Selling "on behalf of a client"

[Butterbean]

Can anyone tell me what the implications are of buying a horse from someone who is selling "on behalf of a client" ?

In the back of my mind I have a warning bell in that it may mean you cannot rely on anything they tell you as your eventual contract is not with them but with the actual owner .... but i can't remember. Long week at work and am brain dead!

 

[badgerdog]

If you were really interested you could ask to speak to the 'client'. If it's genuine then they should be happy to speak to you.
My friend sold a horse 'on behalf of a client' as the seller didn't have the time but they were happy to speak to anyone who was interested in buying the horse.
You have every right to be supsicious when buying a horse though. You have to be on your guard!

 

[Butterbean]

I am hugely suspicious probably to the extent of discounting perfectly good horses! Can't afford to get the wrong one after all the problems with our current horses.

 

[Jennypenny]

Maybe they are selling it as they are a better rider than the client and can show the horse off better than the client? Or the client keeps it there on full/part livery and wants them to do the viewings etc for them?

 

[Thistle]

If the seller is a dealer you do not have any of the normal 'protection' you would have from a dealer if they are selling on behalf of.

 

[Butterbean]

Thanks Thistle, that's what I thought.

 

[mbequest]

[ QUOTE ]
If the seller is a dealer you do not have any of the normal 'protection' you would have from a dealer if they are selling on behalf of.

[/ QUOTE ]

Not true in the eyes of the law. The agancy act comes into it, as also of course does the Sales of Goods Act. Therefore the cast majoirty of the normal protection still applies.

We sell 75% of horses on behalf of others. I would ask how long they have had it for, to see if they have had the chance to assess to fully. Also, ask to speak to the owner

 

[gnubee]

When the person doing the selling makes a representation to you about the horse, its abilities etc., it is as if it is being made by a private seller. However, the difference is that they may have less problems with lying to you in the first place, and your main comeback is against the owner who wasnt there when the dealer told you whatever they told you, so evidenciary difficulties play an even larger part here than they usually would.
You can rely on things said in the advert as usual, and if there are other key promises you want making (no vices, competition history, good on roads etc.) write them down in the sale contract and request that both the trader and the owner sign. Regardless of who is doing the selling, it is always a good idea to get written confirmation of representations you intend to rely on.
Buying from a seller on behalf of... is therefore not really different to buying from any private seller.

 

[Thistle]

Knowing someone who was missold a horse with drastic consequences. The horse was sold 'on behalf of' but there was little come back even though lawyers were involved.

 

[cellie]

Hi M
I bought Tatty of her loaner with permission from owner.The owner had done nothing or very little with her but loaner had her a year and knew her well and had taught her sj skills.You could ask owner and seller to sign bill of sale if you like horse.Email me some pics please lol and a update .