My friend bought a beautiful youngster from a dealer at a bargain price over winter. After being messed around by lying private sellers it was a breath of fresh air and very straightforward. Would certainly not rule out dealers in the future.
Stick to ones that have a good reputation, thats what keeps them in business, ones that have good facilities, open to vet/trial etc, there are a lot of good dealers around but equally a lot of bad ones, don't be fooled by proffessional looking yards and expensive horses neither, they can just loose you twice as much money.
I have seen a nice horse but not sure of it's exact location. Just going to ring now, fingers crossed it is not too far from us and belongs to a good dealer.
i have just got a horse and its from a dealer they were amazing totally upfrount and i will recommend her and buy from her again if need be pm me if you want info
i got my first horse from a dealer and it was so easy. plus she was the most amazing little horse. when i had to have her put down last year i went straight back to the dealer for my next 1 unfortunately he had nothing in a price range, but if i was ever in the situation to buy another i would go to him first.
my auntie owns a riding school and all of the school ponies are from the same dealer who lets us take them on trial for as long as we like and if they dont suit he takes them back, now almost 50% of our liveries also have horses from him.
i think if u find a good dealer they are a safer bet than most private vendors
I bought from a dealer last year with a two week written warranty. They refused to honour it and I went to court and won. I still have the pony and don't have my money back as she is ignoring the court. She sent court papers back marked gone away.
Good dealers may be better but check them out thoroughly first. The dealer I bought from was selling from Duckhurst Stables near Maidstone in Kent (and the pony was registered to the owner/proprieter of the Stables) but she may have moved. She uses more than one name.