Selling Etiquette

[Live_Wire]

Thank you all for the overwhelming responses and input. It’s put me at ease.

The horse was sold locally, to a student at a farm I used to board at which complicates things a bit I guess. I’m sure there’s already talk and honestly, I don’t care and don’t want to get involved. I offered to take her back because I wanted to safeguard her future, whatever that may be. She is now comfortable and happier in her work. Every ride is significantly better and it’s incredibly rewarding to see her prick her ears forward while she’s working again.

[cutter99]

@Live_Wire, I saw where you said this was the second horse the buyer had sent back to you.

In my opinion, there are some problem buyers out there. No matter what horse they purchase, there is going to be a major, unsolvable issue within less than a year of ownership. From what I have seen, it is usually the buyer and not the horse.

I have actually known buyers like this, and had them look at a horse I had for sale. I had them come before the horse had been groomed and tacked. She had the audacity to spray his face with fly spray, right in the face, and complain that the horse took half a step sideways. I knew at that point she was going to be an issue- not the horse.

Eventually, she bought a very nice quarter horse from a very reputable dealer in our area. This “dealer”, brings in horses from out west and resells them in the Northeast. Very nice horses, mostly registered, broke, some with even AQHA points. By no means inexpensive horses.

If I remember correctly, she went through a total of 4 horses. She kept 2 and sent 2 back to the dealer. One was sent back because it spooked when a bear ran out in front of it! A bear!!!

After hearing that, I was glad I decided to keep the horse I showed her. I put him down at age 24 due to a neurological problem, but he and I had 20 wonderful years together.

I would have no issues selling the horse. She was for sale when they bought her, and I would think they would have to understand you would not be keeping her.

But just a little advice- these people sound like they have chronic issues with the horses they choose to purchase. I would recommend not doing any future business with them.

[Arzny]

I once sold a horse for six figures. The horse had an injury and was sold back to me for $1. I rehabbed it and resold again for upper five figures.

The idea of disclosing everything in the sales contract is very smart. I would not offer any of the purchase price to the previous owner. I would not talk to them about selling the horse. That is what I did and it was fine.

[candyappy]

@Scribbler

Honestly I would just let it slide. The family didn’t seem to need or want a refund at the time. They e moved on. I wouldn’t contact them to revisit their Very Big Expensive Mistake which they may feel defensive about.

I would be pleasantly surprised if someone I gave a horse back to ( having just spent a lot of money to diagnose the issues with no success ) sent me some money from the sale to reimburse me some of my costs.

Even though I had moved on I would happily accept the gift without being defensive? Wouldn’t most people??

[Scribbler]

@candyappy

@Scribbler

Honestly I would just let it slide. The family didn’t seem to need or want a refund at the time. They e moved on. I wouldn’t contact them to revisit their Very Big Expensive Mistake which they may feel defensive about.

I would be pleasantly surprised if someone I gave a horse back to ( having just spent a lot of money to diagnose the issues with no success ) sent me some money from the sale to reimburse me some of my costs.

Even though I had moved on I would happily accept the gift without being defensive? Wouldn’t most people??

You’d think. But there is much underlying cray cray and you never know when it will erupt.

[findeight]

Dunno that “most people” would be eager to give a portion of future resale proceeds to somebody who was returning horse to them that was fine for a few months after buying and they had for almost a year.

IMO, some might offer something if it was within 30 days of initial purchase but as a pro rated or partial refund of purchase, not out of a resale price. Plus this is the second horse this person has kept awhile then returned…now thats weird.

Only personally know of one case of a horse being returned with seller offering a partial refund and that was at about 3 weeks after purchase. Heard of a few others but second hand info so no hard details. That since 1970.

Maybe this person should just look into leasing instead of buying and returning?

[candyappy]

@findeight

Dunno that “most people” would be eager to give a portion of future resale proceeds to somebody who was returning horse to them that was fine for a few months after buying and they had for almost a year.

If you are responding to my " most people" comment you got it backward.

Most people would have no problem receiving money but giving profits wouldn’t be as popular with most people, I agree