think I was ripped off when sold my saddle, what to do?

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ThePony

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Hi,
I brought a saddle from a master saddler, had it fitted etc and was watched riding in it. Very few saddles were brought out for me to try - I assumed that my horse might be tricky to fit which was why there was so little choice. I chose the most comfortable of the saddles. Best of a bad bunch in that sense! But since that was the choice I had from the saddler I just thought it was tough luck and it was the best I could expect - although I have been riding for many years, this was the first time I had a saddler out to fit a new saddle and only my second time owning a horse. Anyway, about 5 months on it really is just too uncomfortable so I have been to a different master saddler, took my current saddle in the hope that it might give some clues as to why it is uncomfortable for me. So he looked at it and me and said he would never have sold me that saddle (before hearing who sold it to me). Just a totally different shape to that which I need. I sat on one saddle and it was massively more comfortable, also a make the other one happens to stock too - why was this not brought out?! Second saddler said he saw no reason why my horse would be anything other than straightforward to fit - has seen many photos as has to travel quite a distance to me. He will now be out with saddles that I am comfy in and check the fit on my horse. My old saddle fits my horse, just not me so the new fitting shouldn't be a problem
What to do about the now worthless to me saddle i have? Second saddler suggested it was an ebay job. Can't use it in part ex as it's such an old model.
What on earth do I do?! Am stuck with an expensive and useless saddle that I don't think I would get back half of what I paid. Is it just tough luck and a learning experience or is there anything I can do?
Thanks for your help!
 
You could try the Citizens Advice Bureu(sp?), if the second saddler is willing to confirm that the saddle is worth x amount as oppposed to what you paid for it. You might get somewhere with that.

I bought an Albion for £1200. It was never comfy for me, but I had a Master Saddler out who only brought two for me to try and it was the best of the two. Horse was happy (had turned her bum on me when her old saddle appeared, didn't do it with the new saddle), so I put up with it. New horse keeps changing shape so do not know yet if we will ever be able to use it.

We've been through, I think it's four saddlers. Now happy with Bridlepath International :).
 
Bear in mind saddlers (qualified saddle fitters) very often rubbish the work of any other saddler in my experience, they have even done that about their own work when they got wires crossed and forgot they had chosen and fitted the saddle concerned.

So I would be taking the second opinion with an appropriate critical eye, not that theyre wrong but just bear in mind the above.

Also the original saddle being uncomfy doesnt mean you were done financially if you were happy with it at the time and with the price you paid then. The going rate for a saddle is what someone is prepared to pay for it, unless you paid more than the retail new price.

I have been in a similar scenario, saddler brought out a few saddles but only one really fitted (GFS VSD). I bought it but didnt like it, and hardly ever used it more than 10 times and horse is still in the ancient sprung tree hunting saddle we got when we first bought him 11 years ago which he loves. I ended up selling the GFS for £450 less than I paid, but I dont think the saddler was more at fault than me, I should have been more demanding! And I should have used saddles direct to get a selection of trial saddles and got fitter out just to confirm which was best fit! But couldnt cos they didnt exist then!

If it was unsafe or broken, then you were done! and would have a claim.

Saddle and saddlers are a difficult and expensive area and I think many people end up getting something that ends up not suitable.
 
This is a difficult one; whether something "fits" or not is highly subjective, particularly when one partner in the equation i.e. the horse, can't speak for him/herself!

I had a saddle so-called "professionally" fitted by someone who was supposed to know what they were doing and basically they just couldn't be bothered, they were only on the place less than 20 mins and it was a question of "that'll do". OK I should have known better and sent them packing, I realise that now. In the end this particular saddle gave me pain in the hip and gave the horse a saddle sore, which wasn't terribly helpful as I was selling him at the time and had to wait until the sore was healed.

There are a lot of people out there who are fitting saddles who are not qualified to do so; so you might not have any comeback unless they're covered by any professional association.

Buyer beware I think.
 
I dont see how you were missold? noone said you had to buy that saddle, you could have requested that that saddler brought out more saddles for you to try or, not bought one and had another saddler come out. was the saddle new? you say it is an old model?

If it was uncomfortable of you did you say? I have recently had my first ever new saddle (not second hand) fitted for the first time and it felt really odd to start with as it puts me in a different position to my old one (much better position but different) I discussed that with the saddler while he was there and we were able to make some changes with the blocks to make me happier with it. Now I have got used to it I love it :)
 
I agree with lachlanandmarcus and ester.

Over many years I have had a number of different master saddlers/saddle fitters out. None seem to have a good work to say for any other and for everyone you use, there will be a person who tells you they are the best thing since sliced bread and someone else who tells you not to touch them with a bargepole.

I agree that you were under NO obligation to buy a saddle that you were not happy with. Before getting a fitter out I would always give details of my size, the horse's size and what I wanted to do.

Chalk it up to experience and hope the saddle you don't like is a good brand that you can sell easily on ebay.
 
hi all,
thanks for all the view points. Really useful to see other peoples points of view. With hindsight I think I should have been more demanding, I just wasn't sure what I could expect. Buyer beware and don't buy just 'cause I feel guilty about sending the saddler away again for more to try!
Ebay here I come!
 
Please could you PM the names of the saddlers, I have a feeling I know who they are!

I had one fit a second hand saddle a few years ago and after using it for a few months, my horse grew patches of white hairs on each side of his back. I contacted the saddler and told him the saddle didn't fit as it was marking my horse, expecting him to offer to adjust the flocking or exchange for another saddle, but no, he refused to accept that this saddle didn't fit and said the white hairs must have been caused by a saddle I had used before. I then went to another saddler and my horse moved much more freely in the saddle he sold me, a newer, nicer saddle the the original one for the same price and gave me a good deal in PX. Looking back, I should have gone to trading Standards.

The other saddler I am thinking of has rubbished the work I had done by another, v.experienced saddler.
 
I'm sure you will be able to part ex or sell it, if it was an expensive saddle of a good make, then it will be of use to someone somewhere.

If you were not happy, you should not of picked the best out of a bad bunch, saddlers are there to sell to people who are willing to buy, not matter if its fits well or just ok, simple as that, annoying thought it may be.

Stick it on ebay, or on the tack section on here, you never know you might find a new home for it, yes you might loose a bit but better to loose money than hang onto something you will never use.

Try bobbing a notice in some tack shop notice boards, your saddle could fit someone elses horse perfectly and if so, someone will be willing to pay what ever your asking for it. :)
 
I've also found the same - that saddle fitters always rubbish each other. Well, the men do.... I've had several lady saddle fitters out and they've never done it, so it must be a 'male ego' thing!!

If this saddle is a well known make (and a good 'un) you'll easily sell it.
 
I don't think saddlers can tell whats going to be comfortable for you, easier for the second saddler as he can see the first saddle.

I bought a saddle company dressage saddle from eBay and was fine for the first week or so then my hips were killing and realised it was this saddle, so had to go. If I'd had a saddler fitting it I wouldn't have really known it was uncomfy for me until owning it for a while.

So chalk it up to experience and flog on eBay - what brand did you buy?
 
You, at the time of purchase, had the choice of buying or not. You had the chance to say no, it's not comfy, bring more or I go elsewhere. He did not force you to buy, and and he could only go on what you say as far as comfort for you was concerned.
I'm sorry, but I really don't think he mis sold to you. Also, saddles drop in price, so the fact you cannot get as much as you paid is pretty normal for most second hand goods.
Think this is really just a learning experience. Sorry
 
I am sure you can sell it second hand and make back some of the money.

To be fair to the saddle-fitter, I don't see how he could have known what you found uncomfortable unless you actually told him. Different riders like different things, e.g. knee blocks, bucket seats, etc.

I think you need to put this one down to experience and communicate more with the saddle-fitter next time round.
 
i'd appreciate it if you'd pm me the name of the Master Saddler who sold you the first one, i too have my suspicions...
tbh i think you should advertise the old saddle (on saddleselect or similar) and chalk up any loss to experience. saddles are a nightmare. i'd love the money back that i have wasted on unsuitable saddles over the years... unfortunately many fitters are in it for the ££££s and do not necessarily have the horse's, or rider's, best interests at heart. :(
 
Almost exactly the same happened to me and i am so upset about it as well! Only i feel stupid as had a master saddler 5 months ago - saddle great for me but doesnt fit horse at all :( Had different master saddler that travelled over 100 miles for me today. It has given my horse a really bad back and should never have been sold to me! Que physio out (again) friday... The worst part is the first master saddler had it for two weeks to fit it to my horse and charged me for it. I also dont know what to do - but thought i would say that your not the only one in that sort of a position!! :)
 
also bear in mind that 'master' and 'qualified' saddlers arent necessarily qualified to fit saddles unless they are also 'qualified saddle fitters'. Lots of peeps think a master saddler automatically means a qualified fitter. Both qualifications are under the society of master saddlers but they are different, and its the saddle fitting one thats crucial. Not that it will stop them dissing each other but at least in theory they know what theyre doing.
 
I would also add beware in that there are different levels of people who advertise themselves as saddlers. SOme are only qualified to repair leather work etc nd do basic fittings whiel others are very good master saddlers. It also comes down to the fact tht if you arent happy it is your money and you dont havr to buy. You are paying so either sk them for more saddles or send them away and try someone else.
 
If you are in Sussex then please PM me the name of the saddler as i may be able to help you. If not in Sx, then sorry but have you tried to contact the original fitter to see if he has anything useful to suggest - maybe he would take it from you to sell? Good luck.
 
Wow, loads of replies! Thanks for sharing your opinions, just need to chalk it up to experience! The prob with my fitting it is that with stirrups at my normal length, my knees sit on top of the knee blocks - my knees went off the front of the saddle my horse came with so it was still a definate improvement! I just (at the time) thought that was the best I could hope for and felt uncomfortable getting another saddler out as the whole yard uses this saddler. I just need to treat my money like it is mine and discuss my hopes from the fitting. I must admit that I assumed that a master saddler was also automatically a saddle fitter, didn't realise that wasn't always the case. Fortunatly it is a well known and saleable make, and is in good condition, though it is a rather elderly saddle!
Thanks guys, I shall have my head screwed on better in future!
P.S Angelbones, the saddler isn't in sussex.
 
I would class myself as fairly experienced and like Kerrilli I agree that even with years of experience buying saddles is a nightmare. It is always a case of who to trust, who to go with, someone will recommend one person, someone else with say not to use them. I think it is common in many trades/crafts that a previous job done or item supplied will be dissed by the next person. When I bought one of my current saddles, the saddler kept offering me saddles that were lovely but totally unsuitable for the discipline that I do! You do have to be fairly forceful I think!
 
Donkeymad said:
You, at the time of purchase, had the choice of buying or not. You had the chance to say no, it's not comfy, bring more or I go elsewhere. He did not force you to buy, and and he could only go on what you say as far as comfort for you was concerned.
I'm sorry, but I really don't think he mis sold to you. Also, saddles drop in price, so the fact you cannot get as much as you paid is pretty normal for most second hand goods.
Think this is really just a learning experience. Sorry
Click to expand...

I agree with this
 
saddles are renowned for being a big hit on secondhand values, like cars. Its because they are so specific (or should be!) for fitting a horse so its hard to find a buyer whose needs match up exactly. And they are expensive to post, and easily damaged.
 
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