this weekend!
 
I think that the market is bad, but not dead, so your price has to be good. There is also a lot of competition too, so look at adverts for similar priced/heights of horses around (especially within your area).

I'd be wary of loaning out. I think people make more of an effort with their own horse than one they've loaned.. There is more chance of the horse coming back if theres the slightest problem..

I would drop your price a bit and try again. We just sold a gypsy cob within a week, but the price was competitive. Lots of people rang up (and still are) so there are a lot of people looking.

How big is the cob and where are you?
 
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Would be good to know your location as that can make a difference. And a link to the add would help re why you aren't getting phone calls so people can offer guidance on wording / photos etc But agree gypsy cobs would to me be quite easy to sell as cheap to keep so maybe you have overpriced her. I paid £1000. for my Gypsy cob 4 years ago sadly we lost her in January :( RIP Poppy pony .

Loaning always tricky but if you find someone via your instructor / Riding / pony club / farrier then at least you can get references and know who they are etc. I may have to loan my NF as I don't have a suitable jockey and he needs to see the world so I plan to approach the local pony club for some competant kind jockey.

Good luck .
 
There are loads of horses being sold at the moment.
If you intend loaning then get your horse freezemarked on it's shoulder, ensure that it's record on www.ned-online is ammended to indicate that the horse is on loan. Ask to have sight of the original copy of the passport, driving licence and rates bill for the person intending loaning the horse and photocopy them and keep in a safe place. Also get them checked out for any adverse history - use Riskdisc for this.
 
Thank you so much for the replies - the thing is - I advertised her without a price - with the wording that the home was of utmost importance - thinking it would generate lots of interest in people wanting to know how much I was looking for - so there wasn't a price at all - mistake???? Not a single phone call and she is on 3/4 websites.

I am in the central southern (hants) area - she is a 14.2 5yo so a good size and a good age and although a bit green and quite sensitive, is an angel and has been out and about getting consistently high %'s at intro level (as canter still green in school). So, there's nothing "wrong" with her and I have been completely honest about her and although I would like reasonable money for her - the right home is more important, as she is rather special (aren't they all :) )

If I can work out how - I will try and post my ad on here but not sure how to go about that - but the fact that it didn't have a price, I thought would encourage people?

I would rather sell than loan - purely because I will need the funds at some point BUT am willing to loan if needs be but I agree, a sale is to effectively a complete stranger.

Someone pointed out - if loaned - not to provide the passport - but don't they need that if they move the horse off site (ie to a show or lesson etc) - I always thought that the passport has to be with the horse at all times - so how does that work? What's to stop them selling the horse on etc?

I realise that I may appear on the negative side here and there are lots of genuine people out there - all I'm looking for - is a lovely home for my girl.
 
Put a price on. Nothing deters more than no price!

Absolutely. Whenever I see 'price on application/make me an offer' I always assume (possibly wrongly, but if I do, others probably do too) the seller is asking top money. I know from a friend who has quite valuable horses she usually does this when advertising as her prices are high and she does it to try and deter timewasters. (Not sure if that works but that's what she says anyway)
And whenever I'm looking at ads, the prices can vary so much, even on comparable horses, I want to know I'm looking at something in my price range..
 
No price = no phone call! People always assume when there's no price the horse is expensive and I also think it makes people feel it would be embarrassing to call and show an interest then not be able to afford the horse. I know when I was looking early this summer I didn't call a single advert without a price.
 
ok - makes sense - I was thinking of it from the wrong angle I think!

Will try putting a price on my ads to see if it makes any difference - nothing to lose - but I realise now, how people may have taken it the wrong way, ie highly priced.

will give it a go :)
 
Agree with the others. You need to say a price. Usually POA means the horse is going to be expensive. The seller tries to get you interested on the phone then drops the bombshell that they want £x. I would be clear about the price but still make it a little more than you want to allow for a little negotiation.
 
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