Saddle commission %

[TPO]

What sort of commission have saddlers taken when selling your saddle on?

Friend has sold 1.5k saddle and the saddler didnt disclose commission % prior to the sale. Friend has asked for the money and saddle is taking 25% or if she buys new saddle from him (he doesnt have what she wants and is trying to force her to take a different brand and model) he will waive commission.

All seems off to me but I've never sold a saddle this way and I cant remember the Saddlery I worked at back in the day taking such a big chunk.

Is 25% around normal for this?

 

[w1bbler]

I paid 20% a few years ago, think that was fairly standard

 

[criso]

I've come across 20% to 25%. One quoted 25% commission or they would buy upfront for 50% of the valuation. The latter was more as they had to find the money upfront and took the risk that it might not sell or might not make the full price.

 

[dixie]

I think that’s about normal. A good cut from an expensive saddle but then how easy would it have been to sell privately.

 

[holeymoley]

Yes that’s normal. I think Sheepham are 23%. Others are 25% and it can also depend on the saddle value. However this should have all been written and signed before they even advertised the saddle on the owners behalf.

 

[Bernster]

Think 25% that was years ago.

 

[SpotsandBays]

I wouldn’t say it unreasonable, but the saddle should have disclosed this, (mind you if it was me I would have asked to make sure I knew the ins and outs!)

 

[Bonnie Allie]

25% is market legitimate. Your friend didn’t set expectations so is now disappointed as the 25% was a surprise. It’s a learning for your friend.

 

[TPO]

Thanks for the replies.

I think the "issue" is the saddler is trying to strong arm her into a saddle that she doesnt really like by dangling the carrot of waiving commission.

To muddy the waters further she has "bought" a temporary saddle from him, as horse has some filling out to do, and if she buys the new saddle from him he'll reimburse/offset the full value of temp saddle against new one. If she doesn't buy new saddle he'll deduct a weekly hire fee from the saddle money and, you've guessed it, he hasnt told her the hire amount either... When asked he said they could sort ot at the time but it wont matter if she buys the new one ?

I've let her know that 25% is around the average based on replies here and advised she find out the weekly hire amount sooner rather than later. I'm fairly sure her hire saddle could be picked up 2nd hand cheaper than the lump sum she has paid (Albion Ultima GP 17.5" if anyone knows of one) so even deducting hire fees so far could come out the better side buying one to resell later.

My friend is really nice and to me it feels like saddler taking advantage. She told him what saddle she actually wanted and it seems to me like hes almost trapped her into buying one she doesnt want with all his "incentives".

Thanks again for replies

 

[holeymoley]

Is the saddle actually sold and away? She could throw the toys out the pram and cancel the sale if there was no signed contract but I’m not sure how that would stand as there seems to have been a lot of verbal agreement. It does sound a bit twisted.

 

[TPO]

Yip saddle is sold, think he had a buyer lined up even before she handed it over.

She wanted X saddle and hes trying to talk (force) her into getting Y. She could pick up Y much cheaper 2nd hand and leave money for dressage saddle too if she decided on Y.

Shes used him for years and is loyal. I think hes kinda swept her along with all the deals re waiving commission and hire fees and now it's a lot less affordable to do anything other than buy new from him ? she is lovely so I hope she manages to get something worked out.

I had no idea about commission % so just posted here to get input. Thanks for the replies

 

[SpotsandBays]

Yip saddle is sold, think he had a buyer lined up even before she handed it over.

She wanted X saddle and hes trying to talk (force) her into getting Y. She could pick up Y much cheaper 2nd hand and leave money for dressage saddle too if she decided on Y.

Shes used him for years and is loyal. I think hes kinda swept her along with all the deals re waiving commission and hire fees and now it's a lot less affordable to do anything other than buy new from him ? she is lovely so I hope she manages to get something worked out.

I had no idea about commission % so just posted here to get input. Thanks for the replies

Sounds abit iffy to me! Although, from what I’ve seen online (I don’t have particularly expensive saddle so don’t have personal experience) is that people aren’t that keen on spending £1000+ privately on a saddle and would much prefer to buy from a saddler/fitter. So although she could have got more from a private sale - she may have been holding onto it for a lot longer. Regardless, I hope she finds a solution!

 

[Bonnie Allie]

Thanks for the replies.

I think the "issue" is the saddler is trying to strong arm her into a saddle that she doesnt really like by dangling the carrot of waiving commission.

To muddy the waters further she has "bought" a temporary saddle from him, as horse has some filling out to do, and if she buys the new saddle from him he'll reimburse/offset the full value of temp saddle against new one. If she doesn't buy new saddle he'll deduct a weekly hire fee from the saddle money and, you've guessed it, he hasnt told her the hire amount either... When asked he said they could sort ot at the time but it wont matter if she buys the new one ?

I've let her know that 25% is around the average based on replies here and advised she find out the weekly hire amount sooner rather than later. I'm fairly sure her hire saddle could be picked up 2nd hand cheaper than the lump sum she has paid (Albion Ultima GP 17.5" if anyone knows of one) so even deducting hire fees so far could come out the better side buying one to resell later.

My friend is really nice and to me it feels like saddler taking advantage. She told him what saddle she actually wanted and it seems to me like hes almost trapped her into buying one she doesnt want with all his "incentives".

Thanks again for replies

I’m hoping your friend is just young and a bit inexperienced in financial literacy.

What the saddler is offering is perfectly reasonable. If your friend failed to ask the saddle sales commission and then failed to secure a figure for the rental of the temporary saddle then she has made the same mistake again.

Just ask............! “What is the fee per week for rental”? Simple.

Your friend can’t blame others for the lack of clarity if she doesn’t understand the financial conditions at the outset.

 

[Michen]

He's not trying to strongarm her into anything, he's simply offering a "deal". His commission is reasonable but if she doesn't want to pay it he can buy from her.

Sounds reasonable enough to me.

 

[ihatework]

I have to say all seems pretty normal to me. Just a breakdown in communication

 

[TPO]

There are more nuances than what I've posted regarding the tactics used to make my friend buy the new saddle.

My question was just about commission % as it seemed high to her and I havent used that way of selling so thought I'd ask here since it's far reaching.

25 appears to be standard so thanks for the replies.

 

[sbloom]

Not high, ask a few people in retail what % they have to put on top of cost of goods to cover overheads - out of that must come salaries, direct expenses and overheads. Better to ask what a customer wants for a saddle, and tell them (mentally calculating your margin yourself) whether that is realistic or not, returning that amount to that if agreed and when sold. Or a trade in of course when the saddle is valued and a discount on a further purchase is agreed.

 

[HeyMich]

I have literally this week bought 2 second hand saddles via a saddle fitter. I paid her commission for them both along with her call out and fitting fees, and paid the 'vendors' directly for the saddles, so I know exactly what the breakdown was...

Saddle 1 - small leather jump saddle, well used but plenty of life left. Cost me £600 - £120 to saddle fitter, £480 to vendor (20% commission)
Saddle 2 - large synthetic adjustable saddle, very lightly used. Cost me £420 - £100 to saddle fitter, £320 to vendor (25% commission).

Sounds like your friend had a fairly average offer and next time she'll know what to expect!

 

[Kaylum]

Saddle Bank is 20% as per their website.