Skylands Saddlery in NJ?

[lecoeurtriste]

Has anyone used Sklylands Saddlery in Ringoes, NJ to purchase a used/consignment saddle? I’ve been trying to get information from them for two weeks about a $6k saddle they have listed, and can’t get them to provide basic information (like the tree size and shape). In fact, they insist that the only thing I can do is send wither tracings to their saddle fitter and refuse to provide any information to my saddle fitter (who has actually seen both me and my horses). Besides being incredibly frustrating since the saddle has to fit me too, this seems like a bad way to do business. So, is it just me being out of state that they don’t want to deal with? Or what can I do to have them take my requests seriously?

TIA

[Beam_Me_Up]

I did a trial with them (via their eBay store) and it was pretty quick/easy. I am out of state, but didn’t have a fitter involved pre-trial (I did send my tracings to them, but the size etc was already on the listing).

[joiedevie99]

I used their in-person fitting service once about 6 years ago, and they were quite nice and helpful. They brought a good selection of used saddles to my barn, but sadly nothing fit great so I didn’t end up working with them.

[staceyk]

They are safe and reliable. I think they got a few too many tire-kicker messages in the past (many saddles on consignment) and they discourage email. A phone call may be better? I think they still have a storefront…

[lecoeurtriste]

[QUOTE=staceyk;8586866]
They are safe and reliable. I think they got a few too many tire-kicker messages in the past (many saddles on consignment) and they discourage email. A phone call may be better? I think they still have a storefront…[/QUOTE]

It’s funny you say this, because I did call. The first call was 2 weeks ago and they said they’d email me the info I wanted. I called back today to see if they had sent it because it hadn’t arrived, and that’s when they told me that they’d changed their mind about answering my questions. I could just do a trial, but was hoping to save everyone some time by having at least a little idea if the saddle might work by letting my fitter have the measurements. Glad to hear they’re reputable–but for $6k, I’d like to work with a company that’s willing to work with me.

[mvspencer]

Their in-house saddle fitters are good. The girls that they hire to work the register/answer the phones, not so much.

Dressage saddles are their business. They don’t really make money off of selling clothes or whatever else you can get from Dover because there are a few massive tack stores in the area that handle that. It’s a bummer that they don’t want to work with you.

[egood]

[QUOTE=lecoeurtriste;8586914]
It’s funny you say this, because I did call. The first call was 2 weeks ago and they said they’d email me the info I wanted. I called back today to see if they had sent it because it hadn’t arrived, and that’s when they told me that they’d changed their mind about answering my questions. I could just do a trial, but was hoping to save everyone some time by having at least a little idea if the saddle might work by letting my fitter have the measurements. Glad to hear they’re reputable–but for $6k, I’d like to work with a company that’s willing to work with me. :-)[/QUOTE]

What exactly are you looking at that’s $6k used? That seems like an extremely high price.

[Guyot]

My guess is your looking at one of the obrigado’s.

I just sold mine through Skylands (was great experience and have many years of happy service from them) They probably want to see your horses measurements as they can rule out what will fit or not in the obrigado’s they currently have in stock.

There are many more features on them then just tree size. So even if tree size is good, the back panels, relief wedges, etc dramatically change the fit.

To avoid shipping saddles back and forth and spending all that $$, supply them with measurements as it will help you and them care for both their customers; sellers and buyers.

I do hope you reach out again. Something may have slipped through the cracks, but they are a great company and very very good saddle fitters. One of few people I would trust to fit remotely or do custom orders.

[mvspencer]

I think it is a Schleese. My opinion is if you can spend $5,900 on a used one, you really ought to just get a new, custom one.

[Kolsch]

It didn’t have a price on it, but there’s a 17.5" Obrigado in the consignment section of Strafford Saddlery in VT.

[Snowdenfarm]

I also had a great experience with Skyland Saddlery. I saw the saddle on their eBay store and then drove the hour or so to their shop to see it in person. I took it on trial for my saddle fitter to check out and I ended up keeping it. So, I cannot comment on your situation, but I found them to be very nice and professional. I also found their prices at that time (2-3 years ago) to be very competitive.

[mvp]

I think it takes them less time to package it up and ship it to you than it does to put the work into talking to you or your fitter about it.

That might be their business model: Try it in a way that’s easy and rote for us, or don’t. But don’t ask for special service.

[SnicklefritzG]

The business has undergone considerable changes over the past year or so. Judging from what I’ve noticed personally over the past 6 months, I think they are still trying to come up with a new business model that is sustainable and practical for them to implement. OP, I’m not surprised that you’ve had trouble getting a response from them.

I’d give it another shot OP. Tell them you are interested in the saddle and you would like information on X, Y, and Z before doing a trial. If they don’t respond within a few days, move on.

[SnicklefritzG]

The business has undergone considerable changes over the past year or so. Judging from what I’ve noticed personally over the past 6 months, I think they are still trying to come up with a new business model that is sustainable and practical for them to implement. OP, I’m not surprised that you’ve had trouble getting a response from them.

I’d give it another shot OP. Tell them you are interested in the saddle and you would like information on X, Y, and Z before doing a trial. If they don’t respond within a few days, move on.