Texting when selling a horse?

My friend texts people first because she is deaf and doesnt always have someone around to call for her, but i think she always tells them in the first message. i think part of it is she likes to get the info for herself and not have to wait for someone else to tell her what they say after the call. i think in this case its fine to text but otherwise lots of texts is rude. i'd only send one to ask if still for sale and when to call.
 
I'll admit I do hate when people text me about a pony. Firstly because it means it's costing me money to reply, and secondly because I've never had a single text enquiry that actually ended in a pony sale - they've all turned out to be utter timewasters.

And it's never just one text either - I wouldn't mind that, one text to clarify one thing, or ask if still available - it's a stream of texts, usually asking things that are already in the advert!

Having said all this, I do still reply to them, and politely. In the hope that one day, a serious enquiry actually will come out of it - but it's never happened yet!
 
puppystitch said:
I might send an introductory text as I'm usually in the office during 'sociable' hours just to check whether the horse is still for sale and to confirm that's ok to call in the evening or at the weekend.
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I would do this. I would actually find it ruder / more inconvenient / less considerate to have people calling me randomly when I'm probably at work or on one of the horses. A text asking if it's available and when is convenient to call is far more sociable in my opinion.

That said, I've bought both my more recent horses over email, by sellers preference as well as my own.
 
I have no problem with introductory texts, or quick questions, but some people go on and on - often asking things that were already written in the ad anyway.. It takes so long to reply and costs more for both sides than a phone call.

I had a lot of replies by email, which I'm fine with - you can get a lot of info into an e mail quickly and its a great means of initial contact. I just think texts don't do the job well enough - its not that I'm behind the times!
 
I also prefer contact via text and/or e-mail. I'm really nervous about talking on the phone so I prefer to get as much info as possible before arranging to phone and talk. Ideally, I'd never phone anyone ever...:(

A good point of texts/e-mails is that both parties have a record of the conversation and no one can then get confused about details.

The horse I viewed before Hippo, I texted to ask the seller if said horse was still available and they replied with a text saying yes and to text them for more info. I also called them but the reception was awful so we stuck to texting.
Hippo's old owner also preferred texting to talking - we had one phone call before I went to view, and the rest was texting, e-mail or face to face.
 
I think it probably comes down to the content of the texts. I can't see anything wrong with an initial contact along the lines of is the horse still for sale and when would it be convenient for me to ring but I'd want to speak in real time to someone rather than drip feed information by text. I do think a text just asking the seller to ring is downright rude unless it's someone you'd already spoken to!


ETA Yes I am old!
 
From personal experience beyond a polite 'is the horse still for sale', 'can I ring you to talk about the horse later' texts, those that send more than one or two texts are not going to buy the horse or even come to look at him. It is really annoying as it gets your hopes up for nothing.
 
xxMozlarxx said:
Doesn't everyone get free texts..I get hundreds a month..
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I'm abroad for part of the week, so they're not free then.. Also they're so time consuming - whatever you're doing you have to stop doing to reply..

All these posts of people with issues such as deafness etc have made me re-assess and look a little kinder on some texters.
 
I have a horse for sale at the moment and i really don't care how a potential buyer gets in touch with me. I have had phone calls, texts and emails and i respond to them all as i never know if the person could be the one to come and buy him :)
 
I don't reply to texts if they're asking anything else other than 'is the horse still for sale' or 'is it okay to ring at this hour'.

If you're really interested you will ring. Otherwise I don't consider them to be serious enquiries. It doesn't take 5 minutes to ring and fine out a few details, it's much easier that way. You can't have a proper conversation via text, or email for that matter.
 
I must admit I used to text sellers! Only because I'd usually have a tv blaring with Cbeebies and a loud toddler screaming every time I use the phone!:o I'm also super busy so I find it easier really, I didn't think it was rude but you got me thinking maybe people do find it rude, whoops!:o
 
I wouldn't mind if it was just asking when was a good time to call or was he still for sale, but its things like can you text me some details of the horse? Erm did you not read the advert? Text speak ones are the worst, had one today which simply read 'wher u based?' I replied saying sorry who is this, and they said 'I'm after your horse' erm great, no thanks. Never sold a horse through text, they are always the time wasters it seems.
 
I always think texts are from 13 yr olds who don't have any idea of good manners, so don't respond to them. If they're serious enough ,they ring anyway.

Random texts mean I have to stop what I'm doing, wash the mud of my hands, walk over to the car to fetch my glasses, read the damn thing and then spend time texting back.

A phone call indicates to me the potential buyer knows how to do business and immediately, you have a first impression of the person you're speaking to.
 
I don't think I'd have a problem with it if as some have said, there's a reason for it, like problems speaking on the phone, but otherwise I wouldn't appreciate texts asking lots of questions that have already been answered in the ad. Equally I would never text a seller on first contact. If they can't talk they won't pick up the phone and I'll leave a message.

On another point though, people always say to be wary of emails with poor English because of scams. I got one of thses years ago when selling a pony, answered it politely just in case but was really suspicious of them. However they turned out to be genuine and bought the pony so you never know. I'd rather waste time than ignore the wrong person and not sell.
 
IWillIfIWant said:
I think its 2012 and different people prefer different lines of communication and if your not happy to receive texts then putting on your advert "texts will not be replied to" or something similar usually lets people know. Ultimately in the current market if you want to sell then it wont bother you if its via text, call or email!!
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This, 100%.

I work 12 hours shifts (often 50+ hr weeks so days off rare!) and if I was caught with my phone on me, I'd be sacked as I work with vulnerable adults and it is not permitted.
If I was looking and saw a horse for sale I liked, I'd certainly text first on my lunch break. Ringing takes more than my 30 precious minutes as most like to stay and chat about their horse.

I'm a nervous nellie when it comes to speaking on the phone anyway, I quibble and stutter like a madwoman!
 
Another thing I would like to point out is that it is much easier to lie in a text! This works both ways. In general, while I do understand why many text a lot of this lack of wanting to speak to people over the phone comes from our rapidly disjointed lives, lived online and via text.
As I said before I never minded people texting me about a horse and have texted people to ask if a horse is still for sale, but for a real view it is far easier to speak person to person. At the end of the day if you want the horse then you'll have to meet them for real anyway!
 
I lost count of the number of text conversations I dutifully replied to, to then be told after a length amount of time typing out the messages via text 'I'll organise a viewing once I spoken to my husband/boyf/oh etc' These people never came back to me. Hence my views on it all. Daydreamers who fancied the look of the horse but are basically wasting my time and getting my hopes up. I hope to not have to sell another horse TBH given my last two experiences
 
lannerch said:
I think if you don't reply to texts you potentially reduce your market. Some txters are genuine serious just shy.
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If you have a good horse, it'll sell, no worries.

Also, how do people manage calling vets and other horse professionals ? You can't text a vet when a horse has colic.
 
I have bought 3 of my 5 ponies via text and email. The other 2 i bought from someone i knew who text to ask if i was interested so i think the belief that texts are from time wasters is completely incorrect! There are a lot of horses out there at the moment so if your horse doesnt sound right for them why continue the line of communication. It would be time wasting to come and view your horse/pony and tell you it was just what they were looking for!! Id rather some texts that lead to nothing than 20 viewings where the horse is the one for them only for them never to contact you again.
As for it being easier to lie via text, i think if someone is that intend on bullshitting to sell/buy an animal they will do this via text, phone or face to face. There are plenty around that would lie to their Nans if it meant a sale and the only way to combat this is to know your stuff or take someone with you that does. And sadly as a seller the only way to combat the bullshitters is not to sell or check out where the horse is going and the buyers credentials.
 
horserider said:
If you have a good horse, it'll sell, no worries.

Also, how do people manage calling vets and other horse professionals ? You can't text a vet when a horse has colic.
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Actually i can text my vet if my horse has any problems and il get an immediate reply. But then i have a great vet who i have a great working relationship with and know very well. Also a lot of back specialists, trainers, farriers etc are happy to do things via text. My farrier is another one i text when needed or want to change a booking, lose a shoe etc.
Is it just where i live that deems this a brilliant form of communication and the rest of the country is still in the dark ages!!! Surely not????? :confused:
 
Depends where you live I guess...you know how it is with these country folks... now I come to think of it, I do text my farrier, my Osteo, my saddle fitter..my dentist..and uncle Tom Cobbly an all, they all seem to use texts too
 
Posie said:
I am currently selling a horse, and wonder why people feel the need to text to enquire about him, rather than ringing me? I would much rather speak to someone on the phone for 5 minutes, than answer a ton of questions via text. It may just be me, but I am more likely to make time for someone who calls up than who texts me. I have decided now to say 'please call for further enquires' rather than answer a billion and one texts. So why do people text rather than call? Can't just be me who is annoyed by this?
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Cost of phone calls to a mobile! I prefer a landline number and a friend of mine has just texted to see if two horses are available and has heard nothing(they could be sold) I had the same too, people ignoring my messages. Text is no different to an email?
 
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