Sorry for a second post on saddles but hoping for opinions (again lol). I’m trying to sell my Beval Devon. I’ve had it up for sale since the end of September. Facebook groups, Craigslist, ebay. I’ve dropped the price. Nothing. Nada. Zero interest beyond a couple people asking for more pictures. I realize that this type of saddle is not popular now even though I like it (flat seat, no blocks), but my asking price seems fair to me. Am I way off here?
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My 2 cents:
I am under the impression that Beval saddles are not very high quality. I do not know why exactly I think think- I have never had one- it’s just the impression I’ve developed over the years. I would consider them along the same quality as mid level Pessoas. Again, I am not sure WHY exactly I think this, maybe just the price range of used ones I have seen over the years. So I do not think your price is too high for the brand necessarily- but possible for the color/condition.
The color of your saddle doesn’t seem to be that popular. I think most people want a dark/chocolate color. Your pictures give me the impression that the leather is a bit dry, and I notice some cosmetic flaws. For these reasons, and the brand itself, I would think this saddle would sell better in the $600-700 range.
Again, this is 100% IME, and not meant to offend at all. 3 years ago I purchased an used Pessoa GenX in a dark chocolate brown for $950, used it heavily for about 18 months, and was able to resell it for $900. IMO this was due to it being a popular color and size (17.5), a well known brand, an exchangeable tree, and no obvious cosmetic wear- it photographed quite well. These are a few of the reasons I think you might want to lower you price if you want to move it soon.
Hope this helps! Feel free to disregard too!
This is also just my two cents:
I will start of by saying I LOVE a flat saddle, no knee blocks, and all that good stuff. However, I am under the same impression as my friend about when I look at the picture. Then my eyes fly to the price, which seems steep, and then “recommended ads” have newer, more modern Bevals for $1000.
For $100 more than what you are asking, if I look hard enough, I can find used Butets and other high end French saddles. I can also find newer lower end saddles (which is what a Beval falls into for me personally). I can also go onto Dover and buy a brand spanking new Circuit for not much more at all.
Also, when I google Beval Devon (and look at the older models, which is what yours looks like without asking a bunch of questions), I find them for $500 or under other than one 2000 model that has knee blocks.
I was under the impression that Bevals were a step up from pessoa in terms of quality but perhaps I’m mistaken about that. It was $2000 new when I bought it ten years ago so it wasn’t a cheap saddle per say. It was also when the London/Newmarket lighter colored tack was popular. I’ve attempted to darken it with mink oil and with neatsfoot unsuccessfully so finally just gave up. I do think darkening might make it more sellable if I could get that darn thing to actually darken. Most of the used Bevals I see are older and/or their less expensive models like the devon 2000 or Stamford, which I think is also working against me. The only other used devon I’ve found is listed for $1200, but I think people maybe see the cheap used Stamfords and think mine is over priced comparably not realizing that it’s a better saddle than the Stamford model.
Thanks guys, looks like I’ll lower the price and see if that helps. The only comp I could find for a devon is listed at $1200 so I was hoping $900 would be realistic. Ugh, now my new saddle budget is going to get even lower :
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The used saddle market is driven by trends. If you have a model that everyone wants, preferably not too old and the right color, the saddles hold their value. Right now the market is saturated with used saddles. Lots of bargains for buyers, not so good for sellers. I’ve purchased a few saddles that cost over 4K new for less than 1K. Newer than your saddle. I also have purchased a highly desirable model of a saddle that’s no longer made for 50% of retail because I really, really like that saddle and they are very hard to find in the U.S.
I think you are too close in price to newer models in colors that more people like. Personally, I like dark brown tack, so I wouldn’t even consider a saddle that color. I’m afraid that may be cutting down on your potential buying audience.
Ultimately, when selling saddles the market speaks. If you want that price, be prepared to wait. If you want to sell, be prepared to drop the price.
Having more of the information you listed above in your ad would help. Model name and year along with price new would be helpful in putting the asking price in context and allow shoppers to be able to make price comparisons.
OP, I think the thing that is most limiting for your buyers will be the age/design of the saddle: It will have a gullet and panels that don’t fit the modern WBs.
That said, I do think old Beval Devon’s are higher quality than are Pessoa saddles of the same age (they were made in Argentina by then) and they are certainly higher in quality that is Beval’s Stamford saddle and more recent ones.
If you want top dollar, however, you must have the saddle oiled and cleaned and photographed well. Take the stirrups off. Clean the whole thing. Then oil it. Then go over it with a damp sponge with high-quality glycerine soap in order to produce that soft shine that well cared-for leather gets. Do not photograph the leather fresh after oiling, with streaks of absorbed- and unabsorbed oil on it.
There are some Ebayers out there (like Maryland Saddlery/Scullion) who do a nice job with leather care and photography. Same goes for an on-line place like High End Used Saddles.
When I see dry leather like that, I’m uncertain about quality. I see from the maker, the craftsmanship and the grain of the leather that it should be of high quality. But when I see dried scuffs on the saddle, I wonder if this is some new leather that wasn’t tanned quite as well as the old stuff.
Just my .02.
I agree with the suggestion to include more information in your ad. Assume that people looking at the ad aren’t that familiar with the brand or that particular model. You need to tell them why this saddle is worth $900.
The color of your saddle is one that a lot of breed show people seem to like - maybe search out some FB groups that target AQHA/APHA and maybe even Arabian horse folks?
Look at completed auctions on eBay for a better sense of what prices people ask for and get.
You need specific leather darkening oil
https://www.argentoeq.com/products/hydrophane-leather-darkening-oil
It will take a lot of coats but I think it would help your sale a lot to get it darker. My other suggestion is to put as a “buy now” with “best offer” feature. That way people can make an offer to you. You can turn it down or counter it if its too low. I’ve sold several saddles on ebay and find this is the best option and the buyer likes it because they feel like they’re getting a deal if you accept an offer lower than the buy it now price
Thanks everyone! I’m going to attempt to darken once again and lower the price.
And to any mods I was informed I can’t use an eBay link so I’ve been trying to remove it but the site is not allowing me to edit my post for some reason?
We’re getting into a lot of specifics about a saddle for sale, so we’ve removed the link from the OP and will be closing the thread.
Thanks!
Mod 1
We’re getting into a lot of specifics about a saddle for sale, so we’ve removed the link from the OP and will be closing the thread.
Thanks!
Mod 1
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