Tack repair: 6 week delay - unacceptable?

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 February 2009
Messages
11,575
Location
Slopping along on a loose rein somewhere in Devon
Visit site
As title really.

I took some reins to be re-rubberised to a local tack shop - and it must have been at least six weeks ago.

I've rung repeatedly to ask when they might be ready, and all I get is excuses, excuses, excuses, i.e. the machine has broken down, they'll speak to the person that does it, will chase them up etc.

I didn't need the item desperately urgently, BUT I blimmin well want it done full stop!

Am I being unreasonable?

Would I be in order, having chased them by telephone, to send a letter saying I'm not happy and will be contacting Trading Standards? I've said on the phone that if the reins are not done, then just let me have them back anyway, but still no response.

What would people do?
 
They shouldn't be re machining reins anyway for starters!
The leather has already been perforated once by machining the rubber on in the first place, to do it a second time is wrong and will weaken the leather further, any saddler worth his salt will tell you that.
Re rubbering reins takes a couple of hours at the most, stripping them down takes the longest, I tend to hand stitch (spot stitch) them back on which is the correct way of doing it,less damage to the original leather.
I do repairs for local tack shop, I have had 8 pairs in at once to re rubber as well as all my own work and my new products I have designed and am making yet have a turn around of one week.I pick up on saturdays mainly and have the repairs back by the following saturday, only thing that will slow me down is if I need a fitting etc for the repair that I haven't got and suppliers are also out of stock. If that was the case then the tack shop should tell you, sounds like they just haven't got anyone to do it?
ASK them to spot stitch the rubber back on, it is far safer and better for the leather and the traditional way to do it, Oz
 
I'm afraid I'd march straight into the tack shop and demand to speak with the proprietor. Take your receipt (please tell me you've got one) and let them know you're staying there until either they produce the reins (done or not) or they ring the police to have you removed. If they do the latter, let them know that the instant they ring the police, you ring the local paper. Make it clear that you'll be explaining your presence in the shop to every customer who comes through the door. You need to get as arsey as they are. You wouldn't let your horse treat you like that so why let this cruddy tack shop? And don't let them say it's nothing to do with them. If THEY advertised a service (even if someone else is contracted to do the work for them) and THEY took your reins then THEY are responsible for returning them to you. Come on kiddo - get some fire in your belly!!!!
 
Go in get your tack and go else wear done it before with v local saddler said to him if work exceeds£ 50 please ring me. He didn't. Wrote a letter to him and said I would persue it further.
 
Um no I didn't get a receipt ..... should have I know, just didn't occur to me at the time.

BUT I've rung them AGAIN this week, and again been given a lot of bull***** about "they'll chase the person" up for me, so I am inclined to take the advice given.

I shall firstly write them a stiff letter saying that unless they can produce my reins within the next seven days, then I shall refer the matter to Trading Standards. I will not accept replacement goods as these reins match with a bridle I've got.

I've got a creeping suspicion that my reins have been mislaid and they don't want to admit it.
 
Top