Time wasters?

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Clare85

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So, I have been indulging in my usual favourite spare time passtime - trawling through for sale ads, looking at horses that I'm not in a position to buy - and I have noticed a number of ads which read 'no time wasters please'. Now this is nothing new and I have never really given it much thought before. But last night it got me thinking (maybe I'm bored, husband and daughter both away for the weekend), do people actually set out to waste people's time when viewing horses? Does 'no time wasters' just mean people who arrange to view a horse and then don't turn up, or are there actually people who wander around viewing horses with no intention of buying one?

As a prospective buyer, I would never ever set out to waste anyone's time and would only go to view horses that I was genuinely and realistically interested in. However, it may take me a couple of viewings to completely make up my mind about a horse. Would this be seen as time wasting by some people? Surely it is a buyer's prerogative to walk away from a horse if something just doesn't feel right and a seller should not assume a horse is sold until payment has been made in full?

I don't have much experience in selling horses. In fact I have only ever sold one. It was a fairly easy experience (except the actual reality of letting him go) and he was sold to the second person who viewed him (although he was an unbroken rising 3 yo, so a bit easier than an older more established horse). I would be interested in hearing people's selling and buying experiences and opinions on what you would class as a time waster?

Tea and buttery toast anyone??? :)
 
I think it's really tough. I sometimes advise people to try a few horses even if they aren't quite what they are looking for. This can sometimes result in finding a horse which isn't what you thought you wanted but love all the same. It does help also to decide what you like and are really after. I think that is a bit unfair on sellers, but so long as you are straight and not just joy riding, so long as you actually want to buy, I think it's fine.

What irritates me is people who claim to have been looking for a year or so. That indicates they are ridiculously picky and will be a nightmare through the buying process.
 
Well there are people who go around viewing houses with no intention of buying them, just being nosey I suppose!
Never had a problem when selling any of mine though, everyone who came seemed genuine, some wanted more time with the horse before making a descision and thats fine, not really bothered by that, its as important to me that horse goes to right home as it is to them.
If they needed a lot of time and then decided against, I wouldn't consider that time wasting, just being sensible, others probably won't agree but getting the right owner is paramount in my book.
 
you get both those that don't turn up and those with nothing to do for the day just looking with no intention of buying-I have known people who do both.

I have only ever sold 2, the second one was a 16.3hh mare on as kind as the day is long but if the rider/handler was unsure/nervous so was she. Her ad stated this and that she needed an adult rider, the first people arrived and announced she was for the 16yr old with the group, I went with it as she was being sold as a an unridden project that needed re-starting, when the girl would not even take the leadropeto lead the mare to the round pen to see how she moved I said they were wasting my time and their and they may as well leave
 
Thanks for your replies.

Siennamum, yes I think a list of wants/likes is essential when looking for a horse. I can't understand why people would look to buy a horse without this - unless they were a dealer or something I suppose.

Hollybear, agree that a good home should be a priority off a seller. Unfortunately, I fear this is not the case with many sellers. Maybe that is why people are perceived as time wasters by some sellers who are just looking to get rid ASAP?

Twiggy2, goodness, quite surprised you know people who view with no intention of buying. I know people do this with houses but a horse is something totally different IMO. It's a shame really isn't it as for some people, selling their beloved horse is hard enough without having some nosey person turn up who doesn't even want to buy it. People who just don't bother to turn up at all would infuriate me. Sounds like you came across some beginners/novices with your mare, who didn't really understand what they were coming to see. Fair play to you for asking them to leave.
 
I have always offered to potential buyers that they come back and try the horse as many times as they feel comfortable, most people only look once maybe twice at a horse before making up their mind, after that, well they may be really nervous, but most likely they are not serious.

I never mind if it takes people time because it is good for the pony to go to the right home, but who has time to keep coming back repeatedly, not many, and the horse stays on the market till its sold, so if they really want it then best to not waste too much time, most people are conscious of this as well.

I do think sellers can be a bit to quick to call someone a time waster, sometimes, the horse is really just not suitable and it is not worth getting something that is obviously not right from the start.
 
A timewaster is anyone who doesn't immediately fall in love with your horse and offer to buy it on the spot, cash, unvetted, unwarrented, and arrives with their box to take it away. Sellers can be a nightmare too.
 
There's time wasters on both sides. Sellers who mis-describe their horses are also timewasters (and liars)

I've seen a few serious timewasters, luckily not when selling my own horses. I've managed to weed them out over the phone. I had one woman who spend days quizzing me via email/phone. She requested countless videos which I obviously provided. She decided that my mare didn't have an expressive enough trot (she wanted a dressage horse) and she also had an issue that the mare windsucked. She then asked me to pick her and her friend up from the airport, put them up for the night, and then bring them back to the airport the next day. To view a horse she didn't think would suit. Eh no
 
Well at this min and time, a man I don't know called to my house on thursd, said he likes my stock and is looking to buy something. Now he said he has 4 horses. I said I will have a few foals and mares for sale. He seen 2 but he kept saying he didn't know what he wanting, filly, colt, mare infoal, maiden. I had visitors coming so had to part ways after an hour chatting. But he kept saying he wants to see rest and is really interested in buying. So took my number was ameant to call yesterday at 3pm.

He didn't show but last nite at 11pm he phoned asking all same questions he asked before. Said he will be up at my house at 8-9am. Well now 10.26am and not here or didn't ting. I told him I had things on and but I would meet him. So nos I'm looking through horse and hound and what do I see time wasters this is what I think of one.
 
Just to add I have finished waiting on him. I'm heading now to get showered and continue to do what I had planned.
 
Seller could cut out a lot of the time wasting by including the following in an ad:

A picture
Name of equine (if saying its a prolific winner)
Stating level of competing - 'always in the ribbons' .... Yes but your local riding school show where there are four competitors in each class two of whom fall off at any given opportunity isnt exactly the same as Derbyshire County Show
Age/height/colour/breed (or type)
Rough location
Whether you will consider loaning (never used to have to but its a sign of the times)
And most of all price (unless is top class in which case POA is pretty normal)

Ive seen a post on here moaning about timewasters calling to ask the price straight away being seen as cold and not wanting to know about the horse but had they asked all about it then asked price thet would probably have been branded timewasters for that!

Ive also seen an ad that honestly said '12hh grey pony for sale - no timewasters'
 
WelshD said:
Seller could cut out a lot of the time wasting by including the following in an ad:

A picture
Name of equine (if saying its a prolific winner)
Stating level of competing - 'always in the ribbons' .... Yes but your local riding school show where there are four competitors in each class two of whom fall off at any given opportunity isnt exactly the same as Derbyshire County Show
Age/height/colour/breed (or type)
Rough location
Whether you will consider loaning (never used to have to but its a sign of the times)
And most of all price (unless is top class in which case POA is pretty normal)

Ive seen a post on here moaning about timewasters calling to ask the price straight away being seen as cold and not wanting to know about the horse but had they asked all about it then asked price thet would probably have been branded timewasters for that!

Ive also seen an ad that honestly said '12hh grey pony for sale - no timewasters'
Click to expand...

Oh how I agree with this. I am not looking to buy, but browse ads out of habit. It's amazing how many fail to put basic info like age and height. Also, if I were looking, the location of the animal is very important - no point falling in love with a description to find it is over 500 miles away.If you phone up about a poorly described horse to discover it is too small/too young are you then branded a timewaster? I've never seen 'no timewasters' on a house ad. Is it just a horsey thing?
 
Cortez said:
A timewaster is anyone who doesn't immediately fall in love with your horse and offer to buy it on the spot, cash, unvetted, unwarrented, and arrives with their box to take it away. Sellers can be a nightmare too.
Click to expand...

Hah! I hear ya!

I went to see a horse and decided it just wasn't for me, was very honest there and then, then later saw I was being slagged off all over facebook....

Get's right on my wick it does...

Are you considered a timewaster if you go into a shop and don't buy the first pair of shoes you see....?

Nu-uh....
 
Id say a timewaster is someone who goes to a viewing without sufficient finance or knowledge to buy the horse which makes them a "dreamer". Or just someone who fancies a free ride "joyriders". I've viewed and turned down many horses, I had every intention of buying them if they were suitable but they were not.
 
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