Made to fit saddle- that doesn’t fit!

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Iceechos

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HELP! Bought a brand new ideal saddle that was meant to be “made to measure”
It’s a 17.5” and fitted by one of their representatives.
The saddle doesn’t fit! It’s too big.

How do I go about this? The seller/fitter is not helping at all and won’t accept any liability. I just want my money back as I’m scared to get another saddle in case this is ill fitting.
People say about small claims. Is this the only option?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
 
I’ve spoken to 2 different master saddlers who have said they won’t do it. Conflict and they don’t want to go to court as it’s tiring and loses them money. I could sneakily get a vet opinion but won’t be used as evidence
 
get written reports to state it doesn't fit by a master saddle fitter and maybe a report from a registered chiro/physio to state the damage is caused by ill fitted saddle. Then threaten legal action. My mate did exactly this with a supposedly qualified saddle fitter who also tried to wriggle out of it. She got her refund.
 
spike123 said:
get written reports to state it doesn't fit by a master saddle fitter and maybe a report from a registered chiro/physio to state the damage is caused by ill fitted saddle. Then threaten legal action. My mate did exactly this with a supposedly qualified saddle fitter who also tried to wriggle out of it. She got her refund.
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Master saddles have said they won’t give evidence. I have osteo, physio and vet reports stating it’s highly likely saddle. Nothing medically wrong. I cannot get a saddler on record to say it doesn’t fit
 
Iceechos said:
HELP! Bought a brand new ideal saddle that was meant to be “made to measure”
It’s a 17.5” and fitted by one of their representatives.
The saddle doesn’t fit! It’s too big.

How do I go about this? The seller/fitter is not helping at all and won’t accept any liability. I just want my money back as I’m scared to get another saddle in case this is ill fitting.
People say about small claims. Is this the only option?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Click to expand...
I’d have thought, You are entitled to a refund if the item does not suit.

They are expensive!

Is it too long?
 
This is one reason I won't have a made to measure. It is easier to decline to purchase an off the shelf model.

I bought one from Barrie Swain, he came to fit it himself, with the man who'd actually made it. It was a dressage and fitted beautifully. The horse loved it. 6 months of schooling done in 1 hour LOL. So much so, I ordered a jumping to be made.

His terms were that if you didn't like it, you didn't own it and would not accept payment until you were satisfied.

The jumping one seemed OK on the day, but the horse said no after that. Barrie took it back after viewing and agreeing that the tree points were being objected to, despite the fact that it seemed to technically fit. He then made a second jump saddle on a dressage tree, which was not ideal for the balance but the horse loved it.

I only ordered 'made to measure' as he had this policy.

To me, it is more about the horse thinking it is a good fit, whatever the saddler says, if you need to reject.

If the other saddlers say there is a definite technical issue, then I would be very disappointed that they won't give a statement to that effect. Too long is too long, and the horse won't have got shorter.

Other issues, like the first jump saddle of mine, are more difficult to prove.
 
I’ve had M2M done twice and will never do so again. TBH, the time it takes to get from measurements to delivery of saddle then horses have generally changed shape anyway. You would hope as long as the tree and size of saddle is right then it can be adjusted to fit, but I wouldn’t bet your mortgage on it!

Sorry that’s unhelpful to OP in the position.
One saddler I got a full refund from eventually after opening small claims proceedings. Thankfully for me, it was helped by my m2m order being in calfskin and the saddle delivered in standard leather (so the added issue of the saddle not fitting was somewhat redundant!)

For anyone else - it is 10x more economical to get a secondhand high end saddle, 1-2 years old. A bit like cars, the initial depreciation is absorbed and you can actually try the exact saddle you are buying, they have bedded in and faults more identifiable
 
Not sure on your personality but I was recently really took advantage of by a saddle fitter master saddle fitter member. Put clearly in writing you will pursue further action should it not be resolved satisfactory. IE full refund. this was the only way i got my money back (and only some of it)

They held my old saddle hostage, wouldnt return it nor give me money for it. I had to get quite formal and abrupt against my nature. do not apologize, get firm, threaten action and give them a deadline to respond. I even had a friend write the messages as I was being too apologetic about it. It helps if you can state what behavior means it doesnt fit. in my case my horse could no longer canter overnight
 
Dear [Company Name / Specific Contact],


I am writing to formally request a full refund for the saddle fitting service and saddle purchase associated with my horse, [Horse’s Name]. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this matter amicably, I remain dissatisfied due to the saddle’s improper fit, which caused my horse significant discomfort and behavioral issues [xxxx].
I have previously communicated these concerns and requested to the return saddle as not fit for purpose. I feel I have been misold, as the saddle does not fit, and I have yet to receive a refund owed to me. Please be advised that if this matter is not resolved and the full refund issued within 7 days of this notice, I will have no choice but to pursue formal legal action to recover my losses.
I would prefer to resolve this matter without further escalation and urge you to respond promptly. Feel free to give them a bad review on trustpilot this can sometimes prompt a response
 
Its an Ideal, it is 100% NOT made to measure. Its been made with some customisations/spec given by the saddler. Ideal do this all the time. Its why buying a secon hand one can be such a mine field, you never quite know what you are getting. However thats by the by really.

Id go straight to the top an try the main office of the SMS direct, in writing. The saddle doesnt fit, your members wont give their opinion etc etc and see what they say. It may be that they put in writing that their saddlers wont do this and this should be enoug evidence to start a CC claim. Or you get the details of someone who will wrtie a statement and start a CC claim with that. Win win.
 
I had a saddle made to measure. Despite several visits the saddler couldn’t stop it slipping back even though that was the reason for made to measure. Finally he agreed to refund if I brought it back. When I arrived at his house, 2 hrs away, there was a note saying leave the saddle and he’d send me a Cheque. I was seriously not happy so I phoned and he was indoors watching me. Finally came out and said ‘don’t you trust me’ . He refused to refund even though we had agreed cash on return. He was SMS.
 
I'm Dun said:
Its an Ideal, it is 100% NOT made to measure. Its been made with some customisations/spec given by the saddler. Ideal do this all the time. Its why buying a secon hand one can be such a mine field, you never quite know what you are getting. However thats by the by really.

Id go straight to the top an try the main office of the SMS direct, in writing. The saddle doesnt fit, your members wont give their opinion etc etc and see what they say. It may be that they put in writing that their saddlers wont do this and this should be enoug evidence to start a CC claim. Or you get the details of someone who will wrtie a statement and start a CC claim with that. Win win.
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Define made to measure. Ideal will make a saddle to spec, many saddles are ordered on different trees and with all sorts of tweaks. I know a fitter went to a horse to assess for a new saddle fit, she did a wither tracing and recommended a model and a seat size. The customer then went off and ordered it somehow directly with Ideal. It didn't fit. She didn't pay for a used saddle advice service so didn't get one, and didn't know that there were adjustments needed in manufacture for the model to be correct for her horse. Laughably she tried to take the fitter to court!

I will also add, generally, that the correct length of a saddle isn't agreed on. Many schools of thought simply look at panel length, or where the tree leaves the horse's back (ie inside the saddle, not easy to be sure from the outside) whereas I, and a few others, will be looking at where the rider's weight is carried and how the saddle shape and length adds to that to optimise hind quarter function. Rider loading is SO important but barely discussed.

A new-to-me brand that I fit has 312 permutations and combinations in the standard range within just three seat sizes. They then have further options available for fitting the horse and rider within that, and a zillion colour and finish options. There are now slightly smaller ranges within the same brand which would have at least 100 basic options. At what point does that become custom, especially if a weird finish is chosen? And yet almost all orders are placed from essentially a very long check list - should a fitter have to refund on a sky blue pink saddle especially if there is no evidence of a fit issue?

These things are never black and white, it would be a lot easier for all of us it they were!
 
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