Would you open a PayPal case on this saddle...

[fredflop]

Bought a saddle a few weeks ago, saddler has looked at it today. The flocking isn’t great and will need a full restuff in a couple of months time.

I paid more or less the correct “going rate” for the saddle, and didn’t ask about the condition of the flocking

 

[Roxylola]

Do you want to keep the saddle? The seller likely never thought to check it or anything either. Personally if it's a private sale and I was otherwise happy I'd just consider it lesson learned. That said I am assuming it's a decent price tag - for a £50 saddle I wouldnt keep it to reflock

 

[milliepops]

No I dont think so, if it wasnt missold as being newly flocked , and since you didn't ask.

 

[ester]

No I wouldn't I reflocked the one I bought second hand and sort of expected it might need doing. It wasn't dire but was better to have a fresh start than just pushing bits in to fine tune fit.

 

[honetpot]

Its second hand, its a bit like buying leather shoes after they have been worn they stretch to fit the previous wearer. Even a new saddle may need the flocking adjusted to fit.

 

[Polos Mum]

A reflock isn't a massive expense, so I'd just consider that part of my saddler getting it to fit right.
Lots of hassle for £30-40 ish

 

[TPO]

When buying second hand you should expect to reflock regardless. Flocking moulds to the horse it was used on and every horse is different so ideally it should be reflocked unless it jasnt had enough use to "bed in" (under 3mths by my guesstimation)

 

[Mrs. Glittery Jingle Balls]

If I bought secondhand and unseen I would be delighted if it transpired the only issue was it needed a re flock - most second hand ones would need to be to fit the horse that it is going to be used on, and some new ones too. I am somewhat surprised that your saddler didn't clarify this point, but perhaps they are miffed you didn't buy from them?

To answer you actual question - no I would not bring a case and I dont think you would have a hope in hell of succeeding anyway - the seller could very quickly get evidence form reputable saddlers to back up the fact that it is quite normal for secondhand saddles to need re flocking from time to time.

 

[Pinkvboots]

No I would expect to have it flocked anyway, maybe the seller could have disclosed it needed a good 're flock but I think some people wouldn't even realise the fact by the state of some saddles I have seen.

 

[fredflop]

When buying second hand you should expect to reflock regardless. Flocking moulds to the horse it was used on and every horse is different so ideally it should be reflocked unless it jasnt had enough use to "bed in" (under 3mths by my guesstimation)

I would expect any saddle bought second hand to need some adjustments for new horse.

I’m talking about a full reflock

 

[Goldenstar]

No I would not open a case .

 

[Red-1]

If buying a second hand saddle I would have factored in the price of a reflock anyway. No, I would not open a case. Especially as you didn't notice anything wrong with the saddle yourself.

 

[ester]

I think everyone is talking about a full reflock.

 

[View]

No, I would have expected to pay for a full reflock anyway.

 

[CanteringCarrot]

There is no legitimate reason to open a case. If I were the seller I'd be a bit ticked. You didn't ask about the flocking, it's safe to assume something used may need reflocking, and that's the "risk" you take and accept buying used.

 

[indie1282]

If I was selling a saddle second hand I wouldn't even think about reflocking it.

In fact I have sold saddles and never reflocked them, and they had been sat in the tackroom for years.

 

[Merlod]

You didn't know until your saddler checked, how would you expect the seller to know the state of the flocking? The only exception would be if it was sold to you as "recently reflocked" or "recently checked by master saddler".

 

[ownedbyaconnie]

Agree with others, if you had asked has it been recently reflocked and they had said yes, then yes it was mis sold. But otherwise it is a case of buyer beware.

 

[TPO]

I would expect any saddle bought second hand to need some adjustments for new horse.

I’m talking about a full reflock

Me too

 

[Hazkirbo]

My saddler actually told me not to bother with a reflock when selling a second hand saddle, so i never bother. Also would expect to get a second hand and need to reflock x

 

[cremedemonthe]

It it's a reflock as in saddler terms which is different from a flock up, then some saddles need this every so often as the flock gets very compacted over time causing trouble. It can get so bad that the panels block to the shape of the impacted flock so if there are any lumps in the flock it reflects on the panel and even if you reflock (everything out and all new in) then you'll still have the shape of the lumps in the hide panel when all new flock is put in as the leather/hide would have blocked (stretched/moulded) to that shape.
I've seen stubben saddles with this problem, the hide they use for the panel is very firm (on older ones) I reflocked one back up in Surrey (Wimbledon) and as hard as I tried the panel had the same lumps and bump shapes after all new flock was put in as it had had when I took the old rock hard, dusty, dry flock out. It is a good idea for saddles to be reflocked as and when they need it to stop this before it happens.
A good saddler inspection will determine as to whether or not it needs it, your saddler has picked up on this so go with their advice and get it done, you'll be pleased that you did.

Regarding the paypal case, no I wouldn't say you have a case. I would liken it to buying a second hand car from someone who knows nothing about cars and there's a few things that need looking at on it when you get it , like a new tyre as the old one is worn and maybe new brake pads, basic maintenance which is what your saddle requires.
Previous owner unless Saddler trained probably wouldn't have had a clue about the flocking or the state it was in, same as the car seller in example above.
Chalk it up to experience, get your saddle reflocked and then flocked up to fit your horse and enjoy riding in it as unless you look at every saddle or show a saddler before you buy it you are not going to know if there's anything wrong with it, sold as seen as they say.
Edited to add, when I was on site at yards, repairing saddlery or fitting saddles etc I would offer free inspections to all saddlery (bridles, saddles, rugs etc) to see if there was anything wrong with it , people often gave me saddles to look at that they were thinking of buying off a fellow livery and I found a fair few faults some major, some minor but it helped a lot of people decide as to whether to buy that item or not.
It's a shame people don't use saddlers more often to do this, we're here to help!
Oz (Saddler)

 

[stormox]

No I definately wouldnt think you had a case. I would expect to have a reflock on a 2nd had saddle.