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Scribbles

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I feel like a complete mug.

Had the saddler out, bought a saddle, and it doesn't fit. I feel so daft that I let him cajole me into buying the most expensive one he had (I didn't see it as that at the time).

Anyway, I've tried it twice, it is too high, and slips all over. I think it's too wide. I've rung him up, but he's not back till Monday.

How much should I/could I get back from him - the full amount less the call out charge? If he doesn't have anything I am happy with, then I just want my money back so I can buy a nice bates VSD with adjustable gullet I've got my eye on. It costs less than the saddle he sold me.

Do you think I would be able to just go to his shop and return it without him there?

blegh.
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I would want all of my money back, including the call out charge.

Is he a Master Saddler? I would tell him you will lodge an official complaint with the Society of Master Saddlers (no idea if you can even do that so check it out first!!) if he doesn't give you your money back and take back the saddle.
 
You WILL be intited to all the money back as the item you have bought is not suitable for the job! Its like buying a pair of shoes and finding out they don't fit!!
TBH you can actually return ANYTHING to the seller (trade!) and expect all money back, and not give a reason why! As long as the item is in the same condition as it was when sold!
 
Was it a new saddle or secondhand.

I'd ask him to come back out and rectify the situation, either by making adjustments to the saddle you have bought or by finding you a suitable alternative.

If his is unable to supply you with a suitable sadddle then I would request a refund.

It always puzzles me that people seem to be able to decide that a saddle doesn't fit a couple of days later and yet cannot look at the saddle sat on the horse when saddelr is there is see if it basically fits or not
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Also if a saddle is too wide they normally go lower in front and lift off the back whereas you are saying it is too high in front
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I think you have to give them a chance to make corrections to make it right (I am sure I heard this somewhere)

am also confused as to how it can be too wide and too high?
 
CC - that is a good idea, yes he is a master saddler.

B&J, I am not a master saddler, that was why I got someone out to fit one, and put my trust in him when he said it fitted. When i ride in it, it slips all over, and the BSJA coach I have had says it sits far too high on him. Honestly, if I could look at a saddle and say whetgher or not it fitted I wouldn't need to get a saddler out in the first place, would I? Kind of like how people who get a farrier to do their horses feet can tell afterwards if it is a good or bad job. I would also never shoe my own horse, hence why I get a farrier to do it.
It is a new saddle.

It is a dressage saddle - so the pommel sits high, but the flaps/tree whatever is too wide. Basically it is sitting high, and slipping about on his back. I invite you to come ride in it if you are still disbelieving. I know it is due to the saddle, as my other saddle fits fine.

I don't really want another saddle from him as I can't trust him now. I bought the most expensive saddle he had, because he said it was the only one that fitted, so he basically just said whatever to get a good sell.
 
Oh, and I decided the saddle didn't fit until a couple of days later as it was a couple of days later that I got time to ride and try it!

I also said I THINK it's too wide, I can't think of another reason for it to slip around so much. It is a W-XW, my other saddle is a W.
 
From the sounds of it I completely believe you when you say you don't know about saddle fitting. But for the record yes I can tell a well shod foot, even though I don't physically put the shoes on myself.

Don't get me wrong, there are many crap saddlers out there, yours may be one of them for all I know. But from what you have said so far I think I would be giving the saddler the benefit of the doubt and the oppertunity to rectify the situation. If they can't then yes I agree, refund in order.
 
But then that's extra call out charges, I suppose I could. But PM (coach) said it is definately wrong, I can't see how it can move around so much, whereas my other one fits perfectly (it is a jump and I am wanting a VSD-dressage).

It did, but I assumed that was because I was sitting with long stirrups in a dressage saddle, having ridden in a jumping saddle with short stirrups for 1 1/2 years! I also only tried it for a quick ride around the school, it wasn't until I did a 20min schooling session it became glaringly obvious.
 
Isn't the fact that he is trading away from premises relevant? I think that under the Distance selling bumph you may be entitled to a cooling off period which is around 7 days. Worth taking a look at!
 
Sorry, that's what I meant. I can't shoe a horse, but I would know if it was wrong. The saddler fitted the saddle, and only by actually riding in it could I tell it wasn't right, and it's not just me who thinks so.

Yes, I will wait until he gets back (from holiday) to speak to him. If I did get a return (for full saddle amount) should I also refsuse to pay for the call out for him returning? The first time there wasn't a call out as I bought the saddle.

Thanks
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Did you not ride in it when he fitted it?

I have just had a made-to-measure saddle that arrived and he fitted it saying it looked fine (i trust him) so i rode in it and my horses started bucking i got off and said it didn’t fit and he agreed that the horses wasn’t happy and said that i didn’t look comfortable in it either so he took it away and had another made which fits perfectly and my horse and i both love it.

I might be wrong but i get the impression that you would rather have the Bates VSD than a dressage saddle, could this saddler not get one for you?

Forgive me if i am wrong but a BSJA coach wouldn’t be the first person i would ask to check the fitting of a Dressage saddle. I have a BSJA coach and she thinks all dressage saddles look weird.
 
Yes. "It did [feel strange], but I assumed that was because I was sitting with long stirrups in a dressage saddle, having ridden in a jumping saddle with short stirrups for 1 1/2 years! I also only tried it for a quick ride around the school, it wasn't until I did a 20min schooling session it became glaringly obvious. "

It is a brand new saddle.

I'll just have to wait until Monday for him to ring me back. unfortunately I have very little confidence with these things, hence asking for advice on what to do/say.

ETA - I'm sorry I don't understand why I am having to defend myself, surely you all realise the importance of a well-fitted saddle that you are happy with? I have spent enough money on a saddle to be entitled to one that fits my horse and I am comfy in. Is it a completely alien concept to return a saddle after becoming unhappy with it?
 
If the saddle does not fit properly then 'it is not suitable for it's intended purpose' and you can under consumer law ask for all your money back including call out fees.

It is important that you communicate with the seller in writing so that there is no doubt of the date you rejected the saddle stating that it does not fit and that you want your money back.

If he fails to comply then contact the local fair trading standards officer.
 
Communicate in writing? I have only spoken to the shop over the phone, and he is going to ring me on Monday.

Thank you!
 
Sorry, I just thought, if he has been on holiday for a week and I have been unable to contact him through that time, does that mean it will be too late for him to have to take it back? As it isn't my fault I couldn't return it earlier as he has been on holiday.
 
If the shop can't provide you with another saddle that fits, then you should get a full refund for the saddle including the call out charge. I think it's dreadful that he left you with a saddle that doesn't fit. It is after all his job to ensure the best possible fit for your horse and for you. If he didn't have a saddle to fit your horse he shouldn't have sold you one. It's unprofessional and dangerous.
Best of luck, I know how you feel, I hate being taken for a sucker!!!
Cheers Pym
 
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Don't get me wrong, there are many crap saddlers out there, yours may be one of them for all I know. But from what you have said so far I think I would be giving the saddler the benefit of the doubt and the oppertunity to rectify the situation. If they can't then yes I agree, refund in order.

[/ QUOTE ]
I kind off agree with this. It does take a few days to find out if a saddle really suits, even when it initially looks fine on the horse. I would give the saddler the benefit of the doubt, it may have looked well fitting to them. You do need to go back to them and tell them the saddle is moving around so it doesn't suit. Personally, I don't go in for all the extra flocking on one side, points straps, etc, I thinks if the tree's right and suits well, it shouldn't move. There will be a saddle out there that suits you and your horse without alterations. Give the saddler the chance to provide you with it, and if they can't, ask for a refund.
 
[ QUOTE ]
You WILL be intited to all the money back as the item you have bought is not suitable for the job! Its like buying a pair of shoes and finding out they don't fit!!
TBH you can actually return ANYTHING to the seller (trade!) and expect all money back, and not give a reason why! As long as the item is in the same condition as it was when sold!

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry nothing to do with this post, just wanted to say 'love the horse in your siggy'
 
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