Saddles - ordering and return policies - WTH?!

[Saskatoonian]

Hoping for some good experiences here - I’m giving myself ulcers trying to decide what to do.

Finally found a saddle my horse likes - whew! The trial one is a litle big for me and the flap is not close to forward enough for jumping, though I can flat well in it. I can feel it shoving my leg back. It’s freaking expensive. I’m over that. But the return policy - ummmm. No trial saddles with a forward flap to be had. Not new, not used, not any. Leap of faith to order one. The initial policy described to me was that the co would give me credit if the ordered saddle didn’t work but not a refund. I was ready to take that leap. But they changed it - now what I want is considered custom and non-returnable.

Did I mention the thing is expensive? WWYD? Fitter is well established and great to work with, but how do saddle companies get away with this sort of thing?!

[Bogie]

My rule is, if I can’t ride in it to see if it works, I won’t buy it. Too many problems with “custom” saddles that cost more than most of my horses. I bought one custom saddle that worked out so I figure I used up my good luck.

In fact, I think most people are better off buying the demo saddle (if it fits, which in your case isn’t an option) because there are variations among saddles that may not work in your favor.

I know someone once ordered a custom saddle, after riding in the demo, that really bothered her back. She was able to sell it, but at a loss.

Other people’s mileage may vary.

[Saskatoonian]

I’ve always operated on the same principle - in fact, I hate buying new saddles!

[anonevent]

Do you mean that the rep/fitteer doesn’t have one available, or that the entire internet doesn’t have one?

I just ordered a custom saddle and the fitter had to give me three to trial so I could feel this seat size, that forward of a flap, etc. But, we figured it out. And, I think you need to try a forward flap in person because there are a couple different ways for a saddle to get the flap forward. It isn’t always as simple as rotating it forward.

[Saskatoonian]

The entire internet! It’s crazy - well, also a very new model (which also makes me twitch, but the horse says do it). Found one place that had it on their website but when I called, yeah, no.

[anonevent]

Oh, that makes sense if it is very new. Maybe it’s worth pushing back again, saying that you’re sold on the tree, but you need to know that it can fit you as well. If they can’t produce a trial saddle that’s closer to your specs, you’d need the assurance of a refund.

Even if they have a similar tree in your seat and flap size, you could at least get an idea for how the other will feel.

[albytb]

That’s interesting. I know companies like Antarès accept returns even on custom saddles (or they remake it if it’s not right for you). I assumed the other high end brands were the same?

[Bogie]

@anonevent

If they can’t produce a trial saddle that’s closer to your specs, you’d need the assurance of a refund.

Just check the fine print. Sometimes the restocking fees from the high end brands are ridiculous.

[anonevent]

Good point.

[Saskatoonian]

it’s a new type of tree, but I asked the fitter if there was a saddle with a similar rider feel that I could sit in with the configuration we both think I need - and no. I understand that they can’t stock every configuration but forward flaps? I have a long thigh for sure but it’s by no means freakish.

As to restocking fees (and I second, third and fourth reading the fine print), theirs is 25% (because I called HQ and that was the “compromise” they offered). Honestly, if the horse would even marginally agree to go in anything else…

[beowulf]

What saddle is it?

It’s going into winter… maybe kick around for a bit and see if any of the new models end up on the market? I am with Bogie - I won’t buy anymore unless I can ride first. And don’t forget, some horses experience a honey-moon phase and then in a month you’re right back where you started, just out of several thousand dollars.

[Bogie]

@Saskatoonian

Honestly, if the horse would even marginally agree to go in anything else…

Honestly, there are so many brands available (if you are willing to not go with a French saddle, which you might be looking at) that if you find a good independent fitter you might find something else. I’d take the “new tree” design with a serving of salt. The French saddles are pretty much all built on one tree and they use panel design to adjust the fit.

Edited to add: FWIW, I have a very long femur and it took me time to find a jumping saddle that fit my leg and which my horse liked. I ended up with a Jeffries JMX which, as a monoflap, is not a hunter style saddle, but it was an off the shelf model and not hugely expensive, but beautifully made.

[Libby2563]

@Saskatoonian

it’s a new type of tree, but I asked the fitter if there was a saddle with a similar rider feel that I could sit in with the configuration we both think I need - and no. I understand that they can’t stock every configuration but forward flaps? I have a long thigh for sure but it’s by no means freakish.

As to restocking fees (and I second, third and fourth reading the fine print), theirs is 25% (because I called HQ and that was the “compromise” they offered).

Honestly, it sounds like they think they’re doing you a favor letting you order a $$$$ saddle that may or may not fit, instead of trying to please you as a customer. I’d tell them to go find someone else’s money to take, and do as @beowulf suggests.

[NaturallyHappy]

@beowulf

What saddle is it?

I’m curious, as well. Thanks!

[steelerino]

My guess is Voltaire

[sheltona01]

As an independent saddle fitter, I often find it challenging to stock a wide variety of products since I’m not a national company. It would likely take around a million dollars for me to have everything I wish I could offer to most customers. Sometimes, I find myself reflecting on my policies, as they can occasionally lead to significant costs that really impact me.

When you place a saddle order, I have to cover the cost until it sells, and for custom orders, it might take years before that happens. I completely understand that this can be frustrating for you as a client. I always recommend checking the restocking or ordering policies, and don’t hesitate to look beyond the bigger companies. You can often discover better customer service and find more affordable options that could be just as good, if not better.

[Ponyplusaninch]

Is this particular saddle brand one where there are a lot of reps for them?

I ask because IME with County, Amerigo, and Harry Dabbs, the reps were able to communicate with each other so that if one didn’t have a particular flap config or whatever, they could get it on loan from another rep who might have it in their trial saddle/used saddle inventory. Now, this was at the expense of the person trying the saddle–so it was like $200ish on the shipping front–but at least that way, you could try the saddle before plunking down thousands of dollars.

ETA I think I spent close to $800 on fittings and trial saddles over the course of six months before I purchased my horse’s full custom. I don’t have any regrets at the end of the day because I was at peace knowing what I was getting. It just took us awhile to get there.

[Saskatoonian]

Thanks, all, for your input, especially Sheltona01. This isn’t the beginning of my search - since May I’ve tried tons of different saddles, all sorts of brands and nationalities (ok, I DO love French saddles other than Butet - horse does not), and really haven’t been able to ride, so all $$$$ down the drain. And I’m going crazy. Holding out for a used saddle or something else has officially gotten too costly.

This one’s a Prestige Rubino (nope! not Voltaire - though that was a distant second best, and at least available used), and I wouldn’t even consider it if the horse weren’t going night and day better in it than anything else - and hadn’t been going that well for nearly 2 months. I was originally looking at used Prestiges and the fitter was totally on board with that and brought me several different models to try to narrow it down. As soon as we tried the Rubino, well, like I said, night and day. And has been for 2 months (I know all too well about the honeymoon, Beo!).

Such an art form to fit horse and rider with the right balance … and I confess look nice because no way am I paying any price involving a comma for something ugly.

Reminding myself that years ago I bought a custom Stackhouse and adored it til horse number 3 grew out of it…

[js]

Have you looked at Highline Tack? They have a few jumping saddles (used) with forward flaps in different sizes. They are very nice to work with, I’ve bought and sold a saddle thru them.

[Saskatoonian]

Yup - I’ve used them before and liked them, but no luck this time. Thanks!