should i be cautious?

BroadfordQueen

BroadfordQueen

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well my hunting/teamchase pony was up for sale ages ago, but didnt get much interest as it was at christmas time and the market was poor. however, got a phonecall today off a young lad who wanted harry for teamchasing, and wanted him for next weekend! so we told him that we are teamchasing him this sunday so he can come along and watch, and he said he wants to see him on friday around a xcountry course and he will buy him there and then and take him home?! i dont know why but something is worrying me... he didnt want to know much about him, wanted some pics via email but thats it, we said we would try and arrange a booking of a xcountry course and get back to him tomorrow, but dont know if this is for real; i dont know why, he had an english accent on the phone, but its all abit of a rush- he wants to buy him on friday and teamchase him next sunday?!

is there anything i should look out for to tell me if it is a scam or not?
 
How old was the lad? I'd ask to speak to his parents.
Also, someone who isnt interested in much about the pony, are you sure he'd get a good home? I'd be very wary.
Tell him to come and watch you team chase, and come with his parents.
 
by young lad, i meant about... 18/19 i think, and he kept referring to "we", so im guessing he wont be coming alone.

he emailed us before he phoned us:
hi i have seen your pony on horse mart please could you send me some more pictures and does he include tack and rugs to a permanent 5 star home as when outgrown will be passed down are wanting to buy something this week thanks Gareth

then i sent him some pics, and he replied with:
hi thanks got all the pictures will ring you thursday night also could you try to arrange a xc course we could try him around as we are bringing the horse box so would be a quick sale
 
I would stick to your plan and offer him the chance to watch him team chase.
It may be he is going round trying horses or he may be genuine, either way he can see the horse competing and shouldn't really expect to be taken to a course to ride him.
If he turns up insist on cash not a banker's draft, they can be forged.
 
The fact they are a bit of a distance away is a bit of reassurance as bear in mind that is a 4 hour round trip, and if he thinks the horse is perfect doing that twice would be 8 hours.
As long as it isnt going to be too much hassle (or cost you anything) i would go along with what he is asking ( as long as it is reasonable).
When he (they??) arrive you will get a feel for whether you like them and they way they are with the horse if you are suspicious or not keen you can always decline the offer.
 
Why don't you check him out. google phone number, check his address with the council, as he must vote in this country and register. You could do a credit search on him. He maybe a rich boy with parents that can pay the money. I know it sounds too good to be true but they are arround. I had someone look at my pony, their daughter liked my pony and mum picked up pony 3 days later. would of been sooner but bank holiday monday and banks werent open till tuesday, they still got the pony 3 years later , so it does happen!
 
I would not be overly concerned - maybe send him a reply, saying you are looking forward to meeting him but as he wants to move quickly if he could provide a reference from a YO, or Pony Club instructor just so can rest assure he is going to a good home - I do not think he will mind.
 
Hi, I would be cautious as I am a cautious (suspicious,call it what you like) person. There are a lot of nutters out there. To be on the safe side I would stick to what you were doing originaly. Why does he want to meet you on a deserted x-c course.
I know that it is tempting as it could be a sale, but as someone else has said, if he is serious, he will wait. What if you took pony and no-one turned up, what a waste of time.
Perhaps they want to offer you a lot less as he was for sale over Christmas, and think that it will be harder to say no when they are there with some cash.
Also, I watched `The Bill` recently when a couple of men were arranging to meet people with cars for sale and then steal the car. I think it would be safer to ask them to meet you at the yard.
I hope that whatever you decide, it will all go well.
 
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if he could provide a reference from a YO, or Pony Club instructor just so can rest assure he is going to a good home - I do not think he will mind.

[/ QUOTE ]


But it could be a letter from anyone, and with computers, you can make your own letterhead with anyones name on it.

There I go again, all suspicious.
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It would be next to impossible to do a "credit search" on him, and that would show nothing anyway!!!

Joy rider is what occurs to me! I personally wouldnt want anyone tearing around a XC course on my pony without them even seeing him first! Galloping about and jumping on a borrowed pony for the day is great fun when you dont have to pay the vets bills..... Sorry, screams timewaster to me.
 
I agree with the above. Sounds like he's desperate for a pony to take him round this course he's got planned for the weekend.

I'd want someone to try my pony in a school /on the flat first to make sure they could ride properly. Certainly wouldn't let a potential hooligan take my beloved pony for a burn-up straight away.

On the other hand, I sold an unbroken youngster last year, and the family picked her up the same day. I've been to visit her twice since and she's in the best home I could've hoped for, so you never can tell.

Go with your gut instinct.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
if he could provide a reference from a YO, or Pony Club instructor just so can rest assure he is going to a good home - I do not think he will mind.

[/ QUOTE ]

But it could be a letter from anyone, and with computers, you can make your own letterhead with anyones name on it.

There I go again, all suspicious.
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[/ QUOTE ]

Most people are not trying to trick you - if they are they probably will whatever you do!
 
I would be happy to take the horse along (if he wants him for teamchasing, surely thats what he wants to see) but insist on seeing the cash first and make sure he does flatwork first. Plus I would get references.
Other than that, if he wants to buy, and you think it could be a good home, why not?
 
isn't the pony lame at the mo though? i thought you posted about him being kicked by your sisters mare. sorry if i have it wrong.
otherwise i echo what others have said about the situation.
 
When you say pony - how big? - would be very surprised if an 18-19 yo lad would still be genuinely wanting to buy a pony???
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Perhaps as he sounds relatively young to be dealing with a purchase himself, may be worth politely establishing his age, and who will actually be doing the purchasing. If they are a decent home, they should fully understand the current owner having loads of questions. Have to say, am wary of anyone who pushes the point of permanent home without the question being asked.... a bit like the little ads you get in local papers 'permanent loving homes await...'
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Another suspicious person here I am afraid.
 
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