eBay used saddle WWYD?

[french_fry]

So, as it turns out, I am basically a walking crash course on what not to do when buying a saddle sight unseen.

I dredged up the old ad to find the exact wording and had my memory jogged that the tree had been replaced in this saddle. I did not immediately recall this because I had been looking at two nearly-identical saddles and one sold out from under me so I panicked and “Buy It Now”-ed the latter. My bad times a million for not getting exact measurements. Now everyone can chastise me more! It did definitely specify medium tree, but thanks to this thread I’ve been disabused of the notion that that has any real meaning!

That said, I’ve gotten some great solutions on this thread and if all else fails I am more confident about my resale prospects. It is a really nice saddle and honestly if I sell it I will go right back out and buy another one in the correct tree size and a forward flap.

And next time I will very likely suck it up and do the trial, the fitter, etc. etc. etc. Silly me for thinking I could snatch up a bargain online. I am definitely still in the realm of needing professional guidance.

[Mayaty02]

you are stuck with it (or sell it). I will say for example, I have a wide tree Antares, stamped AO which is the WIDE tree. No ifs and or buts about it. I want a medium tree, I can tell you I have tried the exact same saddle - even the same year, seat brand etc, in a medium tree and it’s been just as wide as my supposed “wide tree”. In fact I have not found a medium tree yet that is any more narrow than my AO. SO… long story short, it could well be a medium tree, just for whatever reason ran wider. I ALWAYS ask for a gullet measurement to compare with mine before even trying the saddle.

[BITSA]

[QUOTE=kelo;7552892]
Just sell it yourself.

I hear the frustration, but at this point it is unfair to try to return the saddle – ridden in for more than a month, scratched up, etc. – it is not the seller’s problem.[/QUOTE]

This

[Bogie]

Either sell the saddle on or have the tree narrowed – if the saddle fits your horse except for the width.

However, if you do the latter, make sure you use a tack shop that does it right. I have a saddle that was professionally widened and it’s just fine.

Since you think you also want a more forward flap, if it were me, I’d just sell it on and buy exactly what you want.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=french fry;7553351]

And next time I will very likely suck it up and do the trial, the fitter, etc. etc. etc. Silly me for thinking I could snatch up a bargain online. I am definitely still in the realm of needing professional guidance.[/QUOTE]

Buying used via an auction site is pretty difficult, if you ask me. It’s not for the faint of heart, that’s for sure. You need to know exactly what you want and you need quite a bit of luck…at least in my experience.

In the last year, I’ve purchased three used saddles. First wasn’t in the condition I expected from the listing. Seller was awesome and took the saddle back…even refunding my money before I had even shipped the saddle back.

Second was same exact saddle but newer and didn’t have the issues of the first. I still have that saddle but it has always been too wide for my horse…and her previous owner actually rode her in the same exact saddle. I’m not sure why my fit is so much wider than hers, but it’s just too wide and the saddle slides back.

And all the stars aligned on my latest purchase. Just about the exact, very hard to find used, saddle I wanted and for about $1k less than other used (if you could find one not to mention in the right seat size) and $3k less than new, which I was about to do. It looks brand new, was given the stamp of approval by a trusted saddle repairman who also congratulated me on my great purchase…and the best part…it fits the horse!!! So much luck on that.

After my experiences, I would say only buy used from an auction site if you know what you want and think you can sell the saddle for at least what you are buying it for. Otherwise, I would go with one of the vendors that specializes in used saddles that you can return the saddle too if it isn’t right. It’s going to cost more, but the option to return easily is worth it.

[alexis_liberty]

Buying used saddles is tricky. My first one was crap. It was fine structurally but fit me all wrong. Seat was too big, the flaps were too forward and long. So I used it for a month. Then I got lucky and found exactly what I wanted on eBay. It came and had soft, supple leather and it fit me! I had gotten it for my quarter horse but with a good wither relief pad it also fits the OTTB! Miracle of miracles. I donated the other one to a ranch that gives riding lessons to foster kids. I really think buying saddles off of ebay is just a matter of research, asking questions, and a bunch of luck.

[Jealoushe]

Was there a serial number or not?

[js]

Unfortunately you are past the 30 day buyers ability to dispute. Additionally you have damaged the saddle with scratches so you would not be returning it in the same condition. As far as the gullet size, without a size mark (and even with one) sizes differ by a lot from manufacturer. A medium in one can fit like a wide in another etc. you can’t judge fit based on stated size. If the saddle was a bargain and fits, see if you can have it adjusted, whether having the tree adjusted or having some flocking added. Otherwise sell it and let it be lesson learned. Buy saddles with a trial and wrap leathers and use non marring stirrups when trying a saddle.

[fordtraktor]

If you got a good price on it and it is a nice saddle you might be best of selling it through fineusedsaddles or some place like that. Their fees are not much off eBay fees and I think you get a better price.

I also think is is a better place to buy so you can try, unless you know exactly what you need! I have had good luck buying online but only when I knew what I needed down to the serial number specs. And waited until I found exactly that! Sorry this happened, it is rough to invest a bunch in a saddle and not have it work out.

[Finzean]

Is it a close enough fit that $150 fitting & flocking might provide enough remedy?

Having bought & sold numerous saddles on eBay and having been royally SCREWED by an unscrupulous buyer when I honestly represented the last saddle (and last item) I will ever sell on eBay, this is what I will say about buying saddles on eBay:

1.) Unless you can get an in writing agreement to a trial on the saddle, be prepared for it not to work. Tree measurements do vary from one brand to another and if one has ever been reflocked…or in the case of the saddle you bought, had a new tree put in it…the original measurements - or rather fit - may very well be compromised.

2.) If fitting a specific horse is of paramount importance (I’ve bought several saddles on eBay to use as school saddles…fitting one in particular was not important), you might be better off dealing with a tack shop/consignment shop/Facebook page/local GMO or HJA website, etc. so that you can try & ride without a lot of shipping back and forth.

3.) I would contact the seller and let them know what’s up and explain that you don’t expect them to take the saddle back but that just in case there were other bidders or inquiries on the saddle, you’d love to be able to contact those folks and let them know the saddle is available again. I don’t think anyone who would disclose a replaced tree was with holding info or trying to misrepresent the saddle intentionally.

I find the local HJA and DCTA websites & Facebook pages to be a great resource in finding and selling used equipment.

[BAC]

[QUOTE=kelo;7552892]
Just sell it yourself.

I hear the frustration, but at this point it is unfair to try to return the saddle – ridden in for more than a month, scratched up, etc. – it is not the seller’s problem.[/QUOTE]

This.

[CJ82Sky]

Honestly saddles all size so differently that I’d just resell it myself with measurements listed so that people know what size they are getting and don’t get into the same bind you are in. You can clean it up nicely and likely sell it for what you paid at least (or so I’d think) and then get a saddle you really want that fits better. I wouldn’t pad it up, as that can just cause back issues, especially depending on how sensitive the horse(s) are that it is used on.
Good luck!

[Inclined]

The last saddle I purchased from ebay was an impulse buy - bad idea, I know. It was an older German-made saddle in a tree width that doesn’t come available very often, so I snatched it up. When it arrived, I was horrified at the condition of the leather. I’ve rehabbed quite a few saddles, but this was the worst I’d ever seen. Now, I could have contacted the seller, as they did misrepresent the condition of the saddle (and the photos weren’t very helpful in determining anything). However, I decided to try and rehab it. After a LOT of cleaning, conditioning, etc… it became a lovely saddle, BUT I didn’t particularly enjoy riding in it. I tried selling it twice on ebay, with no success. I am so thankful now that it didn’t sell, because my new mare loves the saddle. It is her favorite, and therefore is now going to be my favorite. Sometimes we panic when we think we’ve made the wrong choice, but there are often ways to repair our mistakes. If you like the saddle, and the tree can be adjusted, you may be thrilled with your bargain again.

[UlysMom]

[QUOTE=Lucassb;7553312]
I’d actually suggest contacting the seller just to see if there were other bidders who might be interested - you never know. [/QUOTE]

^^^this. It’s how I acquired my current endurance saddle. I was second highest bidder for a custom made, no longer produced brand. I kicked myself that I didn’t bid higher afterwards. But, a month later, the seller contacted me and asked if I was still interested as the buyer had determined it didn’t fit any of her horses and had inquired whether the next highest bidder was still interested. I gave her permission to pass on my contact info and we conducted the transaction through PayPal.

So, there may be someone sitting at home, wishing they had bid more and would love to hear from you… It’s worth a shot.

[Justice]

I would just list it on ebay with the measurements, and put ads up at local barns. You never know who is just longing for a wide tree!