By buying from reputable tack shops? really?
I’ve bought 10+ saddles from the Saddle Bank and Sheepham Saddles and it is like making any other online purchase.
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Yep. Those are my top 2. There is another one or two that I know of. All established companies.
Not from reputable tack shops. But scammers are everywhere. I just wanted to mention it because it has happened to a few different people who I would think would know better. Some of them lost thousands of dollars with no recourse on getting their money back.
Equestrian Imports carries Amerigo (new and used) and I believe one used Equipe.
As an update I did buy a saddle from The Saddle Bank in the UK for a reasonable price. I also had fees to pay before it could be delivered (on top of the purchase price and shipping). Shipping and delivery was very quick!
So for those of you that didn’t have to pay any fees or anything additional, I have no idea how you were able to do that. I guess you just get lucky sometimes, but I never have on any purchases from the UK or the EU. Typically, it still ends up cheaper than it would be if I bought the item(s) in the US though.
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I did pay duties on my last saddle, but it was about $75 on top of the (affordable) purchase price + shipping.
Because the prices in the UK new were already less than here, and then they mark down from there to used price, it was still $2000 cheaper than buying here, with all the fees.
Absolutely. I was sort of shocked by saddle prices when I returned to the US after living abroad for so long. You can get much better deals from across the pond. Interestingly, the shipping is about the same or sometimes cheaper than domestic.
Galloping grape is another option for you. They are out of Warrenton VA. Kim has a large selection of used saddles.
Raises hand . . . another Ideal saddle lover. I had the Jessica as one of my first dressage saddles. I really loved it and felt secure in the saddle. Sadly my horse outgrew it.
