Haggling..

FlyingCircus

Well-Known Member
Joined
21 January 2013
Messages
2,321
Location
Dorset
Visit site
Going to see a horse tomorrow who's advertised at £2500 ONO.
He a 5 year old who has had very little done with him, basic flatwork and the occasional hack out but from what I can see has been left over last winter and picked up again a month ago.

What offer would you start with?

ETA: This is of course hypothetical, I may not like him in person, we'll have to see :)
 
Thanks, was thinking about starting around there.

Another question, how much would you say his type is worth? He's a large pony, nice looking but apparently needs to go right back down to basics. Shows some scope over jumps, and nice movement for dressage but at the minute he's pretty much doing nothing but an occasional schooling session or odd pootle down the road.
 
It's very hard to say what the horse is worth without seeing it. But I never pay the asking price and they have priced it like that. Yes start low and work up.
 
I never think of a price until I see the horse. I look, and then decide what it is worth to me and offer that.

I have twice paid full price as each time it was a horse that I simply had to have, and it was worth it to me.

But, my best bargain was 6K down to 2K as that was all I thought the horse was worth. I was polite, and said I understood why she may not want to sell to me, but "this is what I think your horse is worth to me, because XXXX". I also said it may be worth more to someone else, and she was of course free to wait for the someone else to come along.

With private sellers it is often a lot about what you have to offer - not just in money but also as to the quality of life the horse will have and weather you will forward news and photos. The people I buy horses from are updated if they wish, photos the lot.
 
Last edited:
£2500 for a 5yo, green pony is an awful lot. I'd be tempted for a cheeky offer of £1000 and let them argue you up as to why they think he is worth that.
 
Went to look at a 3.5k horse. It was no-where near as experienced as they made out, but had potential. Before 2nd viewing rang & discussed price - said I'd only come for 2nd viewing if they dropped price. Eventually had a call back agreeing to 2250. But I would have paid full price if she was worth it. You need to see the horse, but don't be afraid to haggle.
Some people price expecting to drop others price to sell.
 
I didn't haggle on my boy because a) I adored him and b) I knew they had just dropped the advertised price from £4,000 to £3,250.

I would start at £2k or just under, maybe higher if you really like him.
 
Top