MiJodsR2BlinkinTite
Well-Known Member
OK, so this could be long!!!
I bought a saddle for my traddie cob just over 2 years ago. It was custom-made with a suede seat and knee rolls; the fitters came out to my yard and I was delighted with it. So delighted in fact that I allowed my testimony to be placed on their website. THEN I recommended them to my yard-sharer, who bought three of their saddles for her ponies. Then I bought another saddle for my mare. So a total of five saddles; total business I have put their way must be way over £4000 if you include return visits for fittings etc.
After about the first year (when the "warranty") would've expired, I noticed some crinkling and unevenness in the suede seat. I contacting the company (two individuals actually, husband & wife) and they said they could "fix" it. Also I noticed, over time, that there was a dip, an indentation, where the rider's left seat-bone was situated in the saddle; causing unnevenness to my cob in ridden work - and not just by me, there are two other riders who ride him regularly. One has ridden professionally and has been employed by an Olympic-standard rider; I won't mention the name here coz everyone would know it.
I had the suede seat re-stretched; there was no charge for this. But within an hour's riding the "dip" was still in the seat. So I mentioned it to the "company" again. They said they would take the saddle and look at it.
To cut a VERY long story short: the saddle was collected by the wife of the partnership, to have the "dipping" in the seat remedied. I was told they "would be away abroad saddle fitting" so the saddle would be away at least three weeks. OK fair enough. I also have an e-mail saying that there would be "no charge" for any work needed.
So my saddle was away "being repaired" - or so I thought. At "no charge" to myself. Simples? Errrr......... nope!!! Coz I ran into this couple at a local equine event; they had a stall there, and I asked after my saddle as I'd had no reply. I was told that they hadn't done anything to it because they "needed to speak to me first" because it was "going to cost me £100 plus VAT" to have it repaired!!!!
I told the husband of the partnership, let us say a "Mr D", that I disagreed with this. I later went back to the stall to ask that my testimony be taken down from their website. I did discuss with "Mr D" at this time, the possibility of them purchasing my saddle back, he said he would "ring me on the Monday" after the event (this being the Saturday).
I received no contact. I e-mailed; saying that under the Sale of Goods Act there were three options: i.e. (partial) REFUND, i.e. what the saddle of a similar age & condition would be worth NOW; REPAIR free of charge as promised; or REPLACE (i.e. a secondhand saddle of similar make & age).
I have referred this matter to BETA and notified Trading Standards.
They have had my saddle now for nearly two months. I HAVE received e-mails from "Mr D"; saying the problem is basically "the way that one or more of the riders who rides this horse is riding it"; and/or "the way the horse moves". Any excuse going basically.
I have sent more than one e-mail saying basically, look, as a YO I have put over £4000 worth of business your way, now it appears that a phone call (simple) is too much trouble. I have received an e-mail from "Mr D" saying that he will "look at the saddle" and basically offer me a price for it. But there has been no response yet as to what sort of price we are talking about; I suspect it will be a pittance. The situation remains unresolved; and all I am asking for are one of THREE basic options which are clearly laid down in the Sale of Goods Act 1979, i.e. REPAIR, REPLACE, REFUND.
So I don't think I am being unreasonable????? - am I??? It seems to me that I am being asked to pay for someone else's mistake.
Plus this husband and wife "company" were all over me when I was wanting to buy, plus my yard-sharer, but now when I've got a problem, their customer services is absolutely cr@p; and for a while before all this blew up their return visits for fittings etc were becoming increasingly rushed (and not any cheaper because of that!!!).
I have said I will "take further action". I see no option but to take this to small claims now, as I have (or rather THEY have) a saddle that I cannot use, and which I cannot sell. I paid £895 for this just over two years ago, and currently am having to ride my horse in a treeless saddle (which doesn't really suit me if I am honest).
But I really do not need this hassle!!!
So........ sorry, this has been long, and complicated. I wish I could name and shame, but at the moment that isn't an option as it could complicate issues if I DO need to go to court.
So peeps................ WWYD in my situation? Is there anything else that anyone can think of?
PS: (edited) I have used the phrase "Mr D" - and this is not in any way an indication that the letter "D" comprises part of the surname of the individual concerned. I have deliberately chosen this name so that it does not indicate this fact. Thanks.
I bought a saddle for my traddie cob just over 2 years ago. It was custom-made with a suede seat and knee rolls; the fitters came out to my yard and I was delighted with it. So delighted in fact that I allowed my testimony to be placed on their website. THEN I recommended them to my yard-sharer, who bought three of their saddles for her ponies. Then I bought another saddle for my mare. So a total of five saddles; total business I have put their way must be way over £4000 if you include return visits for fittings etc.
After about the first year (when the "warranty") would've expired, I noticed some crinkling and unevenness in the suede seat. I contacting the company (two individuals actually, husband & wife) and they said they could "fix" it. Also I noticed, over time, that there was a dip, an indentation, where the rider's left seat-bone was situated in the saddle; causing unnevenness to my cob in ridden work - and not just by me, there are two other riders who ride him regularly. One has ridden professionally and has been employed by an Olympic-standard rider; I won't mention the name here coz everyone would know it.
I had the suede seat re-stretched; there was no charge for this. But within an hour's riding the "dip" was still in the seat. So I mentioned it to the "company" again. They said they would take the saddle and look at it.
To cut a VERY long story short: the saddle was collected by the wife of the partnership, to have the "dipping" in the seat remedied. I was told they "would be away abroad saddle fitting" so the saddle would be away at least three weeks. OK fair enough. I also have an e-mail saying that there would be "no charge" for any work needed.
So my saddle was away "being repaired" - or so I thought. At "no charge" to myself. Simples? Errrr......... nope!!! Coz I ran into this couple at a local equine event; they had a stall there, and I asked after my saddle as I'd had no reply. I was told that they hadn't done anything to it because they "needed to speak to me first" because it was "going to cost me £100 plus VAT" to have it repaired!!!!
I told the husband of the partnership, let us say a "Mr D", that I disagreed with this. I later went back to the stall to ask that my testimony be taken down from their website. I did discuss with "Mr D" at this time, the possibility of them purchasing my saddle back, he said he would "ring me on the Monday" after the event (this being the Saturday).I received no contact. I e-mailed; saying that under the Sale of Goods Act there were three options: i.e. (partial) REFUND, i.e. what the saddle of a similar age & condition would be worth NOW; REPAIR free of charge as promised; or REPLACE (i.e. a secondhand saddle of similar make & age).
I have referred this matter to BETA and notified Trading Standards.
They have had my saddle now for nearly two months. I HAVE received e-mails from "Mr D"; saying the problem is basically "the way that one or more of the riders who rides this horse is riding it"; and/or "the way the horse moves". Any excuse going basically.
I have sent more than one e-mail saying basically, look, as a YO I have put over £4000 worth of business your way, now it appears that a phone call (simple) is too much trouble. I have received an e-mail from "Mr D" saying that he will "look at the saddle" and basically offer me a price for it. But there has been no response yet as to what sort of price we are talking about; I suspect it will be a pittance. The situation remains unresolved; and all I am asking for are one of THREE basic options which are clearly laid down in the Sale of Goods Act 1979, i.e. REPAIR, REPLACE, REFUND.
So I don't think I am being unreasonable????? - am I??? It seems to me that I am being asked to pay for someone else's mistake.
Plus this husband and wife "company" were all over me when I was wanting to buy, plus my yard-sharer, but now when I've got a problem, their customer services is absolutely cr@p; and for a while before all this blew up their return visits for fittings etc were becoming increasingly rushed (and not any cheaper because of that!!!).
I have said I will "take further action". I see no option but to take this to small claims now, as I have (or rather THEY have) a saddle that I cannot use, and which I cannot sell. I paid £895 for this just over two years ago, and currently am having to ride my horse in a treeless saddle (which doesn't really suit me if I am honest).
But I really do not need this hassle!!!
So........ sorry, this has been long, and complicated. I wish I could name and shame, but at the moment that isn't an option as it could complicate issues if I DO need to go to court.
So peeps................ WWYD in my situation? Is there anything else that anyone can think of?
PS: (edited) I have used the phrase "Mr D" - and this is not in any way an indication that the letter "D" comprises part of the surname of the individual concerned. I have deliberately chosen this name so that it does not indicate this fact. Thanks.
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