Letting people know

If viewing a horse or livery yard do you always let people know?

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Wagtail

Wagtail

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If you are viewing a horse or livery yard and decide not to buy/go there, do you always let the seller/YO know? And if so, do you give a reason? Have you ever then offended the person by giving said feedback?
 
I have never sold on a horse, but I do run a livery yard. When people come to view, I always ask them to let me know either way (as if I have other people enquiring, then I need to keep them in the picture). However, in the 9 years I have run the yard, I would say less than a quarter of people bother to let me know if they will not be coming. I find this very strange as I have always let people know if I have viewed their yard or horse. I also give them an honest reason why, if I decide not to buy as I feel if they have taken time to show me the horse, or their yard, that it is only good manners. However, in my recent horse search, I have found that this sometimes results in them taking offence, no matter how tactfully I put it. I will continue to do it though, because there is nothing worse IMO than someone seeming really keen and then you hear nothing from them again. Then are left wondering why. If it is a livery yard, then surely honest feedback is a good thing? Otherwise how can livery yards improve?
 
We always get .....ty for showing me round, We have a few more to see before we decide. Then u either hear from them or you don't.

When people come, I always think of them as viewing only once they go I carry on not expecting a call. If I get one gr8 if not no loss.

I show them round yard answer ? and polite and leave them with the ball in their court. I only hear back if they want to come.
 
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I let people know, partly because its polite and it doesn't leave them in limbo and partly because the horse world is a small one and bad manners could come back and bite you on the bum.
 
I always let people know and give an honest excuse, if it were the other way round I'd so much rather know than be waiting on people and putting false trust into them. And if they've ever taken offence well that's their fault :D
 
Good question.

I know when selling other items (not horses) it is very frustrating to be left hanging so I try not to do it. I don't think it's necessary to give a reason though.

With the couple of horses I have tried recently, one, owned by a lovely lady, I told her it was a no and the honest reason. She was very gracious about the whole thing. However, whether or not i give a reason, depends on what it is. Another horse i have tried recently I thought was a bit of a d*ck, so i didnt tell the owner that...
 
The first horse I viewed I really liked. He was a gorgeous, flashy Welsh section D with a flaxen mane and tail. I absolutely loved him. He moved well too. However, he had the most underrun heels I had ever seen and was toe out slightly from the knee. But even so, I really wanted him, even though my head was telling me he would probably not stay sound. My sister sent the photos she took to her equine vet friend who pretty much said don't touch with a barge pole unless you are prepared to constantly battle keeping him sound. When I told the seller that although I loved him, his conformation could cause him soundness issues further along the line, she was very upset. So I was left wondering if I should have been so honest. The second one was great until I saw her trotted up. She was slightly lame behind. I immediately stopped the viewing and said that I liked her and it may be something temporary, so I may ask to come back and view her in a couple of weeks time. But the seller and other people at the yard said 'She's sound', obviously offended. As though I was making it up, so there was no point in going back.

But I will continue to 'let people know'. I think not doing so is impolite. It is not a nice thing to have to do, and I think some people duck out of it for that reason.
 
I always give the owner feedback if I go and view a horse with a view to buy. Sometimes though the horse is lovely and there is nothing wrong with them but something inside just doesn't click, those are the most difficult because you can't give a reason why, just 'the horse isn't the one for me'. So far the owners have been understanding (or too polite to say otherwise!).
 
Leviathan said:
We always get .....ty for showing me round, We have a few more to see before we decide. Then u either hear from them or you don't.

When people come, I always think of them as viewing only once they go I carry on not expecting a call. If I get one gr8 if not no loss.

I show them round yard answer ? and polite and leave them with the ball in their court. I only hear back if they want to come.
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Yep that's what I do if I have no intention of buying...... basically say thanks but I have others to see before I decide................ I think most people know that is basically a no!?!? I just get embarassed and hate that I may hurt someones feelings.

That said its easier with dealers to be frank than with a private seller or that has been my brief experience because I find out as much info as poss before going to see and usually find "my" horse more or less straight away...............
 
Gazen said:
I always give the owner feedback if I go and view a horse with a view to buy. Sometimes though the horse is lovely and there is nothing wrong with them but something inside just doesn't click, those are the most difficult because you can't give a reason why, just 'the horse isn't the one for me'. So far the owners have been understanding (or too polite to say otherwise!).
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I have a similar one to contact. On paper the horse looks to be the bargain of the century, and would be the sensible choice for me. I am meant to be getting back to arrange a viewing at the weekend, but I have fallen for another horse that is not a bargain and may not be so suitable for me (logically), but my heart wants that one. So I have to let the other seller know I will not be arranging a viewing. The only reason I haven't done it so far is that I am due to meet the seller of the one I want tomorrow and want to strike a deal. If I don't then I need the other one to fall back on. As soon as I know whether I am definitely getting the one I want, I will let the other seller know.
 
I always get back to people if they are selling a horse which I then decide not to buy. I do tell them the truthful reasons why if they ask. When I have horses for sale and people come to view, all have given feedback for why the horse isn't for them. Just as I have called a halt to viewings of my sales horses when it's been clear the horse and rider are not a match.

When I occasionally advertise for livery I honestly can't remember anyone coming to view and then not bringing their horses here. Usually it's a done deal prior to them leaving at the viewing and they arrange with me then and there when the horses can move in. I have declined a handful of people over the years though and have said why.
 
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