When is a dealer not a dealer?

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LucyLou63

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I have been looking at horses for sale ads, I am looking at a certain type and have been browsing for some time now, I have noticed that some of the pictures of the various horses look familiar, so I have started to Google the phone numbers and lo and behold horses that are advertised as private sales are coming up as dealers. Often after the number it will say P or T or Private Sale or Trade.

I am not saying someone that sells the odd few horses in a year, sometimes Googling the details takes you to a web site that looks very professional and will have a number of horses for sale. The ads I have noticed on sites such as Horse Quest, Horse Deals etc describe the horse as having been in the family some time, and it's a heart breaking sale etc etc.

I am sure you will say it's buyer beware and maybe I am now finding out how these people operate, but why don't they want buyers to know they are dealers, surely you'd find out when you get to see the horse?

I'd be interested to hear of any other experiences people have had looking at horse ads and how they are mis-represented! It's bit like the estate agent spiel as far as I can see, take everything with a huge pinch of salt. As a buyer I would be inclined to maybe look at a horse that's a genuine sale, a heartbreaking sale, been part of the family, only the best home wanted etc, but not if it's a dealer saying that!!!!! :confused:
 
I think legally (and just from memory) it's a certain amount of sales per year (3 I seem to have in my head?).

It makes the world of difference to me as
a) Someone lying through their teeth is not someone I'd ever go to for an honest buy. No problems with dealers, but if you're lying about it, why...?
b) You have far more legal recourse on any problems

Webble, in that case you'd advertise under dealer but say on behalf of ... unless money is changing hands with owner not dealer - which seems a bit of a long stretch. By all means say it's a loved pet - but say sold for on behalf.
 
A dealer is not a dealer when he is a genuine private seller.
One thing to watch is when they say 'Sold on behalf of' as if something goes wrong it is more difficult to have the same consumer rights than if they are a dealer.
However the good news is that even if it is a private sale one can still take the seller to court if the advert or what they stated was not truthfull.
It is always good practice to keep copies of the original adverts and date and time them keeping a record of which web site they were on.
Of course if things go wrong if the seller has no money or substance then it it impossible to get the money out of them.
Unfortunately there are many individuals out there portraying themselves as private sellers when in fact they are dealers (in some case low-level dealers) and by doing the checks that you are doing it will become apparent what they are up to.
Sadly so many people (dealers, agents and private sellers tell so many porky pies when selling horses that one realy does need to have one wits about one. Always take someone with you who listens to what is said.
There are of course many genuine sellers out their but the rouges ruin it for everyone else.
 
i used to buy & sell a few years ago so if you googled my email/mobile this would come up but i am trying to sell my two privately. one owned for 2 years & the other 7 months. so this could put people off of buying from me as ive advertised as private which i am so not sold a horse for 18 months + :-)
 
I once had a viewing for a supposed private sale and was tipped off from someone on another forum that said person was a dealer. Still went along anyway but horse wasn't for us, in fact the phrase 'he's never done that before' was used whilst i was riding him. Funny, you don't half get some hypocrites come on forums. ;)
 
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