OP, yikes, and best of luck! This is maddening, but also sad.
2 Likes
No need to apologize for giving people more information! I am glad you keep posting. Hopefully your post will keep others from having the same problem.
3 Likes
Be careful!!! If I had a saddle there I would retrieve it now, even if I had to drive hours to get there.
I got some information from a reliable source, a professional who worked with the original Trumbull Mtn. as well as the current owners. I don’t want to reveal who my source is, but this person was owed money. They got some of it back, but they have written off the notion of recovering any more. This person has gone through the same aggravation as so many others. “The check is in the mail.” Complaints filed with the BBB. Consulting an attorney. They would join a lawsuit if one is filed.
“They are, without a doubt, stealing people’s saddles.” There are people who probably assume their saddle hasn’t sold yet when in fact it has but they haven’t been notified, let alone paid. There are probably a few people who have forgotten that they have a consignment saddle there.
Edie, the original owner, had an excellent and well-deserved reputation that has been run into the ground. Serious family health issues motivated the decision to sell. She stayed for a while after it changed hands, and so did several other employees. They left because they couldn’t take the aggravation of working there.
These owners are continuing to live on the reputation Edie and Trumbull built over many years. Reputations often survive in the horse world because we tend to be sporadic in accessing some services, consignment saddles being one example. A positive experience a few years ago is easy for us to pass along. We may not be aware that things have changed. I think the best we can do here is to focus on the facts to alert fellow COTHers. There are consignment shops, such as Pelham Saddlery in New Hampshire, that have established and maintain a solid reputation for excellent customer service.
12 Likes
Yes to walktrot’s post. I have filed every sort of complaint now, up to attorney general, and seen no response. They really are just stealing saddles.
Their google reviews are quite telling.
Geez, 18 complaints on the BBB. When Edie and Kit were there it was a good store. Shame it’s gone down hill.
Update: Hell froze over! See original post.
3 Likes
YYYYAAAAYYYYYY
1 Like
WOW!!!
Congratulations OP!
Persistence paid off!!
Is the law after them???
My fingers are crossed that this bespeaks a developing trend until they have paid everyone.
Although, can hell freeze over more than once?
I’d be surprised if multiple atty general complaints did NOT produce some kind of consequence for them. But who knows?? The weirdest thing to me, was the consistent light-hearted nature of their responses. On the phone, consignment sales manager had told me they mailed my first saddle sale check “yesterday” and was almost laughing.
That was a month and a half ago. Now this “Happy New year!”. Maybe they have a relative in Vermont law enforcement.
Did the check clear?
Great update!
Not entirely sure - I deposited it at the bank in person, and said a little atheist prayer, for what that’s worth.
1 Like
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that the check really clears, and your nightmare is finally over.
1 Like
Next time you can ask the teller to verify funds prior to deposit, or take it to the bank from which it was issued.
1 Like
I would be shocked if the check didn’t clear. Anyone who escalates to the BBB is One Squeaky Wheel, and a company (who may or may not be participating in best practices) is best served by issuing them a check that clears so the customer can be on their way (and squeak no more).
The amount of trouble that they would have on their hands if they issued a bad check after the BBB got involved in a certain case would, I also imagine, be absolutely astronomical.
Fingers crossed for you, OP! What a mess. I’m glad it seems to have been resolved!
2 Likes
So glad you got paid! Sucks you had to work so hard to get it, shame on them!
2 Likes
