ugh RUDE sellers and impossible pony hunt.

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showpony

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Up at crack of dawn today to take mini in to a massive show to pony hunt with her coach... Main class we were looking at was wh ponies up to 133 cms... Identified 2 i liked. First one wasn't called back for second phase for reasons we found out about . second one clearly had for sale marked in catalogue so we approached them half an hr after class... Asked lady with, pony if she was the owner, she said no she was child's coach... We asked who we needed to speak to about the pony and she went into a condescending rant on how we would think pony is for sale etc... Eh because it said so in the catalogue!!! She then launched into a further rant about how the pony was a superstar and would never be for sale... Was exceptionally rude about the whole thing...finally pony owner showed up and said that she doesn't know why pony was down for sale and was also super rude... This was my first experience approaching people at a show about a pony well my instructor did the talking...
So how the heck do you approach people at a show about a pony you are potentially interested in buying???? Just to add we were really polite etc...
Found a pony a fellow hho is selling but at moment can't tie down time to fly over etc... Time is an issue right now:(
 
No need to be rude about it but perhaps they did not know it was advertised for sale. Personally I am never rude to anyone but would be very irritated by someone assuming the pony was for sale without asking that question first, did you ask the producer if the pony was for sale. I was always polite in refusing to sell my girl as I have been offered huge amounts of money for her over the years due to her safe and gentle temperament with tiny children and her willingness to step up to do a championship performance when needed by a competent rider. Mind you if the pony had been for sale and the producer not told the owner was at fault
 
In catalogue there is a clear " for sale" if that box has been ticked..Hense why we approached them. . riders mum was a bit sheepish about the whole thing but manners cost nothing ...
windand rain said:
No need to be rude about it but perhaps they did not know it was advertised for sale. Personally I am never rude to anyone but would be very irritated by someone assuming the pony was for sale without asking that question first, did you ask the producer if the pony was for sale. I was always polite in refusing to sell my girl as I have been offered huge amounts of money for her over the years due to her safe and gentle temperament with tiny children and her willingness to step up to do a championship performance when needed by a competent rider. Mind you if the pony had been for sale and the producer not told the owner was at fault
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I'd write your name and number on a card and hand it over, "understand you're probably busy but if you'd like to give me a call I'm interested in the pony". If they have time to talk to you then and there they'll let you know, if not they can call you and set up a viewing later. Sometimes the last thing you want is the additional stress of trying to sell a pony and cope with kids in a show situation.... even if you actually are trying to sell it! Also means you're prepared if you see a pony you like but don't know if it's for sale.
 
Although they were less than polite maybe you could cut them some slack on this occasion? There had clearly been a mix up and they were peeved about it and took it out on you, shows and children are stressful maybe they were a bit put out by the whole thing?

I wouldn't give up the search though, unfortunatly buying and selling is a minefield I certainly don't envy you on that front.
 
I don't think a show is necessarily the best place to chat about a pony for sale as its often a stressful atmosphere ;) I think if I were you, you should go and source ponies the usual way (find adverts online etc. and chat to people, ask around etc.) then go and see the ponies at their homes where the owners will have time to chat. If you want to see the pony out after that, then do so.
 
I don't think you did anything wrong OP. If the schedule says the horse is for sale and they've ticked yes, why wouldn't you go speak to them. That's the point of listing them for sale in the schedule. I've ticked the for sale box a few times so my horse is listed as for sale and if anyone is interested all the better. I've also taken an interest in horses listed for sale, it's handy to see at first hand how the horse is in a show situation. If they've ticked the box and changed their minds about selling, or didn't take the time to read what they were ticking, I've not really got any sympathy for them or excuses for their lack of good manners. Good luck with finding something suitable, and some serious sellers too.
 
I know shows can be stressful but I think they were a bit OTT with the rudeness. There's no need to be rude even if they have enough on their plate at that time
 
Think mum potentially ticked the yes box and trainer took over ... Its totally put me off looking ofor a pony through the show scene.
Capriole said:
I don't think you did anything wrong OP. If the schedule says the horse is for sale and they've ticked yes, why wouldn't you go speak to them. That's the point of listing them for sale in the schedule. I've ticked the for sale box a few times so my horse is listed as for sale and if anyone is interested all the better. I've also taken an interest in horses listed for sale, it's handy to see at first hand how the horse is in a show situation. If they've ticked the box and changed their minds about selling, or didn't take the time to read what they were ticking, I've not really got any sympathy for them or excuses for their lack of good manners. Good luck with finding something suitable, and some serious sellers too.
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Don't let it put you off. It was either a miscommunication between both parties or an overstepping of the mark by the trainer, but there are plenty of people out there that are seriously advertising their horses including through show schedules, and it would be a shame if you let one bad experience put you off. I promise you there are professional people out there that want to sell you a pony :)
 
What I would do would be have a look at the catalogues and adverts and arrange to meet the people at a show I still consider it a bit strange to walk up to someone at a show and ask to know all about the pony. Under no circumstances should anyone be rude and difficult but I really do see it as being a bit intrusive without making an appointment to view either at the pony's home or at the show. Maybe it is just my old fashioned manners taking another knock as I am the first to say speak to people about what you wish to view. I am of course in no way condoning bad manners or aggression as both are totally unnecessary
 
So essentially ring people before show?
windand rain said:
What I would do would be have a look at the catalogues and adverts and arrange to meet the people at a show I still consider it a bit strange to walk up to someone at a show and ask to know all about the pony. Under no circumstances should anyone be rude and difficult but I really do see it as being a bit intrusive without making an appointment to view either at the pony's home or at the show. Maybe it is just my old fashioned manners taking another knock as I am the first to say speak to people about what you wish to view. I am of course in no way condoning bad manners or aggression as both are totally unnecessary
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Thank you, qreat advice.
windand rain said:
What I would do would be have a look at the catalogues and adverts and arrange to meet the people at a show I still consider it a bit strange to walk up to someone at a show and ask to know all about the pony. Under no circumstances should anyone be rude and difficult but I really do see it as being a bit intrusive without making an appointment to view either at the pony's home or at the show. Maybe it is just my old fashioned manners taking another knock as I am the first to say speak to people about what you wish to view. I am of course in no way condoning bad manners or aggression as both are totally unnecessary
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windand rain said:
What I would do would be have a look at the catalogues and adverts and arrange to meet the people at a show I still consider it a bit strange to walk up to someone at a show and ask to know all about the pony. Under no circumstances should anyone be rude and difficult but I really do see it as being a bit intrusive without making an appointment to view either at the pony's home or at the show. Maybe it is just my old fashioned manners taking another knock as I am the first to say speak to people about what you wish to view. I am of course in no way condoning bad manners or aggression as both are totally unnecessary
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Indeed.....but....the pony was clearly marked as for sale in the schedule...they should have been prepared to be approached.
 
windand rain said:
What I would do would be have a look at the catalogues and adverts and arrange to meet the people at a show I still consider it a bit strange to walk up to someone at a show and ask to know all about the pony. Under no circumstances should anyone be rude and difficult but I really do see it as being a bit intrusive without making an appointment to view either at the pony's home or at the show. Maybe it is just my old fashioned manners taking another knock as I am the first to say speak to people about what you wish to view. I am of course in no way condoning bad manners or aggression as both are totally unnecessary
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A catalogue is not going to be available before a show, usually you buy them on the day if you then see a pony you like that is marked as for sale it makes sense to approach on the day, in this case it seems there was a mistake but there was no need for the owners to be rude, many people would be flattered.
It may be more usual in Ireland than over here to mark as for sale but unless they put in contact details I don't see how you could phone prior to the show, if it is a normal way of selling then people need to make sure they don't tick the box by mistake when filling in entry forms.
 
Perhaps preface the conversation with 'I noticed the pony is marked for sale in the catalogue, is he still available...' or similar? Agree that these people were unnecessarily rude. Even if the catalogue was a mistake, it costs them nothing to say that there's been a mix-up, or that they're flattered but pony is not for sale, or they've changed their minds.
 
Op I'm guessing this was at RDS?
It's a bit different there as usually everything is for sale and mightn't necessarily be marked for sale on the catalogue.

When I sold the pony there we had for sale in the catalogue and also an advert on his stable door at the RDS - it's more common for people to just put ads on the stable door and everyone walks up to see what's for sale :)

It still isn't an excuse for a seller to be rude though - although I do have a fair idea who it was :p
 
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