Looking for either a consignment place that moves saddles quickly, or used saddle buyer who will purchase outright (for the best price).
One highly reputable seller has made moderately offensively low offers on the two saddles I’ve offered. I realize the convenience of selling outright, but still seemed low.
Suggestions appreciated as I would like to move this saddle ASAP.
Highline Tack.
I forgot about them. I’ll reach out. Thanks!
There are a few fb groups that I’m a part of for selling saddles. I can’t promise they’ll sell fast - it really depends on what you’ve got, but the groups are large and have a lot of eyes on them.
Just search for English Tack Trader or H/J Tack Trader. I think there’s also a High End Saddles for Sale group and a smattering of brand specific ones too. Just search around and join the ones that seem most sensible to your situation.
I’m in several. It’s listed. I’m just impatient and looking for someone to buy it outright.
I think DoubleOak & Maryland Tack Exchange will also purchase outright.
Double Oak will not. I have an email out to MD. Thanks!
I’ve sold 3 saddles in the past year and honestly they mostly just don’t sell fast unless you are willing to cut someone a deal. 2 of 3 took over 6 months to sell. The last one sold within minutes as I got it for a steal so was willing to list it a bit lower than other similar models of the same brand (this was a French brand dressage saddle in an average size which I sold for $1000). I reached out to all of the standard consignment places and IMO it just doesn’t make much sense to sell through any of them with the high commission rates - I could cut someone a deal outright and still come out ahead.
I have bought from MD Tack Exchange, done trials with HighLine Tack, and bought or trialed (can’t remember) from Bonjour Tack - all three had stellar service.
Highly recommend Redwood Tack. I’ve sold two, and bought one from Leah. Smooth experience and fair prices each time.
What’s the saddle?
I will second that Leah will buy outright. I had her quote an Antares I’m selling and she offered me half of its resale value with other consigners which was lower than I was willing to go (which, hey, I can respect a 50% profit margin) - so, if you’re willing to take lower, if it fits what she’s looking for it could be an easy quick sale!
It’s a 2020 Palm Beach.
I will third Leah at Redwood.
She always offers fair prices for high end saddles and you will get an answer within hours usually if you message her on FB.
Just have to remember fair =/= what you want.
They have to make a profit too, so it will probably be less than what you want unless she has a wait list of clients looking for that saddle.
Absolutely. I have no issues with someone making a living doing this. I just thought I had the formula figured out and based on market price for the age and model of saddle, I anticipated what the offer would be. So when it came in substantially lower than anticipated, yes I bristled a bit at it. Someone else explained the formula/percentage to me and the math absolutely checks out. So no offense intended to those who sell saddles for a living. It’s just been an eye-wateringly expensive endeavor and I despise selling things on FB.
I think that’s the balance - where the “convenience cost” might be worth the loss on the total amount you get for the saddle. I am in no rush to move mine, it’s been sitting for a while, so I’m okay with waiting to get an extra $800-1000 on top of what Leah offered, even after the consigner fee. BUT! for the convenience of the quick sale and getting it done and gone? Is that worth the ease to you? What’s your time worth? The million dollar question 
Yep exactly! And I’m torn on the decision 🫠
A perspective from the buying end.
I just bought a used saddle from a re-seller to whom I was introduced at a show. She didn’t have saddles at the show but she talked to me about my likes and dislikes and looked at both the horse and me. She came to the barn with a selection of saddles that I tried while she watched and helped. I probably paid more (and whoever sold/provided the saddle to her got less) than we would have in a direct deal, but I felt that the opportunity to ride my horse in several saddles that were all the correct size, get her help, and walk away with a saddle that day as opposed to to potentially going back and forth with individual sellers for weeks was worth it.
Yeah there’s definitely a convenience factor. I may just give in and send it to Leah. I haven’t had a single bite on the saddle and my credit card would like the vet bills to be paid down….
I feel your pain. I had an off sized CWD (0L flap) and contacted a bunch of resellers. One offered to buy outright for a lot less than I thought it was worth and I had the same reaction. I did end up selling it through a facebook group, but it took about 6 months and was frustrating. I sold it for about $500 more than the initial lower offer (and $1000 lower than I initially listed for). It was worth it to me to keep listing, but it would not have been if it went unsold for much longer.
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