What would YOU offer?

Lippyx

Lippyx

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OK... so... you go and view a horse, and say it ticks most or all the boxes that matter. Say horse is up for £2500. Would you or could you still make an offer? Would it be different if it was private or trade sale?

I have heard that at the moment, people are expecting nearly £500 to be knocked off a price, therefore advertise accordingly.

This is a "what if" senerio, before anyone gets too excited! I was just interested in what people thought.

Lx
 
Depending on the horse and circumstances I would probably offer £2000 expecting the owner to agree on £2200/£2250.
 
Depends how much you want it and how perfect it is for you.

If it was everything you wanted and more, then I wouldn't even offer...I'd put money down there and then.

If not...then I'd offer £2200 and see where it left me.
 
i'd always make an offer, the worst they can say is 'no' - don't ask don't get! think about what the horse is worth to YOU, if u really really like them and don't want to lose out, then be prepared to pay asking price. its a buyers market :D
 
I paid full on mine. She was over what I'd pay for any other horse her age and unbacked, no tack etc.

However the second I saw her my heart said she would be mine, I'd gone to buy her sister and didn't actually tell them I'd be getting the "totally innapropriate for what I'd wanted" horse instead. I only really knew when I walked into the bank and pulled the money out, my heart won the battle of the head and heart!

My budget had been for a more expensive, more experienced horse, so it wasn't going to break the bank and a horse is worth what the buyer is willing to offer. For her personality and our connection... she was worth it to me.

In 99% of cases, I'd offer what 3Beasties said

Pan
 
It would depend on what I thought the horse was worth mainly! If it was very reasonably priced already, then I wouldn't be cheeky about it, I might offer a couple of hundred less, but no more.

If it was very ambitiously priced, I'd offer a bit less than that, if I thought it was worth it. I would think that 20% below the asking price is about the lowest that you can offer without starting to be really cheeky, unless the horse is very overpriced to begin with.

But before making any offer, I would ask the owner if the price was open to offer or negotiable. If they said yes I would always make an offer, but if no, then you have to decide if you think the price is worth it.
 
Offers of 10% off the asking price are reasonable IMO, once you are getting to 20% off that's reaching the limit that I would be brave enough to ask for. If it really was what I wanted (and they wouldn't budge on the price) I would pay the full price rather than lose a good horse. £2.5k is not a huge price for a good horse.

If it was £2.5k with tack, I would ask what the price would be for the horse alone.
 
Unless you're in the trade, I don't understand why hobby buyers would walk away from a horse that was perfect for them because they couldn't get a rock bottom price. If its not what you want, walk away, regardless of how cheap you can get it for.

Friend recently haggled for a horse advertised at £2,500 for £500 because the owner was having an operation.

She observed the horse didn't look right with its hind leg movement at the viewing but bought anyway as it seemed such a good deal.
Few months later, livery fees, behaviour problems, back and vet checks, etc etc, seems horse is broken and she wants to send it back.

We also have a few freebie ex racers on the yard, all with foot/back/behavioural problems keeping them off work. Cheap horses are generally cheap for a reason.

Keeping a horse is a huge financial, emotional and time commitment. Putting money before quality is a false economy.
 
I think on a £2500 horse offering £2000 is ok, but expect to do a deal at £2200 - £2300.

I would normally make an offer, unless say the horse has already been reduced, or the owner says that they are not willing to negotiate.

Also consider whether tack is included, sometimes they may not knock money off but may throw in tack or offer the tack at preferential rates.

When I bought I negotiated £500 off the first horse but then she failed the vet. The one I bought I heard about via word of mouth and was given a price, she was advertised on H&H for more, but the owner agreed to do the lower price, this was very reasonable and so I didn't try to get her down further.
 
I'd always make an offer depending on what I thought the horse was worth and if I thought there were any issues.

Personally I'd much rather buy a new horse without tack because almost all the horses I've seen friends buy with tack have needed new anyway because their stuff didn't fit. I really don't see the point in buying tack that isn't going to be any use to you.
 
It would depend on the sellers circumstances, if they had to sell I'd offer a low amount and work my way up if refused.

If the seller had their own land and wasn't paying livery the longer they kept it and didn't have to sell cheap I'd offer 10% lower.
 
General advice I was always given was 10 - 20% was reasonable :) unless horse had obviously been advertised as 'fixed price' or 'no offers'

I'd offer 2k, but fully expect to have to pay the full price. You never know though :D
 
bikerchickone said:
I'd always make an offer depending on what I thought the horse was worth and if I thought there were any issues.

Personally I'd much rather buy a new horse without tack because almost all the horses I've seen friends buy with tack have needed new anyway because their stuff didn't fit. I really don't see the point in buying tack that isn't going to be any use to you.
Click to expand...

Well obviously there is no point suggesting including the tack as a bargaining tool if the tack is rubbish or doesn't fit. In those circumstances I'd be asking if they would accept less if they don't include the tack.

Mine came with a recently fitted, leather saddle from a respectable manufacturer. Over a year later I'm still using it, albeit with occasional adjustments to account for growing/condition. Would have cost me more to take the horse without the tack and buy the saddle.
 
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