(sigh) HATE selling ... really hate dealing w/buyers

[Candi]

Wow. While we don't always find the "perfect" buyers - all I generally care about is they take care of the horses.

We have this nice little yearling colt.

Purchased him/dam last year hoping he would foal-out a "she"... didn't happen.

Just had this NIGHTMARE of a potential local buyer - of course in a hurry around Christmas time! Ignorant, slow, more ignorant - and then top-it-all-off snobby?!

Doesn't understand a responsible stable "quarantining" or giving shots - etc... Thought it "weird" and a "red flag" when we offered to haul the colt to our show barn's indoor arena so they could get-to-know him in the heated arena- and not out in the cold/wet/slippery snow.

We'd wrote them off thinking they were just typical back-yard folks new to horses... NOPE - turns out the ignoramouses are Parelli TRAINERS and Natural Barefoot trimmers - for a living!

Ugh. It's one thing selling a horse to newbies and trying to be nice and compassionate while teaching and introducing them to the horse world- but it's a whole OTHER BEAST to have to deal w/idiot "horse folks" that supposedly make a living TEACHING OTHERS about horses, care, training ,etc. Sad Sad thing.

(breathe... rant over)

 

[Genie]

There are a lot of "experts" out there

 

[lucky seven]

There are a lot of "experts" out there

 

[Katiean]

Definition of expert; EX-Spert / A drip that was once under pressure. I have found that is what a lot of so called experienced horse people are. They in reality do not know a boot from a pitchfork. I wouldn't even want them to pick my stalls.

 

[Candi]

Definition of expert; EX-Spert / A drip that was once under pressure. I have found that is what a lot of so called experienced horse people are. They in reality do not know a boot from a pitchfork. I wouldn't even want them to pick my stalls.

LOL

Now we run a show barn (2 technically) and we have caretakers on staff, etc, but I don't "need" a home like that for most of our horses. Good feed, water, fencing, farrier care - and USING. If I wanted them rotting in someone's back yard -they could stay here! LOL!

That said- when someone puts themselves into the "same "professionally" category as us - I EXPECT them to know their stuff. Not come-off as ignorant as newbies, but as arrogant as Clinton Anderson

 

[rubyviewminis]

Clinton Anderson is NOT arrogant.!

 

[Michelle@wescofarms]

Sorry you're having these issues. Having sold horses to both new to the breed and 'experienced' horse people - I've had the same results and ended up with nine repo's this year. The new to horses at least it was a truly ignorant overfeeding/foundering issue. The experienced (35+ years with horses) were the rack of bones, untrimmed, foundered, thrush and just overall what!!!

 

[Candi]

Clinton Anderson is NOT arrogant.!

LOl no offense intended - I'm a Clint NH trainer But, we've hosted him 2 years for his advanced clinics - and while I ADORE him for his sexy accent, cute looks, and sure his great training - he's an arrogant buggar. He stayed at our place one of the times (other in B&B).... while I'm not saying that arrogant is a horrible trait (I've been called that once or twice)

 

[Riverrose28]

Experience is the best teacher when it comes to dealing with so called buyers. I had a lady come up to us at a show and said she was from our area and wanted to get into showing minis, but she didn't have much money to spend. She came to the farm and I showed her all the horses. I told her I would sell her a promising weanling filly if she promised to show her. I basicaly lost money on the sale. Well this woman calls me three years later to tell me she just now whats to transfer the papers and wants to know who to contact. I gave her the info, but still haven't seen the mare at any shows. I learned a leason, not to listen to any sad stories and let people take advantage of me. Just last year I had a so called trainer come up and we were talking and she says she has a really bad colt in her barn. She went on tell me he was 5 and every time she went to clean his feet he tried to pull away and sometimes kick out. I said I was sorry to hear he was that old and not worked with. She said he was 5 but then told me he was 5 months not 5 years. I told her to start at his hip and rub down his leg to his hoof, and give that a try. Could you imagine having somone walk up and grab your leg, you would be acting up too. I think she had a light bulb moment.

 

[HGFarm]

I agree, just because they deal with horses, doesnt mean they are true 'horsemen' in any sense of the word!!

I have seen people who claim to be farriers who barely knew how to nail a shoe on the right direction and omg, I wont even get into the trimming and out of balance feet I saw.

And I have seen people that have owned horses for years and years and have never gotten past the absolute novice stage- some just dont get it.

The right folks will come along and give your little guy a tremendous home- yep, in the meantime you will have to deal with all the others looking.

 

[Genie]

Definition of expert; EX-Spert / A drip that was once under pressure. I have found that is what a lot of so called experienced horse people are. They in reality do not know a boot from a pitchfork. I wouldn't even want them to pick my stalls.

My definition of "EX PERT"

"Ex" is a "has been" and "SPERT" is "a drip under pressure"

 

[Riverdance]

Buyers are the worst, sometimes.

I raise Tibetan Terriers as well as Minis and have to deal with twice the buyers. I get those who ask for pictures, so you go out and take them, send them and never hear from them again. Or I get them picking a puppy, which I put on hold, then never hear from them. I have learned to put them on hold for only 3 days, enough time for the deposit to get here. I have also made the deposit high enough so that if they change their mind, I have $500 I can keep for the hassle. Just had that happen on puppy I had held for 3 weeks (the prettiest one in the litter too.) I could have sold him several times over for those 3 weeks. By the time they decided they did not want him, it was too late to sell him as a Christmas puppy.

Just last week, I sold a horse. The people came out to look at the horses, went home to talk about it, then called me to tell me which one they wanted. (I had one I was selling for only $200). I told them to send the money, since I was taking him of the market. 3 days went by, no check. I got a call from someone else who wanted that horse, so I called the original buyers to make sure they definitely wanted him. They said yes, did I not get the check. Since it was coming just an hour away, I was getting suspicious. Then for two days I got calls from them to see if I got the check. Of course I hadn't (the check is in the mail). They were supposed to pick him up that Saturday. Did not hear from them Friday. Saturday I left 2 messages and when they did not call back, I called the other person who had wanted him. Fortunately, they still did, so they came out the next day and bought him.

I so wanted to call the other guy who would have cost me a sale and tell him the horse was sold. He could have cost me a sale.

What is wrong with people?

 

[~Lisa~]

LOl no offense intended - I'm a Clint NH trainer But, we've hosted him 2 years for his advanced clinics - and while I ADORE him for his sexy accent, cute looks, and sure his great training - he's an arrogant buggar. He stayed at our place one of the times (other in B&B).... while I'm not saying that arrogant is a horrible trait (I've been called that once or twice)

Wow Candi I did not realize you hosted such clinics. Please make sure and post when you do these things

I sent your information on your judges cards to a few people around here as well

 

[Genie]

We raise papillons and border collies as well as our miniature horses.

I had a female papillon who was sought after by a vet tech, and another couple who had recently lost their pap.

They were both very interested and I was only waiting for a deposit to remove my ad.

A third couple called and said they would take her right away. I checked, no deposit from the other interested buyers.

We delivered the puppy and on our return home an e-mail arrived saying the deposit would be there on Monday.(this was Saturday).

I said , "sorry the puppy is now sold" ............... reply was "well that's dissappointing, I have already purchased puppy toys and everything"

I guess everyone learned a lesson.....if you are serious ......make a deposit..... and until there is one, everything is STILL FOR SALE

 

[Marty]

I've learned so much in this miniature business that its made my head spin like that gal in the Exorcist.

I thought I was going to keep every foal I raised at first, and then everything changed. For selling I bide my time, check people out and then wait and wait and wait, pick and choose, and hit the delete button on the whackos and the mini mills. I do not want any of mine to end up "just another horse" out there in the midst of super large herds with no daily interaction. Eventually the good ones find me. I do not shun serious newbies, I work with them.

 

[Songcatcher]

I LOVE dealing with buyers! Send them my way!

I'm sure each of you were buyers at one time. Sure there are problems that arise, but that goes with the business.

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

We've had that SO many times! We sold a filly in May, finally got the deposit in AUGUST, they said they'd pick her up after Nationals. It's December, guess who is still here? She is back on the salespage. Fortunately they do NOT leave without being paid in full.

We also had a gelding for sale, little girl came out, loved him, mom loved him. Told her we can't hold without a deposit. She said OK, I'll bring it. Didn't. Called again, told her AGAIN we cannot hold without a deposit. Said Friday I'll have it. Saturday someone else wanted him, had a deposit. We sold him. First lady called several days later. Too bad, so sad. He was supposed to be her daughter's Christmas pony. Originally she had wanted to pay in full.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I am on the fence on this one. During the summer I rehome kittens, nothing fancy but they are well socialised, clean, house trained and wormed. I get a lot of joy out of it, and that bedroom wasn't doing anything and is now full of expensive cat toys (that I was given.)

People are the strangest things, it seems, I get people haranguing me on the phone for asking money for them. I have been accused of cheating people. I charge around $60.00 a kitten, which may seem like a lot, but, honestly, if you cannot/will not afford to pay good money for a living thing, what sort of care will you give it?

I have had snooty people poke the kitten as if they were at a rummage sale, I have a child bring me a bag of ten penny pieces she had saved to buy her kitten (parents were with her and were underwriting all her vets bills!) I took her bag of money and slipped it back into the pack of food and things that goes with every kitten, Oh that every potential owner was a nine year old child with a heart full of love!

At the end of the day, you do not have to sell to anyone, and, over the years, I have learned to say "No", as politely as I can. This always causes offence, however nicely you word it, so I wear a thick jacket and hunch my shoulders and go for it!

There is no rhyme or reason to a potential buyer, we are all strangers to start with and we are as diverse as the human race. There are really, really good, poor people, who you know will go without something to make sure an animal gets vet care, there are poor people who believe the world owes them a living.

Some rich people are really very nice!!

But, at the end of the day, it is up to the seller to say "Yes" or "No", it is their animal right up to the point where the money is handed over, and there is no obligation to sell.

Buyers just need to be gently reminded of this, sometimes. I will not hang on for a buyer, now.

I tell the buyer there is a deadline, and that Saturday evening for a phone call means just that, it does not mean "call at 11.30 Monday night,and tell me if you will deign to buy my humble horse"

Because, whether or not I have sold it, at 11.30 pm Monday night it will no longer be available to that buyer.

That is my prerogative, and it is very sleek and well exercised

 

[WhiteTailsMinis]

I LOVE dealing with buyers! Send them my way!

I'm sure each of you were buyers at one time. Sure there are problems that arise, but that goes with the business.

Here too - I'll take the overflow Songcatcher! LOL We've had similar things happen here - but as you said - its the business with anything you sell. I've also seen ads that say "no tire kickers" but its no different than shopping for a new car or a new dress for that special function. You have to compare and in order to compare you have to ask questions, see photos, etc to decide. I don't mind doing this for others and those I've asked from don't seem to mind either. When buying over the internet sight unseen, its difficult for anyone to make a decision considering the amount of money at hand - not just for the horse but the shipping also.

As a seller, I ask potential buyers to let me know either way - no hard feelings but please offer me the courtesy if they change their mind. Be nice always because not only will they likely return again later, but they will definitely be talking to others about their experience with you - all about reputation.

As a buyer, I do try to go back and let them know I've purchased elsewhere or that we haven't purchased at all and are still looking and comparing and considering theirs. I just did that a week ago with three or four farms when we finally decided on the new stallion. And when shopping again, we will definitely return to these same farms to look again because they were all very nice and understanding.

With that said, if I missed anyone in my courtesy email .... my apologies - but try not to leave folks hanging because its no fun when I'm on the other end of it myself.

I have a colt marked sale pending now that has to be removed and market again. Been holding 3 weeks, checked in with them just before Christmas and all was a go - excited, busy with holidays, still interested, etc. Yesterday I get an email that it's not going to happen afterall. Admittedly I marked him sale pending prematurely but the phone calls and emails were constant multiple times per day - such excitement from them - big plans from them - very convincing so I took a chance. Lesson learned but then nobody was beating down the door asking if the pending sale fell through, they would like to have him. LOL I sincerely wished the people well and hope that they return to us again for their most important purchase. It does not sour me on future potential buyers as it is the business with anything you sell and anytime you deal with the public.

 

[Candi]

Wow Candi I did not realize you hosted such clinics. Please make sure and post when you do these things

I sent your information on your judges cards to a few people around here as well

Where we're at now we don't - not the size for it But, TBO, hosting clinicians of that "size" (yes, meant size, their entourage alone is huge) is an even bigger PITA

We are looking to possibly bring in a fantastic mini/pony trainer to our area (someone NOT from the INW).

We also hosted several other NH and dressage trainers throughout the years- I *think* the headaches/gray hairs are worth what we learned