Selling - timewasters - what do you do?

[Jericho]

Just interested in what peoples reactions are to potential buyers arranging a time to come and view a horse and then just not turning up? How long do you wait before you ride/turn the horse back out??

I had decided to sell my horse and within hours of placing the ad 2 people rang up and arranged to come and see her. Both didnt turn up which is really annoying as I have 2 young children and have to arrange childcare etc. I explained this to both and took their names and numbers. Would you ring them up demanding an explanation?? I just think its the height of rudeness. I waited an hour for the first person after calling her on her mobile (no answer) after 30 mins but today I gave up after 20 mins, went for a lovely ride and have decided not to sell my lovely girl anyway.

 

[Opalfruit]

For goodness sake count yourself lucky, they were probably the same numpties that came to see mine!

 

[scotsmare]

I don't hang around, if they haven't got the decency to call and tell you they'll be late / not arriving then that's it. You get 30 mins max with us and then I'm usually so mad I've decided they're not getting the horse anyway!

 

[Jericho]

haha - I did get to the 20 min mark and was thinking exactly that. I ALWAYS ring if I am going to be late!

 

[Darkly_Dreaming_Dex]

I would always ring if i wasnt going to come or running late- its the height of bad manners IMO.

 

[kazs]

i would ring too if i was going to be late, id give a max of 30 mins for anyone to be late, imo if people cant be bothered to show up, then they wernt having my horse.

 

[gina2201]

I would ring just to ask politely if they were still coming or to say a phone call would have been nice! Or a text even, they wouldn't even have to speak to you, people should know it's a bit time consuimg to clear your afternoon for them so for them just to not show up is sheer ignorance.

I would always ring and explain if a) I was running late b) was't coming for some reason or another...

 

[smallbutgreat]

Sadly, I think this happens quite a lot, and you just have to grin and bear it.

I would be pissed off but fairly accepting. Would always have it in the back of my mind that viewers might not turn up, and would go down to the yard with some extras jobs in mind to do (or a good book to read!) I just wouldn't arrange a viewing at a time when I had an important engagement soon after. I would try to call them after half an hour, to find out their intentions, and if I didn't get through would give up after about an hour.

I wouldn't bother phoning them to complain ... yes, it's very poor behaviour but life's too short and there is little real point. However, selling a horse is a VERY rare thing for me, and if I did it more often I might get a lot angrier.

 

[PennyJ]

I've been lucky myself, and they've either turned up, or cancelled in advance.

What about you phoning up the person about 1/2 hour before they're due to check if they're coming or not. No genuine person would mind I'm sure...

 

[mrdarcy]

I'd also be very careful in the current climate at giving out the address of your yard to anyone who might ring up. What I always do when I'm selling is give the prospective purchaser directions to somewhere close by eg. come off at junction whatever of the motorway, or turn right at the Black Bull. Then tell them to ring me for the final details. That way you know they are on their way so no hanging around pointlessly, plus from a security point of view it's much safer.