Private sellers v Dealers

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cheekywelshie

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So off the back of my buying horses of a certain colour (I have a bit of a tendency towards black horses!) what are your experiences of buying private v dealers? I know with dealers you supposedly have more legal protection so how do you approach buying privately? Would be keen to hear anyone's experiences!
 
There are good and bad with both. You need to beware to double check everything and have an independent vet wherever you buy from.

Yes, in law there is more protection from a dealer, but that is only really any good with a good one as the dodgy ones ignore the law and have no assets in their name so even if you win at court, you can't get any money from them.
 
I've only bought from private sellers. I've never looked at one from a dealer. I just feel dealers know all the tricks in the book whereas it's easier to tell what's going on with a horse and whether what they are telling you is true with a private seller.
 
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I’ve bought from both - never had an issue from either - I have seen dodgy horses from both private sellers and dealers though it’s really a case of buyer beware. If you don’t know what you are doing then get someone who does to go with you and have the horse vetted… and as much as possible enquire through text so that you get everything in writing then if there is an issue you have evidence of what they told you
 
Both private and deals hboth proved dire for me.
I changed into my riding clothes and went to inspect a horse for sale privately. The viewing was at the seller's house, on her lawn and was not to be ridden, so I walked away.

Ditto, I changed and went to see a horse at a dealers (nearby county so not a long drive). It had been very wet. I rode in a water logged school with the footing too muddy for canter. However the main problem was that the horse they gave me to try was not the horse advertised whom I later visited in its stable but they woud not let me ride. I got the idea that they were holding onto the ideal horse, advertising him to draw customers in (like me) but not selling him, believing they would get more for him once summer came.
 
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Good and bad in both!
Downright deceptive in both
I find little things are either over-egged by private sellers or they are so naive it’s not even registered as an issue - whereas dealers (even good ones) are quite skilled at glossing over small stuff!

I’m generally suspicious if I’m essentially being told the horse is good at everything and has absolutely nothing wrong. I’m yet to find one that meets that description!
 
I think I've technically bought from neither!

All the horses I've bought, I've bought off horse professionals, but not actually dealers. Two came from a riding school (and one of them was bred by the RS) and the other came straight from the breeder.

The other horse I acquired off a private person, but she was a gift and the people who did the deciding didn't own the horse as her owner was deceased. They passed on the paperwork from the remaining owner of the horse who didn't have anything to do with her.
 
My friend went to view from both.
Dealers one was very very underweight, one was very overweight so was a struggle to trot, one dished badly. From 3 different dealers all with apparently good reputations. With photos/videos sent which looked ok which were set up or from previous owners when they were looking ok.
Private almost bought it and asked if it had been lame. No never was the reply. Was going to get it vetted literally the day before she did some digging and found it had 6 months off due to lameness. Owners were not truthful. Had a good budget as well.
 
We have bought from both over the years. As R-1 says, you need your eyes (and ears) wide open wherever you view.
The latest purchase was not for me but for RDA, we went to a dealer who had sold a pony to one of the volunteers, which we borrow sometimes as he has an almost perfect temperament.
The mare was as described, the vet said she would be suitable and she has been. Dealer said if she proved not to be she would take her back to sell on.
I would go to that dealer again.
 
Have always bought private down the years, often from or via my long term instructor/good friend/NF expert and breeder with good to excellent results. Only time I tried a dealer was she who must not be named, and look how that turned out (badly). In case anyone is interested said dealer's figures are now official and eyewatering:-

Debts: £718,054
Assets: £0
 
I’ve only ever bought from riding schools, no idea how, four horses, 3 different counties, over about 15 years.

Mares 100% successful
Geldings 100% unsuccessful

Only one sale was dodgy and that was a riding school… who are also a charity!
 
Mine have all been purchased from friends of friends. The ridden ones anyway.

I cannot begin to comprehend the stress of buying from a complete unknown.

I don't mind buying youngstock from people I don't know, but honestly would rather just wait for something to come up locally from a known trusted person if I was ever to buy another mature riding pony. If that meant waiting for many months, then so be it.
 
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