The dealer that cannot be named

[New Forests Rock]

I can see the difference, and I would never buy an animal only on the pretence of being able to return without quibble.

You've hit the nail on the head with one word though - 'psychological'.

This, I believe, is where SWSNBN preyed on her buyers weaknesses. An animal is an emotional investment, we all know that, she knew that. It's not merely a financial transaction, and I think that's an element she used to great effect when manipulating buyers.

Interestingly, not one of the posters on the Facebook page, that I have seen anyway, has referenced the trial and return process as being a motivating factor for their purchase. This is only mentioned when they have tried to get their money returned. In fact, most appear to have been devastated that they had to return the horse, some were seriously injured, others persevered, and one I've seen had the horse pts.

It apppears that SWSNBN was pushy, manipulative, talked the talk, and sold them what they thought were perfect horses, and they fell for that. Not the trial and return process. Although that would have helped lead them into a false sense of security that everything was above board.

I was one of the buyers who this vile woman conned into believing that the pony who looked so good in the edited video WOULD be my next safe ride and drive pony. I did not for one second think I would be returning him - like an Amazon package or otherwise, but he proved to be far too dangerous for me to keep. And although I was one of the lucky ones in that I did get my money back, after much angst and insults, I am still poorer by over £1k, money I could ill afford to lose. I believed all those glowing reviews, and I am an experienced horsewoman, not a "bonkers nitwit"

 

[Apizz2019]

I was one of the buyers who this vile woman conned into believing that the pony who looked so good in the edited video WOULD be my next safe ride and drive pony. I did not for one second think I would be returning him - like an Amazon package or otherwise, but he proved to be far too dangerous for me to keep. And although I was one of the lucky ones in that I did get my money back, after much angst and insults, I am still poorer by over £1k, money I could ill afford to lose. I believed all those glowing reviews, and I am an experienced horsewoman, not a "bonkers nitwit"

I'm so sorry

Every dog has its day. Looks like she's had hers and I hope she suffers for what she has done to the horses and unfortunate buyers.

 

[Apizz2019]

If this is true, I wonder where the poor horses are?

 

[Ownedbydiego]

When I was looking for a horse in 2024 I looked at several of the horses advertised by this dealer and I searched every DD fb page for reviews. I found no bad reviews on any of the pages, but quite a few good ones. Her horses seemed like the ideal type for what I was looking for and it wasn’t the idea that I would be able to send the horse back which was the draw, as I imagined that I would be getting the horse that was described (which sounded ideal). What appealed was the idea that I was going to a reputable dealer, with good reviews who could match me to a suitable horse. The only thing which prevented me from buying from her is that my yard has very strict bio security and the horse would have been in quarantine for the duration of the trial.
Maybe I was very naive, some might call it stupid, I certainly feel lucky to have dodged a bullet, but having come so close to being in this situation myself I feel huge sympathy to all the people and horses who are victims here.
What could have made an enormous difference in this situation is that instead of allowing honest feedback the DD groups actually did the opposite; it gave buyers a false sense of reassurance. They may aswell have advertised for her. Now I wonder if anything on those pages is genuine. If I was ever looking again I’d know not to bother with online reviews.

 

[nutjob]

If this is true, I wonder where the poor horses are?

A dodgy I was involved with ie got scammed out of a deposit, just up and left and the horses were just abandoned in their stables. Other people were looking for him for money allegedly and not the sort of people who were going to use the totally ineffective county court system like I did to try to recover my money.

 

[Apizz2019]

When I was looking for a horse in 2024 I looked at several of the horses advertised by this dealer and I searched every DD fb page for reviews. I found no bad reviews on any of the pages, but quite a few good ones. Her horses seemed like the ideal type for what I was looking for and it wasn’t the idea that I would be able to send the horse back which was the draw, as I imagined that I would be getting the horse that was described (which sounded ideal). What appealed was the idea that I was going to a reputable dealer, with good reviews who could match me to a suitable horse. The only thing which prevented me from buying from her is that my yard has very strict bio security and the horse would have been in quarantine for the duration of the trial.
Maybe I was very naive, some might call it stupid, I certainly feel lucky to have dodged a bullet, but having come so close to being in this situation myself I feel huge sympathy to all the people and horses who are victims here.
What could have made an enormous difference in this situation is that instead of allowing honest feedback the DD groups actually did the opposite; it gave buyers a false sense of reassurance. They may aswell have advertised for her. Now I wonder if anything on those pages is genuine. If I was ever looking again I’d know not to bother with online reviews.

From what I've seen on the Facebook page, it appears that when people posted about her on the DD page, the manipulative piece of (insert expletive word here) provided evidence that she had refunded buyers and everything else was a moot point as the horse/s had been returned.

It appears she was using something, maybe photoshop or similar, to create images of fake bank transactions showing she had refunded buyers.

Edited to add - I'm glad you had a lucky escape!

 

[Apizz2019]

A dodgy I was involved with ie got scammed out of a deposit, just up and left and the horses were just abandoned in their stables. Other people were looking for him for money allegedly and not the sort of people who were going to use the totally ineffective county court system like I did to try to recover my money.

That's so sad.

 

[jhoward]

If this is true, I wonder where the poor horses are?

Now if only someone had a drone and sent it up and about.

That farm hasn't changed hands for years there are several businesses that could be there and at least 4 people registered as living there.

It's also in a small community where news travels I can't imagine she's flavour of the month at the local shop

 

[Ownedbydiego]

From what I've seen on the Facebook page, it appears that when people posted about her on the DD page, the manipulative piece of (insert expletive word here) provided evidence that she had refunded buyers and everything else was a moot point as the horse/s had been returned.

It appears she was using something, maybe photoshop or similar, to create images of fake bank transactions showing she had refunded buyers.

I honestly thought she was one of the good ones. The scale of it is shocking.

 

[Apizz2019]

I honestly thought she was one of the good ones. The scale of it is shocking.

I've known for a while she is not a good one, as have many others. Unfortunately, we were all shut down. The lady who started that page is not only awesome, she is also incredibly brave! I applaud her.

I think the scale of this is far bigger than what many of us thought it was.

I'm not shocked at the stories. I'm shocked at the enormity of the deception.

 

[Apizz2019]

Now if only someone had a drone and sent it up and about.

That farm hasn't changed hands for years there are several businesses that could be there and at least 4 people registered as living there.

It's also in a small community where news travels I can't imagine she's flavour of the month at the local shop

Drone.....anyone?

 

[ester]

Now if only someone had a drone and sent it up and about.

That farm hasn't changed hands for years there are several businesses that could be there and at least 4 people registered as living there.

It's also in a small community where news travels I can't imagine she's flavour of the month at the local shop

Soham is a weird place anyway