How not to look like a Time Waster?

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lizziebell

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I’m in the market to buy another horse, but after reading all the many posts of sellers complaining about “Time Wasters”, I’m paranoid about being perceived as such. I am not in any rush to purchase as I have a horse and am happy to be patient to find the “right one”, but from reading all the sellers posts I feel that if I look and don’t buy I’m going to get classed as a TW.

One area I think might class me as a TW is that my minimum height for a horse is 15.2hh, however I have long legs, so at this height it all depends on their build and how much of my leg they will take up. I can automatically rule out most narrow TB’s at this height, but other types I’m not so sure and will have to try. If I try a 15.2hh which turns out not to take up my leg and I tell the seller the reason I’m not interested is because they are too small I can see that they will think I am a TW as I knew the height of the horse before I went to see it.

Any other buyers feel this way? How do I not look like a Time Waster?
 
Instead of telling the seller that the horse is to small, say that it doesn't ride big enough - feels small;)
Generally, to avoid being timewaster,try to restrain yourself from viewing more than 3 times, especially if you are not going to buy; if you would like a horse on trial, ask before viewing it - saves time and misunderstandings...
Loads of other things, really, but try not to worry to much:)
 
I suppose when you call to enquire about a horse who is at the smaller end of your requirement, then you should explain your needs.
If the seller says that they feel your height will be ok for their 15.2, but then turns out to not quite match up to your needs, then i dont think its you who have wasted anybody's time.
I also think that you can gauge the size/build of a horse from the photo's in the add, and if not, you could always ask them to send you some pictures before agreeing to officially view?

At the end of the day, you have to buy a horse thats right for you, and just because you dont purchase the 1st one you see, doesnt make you a time waster!
 
Having recently sold my horse & bought another, I'd say don't worry about it!

A few people came to see my horse, decided not for them, for whatever reason. They didn't 'waste my time' - she sold within a week, and I accepted that I would have to spend time on a few no's before finding the right home.

I also saw many (many!) horses before buying my mare. Like you, I was genuinely interested in each horse I saw - not my fault if people used age-old photos, or didn't tell me about dishing/obesity/lumps & bumps/bucking etc beforehand. Or if I didn't click with their horse, for whatever reason.

As long as you a) ask all the right questions beforehand, to avoid wasted trips where possible, b) don't go back for repeated visits where you really know it's not for you and c)there is a genuine possibility that you may make a purchase, then I certainly wouldn't worry wasting anyone's time, or what anyone else thinks :)
 
Agreed, you need to explain fully to the vendor what you require and if it turns out that it is not as described you can honestly say that the build isn't right- you may be able to see this before you even get on so you haven't wasted much time and it is a valid reason to not want the horse. I think the more research you do the better before visiting the horse, and always reply to emails etc even if you don't want the creature. A simple "no, he won't suit" is far better than "I'll let you know" or just nothing! Good luck with your search.
 
Just be honest.

Find out as much about the horse as you can before you view. Tell them exactly what you are looking for - and go from there.

When I bought my current horse he was the third I'd viewed.

The first one I didn't even sit on, the second sat on for 5 mins, the third tried him out thoroughly and brought him home two days later.
 
So long as you are upfront to the sellers about your leg length issues (ask them on the phone how tall they are and how well the horse takes up the leg), and then decided within 1 veiwing the if the horse isn't going to be a suitable height, that is fine. The problem I have is when someone comes to see a horse 5 times in various places (hired XC course, took hunting etc) Tell you how fab the horse is, and they want it vetting. Then you either never hear anything back from them, of they then ring up saying the horse is too small!!! Or (my personal favourite) "love the horse, perfect in every way, no other horse we have looked at compares, definatly want this horse. We will give horse a fab home BUT we can only afford £2K (horse was £7K!)" This was after seeing the horse many times. When I said no, they said they had fallen in love with the horse, and it was very mean of me not to sell the horse to them, as this horse was the only one close to what they wanted! Eventually I thought i had finally got rid of them calling to ask if I had changed my mind, but no, 4 months later I got another call, saying the £2K offer still stood if I hadn't sold the horse. Again I said no, I had decided to keep the horse. Havn't heard anything from them since, but it has only been a ew weeks since they last called!!!!!
 
I'm the same!!! I'm looking for a horse and as I am looking for my PERFECT horse, Obviously the first horse I see may not be the one for me. But I am worried about being classed as a timewaster just because I didn't like it for whatever reason. Like you 15.2hh is the smallest I can go but it must take up my leg, but 16.2 is the highest I want to go and I don't want a big horse to take up my leg too much otherwise I would feel like a pea!

I think you just need to let the seller know your requirements, and not go for repeated trips if you feel it is not right for you to begin with.

I also have a limited budget, and If I can only offer slightly less I will tell the seller before I go to view. That said, I only offer £500 less etc not like thousands! And I only ask if I can see that the horse is overpriced, or the owner is happy to negotiate to the right home. But telling the seller this and your requirements etc over the phone is good, that way you have only wasted their time with a phone call rather than them having to take a few hours of work for you to view etc.
 
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Thanks. I absolutely hate buying horses :( I'm sure the more I do it and the older I get, the more I worry about things going wrong, and after reading all the seller Time Waster threads its added another dimension to the sick feeling of having to find the right horse.

Am I the only one who hates buying horses? Everyone else on here seem to be horse shopoholics !!
 
I found the best way not to come across as a timewaster is when you do arrange to view to actually turn up!;) Had several arrange a viewing but never turn up and didnt even phone to let me know they've changed their minds :mad: :rolleyes: I didn't mind people trying the horse and then deciding not what they're are looking for, after all that's what a viewing is for.:)

Anyway i'm sure if you explain on the phone your situation before viewing etc shouldn't be classed as timewasting. :)

Good luck :)
 
Hi,

I think the way NOT to appear a joyrider/ponypatter is, if, at any stage you feel that this is NOT the horse, then say so, there and then.

Even if that is as soon as it walks out of the stable. I would rather have a dozen people say "Sorry, not quite what I am looking for" within 5 minutes, I don't even ask them to justify their reasoning, I am not interested.

What annoys me most, and it is really a tiny, irrelevant thing, is viewers saying "I'll let you know" which is fair enough, go and have a think, a chat about it, view other horses on your list that day, but have the manners to get in touch and say "Thanks, but no thanks" I think 12 hours is a reasonable length of time to decide nay, maybe or yay, I loathe bad manners, it isn't even as if they have to speak to me. Someone once phoned up a whole week later to say "Yes, we'll take the horse" it gave me a huge amount of satisfaction to tell them that I'd sold the horse, and "No" I was not willing to disclose the amount or the whereabouts of the new owner.
 
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My friend has just added that phrase her her ad, not because of the people coming ro see the people, but the people calling (although I doubt it will be very effective, they'll still call I imagine)

She has described her pony very fairly. He's 13.2hh but quite solid, 6 yrs old and only came over from Ireland in January, so not push button in the school, so more of a 2nd pony than a 1st. The number of people she's had call wanting a first pony or a lead rein is unbelievable!! People just don't read the ad, and then when she says they're not suitable they get all funny!
 
I think it's the perception of the expression "time waster" as well.... some sellers would label you that if you turn up, examine and ride the horse and then say "no thanks" and walk away.
 
domane said:
I think it's the perception of the expression "time waster" as well.... some sellers would label you that if you turn up, examine and ride the horse and then say "no thanks" and walk away.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what someone on my yard did a couple of years ago. She was too tight to market the horse properly and she did not state in the ad that he was a cribber. Several people tried the horse but no-one bought him. All were labled 'useless' or 'time-wasters' by the seller. She had the horse PTS in the end because she thought he had 'something wrong with him', no wonder he didn't sell.
 
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