Evaluating/pricing used saddle

[Schune]

Does anyone have an equation or general guideline on pricing a used, high end saddle?

I don’t want this mistaken for advertising so if you can offer tips through PM?

I haven’t touched this saddle since 2011, and it’s just been sitting with no use.

Thanks!

[mfglickman]

Check online shops that sell high end used saddles. Call them for a ball park idea. Also check sold listings on eBay to get an idea of what people are willing to pay there. All of these should give you a starting point, at least.

[ElementFarm]

I use ebay to evaluate what I should list my stuff for. Generally I sell on ebay, so it makes sense to use what shoppers will see as comparables.

I’ll initially list for what I want for “nice” stuff, and if no one bids, drop it incrementally on followup listings until it sells, or it’s worth it for me to keep.

If I’m cleaning out old tack, it’s honestly worth it to me for it to just be gone. So I’ll list with no or low reserve. As long as I charge what actual shipping costs, everything else is bonus.

OP, if it’s an “in” brand, you might have good luck selling it for what it’s worth on ebay or with a high-end tack consignment service. For non-trendy brands, having it at a tack store for customers to actually see/sit in/evaluate quality tends to be the way to go, though the tack stores’ commissions can be hefty.

[norcalammie]

I ordered a new saddle and asked my saddle fitter what I should ask for my old saddle when the time comes to sell. She gave me a ball park idea which was right in line with what I thought. I do check eBay to see if there are other saddles similarly priced or higher or lower.

[akhunterrider]

eBay can be a very good reference for prices that saddles will actually sell for. Honestly, the used saddle market, at least in my opinion, is not usually favorable for the seller. For instance, I bought a lightly used full buffalo saddle direct from a well known company. I got a good price on the saddle, but when it came time to sell, it was difficult because it was paneled for such a specific back type. In the end I sold it for $200 less than I paid, but with eBay fees, made about $500 to $600 less than what I paid. So for a 2013 model full buffalo saddle that sells for $6000 or so, I sold it for $2800 in July of 2014. To me, that’s a lot of depreciation. A lot of used saddle retailers will list similar saddles for a lot higher than what I sold mine for, but they may sit for a long time. So, in short, check with used saddle retailers, but also check places like eBay that would show the actual sale price.

[Schune]

Thanks everyone!

I’ve used Ebay to help me discern what I hope is a quick and sellable price, so I’ve got flyers ready to hang at the local tack shops, and some internet ads.

Big help, thank you

[Canaqua]

When you search for similar saddles on eBay, you can check the box for “sold listings” to see what they actually sold for. Which would make you a REALLY good case for the market value of the saddle. Unfortunately, they don’t show the dollar amount for listings that were sold on a “best offer” basis :(.

[pony4me]

The I Sell Tack website has all the used saddles organized by brand, size, and price. They have a large inventory, so maybe a saddle like yours is there and you can get a ballpark price.

[steelerino]

Whether or not you want to do a trial with make a difference in the price. I often have sold saddles cheaper then I would have liked just to forego the wasted time of a trial.