Is it rude

[pocket_dressage]

Hi All, long time lurker, first time poster!

I’m probably overthinking this but wanted a general consensus.

I purchased a new saddle late last year, and it’s finally here 6 months later. The saddler messaged me a week ago to say it’s available and when can they come and fit it. At this point we can’t find a day that works for both of us and we are basically looking into June.

I have fully paid for the saddle and the final fit is included. Is it rude of me to ask the saddler to bring me the saddle if they are nearby, credit me the fit amount (£100) and I will find someone else to fit it who also deals with these saddles? Should I just relinquish the fit amount and get the saddle without rocking the boat? Should I wait and try and get the saddler to fit in June? I’m a people pleaser so don’t want to annoy anyone, but am desperate for my darn saddle! Would love thoughts. Thank you in advance

 

[ihatework]

Tricky. I’d be inclined to stick with the saddler supplying the saddle, just for continuity and incase of any future comeback.

But equally I’d be pushing for a sooner solution to getting your saddle. Any chance of boxing to them/hiring a school where they are already fitting?

 

[pocket_dressage]

Tricky. I’d be inclined to stick with the saddler supplying the saddle, just for continuity and incase of any future comeback.

But equally I’d be pushing for a sooner solution to getting your saddle. Any chance of boxing to them/hiring a school where they are already fitting?

This is the tough thing. The saddler is great and they will do a super job, so I’d love for them to fit it, but we seem at a stalemate. I’ve offered them quite a few dates but unfortunately they are already busy and I can’t do the times they have offered me.

Unfortunately it’s not possible for me to box to them.

 

[ihatework]

I’d grumble under my breath in frustration and wait until June. Not because asking for someone else is necessarily rude, but I wouldn’t want to give the saddler a get out of jail free card if something goes wrong post sale

 

[Tiddlypom]

^^^Agreed. If another saddle fitter starts adjusting the flocking or whatever to customise the fit and it doesn't work out, you could end up with both saddle fitters disagreeing with each other and you in the middle.

 

[dogatemysalad]

You've waited 6 months, so wait a little longer. Its frustrating, but having invested in a new saddle and have a saddle fitter that you rate, don't get impatient now. TBF, they have offered you dates, but you can't be avaliable. Is there any chance that you could change your availability to take up one of those times?

 

[pocket_dressage]

I’d grumble under my breath in frustration and wait until June. Not because asking for someone else is necessarily rude, but I wouldn’t want to give the saddler a get out of jail free card if something goes wrong post sale

You’re right, when I’ve already waited 6 months, what’s 7 ??‍

 

[pocket_dressage]

You've waited 6 months, so wait a little longer. Its frustrating, but having invested in a new saddle and have a saddle fitter that you rate, don't get impatient now. TBF, they have offered you dates, but you can't be avaliable. Is there any chance that you could change your availability to take up one of those times?

Unfortunately not, between work and study it’s just not possible. I’ve offered them pretty much four days a week, each week until June, but sadly it seems those are the days they can’t make. It’s not for want of trying.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Unfortunately not, between work and study it’s just not possible. I’ve offered them pretty much four days a week, each week until June, but sadly it seems those are the days they can’t make. It’s not for want of trying.

Totally understand your impatience. If you're happy to take a punt and your horse is straightforward to fit, then take the risk and try a different saddler to fit the new saddle, particularly if the original saddler is kind enough to refund the fitting cost.

 

[Carrottom]

If you are happy that the saddle is good for you, could you ask someone else to be there for the appointment to fit the saddle to your horse?

 

[Lucky Snowball]

Could you collect the saddle and start using it. By the time you are both able to meet up, the fit can be checked and adjusted if necessary. You will know if it slips eg going downhill etc.

 

[pocket_dressage]

If you are happy that the saddle is good for you, could you ask someone else to be there for the appointment to fit the saddle to your horse?

That’s definitely a possibility, I might put that to them and see if they’d be happy with that option!

 

[pocket_dressage]

Could you collect the saddle and start using it. By the time you are both able to meet up, the fit can be checked and adjusted if necessary. You will know if it slips eg going downhill etc.

I think this could work, it would only be a few weeks in between and the saddle I am using currently isn’t so great for my horse, so this could definitely be an option.

 

[pocket_dressage]

Thanks everyone, a few other options to put forward. I’m really hoping I can make it work with this saddler as they are great. Really appreciate your thoughts, has made me a bit more patient about the situation!

 

[ycbm]

Frankly I would be bloody mad at paying in full for a saddle 6 months before to find the fitter had overbooked themselves just when it's likely to be ready and can't fit it. What kind of customer service is that on a product you've probably paid a huge amount of money for?


Please somebody tell me this isn't normal for me new saddle purchases? I'm so glad I fit my own!
.

 

[sport horse]

I think you would be mad to have waited this long and to risk all your ongoing rights by not having the saddler fit it or having someone else represent you at the fitting. I can imagine all the excuses etc if anything should go wrong in the future.

 

[pocket_dressage]

Frankly I would be bloody mad at paying in full for a saddle 6 months before to find the fitter had overbooked themselves just when it's likely to be ready and can't fit it. What kind of customer service is that on a product you've probably paid a huge amount of money for?


Please somebody tell me this isn't normal for me new saddle purchases? I'm so glad I fit my own!
.

Yes you’re right, it wasn’t the cheapest saddle ? Tbh the customer service hasn’t been great, I’ve done a lot of chasing and was a little disappointed it’s been difficult to finalize. I appreciate I’m being slightly difficult but I have offered many days with open time frames that don’t work. Hopefully I can find a solution that works for both of us and can bring it to a close.

 

[gunnergundog]

If your horse was measured for a saddle over 6 months ago the chances that the horse will have changed shape to some extent are high - winter figure to spring/summer figure; developing due to maturity depending on age or shrinking due to lack of work and age. The possibilities are endless.

To keep things simple, in case things go wrong, I would stick with the original supplier at the moment. The engaging of an alternative fitter at this stage will leave you open to all sorts of hassle that will ultimately cost you money, emotional grief and possibly issues for your horse.

Give the original supplier the chance to get it right, but make sure that they acknowledge the fact that the horse will have changed shape in the interim 6+ months and make any necessary changes gratis. A six month wait for the supply of a made to measure saddle is excessive......unless of course they are one of the notorious French makes??

 

[pocket_dressage]

I think you would be mad to have waited this long and to risk all your ongoing rights by not having the saddler fit it or having someone else represent you at the fitting. I can imagine all the excuses etc if anything should go wrong in the future.

I definitely understand what you are saying, it’s been a little difficult to navigate but I really love the saddle, so once I have it I’m sure it’s going to be perfect. Hence my impatience to get it in my little hands!

 

[pocket_dressage]

If your horse was measured for a saddle over 6 months ago the chances that the horse will have changed shape to some extent are high - winter figure to spring/summer figure; developing due to maturity depending on age or shrinking due to lack of work and age. The possibilities are endless.

To keep things simple, in case things go wrong, I would stick with the original supplier at the moment. The engaging of an alternative fitter at this stage will leave you open to all sorts of hassle that will ultimately cost you money, emotional grief and possibly issues for your horse.

Give the original supplier the chance to get it right, but make sure that they acknowledge the fact that the horse will have changed shape in the interim 6+ months and make any necessary changes gratis. A six month wait for the supply of a made to measure saddle is excessive......unless of course they are one of the notorious French makes??

The horse has definitely changed shape quite a lot ? No it’s not a French make!

I think everyone who says to stay with the original fitter is right, to cover myself. I will just have to get my big girl pants on and make a little polite pressure to get the fit done.

 

[little_critter]

This is the tough thing. The saddler is great and they will do a super job, so I’d love for them to fit it, but we seem at a stalemate. I’ve offered them quite a few dates but unfortunately they are already busy and I can’t do the times they have offered me.

Unfortunately it’s not possible for me to box to them.

When you say you can’t box to them, is that because you don’t have transport, or because they don’t have premises they fit at?
If you have transport can you piggy back on someone else’s fitting (if they are happy for you to travel to them)?
Or could you do an arena hire close to one of your saddlers existing fittings to squeeze in?
Of course if you don’t have transport then neither of these are possible.

 

[pocket_dressage]

When you say you can’t box to them, is that because you don’t have transport, or because they don’t have premises they fit at?
If you have transport can you piggy back on someone else’s fitting (if they are happy for you to travel to them)?
Or could you do an arena hire close to one of your saddlers existing fittings to squeeze in?
Of course if you don’t have transport then neither of these are possible.

Unfortunately no transport BUT after everyone’s replies last night I got my big girl pants on and pushed politely to get something locked in before the end of the month.

And I’m pleased to report we were finally able to find a time that suits us both!!

Thankyou everyone!!

 

[ycbm]

Now it would be good to steel yourself to reject the saddle if the horse has changed so much in the meantime that it no longer fits him. Fingers crossed it will be fine and you and he will be thrilled with it. We'll done with pushing for better service.
.

 

[pocket_dressage]

Now it would be good to steel yourself to reject the saddle if the horse has changed so much in the meantime that it no longer fits him. Fingers crossed it will be fine and you and he will be thrilled with it. We'll done with pushing for better service.
.

Gawd that would really suck but I have two weeks to get myself confident enough to do that ? Definitely fingers crossed that it fits.

 

[Tiddlypom]

What make is it? Is it a flocked saddle?

 

[pocket_dressage]

What make is it? Is it a flocked saddle?

It’s an English saddle beginning with B and is wool flocked (edited to change name just incase the saddler wanders in here ?).