$500 just to look? WTF?

[A_P]

The following is from the webpage for a seller of ‘sport horses and ponies’.
If I am reading this correctly, you have t shell out $500 to actually look a any horse in person even if you don’t buy it? WTF???

“Our main level of pricing is for Internet Sales. The majority of our horses are sold through this type of sale and, in fact, this is what we prefer. If you’d like an Internet price quote for a specific horse, please send us an e-mail and request one. If you select to purchase through an Internet sale, a visit to our farm to “select” a horse is not included in the transaction. An Internet sale is exactly what the name says…sale of a horse over the internet, relying on pictures and an exchange of information. Our other pricing mechanism is for Farm Sales. Prices for Farm Sales are reflected on our Sales and Price lists.
A Farm Sale allows our customers to come to our farm, view or try several horses, and then make their seletion. Since we have horses in several locations, Farm Sales require that we transport horses to our main farm for viewing. They also require us to have a rider available to show whatever horses you select.
ALL Farm Sales require a $500 nonrefundable deposit that will be applied to the purchase price of the horse you select. The deposit must be made via wire transfer prior to your visit or by personal check received at least 10 days in advance and while nonrefundable, the deposit is fully applicable to the purchase of a horse for up to one year.:”

[justdandy]

:rolleyes: Uh huh! Rrrrrrriiiiiiggghhhhttttt.

[moonriverfarm]

Holey SHEET they think the’r horses are something, don’t they? I have never heard of such arrogance! And not to mention bad business practice! So are they wanting you to buy from a photo ad online ONLY? And if you come see the horse you are interestd in you must pay $500 for a test ride? NOBODYS horses are worth that hassle. There are too many out there for sale by reasonable normal people who will bend over backwards to make shopping a pleasant experience. That’s what it takes to build a reputation!
Please tell us where this site is!Or at least PM it to me…

[spookhorse]

My reply to this form of extortion: BITE ME.

What if you come to the farm to look, pay the NONREFUNDABLE deposit, and dcide that none of their horses are for you? I mean, you may not click with any of them!

Total BS, IMO.

[Sneekers]

I’d be looking elsewhere.

No offense to those of you in the breeding/sales business, but this just sounds like the sellers can’t be bothered with the “inconvenience” of actually having to sell a horse in person, and they’re going to charge potential buyers who actually think they might want to buy a horse from them and actually see the “real, live horse” an “inconvenience fee”. It takes far less effort to take a few pix and post them on the internet, than to actually sell a horse.

I’m guessing that these aren’t cheap horses. As I said, I’d pass.

[Wanderluster]

That sounds brilliant, you would eliminate all the tire kickers. It would cover the costs of transporting horses into a location to be shown and pay for the pro who rides them. It sounds pretty straight forward to me though I wonder what would happen if a horse that was selected had an unfavorable PP. It is an interesting idea and if their stock is flying off the shelves so to speak, I suppose they can have any policy they like.

[arabhorse2]

HAHAHAHA! No really, that can’t possibly be real, right? :eek:

Either they’re exceptionally stupid and arrogant, or it’s a scam website. I’m leaning toward scam, since no one in their right mind (or left) would pay a non-refundable $500.00 just to see a horse.

[ljshorses]

Unbelievable!!! We have sold our share of horses through the internet, but I care deeply about my horses and want to meet their prospective buyers. In fact, if I don’t think it’s a good match I will say so even if I loose a sale. The horse and owner need to make a connection. I recently sold a yearling via internet, pictures, DVDs etc… the buyer was very far away. By the time the transaction went through I felt I really knew this person even though I never met them in person. To me it doesn’t matter how you sell, but you should make sure the home is the right one. Charging extra fees is a total put off, and tells me these people don’t care about their horses, they only care about the money!

[summerhorse]

I’m guessing not many get sold! At least to someone who wants to ride them themselves! If I’m buying a horse “I” want to ride it and I can go to the farm where it is located thank you very much, so can the owner, how FAR can it be? And who cares anyway? If that is where they keep them that is where I’ll go see it.

Anyone who thinks anyone with a lick of sense will pay $500 to SEE your horse and watch someone ride it is most definitely a dreamer.

[justdandy]

@Wanderluster

That sounds brilliant, you would eliminate all the tire kickers. It would cover the costs of transporting horses into a location to be shown and pay for the pro who rides them. It sounds pretty straight forward to me though I wonder what would happen if a horse that was selected had an unfavorable PP. It is an interesting idea and if their stock is flying off the shelves so to speak, I suppose they can have any policy they like.

Yeah…and what would it cost to have a vet come in to do a PPE on a horse you’re interested in?!? I can only imagine the fee they’ll charge for that!!! Oh wait…let me guess…you have to use their vet.:rolleyes:

[Zipsmom]

Dying to see the website! Links! Links!

[moonriverfarm]

Wanderluster, do you know these people? I can’t imagine your point of view unless they are your friends. I don’t know a single BNT who’d ask for up-front money to show one of their horses to a prospective buyer!

[IronwoodFarm]

This is brilliant and I am going to adopt it immediately. However, I will have a graduated fee. A $50 deposit to just set foot on my property and look at the horse, $75 to touch the horse, $150 to see the horse ridden, $250 for you to ride the horse. Now a PPE (who wants to BOTHER with that little annoyance) – okay, that’s worth $500. :lol:

[Linny]

OP, could you post a link. Obviously if this policy is stated on their website, it is not intended to be top secret info. I’m curious what broker is using this method.

It would seem to me that if you are selling something, the costs of marketing it are something you must bear. Passing such business costs along in so flagrant a manner (even to charge non buyers!) seems like poor business practice. IMO, if you are selling anything, there are costs and you should set prices accordingly.

[Plumcreek]

Guessing they haven’t been in the business of selling horses for very long. It would be interesting to see what their policies are like two years from now.

[Critters_Everywhere]

:lol: This has GOT to be off of one of those goofy sim sites, right? Too funny!

And I, too, want to see the site it came from! I can’t wait to see what type of horses command sulch a policy. Oh, wait! I know what it is! It’s a magikyl gypsy site! :lol: :lol:

[moonriverfarm]

Here is the link, folks. I can hardly believe how arrogant and rude these people are!!!
http://www.virginiasporthorses.com/product_info.php/cPath/55/products_id/292?osCsid=8a6819d75f6e6ebfd51db7539f15bdd8

[Alagirl]

Since they want a wire transfer, A cashier’s check for 1000$ would be out of the question?

[A_P]

Here ya go

www.virginiasporthorses.com

I don;t think it is a ‘scam’. They claim they have sold “hundreds” of horses. My guess is alot of these are coming from PMU farms in Canada.

I have no problem having to put up some $$, but non-refundable?

I question the ethics of this: anyone selleing horses should, for the good of all concerned, try to make the best possible match between horse and buyer. How can you do this if you actively discourage people from meeting and riding the prospects?

[moonriverfarm]

I’m wondering about the horses “in Canada”…could they be coming from a PMU farm or auction??? Methinks possibly…most are babies, all draft crosses…and with an added $550 for shipping. I smell something.