The Irish Draft 2022
Well-Known Member
Yeah I agree I was just saying in general. I have friends that view horses knowing they can’t afford the horse asking price.
How to offer a seller less money for a horse than they want politely!
- Thread starter Mary3050
- Start date
The Irish Draft 2022
Well-Known Member
It a very common in Ireland for people to say that phase normally people who are inexperienced out of riding school or just cheeky people. I actually had a argument with a riding instructor because I offered a price instead of asking what the lowest they will take . She said I could have gotten the horse cheaper when buying my first horse . I wouldn’t blame theses people because chances are someone more experienced is telling them to say it .
Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls
Well-Known Member
ETA: But I'd change 'their' and 'they're' to 'his'.
Or even 'he is' instead of they're? Sorry being very pedantic here this morning and just couldn't resist! ?
I cant believe how much angst people have over haggling the price of a horse. Just offer what you feel prepared to pay, buyer says Yes or No, or you haggle a bit with seller who might also offer you a generous luck penny to help seal the deal. Job done one way or the other.
luckyoldme
Well-Known Member
They will either be offended or not but it's not like you want to be penpals or best friends.
Sit down work out the absolute maximum you are willing to pay..that's what the horse is worth to you.
Then go haggle but walk away if they want too much over what it's worth to you.
Then come back tell us all the gossip and put a picture on of new horse if you bought it
Sit down work out the absolute maximum you are willing to pay..that's what the horse is worth to you.
Then go haggle but walk away if they want too much over what it's worth to you.
Then come back tell us all the gossip and put a picture on of new horse if you bought it
Crollaz
Member
Does anyone ever pay full price? I must admit I only offer what I am prepared to pay, sometimes slightly less to give me wiggle room. Everybody who sells knows that the price is always negotiable just dont fall into the trap of paying more than you wanted. Having said that the way the prices are at the moment the wiggle room is a lot smaller. I had to pay more than I wanted because otherwise would have ended up with no horse. Just ask yourself do I want to wait till prices drop or do I want to pay over the odds?
Mary3050
Well-Known Member
Not sure where you go the idea that he’s pretty much done nothing . He’s not pretty much done anything but he’s only been to a 2 competitions so isn’t proven . But for 19k for a horse like that I would want at least a handful of competitions with okay scores !
Haha yes some of my family Irish this is how they work ? .
Cortez
Tough but Fair
Why would anyone be offended? I have sold a lot of horses, and turned down many offers, but never once have I been offended. Amused, perhaps.
"Haha yes some of my family Irish this is how they work ?" - This is how EVERYONE works, outside of Britain.
"Haha yes some of my family Irish this is how they work ?" - This is how EVERYONE works, outside of Britain.
Mary3050
Well-Known Member
So I have tried calling the seller I tried yesterday evening and sent a message asking them to get back to me . They aren’t answering I don’t wanna text my offer over or continue ringing to seem over interested. How long do you leave it before trying again ? . I am so out of touch with this buying lark it’s been a while ?
[153312]
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If you didn't get an answer yesterday evening try a different time of day or text saying, I'd like to speak to you what time works.
Muddy unicorn
Well-Known Member
When we were looking last year I found that dealers’ prices were extremely flexible. I rang up about one which was POA but the first price they quoted was £10k over my maximum budget - within a 5 minute phone call the price had dropped £10k. Another dealer told me the horse I was interested in was £20k, but when I messaged to arrange a time to view and asked him to remind me how much he wanted, the price had miraculously dropped to £15k.
I found that private sellers were less likely to change the price dramatically
I found that private sellers were less likely to change the price dramatically
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
In my case it wasn't what I thought the horse was worth, it was what I could afford. But I wouldn't have dreamed of turning up at a viewing expecting to knock someone down so much unless I'd agreed in writing/verbally first so kind of get where you're coming from.
I'd only been looking in the more expensive horse bracket because the rubbish I'd viewed at under 10K was just totally unsuitable. Initially I'd no intention of spending that much money. But then I saw him and fell for him and his paces.
My text to the seller went something like this
"I hope you don't mind me texting you but I've been admiring your lovely horse for the last week or so and he looks just like my horse Bailey who I lost in June. I'm looking for another horse and can't afford ****** but if you are wanting this lovely horse to have a nice forever home and would accept an offer of ***** I'd love to view him next Saturday."
It was literally all the money I wanted to pay. Bails wasn't insured - too old/too many exclusions. So I had no money from insurance to fall back on.
Dad had always said he'd pay for another horse for me when he was alive, when he died it was passed to Mum who was happy to help me out. So I was given two thirds of the money off Mum bless her, and paid the balance myself out of my savings leaving enough for tack/lessons/shows for the first few months and leaving enough for emergencies.
The seller accepted, we went to see him, paid £500 deposit subject to successful vetting which he flew, and we had him 6 days after viewing him.
My 'tack' wasn't because I was trying it on, looking for a bargain. It was borne out of necessity and because I was honest and told her it was all I could afford.
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hollyandivy123
Well-Known Member
same here, i always work in theory that there will be another horse, house etc etc
in fact i make certain i never buy or sell from someone i know................i uplift to a value that it would be nice to get, know what i will accept when selling, they think they have made a good deal, i got what i wanted in the first place
i have often thought i was in the wrong country as i love to haggle
IrishMilo
Well-Known Member
I never go down the route of saying 'He's green for his age/I like him but he's not as described' etc. as I think it puts peoples' backs up. Just say 'Really like the horse - I'll give you X and send the deposit to you now'.
Flame_
Well-Known Member
I also hate the "what's your lowest/ best price?" thing. I'd then reply, the price is there in the advert, that's it, unless you want to make me an offer?
I have paid full price for a couple of horses because I had a feeling that the owners would be genuinely hurt if I had tried to haggle and I didn't think they were overpriced.
Sometimes it's obvious that the horse is priced with the expectation of coming down.
When making an offer on anything I just say, "right, will you consider an offer of £X".
I have paid full price for a couple of horses because I had a feeling that the owners would be genuinely hurt if I had tried to haggle and I didn't think they were overpriced.
Sometimes it's obvious that the horse is priced with the expectation of coming down.
When making an offer on anything I just say, "right, will you consider an offer of £X".
AdorableAlice
Well-Known Member
With no response I would be thinking the horse has been sold.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
that is just making yourself vulnerable. To me that is "I hope you don't mind, creep and grovel"
He looks just like my previous horse, a nice forever home etc.
If I was selling something and a buyer came along with that view I would think they were hooked already. Be nice to them because they are desperate and I am going to be able to push them upwards price wise. They may not be able to afford it but, hey, I 'm sure they can get another couple of grand on the credit card if I tell them a sob story.
You ask if they would accept an offer of X. That is setting the price for them when they may well have overpriced the horse in the first place to see what they could get and may have, finally, accepted a offer below your suggestion. They may have been finding it was difficult to sell Lari.
(those comments are not aimed at you personally just to comment on that scenario so don't personally take offence)
If I wanted a particular item (or horse) desperately and I thought there was competition I would pay the asking price. Otherwise I would make an offer, they may want to start negotiating. If they said no I would just walk away and expect them to be on the phone later on.
Just because someone sets and asking price it doesn't mean that is what they are going to get, it is simply what they would like to get.
Cortez, what is wrong with the English negotiating? lot of satisfaction to be gained from it.
Birker2020
Well-Known Member
Yes I appreciate what you are saying but I thought he was well out of my league so I did try and butter them up slightly as I thought there would be no way they would reduce by £2.5k.
The forever home idea was a friends who knew I was struggling to be cheeky and send a text to the seller about making an offer - I'm really not like this normally, I hate to barter for anything, it makes me feel a bit cringey if I'm honest.I did really want the horse though (or should I say I wanted a chance to view him; if he'd been too active behind my back wouldn't have stood up to riding him) and thought they'd be lots of competition. Especially when she said someone was going to look at him on the morning of the afternoon we were going to see him. But there was no way I could afford the asking price.
I probably did sound vulnerable, there's a lot more I would say but as you've mentioned the horses name now I don't think I will say what I was going to say about the process lol. Contrary to popular belief I didn't want him because he reminded me of Bailey, even though from the one side he is literally the spit face wise. Most WB types have white blazes and three or four white socks, I saw two out of the four horses I viewed at with this trait.
I appreciate that because someone sets an asking price it doesn't mean they will get it but I thought what she was asking was fair given his breeding, his extensive (and decent) competition history, his paces and age and the fact she was happy for him to have a five stage vetting (therefore nothing to hide).
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sport horse
Well-Known Member
The price in the advert is the 'asking' price. Horses are not like a can of beans with an exact price. It is likely that if a horse is priced at 19500 it is being sold by someone well used to the horse market and they will expect to be made an offer and that the first offer will probably not be the final one. The same in the housing market. Why are we Brits so worried about 'bargaining'. You do not have to be rude it is just how business is done.
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
I have always bartered down, until this last horse, 5 months ago. The market has been so silly, he was a price I could afford, so I quickly agreed to purchase, subject to vet. Full price.
I would usually expect to get a horse for around 10% less.
One I bought was 15K on advert, I paid 12K. It wasn't a cheeky offer, I rode her and decided that this is what the horse was worth to me. I offered, as a "this is my offer and I understand if you would prefer to wait and buy from someone else." I did have 15K, but she was trickier than I had expected and I was not prepared to pay the full whack.
I have viewed others where I have contacted them and said that their horse looks like what I am looking for, I can offer an experienced, long term home, but XXX is my top budget. I never do down their horse, on the contrary, I usually say that I'm sure the horse is worth the asking price, but if my offer of XXX is of interest then get back to me. I only make contact once in such a situation. This was once half the asking price for one horse. They didn't reply instantly, but about 6 weeks later they did, and I went to view. Sadly. it was not a match made in heaven when I got there!
I would usually expect to get a horse for around 10% less.
One I bought was 15K on advert, I paid 12K. It wasn't a cheeky offer, I rode her and decided that this is what the horse was worth to me. I offered, as a "this is my offer and I understand if you would prefer to wait and buy from someone else." I did have 15K, but she was trickier than I had expected and I was not prepared to pay the full whack.
I have viewed others where I have contacted them and said that their horse looks like what I am looking for, I can offer an experienced, long term home, but XXX is my top budget. I never do down their horse, on the contrary, I usually say that I'm sure the horse is worth the asking price, but if my offer of XXX is of interest then get back to me. I only make contact once in such a situation. This was once half the asking price for one horse. They didn't reply instantly, but about 6 weeks later they did, and I went to view. Sadly. it was not a match made in heaven when I got there!
Sossigpoker
Well-Known Member
If they're not answering or replying , either they're struggling with the storm or they've sold the horse.
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teddypops
Well-Known Member
This is pretty much how it works in the U.K. too.
Kaylum
Well-Known Member
When we sell most things we expect to be bid down its psychology we price up the buyer bids down they think they have a bargain. Same with cars and houses. You hear it all the time they wanted £15k I got it for £13k bargain. Oh yes and we are in Yorkshire.
nutjob
Well-Known Member
Try calling them from a different phone.
Lois Lame
Well-Known Member
I knew I was being a pain but I couldn't help it. There's just something about plural ... whatever it's called... that I can't ...
Anyhow...
I agree with this but slightly jiggled. Decide on what the horse is worth to you, offer that price and see what happens. But I would go with the maximum I was prepared to pay first up. I don't haggle. I don't like haggling and I don't like hagglers.
Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls
Well-Known Member
Sorry I really was just teasing it wasn't a serious correction of your suggestion regarding the plural etc , a rather failed attempt at early morning humour on my part.?
I am the opposite, I love to haggle, I always haggle buying or selling, and I love hagglers who indulge my opportunity to hone my haggling skills!
Hepsibah
Well-Known Member
My response to this would be to either ignore it and you or to say "What's the highest price you're willing to pay?"
Sossigpoker
Well-Known Member
Just say "I'm prepared to offer X and arrange a vetting within a week ". There's really no point in trying to butter then up, they don't care how much the horse looks like your old horse or how much you like him , not enough for it to affect the price so just make the offer and wait for a response.
Cortez
Tough but Fair
You’ll do well over here, that’s a good opening gambit for some serious bargaining.
LadySam
Well-Known Member
May I add my $0.02 as both an international observer and someone whose job revolves around horse prices?
This is an observation, not a criticism.
Asking price is not the same as fair and realistic market value. At least, the two are very rarely the same, especially with private sellers. Negotiating a price for a sale is simply both parties finding their way to that point of current market value. This is a broad observation but the English seem to take it very personally. Look at the title of this thread - the OP is bracing herself to deal with hurt feelings because she wants to make an offer, and not for nothing it would seem. The Irish, us and I think most folks outside the UK don’t take the same view. It’s just a discussion about money and a normal, necessary part of a transaction. It’s not an insult or criticism of seller or horse.
SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
Asking prices are just that, that's what the seller is asking ?
No harm whatsoever in offering lower. You just have to decide what the most you are prepared to pay is (within reason), and stick to your guns. Don't pay more if it's not worth it to you.
Good luck, hope it goes well x
No harm whatsoever in offering lower. You just have to decide what the most you are prepared to pay is (within reason), and stick to your guns. Don't pay more if it's not worth it to you. Good luck, hope it goes well x