Selling saddles

[aran]

Hello
A little question!
If you've sold a saddle did you let them try it out before they bought it?
If you did how did that work?
Thank you!

 

[weebarney]

I have done in the past. They put down full asking price in cash and return it within 1-2 days if they dont want it.

 

[aran]

Thank you for the reply.
Did they leave you with cash?
Also, were you at all worried that they may bring you back a damaged saddle/broken tree etc?
If so did you have some sort of written agreement? I've only ever sold to friends or shops and with other people's bad experiences trials worry me!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I don't let people try first unless its a friend (I will go to their yard to see them and bring the saddle too) or someone on my yard. Anyone else takes a chance in the fit. That's why the price for a saddle from a private sale is less than what you'd pay for a second hand saddle from a saddler. People want something for nothing these days. If they want a fitting/trial ride let them buy from a saddler.

 

[aran]

Thanks for the reply
It hadn't really occurred to me that people would expect to try it given as you say it's a private sale but I was asked and didn't really know what was expected!
As far as I'm concerned you need a saddler to check fit anyway (as even if it is a good fit flocking will probably need adjusting) so just sticking it on isn't going to help that much so I was surprised to be asked for a trial!
I think I'll stick to no trial, unless they're close by

 

[NativePonyLover]

I bought a saddle from my friend & was allowed to try it. I offered a deposit, but that was kindly refused. If it was someone I knew & trusted locally, then I'd be happy to offer a trial. If not, I wouldn't - and wouldn't expect the seller to offer a trial either! X