Why am I so inept ...

T

tigers_eye

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... at selling? I just seem to be rubbish at it: didn't sell Liberty back in May, had just one person view him; can't get anyone to come and look at Betsy - those who have scheduled to come and see her have all then cancelled as have found something they want before getting me; going to try and sell F to his long term loanee when she rings me back for £1 and I probably won't be able to manage that either! I think I'm just too bloody honest! Any words of wisdom out there???!
 
I'd seriously have Betsy if I wasn't at uni I thought she would be sold already! What have you said which could be too honest and put someone off?
 
i really dont know what to say, its very difficult....can i see the ad or something just to spot anythng blatently wrong? i dont know what else to suggest:(

being too honest i know put some people off...told people 3 teeny weeny things wrong with my mare...a splint and a couple of other small things that are not and will not be a problem and a vet would back them up-common problems..and i know for a fact it pout people off...even though they really shouldnt have.
 
I let CCj do it now, as I too err on the side of tell every single bad thing I can think of!
I would rather they know the bad things before buying, as they always appear at home once they move anyway.
Make sure your advert is spot on. My last one for youngstock on horsemart got over 50 enquiries as did the pony we sold. You have to make them sound something they want.
Then when they get here, tape your mouth up with duct tape..
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That she's a fidget (can jog, nnot great at standing still), but not at all nasty (doesn't buck or rear). And some people have been put off by me bringing her on to sell in a short time frame.
 
I'd mention the jogging when they actually came to see her, they can then see how much she does it.

I can see how the short time frame may put people off but you've tried her in a range of situations so someone seriously looking shouldn't be that put off by it.

Time of year probably doesn't help either.
 
I had the same problem, I would tell the person absolutely everything when I was selling my old eventer. The only reason I was selling him was his dressage was so poor and there was nothing anyone could do to make him like it!! So after finding myself in last place or there abouts after that phase, it was always so disheartening because I knew the jumping was so good, but you try selling something genuine at the jumping but quirky at the flat, it's very hard. It took me 6 months to actually sell him, but the girl who has him knows she has got EXACTLY what I told her.

It's such a difficult one.
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So you reckon I should say "She's forward-thinking, but never nasty", or something to that effect? I won't need to mention it once they're there - she does it worst when you've just got on!
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No, dont include the N word!!
Dont say anything negative at all. If people ask a direct question then you answer it honestly but otherwise, so long as you consider it safe, let them feel it for themselves
 
Take out the late broken bit, if they ask they ask, but reading the rest of the advert it wouldnt occur to me! It sounds neg straight away. And just put forward going. I know SO many horses that jog, and if any f them were up for sale it wouldnt be mentioned...it's one of those things that isnt an issue until you mention it? Good luck
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I have the same issue, I am so negative about the horses, pick out everything they do wrong! Have been in conversation with a lady about our youngster (random email out of the blue) and I think I spent two emails telling her what he did/didn't do and his entire life history!
 
I would alter the price to £4995 because that looks more negotiable even if you are not. Also it will appear in more searches on the Internet.

Never mention anything negative turn them into positives. For instance jogging can be a fun forward thinking ride. Also if she is switched on she will be light off the leg.

My next tip is if people want to see her say let me check the diary as I have someone booked for such and such that way it looks like she is in demand. See how serious they are and say I can squeeze you in before? That way they will be less inclined to cancel. People are always keener if something is in demand. Say you have had a lot of interest particularly off the PC website as that proves she is a good teenagers horse.
 
Take out the bit about a 'teenagers ride' ! Makes her sound very average and untalented. And that she can only jump about 3 ft max. People want to feel like that they are buying something that will go far and beyond! I think any competitive teenager would be put off by that.
Also take out 'broken late' just sounds dodgy.
 
I agree - take out the bit about being broken late - it would make me think there was some sort of problem with her. Low mileage at 14 might be important, but not at her age.

She's the sort of thing I might look at for my daughter's next horse, but I would ahve wanted her to have done an Intro rather than just go on your reckoning thta she would easily do it. That might put a bit of money on, but I may well be willing to pay it.
 
Agree take out the broken late bit, and the teenagers horse thing, just describe her as is and give an account of what she has done (even if it is only a bit). I dont think she is overpriced or underpriced, the only thing I can think is that at 15.3hh people might think she is too small
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most folk seem intent on having 16.2hh+
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Also dont mention the jogging or fidgeting, if they are competant enough to come and try her then I would assume they would be able to cope with or correct that! And if you still cant sell her, my offer of £20 2 tb's and 3 dogs stands
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Agree completely about broken late ( I top reading any advert at that point) and the teenager bit.
I would also cahnge the wording of 'jumping BN / Disco SWEETLY'. Just doesn't imply any real future potential. Words such as 'confidently', 'easily' might be a better choice.

BTW, I'm quite happy to loan her for 3 months then buy her for £1
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Right, will see which ads I can edit. She's also on Horsequest and Horsemart. Thanks very much all for your input. Would happily take her round an intro now if there were any on but that's a bit tricky atm!!
 
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