Saddles Direct

[Annagain]

Anybody used Saddles Direct to sell a saddle? I have a lovely Ideal Jessica dressage saddle to sell - very reluctantly as it's just too small for my ample posterior. It's a lovely saddle and worth more than people on local Facebook groups will pay so I'm looking at other ways of doing it.

Saddles Direct seems quite easy and it looks pretty secure but I'm assuming they take a fairly large cut and I need to at least get back what I paid for it so I can look for something else. Is that likely with them? (I had a bit of bargain so it's not like it owes me what they're selling for on the website)

Any other ideas? I'm not keen on E-bay as they seem to give the buyers so much protection to the detriment of the seller these days. I've never tried Pre-loved, is that any good?

 

[FlyingCircus]

Believe they take 30% commission.

 

[Nt9]

I've used them to sell saddles, both on commission and just buying the saddle off me. Obviously the prices reflect their need to make a profit, but it was easy. Ask them they are pretty straight forward to deal with.

 

[Annagain]

Believe they take 30% commission.

Crikey! I knew it would be a lot but that's really steep. Auction houses only take 15% and their sales are probably more labour and resource intensive.

 

[starfish8]

I had a quote from Saddles Direct recently - they do take a big cut it seems, about 35% of what a separate saddler had valued as. Interestingly they didn't say what they would advertise it for - just what they expected I would get for it after their commission.

I've not had any luck selling mine on Preloved, although know of plenty of people who have sold quickly & easily through there. Also having the same problem with Facebook groups - there doesn't seem to be much interest in more expensive, albeit still very reasonably priced for what they are, saddles.

Ebay will be my next port of call.

 

[BlackRider]

They do take a hefty chunk, but I decided it was easier than faffing with eBay, so sold to them directly.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Preloved is very good if you aren't in a rush. I've always got my price but have been prepared to wait to get it.

 

[Mahoganybay]

Have sold two saddles through Saddles Direct, yes, they do take a big commission. I told them what I wanted for the saddles and then didn't look at what they advertised them for.

I had tried to sell them in all the usual ways with no luck, except for EBay, because I wouldn't want the hassle.

 

[Wheels]

Can you trade it in with your saddler if you buy something else?

 

[Annagain]

Can you trade it in with your saddler if you buy something else?

I'm not after something new (just can't afford it) and my saddler will only part-ex if you're buying new off him.

 

[Annagain]

I've just had their email back. They seem to charge 40%. They valued my saddle at £595. I'd only see £357 of that and I'd have to pay £25 to send it to them!

I could put it on their classified page for £15 a month (they think it would sell on there for £450) but it's so well hidden I doubt anyone will see it. It's a shame as it seems to be a really good website for buyers in terms of allowing people to trial them etc but they take such a huge commission it doesn't really make it viable for sellers unless you're happy to see a lot of your hard earned cash handed over. It's definitely put me off. I can't help thinking they'd be better off charging half the commission and potentially selling twice as many saddles.

 

[oldie48]

I've used them and found them very straightforward. Don't forget they may have to send the saddle out more than once. I cant remember how much commission they paid but I certainly got more than I would have done on ebay, where I've sold saddles in the past. However, the Jessica is a popular saddle and I'd try it on ebay with a decent reserve and put some good photos on.

 

[Boulty]

I've sold a saddle direct to them before and whole process was very easy and they paid what they said they would and were very open that I could get more for it by them selling on commission but I wanted the quick money at the time, don't think it took them all that long to shift it as I did have a nosey on their site to track its progress!

 

[Firefly9410]

Am I the only person who would not be happy for my saddle to be sent out on trial to potential buyers? I would worry if they damaged it then sent it back. A lot of risk for the seller surely?

 

[oldie48]

They take credit card details and if it is returned damaged they won't accept it back and take payment for it, hence they use a good courier service so they Know it is not damaged in transit. You will usually get more for the saddle if a purchaser can try before buy.

Am I the only person who would not be happy for my saddle to be sent out on trial to potential buyers? I would worry if they damaged it then sent it back. A lot of risk for the seller surely?

 

[Annagain]

I've sold a saddle direct to them before and whole process was very easy and they paid what they said they would and were very open that I could get more for it by them selling on commission but I wanted the quick money at the time, don't think it took them all that long to shift it as I did have a nosey on their site to track its progress!

If I sold it directly to the they'd give me £275, for a saddle they have willingly told me is worth £595

 

[oldie48]

so they are completely upfront and it's up to the seller to make their decision. They are a business and they have costs as well as the need to make a profit. I'd rather deal with a company like this who are completely open. I'd definitely buy and sell through them again if I needed to but always part exchange with my excellent saddler, who is also completely open about what he'll give me and what he'll be selling it for if I can.

If I sold it directly to the they'd give me £275, for a saddle they have willingly told me is worth £595

 

[Annagain]

so they are completely upfront and it's up to the seller to make their decision. They are a business and they have costs as well as the need to make a profit. I'd rather deal with a company like this who are completely open. I'd definitely buy and sell through them again if I needed to but always part exchange with my excellent saddler, who is also completely open about what he'll give me and what he'll be selling it for if I can.

Oh yes, they've not done anything wrong. I'd just prefer to make a bit of effort rather than have them take £300 off for a service I don't feel is worth it (to me). If you want a quick sale and don't care so much about the money it's very easy and a guaranteed sale so I can see its merits.

 

[sychnant]

Mine is on commission sale with them at the moment. I will get £300 of the £450 it's up for.

However, it was described wrongly when first listed. I rang them and they made corrections, but they have corrected it wrongly!!!

It's on trial at the moment, if it returns I will be having strong words with them about getting their listings right...

 

[Mari]

I live near saddles direct & have sold 2 saddles through them & have been very satisfied with their professional, courteous, no hassle attitude to business. If you want as much money as possible then sell it yourself. If you want a hassle free sale & can afford to take less than its worth then let saddles direct sell it for you. When I am saddle hunting I visit their shop. They have loads of saddles! They look after them well, everything is kept cleaned & smart.

 

[spacefaer]

I've sold quite a few saddles on eBay - very little hassle. Just have to take loads of clear pictures and the obligatory, meaningless D to D measurement.

I've sold some fairly high value ones, including a Passier dressage saddle that I posted to Paris.

Ebay only charge approx 10% final value fee, and have various special seller offers on, so it could be less than that.

Never had a problem with selling saddles on there