Advice for selling used dressage saddle with wrinkled leather seat?

[Lolly]

I would like to sell an old Trilogy Verago with a wrinkled seat (leather has stretched, probably because of not-very-diligent care on my part). Wrinkles are quite visible and the saddle leather has other cosmetic issues, so it is priced accordingly. The saddle has been out on consignment for 6 months and the consignment shop just contacted me to take the saddle back. There has been no interest, which they attribute to the wrinkles in the seat and the questions about the tree that naturally follow.

The tree in this saddle was replaced in 2012 by a reputable saddlery. The new tree came from Performance Saddlery with a 5 year warranty (just expiring in 2017). The tree does not flex excessively and the saddle received regular inspections and reflocking from my saddle fitter until I stopped riding in it last year. I have no reason to think the tree is broken.

In order to sell this saddle, do I need to find a saddle fitter to open the saddle and certify that the tree is not broken? Would anyone even do that? Do I try to sell it online “as is?” Is a wrinkled seat a deal breaker, no matter how low the price?

Your experience and suggestions are apprectiated. Thanks!

[js]

If you are going to have the saddle opened up to inspect the tree, why not see if the seat leather can either be tightened or replaced. I know that will be investing money into a saddle that you might not get the cost back on but if it would help get it sold it might be worth it, provided the cost to you is affordable.

[Lolly]

Thank you, js. Of course I was hoping to not have to put more $ into this saddle, but I might need to do what you suggest. I’ve been told that it is quite expensive to stretch a seat, but I won’t know until I get a quote!

[flyracing]

You’ll probably have to get the seat fixed if that is the only reason it’s not selling. Should be under $500 (since I’ve have a calf skin seat replaced for $500). Or just drop the price. Either way, no easy solution. Sorry!

[soloudinhere]

I think it’s strange that some people think this about saddles.

If you look at used Custom saddles for sale (the brand Custom, not just custom made) tons of them have wrinkled seats. They seem to sell fine.

Maybe get some opinions from another consignor or see if your local trilogy rep will take it on consignment?

[Lolly]

Thank you, flyracing. I appreciate knowing how much it cost to replace the seat in your saddle. A little less than I was told ($700).

Soloudinhere, interesting about used Custom saddles! Will check with local consignors. I thought that a consignment shop with an online presence would be the best option, but a local shop where can potential buyers can be hands-on to check that the tree is solid might be best.

[MissAriel]

Are the buyers turned off by the wrinkles or by the replaced tree that they hear about after inquiring about the wrinkles?

I have also heard that some brands are more likely to have wrinkled seats, and it is simply cosmetic in most cases. That wouldn’t turn me off, if it was priced accordingly.

I don’t know enough about saddles to know anything about a tree that has been replaced, however. Unless the saddle was for sale through a reputable fitter, who assured me the tree was not only sound, but appropriate for the saddle and properly installed, I would hesitate to pursue it. This would be especially true if I was pursuing this particular model because I felt it would be a good fit for my horse - now I don’t know how this tree will impact fit.

[LilyandBaron]

I’ll be honest, as a recently prospective buyer (off market - found a saddle!), I saw saddles for sale with a wrinkle, and of course I want to get the best deal, so I made lower offers on those than on the same model without a wrinkle. There are a lot of saddles for sale, lots of venues. I’d check sold items on eBay (via an Advanced Search) to get an idea of market value on the saddle, and that might give you an idea if you run out of profit if you pay to stretch the seat.

[Libby2563]

[QUOTE=soloudinhere;9042174]
If you look at used Custom saddles for sale (the brand Custom, not just custom made) tons of them have wrinkled seats. They seem to sell fine.[/QUOTE]

That’s really interesting. I have a Custom and have been disgruntled to see the seat starting to wrinkle. It was hideously expensive and I don’t think that should happen after only a couple years. Especially when I have 16-year-old Passiers and Counties that could pass for new! I wonder what causes that–maybe the buffalo hide vs cowhide leather? Good to know that it’s not unusual and doesn’t seem to limit resale value.

[sheltona01]

It use to be that a wrinkled seat was a sign of a broken tree. That is no longer always the case. I always advise people to have a qualified person check the tree. Just because flexes fine, does not mean that there is not a problem. Unless you dropped the panel and really look at the tree, there is not way to tell for sure. Some types of breaks flex fine.

The reason if it happens if it is not broken tree is because saddles are being made differently now. Softer leather and more padding which stretches.

[Lolly]

Thanks to all who replied. The replacement tree is a Wide, but the saddle is stamped Extra-Wide. This was disclosed but may have put off buyers. The saddle was priced $500-700 below similar saddles because of its condition and the fact that the tree had been replaced, but I guess that wasn’t enough.

I may see if I can generate interest at a local consignment shop with the right price. If not, then I might need to surrender and pay to tighten the seat.

Or maybe just buy another horse that fits this saddle.

Thanks to all who replied. I really appreciate your advice and experience!

[islandhorsegirl]

I’ve heard that the wrinkles are due to a rider that really digs in and pushes with their seat. It’s typically not a structural flaw.

[MysticOakRanch]

[QUOTE=islandhorsegirl;9043187]
I’ve heard that the wrinkles are due to a rider that really digs in and pushes with their seat. It’s typically not a structural flaw.[/QUOTE]

I have two saddles, and one has a wrinkled seat, and one doesn’t. Both are on the same type of tree, but one is wider then the other. So that is a limited population, but indicates it may not be the rider digging with the seat. I think it is just a matter of the leather stretching. Both of mine are Customs.

[fizzyfuzzybuzzy]

I purchased a used Roosli with wrinkles in the seat from a local tack shop and never had an issue. I did get a wicked deal on it (the only way I could have afforded that quality saddle at the time) as most people were turned off by the wrinkles. Even the shop owner gave me scary warnings! But I flexed the tree and knew a broken tree would have had much more movement than it had. It ticked all the other boxes and I LOVED that saddle. Used it for years, then “sold” it (included in the sale) along with the horse it was purchased for/fitted to.