Why is buying from dealers so popular?

Red-1 said:
TBH, when I've bought from a dealer, I have been prepared to pay over the odds. I appreciate that they have taken time to assess the horses, brush up some training, they have excellent trial facilities and a selection to choose from. For that, I have paid.
Click to expand...
This! I expect to pay more. The dealer who sold me Dolly has a fab eye for a horse and is 100% honest. She sources her own and also does sales livery. I know of a few people who tried to use her for sales livery and she has always insisted on meeting and sitting on the horse and won't represent any horse she feels is NQR or shows any challenging behaviours. She would not sell my old pony Max for me because she insisted here was somerthing not right even though a vet has declared him sound and said he'd pass him at a vetting. That vet actually said to me 'but I'd trust her judgement - her ability to feel what's going on is fab'. IHe turned oyt to have an SI injury. I happily pay for a good eye and that level of skill in testing a horse out.

I am sure some poeple use cheap dealers but the sums don't add up - how do they make money if they sell quality cheaply?
 
Yes, I absolutely get the usefulness of using the Internet to find ads etc. I use it myself to research eg pedigrees. BUT what I still dont understand is all this about reviews. What possible good does it do ones own search for a particular horse to hear people raving about their particular horse whether it is true or a pack of lies. Surely it is the actual horse itself you are going to judge its temperament ,looks how you feel riding etc. None of what someone else else says about anything seller included should take priority over the actual horse surely?
Whilst thinking about all this I decided to read reviews (which I don't normally do) about something mundane. It was apparent that a lot of the good reviewers had a major difference in life style to me which made them pretty much useless. Now this is just for a hoover, which is not going to change in its relationship with me no matter how I try.
Yes I have bought animals that were completely different to how I expected them to be. Whose fault was it? Mine. Some of them taught me lessons I will forever be grateful for,some of them improved my riding and handling skills for the next one.some of them sent my life in a completely unexpected direction. I wouldn't have been without a single one of them although at the time,.......I might not have said that!
Our choices are too often guided by what we want and not what we should have. (Me included in that as I am guilty of refusing to admit I cant do what I used to!!)
 
There were lots of dealers years ago. I have purchased many from them. They are often better to deal with than private owners, they generally can suit the times when you are able to visit. About 55 years ago I was a crash test jockey for ponies at a local dealers, a lot of work was put in by me and his daughters, to make useful childrens ponies.

Word of mouth is still a good way to find a good dealer. People will say things that they will not put in writing.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top