Hey everyone! I’ve had this Voltaire saddle sitting around for a couple years that I’ve tried on and off to sell on FB with no luck, so was wondering who have you guys used in terms of consignment shops that have been easy to work with, that didn’t take HUGE commission?
TIA
Things seem to sit for quite a while at Pelham. They don’t appear to do a lot of online advertising and have very limited store hours (11-4, week days only). They do have a fitter on staff which in theory should help move saddles more quickly but its difficult to get her out (last time it took her 2 weeks to even respond to my text and then another few weeks before she could come out) and shes not taking new clients due to how busy she is. I’ve had 3 saddles there since July with no movement and am going to be pulling them to send to Aiken Tack Exchange or Highline as soon as I can get to the store during their open hours (a challenge in itself since I work a 9-5 in Boston).
I would send a Voltaire to probably either Highline or Goldfinch Fine Tack.
I sold an Antares and a Butet via Highline. They take 25% which is honestly pretty standard these days, it would be hard to find anything less than 20. They both sold in less than 90 days, for more than I had hoped.
I’ve sold a CWD and Voltaire to Leah at Redwood. I opted for a little lower price just to have the saddles gone immediately, and not to have to deal with the annoyance of trials and such.
My Devoucoux did take two years to sell at Pelham. I wasn’t in a hurry. It went for the initial asking price, and there were no back and forth negotiations to try to get me to take less money. But every consignment shop has satisfied and vocal dissatisfied clients and wide ranges of expectations. Just look back at the bitch posts recently about Aiken Tack Exchange as an example of happy versus mad customers.
I have both bought and sold through Highline. They were a pleasure to deal with. Excellent long distance fitting, professional and prompt responses, highly recommend! 
I did this as well. I think Highline and Maryland also buy saddles outright… just so much less of a hassle.
I’ve had great luck with On Course in Wellington. I’ve sold a bunch of things with them and they’re great.
Online-wise, I’ve used Pik & Louie and Redwood. Highline also has a great rep.
The Maryland (MD) Tack Exchange in St Augustine, FL gets a big thumbs-down from me. I had an older Butet for sale at a local consignment store. They came in and told the owners a fake story, and asked to negotiate me down off of an inexpensive price by lying and saying it was a for child on a budget. So I sold it for $200 less thinking I was helping one of our next gen’s riders get a leg up. They bought it and it magically popped up on their Ebay for $1000 more than I had it asked for it. Not only did it take money out of my pocket, but it also took money out of the local consignment store, who felt so bad about getting scammed that they took less commission on it to make up for it. Totally shady and I’ve never forgotten it. In fact, I love telling the story in hopes that it takes away from their future sales. What goes around, comes around.
I sold my Voltaire at Chagrin Saddlery last year. They were fabulous to work with, and it sold fast. They have a graduated system for commission based on saddle price. I got 80%, which was the highest I could find.
I just recently sold my saddle through Ocala Tack Exchange. It was out on trial within a week of listing. And I got paid quite promptly.
Quite professional with a contract and it was listed online and advertised by the end day one.
While she ships most saddles out for trial, it doesn’t hurt that there are tons of people in and coming to Ocala for the winter circuits.
Highly recommend.
That’s good context to have re: Pelham as 2 of the 3 saddles I have up there are Devoucoux. However I am in a hurry as I have a new horse that will need a new saddle come spring.
I also sold my Voltaire at Chagrin Saddlery. I think it sold in less than a month?
BITS Equestrian Outlet in Del Mar takes consignment saddles. Split is 75% seller, 25% store.
They’re located at a busy boarding/training barn near Del Mar Horsepark, so the foot traffic is good.
They’ll also advertise it on FB.
Over decades now we have bought and sold thru Pelham.
They have been good to recommend saddles and sell at fair prices for us.
Some saddles sold in a few months, others took a bit longer.
Every time they sent a check promptly, generally at the end of the month the saddle sold.
Being hundreds of miles from any English saddle shop, Pelham was the best way to sell for us.
Thanks everyone! I emailed Highline and they got back to me within hours, so they are the lucky winners! No more trying to promote it on my own… They can do the work.
Appreciate everyones suggestions!
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