Internet vs Tack Shops

[ChestnutHunter]

I am currently beginning to think about my dissertation topic which focuses on the influence of the internet on tack shops.

I have brainstormed many points but really trying to think outside the box and get peoples thoughts on why the internet may have influenced the equestrian world with regards to products.

General opinions on the matter greatly appreciated!

 

[Carrots&Mints]

Lack of tack shops in the area is my biggest reason I buy online. The nearest (decent one) to me is Oakfeild Saddlery at Leyland Preston and I live about an hour away! I get all my showing supplies from them, but if i buy online I usually buy of ebay.

 

[Tash88]

There are hardly any tack shops where I live (London, not far from Surrey); the only ones near me are like convenience shops; they are fine for little things like fly spray but I wouldn't buy a rug or anything like that from them. I find tack shops to be far more expensive than online shops and there simply isn't the choice. I think that with the internet and discussion groups like this, people want to get exactly the product that has been recommended to them and so they will go online first. To be honest I think I could live without actual tack shops quite happily and I probably visit them less than five times a year in total; I do most of my shopping online or wait for the shows (Hickstead, Olympia etc) and go wild there!

 

[Lexi_]

OP, do you mean in terms of product development and the things they stock, or the business success (can't think how to word it but the growth of online shopping causing the physical shops to close down)?

 

[ChestnutHunter]

Anything at the moment. I am trying to get general points so I can have a sit down and somehow try and link them.

I've thought about things like feed for example, whilst many tack shops are struggling you never really hear of people that have bought feed online for obvious reasons such as postage cost, people like to look at the bag or ask for advice in store.

Chain stores like Derby House dont seem to be doing fantastically, as the Wrightington store is in my opinion incredibly poor and they seem to have moved everything onto their online shop, and used the space they have to open a country foods section that appeals to non horsey people. It is interesting how businesses are having to diversify.

 

[Oscar]

Ebay & later facebook, has killed the high street, as people can work from home, have very little overheads, as half the sites don't always stock what they sell, have no rent, staff etc to pay so can sell at Rock bottom prices. Facebook doesn't even have ebay fees so is ultra competitive.

 

[puppystitch]

I like to visit tack shops, could spend hours in them, but they just don't have the choice that can be found online. Having said that, some things I just won't buy online due to the cost of returning things e.g.
Jods (I want to feel them and try them on);
hats (how do I know the postman hasn't chucked it around?),
boots (learnt the hard way they cost a FORTUNE to post back if they don't fit)

Things like brushes, fly spray etc I'll scout around and find the best prices online but things that need to fit / feel nice etc I would much rather buy from an actual shop.

 

[Claire-R]

I have found recently that my local tack shop (The Cornish Saddlery) is either equivalent or cheaper than buying on eBay. Especially if you are adding in the carriage charge!! So I now go there all the time

I'm not on Facebook so I do not get the Facebook bargains along with the boring updates of peoples lives!

 

[MerrySherryRider]

I use my local tack shop a lot, mostly for feed, bedding and lotions, first aid etc. I buy riding clothes there too as they have an extensive range with reasonable prices. While I did once order a rug from them, but I usually buy rugs and boots on line, along with tack and bits. The tack shops seem to concentrate on cheaper lines of horsewear and tack, so I get those off the internet instead, along with decent quality grooming kit and specialist hoof sundries.

I have bought feed off the internet as my local tack shop doesn't sell the feed I use unless I order it in. They are great for rug cleaning and blade sharpening though. During the winter I do a monthly tack shop run which means going to 3 different tack shops and a 40 mile round trip. It's time consuming and often more expensive in petrol costs than buying on line.

 

[FellOutOfFavour]

I'd use tack shops more if they were more local, had a greater range of stock, and opened either late evenings or Sundays. I do have sympathy with retailers who lose out to internet purchases, but our local tack shop are not helping themselves.

Last week I went in looking for a specific type of boot. They had the boot I wanted but only in back, I specifically want brown. They seem unwilling/unable to order the brown in for me so I will go back soon and try the black on to see what size I need and will then order online in brown. It goes against the grain but if they won't order in the colour I want they are not helping themselves!

 

[puppystitch]

I'd use tack shops more if they were more local, had a greater range of stock, and opened either late evenings or Sundays. I do have sympathy with retailers who lose out to internet purchases, but our local tack shop are not helping themselves.

You've hit the nail on the head with that comment - it is so frustrating, none of the shops in my area open on Sundays. I can't understand it. I work full time so my weekends are usually crazy busy. I can't fit everything into Saturday alone!

 

[happyclappy]

Fact. The internet has destroyed the majority of tackshops. Those that remain struggle big time.

My local tack shop is open seven days a week.

 

[Honey08]

We have one really good tack shop nearby that is an Aladdin's cave, full of alsorts of things. I would always buy tack from them, they also have a huge selection of second hand saddles (they sell online) and show jackets.

Products like hoof oil, first aid basics, shampoos, fly spray I tend to buy from the feedstore when I buy feed.

Products like rugs I tend to buy online, as it's easier to do at night when I have time to sit down and browse.

I go to a lot of big events like Badminton, Bramham and Burghley, so sometimes shop there.

I used to go to Robinson's and Derby House once a year, but DH are gone and Robinson's is so low quality that I don't buy much nowadays (I bought more things there when setting the yard up).

 

[thatsmygirl]

Fact. The internet has destroyed the majority of tackshops. Those that remain struggle big time.

My local tack shop is open seven days a week.

I work in a tack shop and yes it is hard but listening to customer feedback is very important plus if people want a special order, do it and do it for a good price to get people through the door not top price. Theft is very high where I work and we catch quite a few who won't pay for the little things that sneak into pockets and under coats which don't help prices for the law abiding folk and those who must open packets to look at the content and pull off safety seals which then said products have to be chucked away also push prices up.

 

[jinglejoys]

Can't get the sort of tack I want in the UK.Every shop has the standard Shires catalogue stuff you can buy anywhere else

 

[NZJenny]

Given the diversity of the equestrian world - no tack shop can cover every disciplin. Buying specialist endurance tack for example - it's a waste of time going to your local tack shop. They simply don't stock the equipment for endurance riders (every thing from synthetic tack to HR monitors), for good reason, the local market is probably not big enough to warrent it. So online shopping is the only way to go.

If you were a western rider for example, again you would be wasting your time going to your local tack shop in NZ and probably the same in the UK.

Choice is the other reason for shopping on line - I can shop the world if I want to, instead of being limited to what is in store at my local, which is mostly someone elses choice. And as far as buying feed on line - if you want something that isn't normal (hemp seed cake for example), then on line it is, and it gets delivered to my door.

 

[Sebastian]

Fact. The internet has destroyed the majority of tackshops. Those that remain struggle big time.

My local tack shop is open seven days a week.

This applies to more than just tack shops.

 

[case895]

Opening hours - they only open when I am at work.

Stocks - the chances of them having the exact item I want are low.

Prices - I can check prices at several outlets.
Price is not usually the key thing - stock availability and delivery time are more important to me.

Advice in a local shop is a red herring. I went in wanting a Neue Schule Verbinden. They only had a Starter bit and the woman there tried to convince me it was the same thing. Long story short, but I was right and she was wrong!

 

[bakewell]

It used to be that if I had a bit of cash I'd go to the tack shop for the luxury of the experience and walking out with my item. Whereas internet would be for frugal times. Now I'd find it difficult to find a tack shop that appealed/ that I could find that perfect item I didn't know I needed until I saw it.
I do wish that they were a bit more inspiring say "staff pick" +reasons labels and decent changing rooms, something to give it a more personal touch.
Or it could be that I've got most of what I need and I'm a crabby old lady now.

edit: if they did a workshop I would be genuinely interested in, say a barefoot trimming demo or examples of common saddle fitting issues with muscle build up etc I'd be more inclined to support a local tack shop.

 

[cobgoblin]

I don't think it's just the Internet that has led to the demise of tack shops. I live in a very horsey area and we used to have tack shops actually 'in' the towns around here, but then the business rates started rocketing and the ones in the towns closed. We still had plenty outside the towns for a few years, but then the banking crisis hit and more closed.
There are a few left if not within easy travelling distance and as someone else said, it's a bit like walking into a Robinsons catalogue. If they don't have what you want they will always say they can order it, but to be honest, if you have to travel a fair way to the shop it's easier to buy online - so I suspect the remaining shops are suffering quite a bit due to Internet sales.

 

[CBAnglo]

Most of the online shops I use have a physical presence somewhere, just not near me. My nearest "big" tack shop is Ingatestone and it seems to be busy all the time. Has an okish selection but I think I have bought 1 rug there (a waffle cooler) in 10 years whereas I have probably bought close to 200 online in that time.

Why it is successful: good cafe (non-horsey people and builders go there) and their feed and bedding is cheaper than anywhere else. They also do all the added services like rug wash etc which you can't get online.

I have bought bridles and things from there; for new horses when I wasn't sure of fit and things like emergency first aid stuff and if I only need something small and it's not worth paying postage. But a lot of other online tack shops offer free postage over x amount e.g. £75 so if I buy a rug I don't have to pay postage and I can get it cheaper.

Social media has a great part to play; someone posts on here that the new seasons matchy is out and everyone orders it immediately. My tack shop just wouldn't have the same selection it might carry one colour. When I want to order 3 different colours that isn't going to work.

Also I buy a lot of things online now; it relieves a stressful/boring day at work and often I buy when I am working late and need something to cheer me up.

 

[ChestnutHunter]

Wow thankyou so much for all the replies it is extremely helpful and an overwhelming response!!

 

[canteron]

My local tack shop seems to do ok. They have diversified though, both partners have trained to saddle fit and they specialise in new and second hand saddles.

They also do a lot of good quality second hand stuff - there prices are always good but this always means that you may find something as good as new but less money and also means they don't have to outlay so much on stock ( they pay you when it's sold).

 

[Batgirl]

I think internet shoppings' biggest effect has been to drive down quality. Because people want to pay less, cheap items are stocked, not necessarily good value. It has become very hard to buy good quality these days.

 

[budley95]

I'm really lucky to have a lovely tack shop a 5 minute walk away from work and they sometimes have the most beautiful bridles and breastplates (that was an expensive lunch break!), and I can normally get a headcollar, set of overeach boots, leadropes and gloves in there, but a lot of stuff they have to order in, as the tack shop isn't huge as it's just a little upstairs. Downstairs they have loads of different feeds, bedding, hay, supplements, wormers, fencing equipment and feeds for other farm animals and small animals, which is very useful if I'm running short of food (and they have a loyalty card which is always nice!). Have a feedstore a 5 minute drive from the yard as well. Both businesses are family run and local and I love them both, so they're more convenient than internet shopping for me! But they don't always have the stuff I want in, or in the size, in that case I'll order online so I don't have to wait for it to arrive there and then go pick it up. And when I'm on the late shift at work and we're quiet, if I'm bored I go internet shopping for the pony. I need a new job to reduce spending on the horse....

 

[dreambigpony]

I do have a few local tack shops which I tend to go to for the odd thing but I much prefer buying online. There's nothing quite like getting a parcel delivery full of horsey stuff! Tack shops are a lot more expensive and don't seem to have as much variety...plus I like to compare prices online!