Tack stores that may offer a trade? Saddle shopping...

[goodmorning]

So I posted a little while ago about a lovely saddle that didn’t quite work for my horse. I’d love to sell it but most people want a trial & I just can’t do that without a second saddle to ride in. But I also need some that that fits my horse better than the Black Country. There are several consignment options, but what about a trade? Anyone familiar with stores that may do this? It’s my only saddle & I’m having a heck of a time finding a reasonable solution…are those Oglivy pads all they’re cracked up to be? Might be a worthwhile investment while we deal with the growing pains? Big moving young horse which really seems to accentuate saddle-fit issues, and we have a solid 1-2yrs left of development.

Thank you for the help :yes:

[islgrl]

I think Pelham will allow you to trade in a used saddle for a new one (in other words, you can’t trade for another saddle on consignment). Probably will still have to pay something but might get you a bit off…

[Kitt]

Shim/correction pads can help with minor fitting issues, but if your saddle really doesn’t fit, there’s no pad in the world that will help, in spite of what the ad copy might say.

According to Pelham’s website, they do offer trade-ins: http://www.pelham-saddlery.com/consign.html. They also have a fitter who can help you with saddle fit issues.

[jaybird660]

Very occasionally, we will take a trade on a saddle that we sell if it is in great condition toward another new saddle. You can call us and discuss. We offer 50 percent of what we think we can sell it for toward a new saddle.

[InstigatorKate]

Rick’s Heritage offered me either standard consignment or a flat store credit on the spot when I sold saddles through them. This was probably 3years ago, but would be worth a call if they have something else that would work for you.

[jn4jenny]

You’re probably getting the picture here, goodmorning, but trading in a saddle is a little like trading in a car: the price of convenience and “just having it gone” is getting less than the saddle’s free-market value. Most vendors will only do one of two things:
–trade against the cost of a new saddle, which means you’re paying the markup cost of a new saddle instead of buying a used saddle where the depreciation costs are built in
–give you a bargain-basement trade in price and allow you to apply that to a used saddle.

It’s just the nature of the beast. Businesses have to make money somehow, right?

That said, trading in used for new is pretty common. Pelham does it, Equus Now does it, Beval will do it (only for Beval saddles though), etc. But trading used for used is more rare. Usedsaddles.com aka Lightning G Tack Shop will do it, but they will freely admit that they’re giving you a raw deal on the trade-in value. I think they say “70% of what they think they can resell your saddle for.”

[scubed]

Maryland saddlery will buy a saddle from you outright. I’m not sure what the deal is, but for higher end saddles (and yours qualifies), they will buy them from you with no expectation that you buy your next from them. My guess is you get less than street value, but it is convenient.

[flypony74]

I have traded (or partial trade) a saddle with both www.saddlesource.com (Rick’s, but it was several years ago), and www.usedsaddles.com, both were very fair experiences.

[Kitt]

Most retailers - if they take trade-ins - will offer you about 50% of what they think they can sell the saddle for. This allows them to mark it up and make a profit on it.

[Jo]

mdtackexchange.com buys outright - she deducts 25% from what she can sell the saddle for and will make you an offer based on that.

[Jumper_girl221]

Jo - While MD tack says that, I will say my personal experience was not that. She purchased a saddle from me and it was then listed for almost 2x what she paid.

I don’t regret it, and if I were in the same situation I would do it again…I NEEDED to sell the saddle to buy my new one. Just be aware that you will not be getting the estimated sale price less 25% and it would be rather less then that.

I had a check in three days which after the run around I had gotten from another tack shop that wanted to buy it…it was refreshing!

[Jo]

[QUOTE=Jumper_girl221;7365280]
Jo - While MD tack says that, I will say my personal experience was not that. She purchased a saddle from me and it was then listed for almost 2x what she paid.

I don’t regret it, and if I were in the same situation I would do it again…I NEEDED to sell the saddle to buy my new one. Just be aware that you will not be getting the estimated sale price less 25% and it would be rather less then that.

I had a check in three days which after the run around I had gotten from another tack shop that wanted to buy it…it was refreshing![/QUOTE]

Understood. The offer she made me was spot-on with what the saddle eventually sold for (less the 25%) and I do know that she accepts offers on her prices that are listed… so maybe that accounts for some of the difference.

[Arcadien]

Just found out Rick’s does it (they have 4 stores in the NJ/PA area) - if the saddle is a known brand and in decent condition. she admitted you probably get less that way than consigning it, but still a decent option if the saddle you want is there & you don’t have enough cash to wait for yours to sell.

[Ruth0552]

I had a very good experience with usedsaddles.com several years ago. I traded in a Crosby All Purpose for a Bates Caprili close contact. I had bought the Crosby on ebay, and the price they gave me for it was more than I paid for it on ebay, so it worked out well for me.

The only thing I would say is that I could NOT trade-in an older Crosby I had because it did not have knee rolls.