Update: someone told Aiken Tack Exchange about this thread (hi guys!) - and they called me about it. They asked me to amend the post which I told them I’m gonna hold off on until everything has been resolved.
According to Aiken the check has been “in the mail” for the last ten days. I’ll update you if it ever gets here!
Amazing how some negative publicity gets things moving along. Hope you get your check soon.
I’ve only consigned a saddle once (not with Aiken Tack Exchange) and it took 7(?) months to sell, but they sent a check.
You are paying a commission and they owe you a service. You shouldn’t have to remind them to fulfill their end of the bargain.
You’ll know if “it’s been in the mail 10 days” by checking the postmark date on the envelope if/when you get your check!
This thread makes me grateful for my local consignment store (Horseman’s Exchange in MA). You bring in an item, when it sells they mail you the check. Lovely ladies and so uncomplicated.
I cannot imagine having to ask a consignment store for my money. I hope you get your check soon.
ETA - I see quietann mentioned HME Great little store. I have gotten some amazing deals there including a dirt cheap Antares bridle, Mattes pads, and some nice blankets - all for about a quarter of what they cost new. They have a pretty good selection but it seems seasonal; they’re close to several big dressage and HJ barns so the items tend to be higher end. Still a lovely store and I usually try to pop in once a month on a Sunday. I’ve gotten some really good deals there and my horse is outfitted with some seriously bougie stuff thanks to their good deals.
Do they have a website? 
They do - but I’m not sure if all inventory goes on it. I have seen the workers taking photos of items when I go in, so maybe it’s posted somewhere I’m not aware of.
I haven’t been to HME for a while. Thanks for reminding me! I don’t really have the $$$ right now, or the need, but it’s a fun store.
The best purchase I ever made there was a wool cooler sized for a smaller horse. I’ve had it for about 10 years; it’s a little short in length for Feronia and just about the right size for Lola. I think it cost $30.
I have sold 3 saddles with Aiken. All 3 were quick to sell and quick to get paid. One of those sat for 11 months at Pelham. Aiken sold it for a great price in less than 45 days.
I just sent one to them last week. It sat at Liberty for 10 months with no sale and I had to pay a $75 restocking fee.
Highline was fantastic to work with when I consigned my dressage saddle with them last year-- and I know my experience is not an isolated one (many people here have used them). Susy was always super prompt and transparent with communication, payment and terms. To top it off, they managed to sell the saddle and pay me in the middle of moving store locations. It was my first consigning experience and I would use them again in a heartbeat.
Ok the ~final~ update:
To my surprise I got the check from Aiken on Saturday (just a little overwhelmed IRL to update). I was originally told it was mailed morning of Mar 8 and it was in fact post marked Mar 9 so it was actually in the mail for a little over 2 weeks!!
Arielle (the owner) reached out to me this morning to rectify the situation and IMO has been extremely generous to try and resolve everything. I have 3 more saddles to sell (ugh) and am even considering having them consign one of them just to try again. I do appreciate how large ATE is which is in fact a huge plus for trying to move these dang saddles.
I’m still a little put off and confused by some of the experience and several different people working there (not sure who) reaching out with different explanations, questions, and attempts to guilt me into changing this post. To clarify Arielle’s offer and when she reached out to me this morning did not even mention this post so I’m updating completely based on my own experience.
Glad things worked out well in the end…
Does the owner know that someone who works there try to make you take your thread down?
I’m trying to clarify that right now
Why take the thread down? You didn’t do anything wrong, just chronicled your bad experience - as well as updated us with a positive (albeit it long and protracted) resolution. Now if you only listed the bad and excluded the good, that would be another story. I’m sorry, but personally I wouldn’t work with ATE again as their business model doesn’t take the saddle seller into consideration like other consignment shops. If their sale process for consignment saddles hasn’t changed, I’d hate to have to watch my saddle online and then repeatedly call or verge on legal action to get my money!
No she did not! She said she didn’t even know that someone contacted me about this thread at all
Their customer service sounds rather top notch. I did finally make the short trek to Aiken and after speaking with a manager, I dropped off quite a few items. Saw some of my things out of stock online last week and already called to find out if they sold and my balance. May even bring my saddles after seeing this update.
I’m still lost on what the hold up was, what was their response when you presented your signed contract?
Tack Consignment in my area is store credit only.
No thanks.
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