Well, I thought I found the perfect hunt horse..

[2ndyrgal]

Told the gal to please give me a shot, she said she had a couple people trying this horse over the weekend. Saturday night, the husband calls me, tells me the horse is sold. I said, “Ok”. He asked me if I wanted to make a higher offer on the horse. I said 'Did you tell the people who tried her that they bought the horse? He said he did. I said, “well, then they bought it” Had he stated he told them there was someone else interested in trying the horse, and they wanted to make sure it got the best home before they decided, that would have been different, or if they’d said they had another offer.

Gal calls me Sunday morning, said they “slept on it” and since the other people were from TX and were just going to have the horse shipped without trying it, they didn’t think that would be a good enough situation, it was like a family member, they wanted to be sure.

At this point, I had a feeling I was being played, so I told the woman I’d gone on to other things, but I’d get back to her. I was under the influence of painkillers, so I was a bit abrupt.

Today I’ve left a couple of messages and one email, none returned.

I explained to her that my hunt horse I bought in November is fabulous, I bought him off a video and he’s a wonderful hunt horse. Kind of a butthead on the ground, but wonderful. I wire transferred money, sent a Brook Ledge truck and he arrived safe and sound. I could drive down, try him and bring him back, but truthfully, he isn’t at all expensive (under 10K) and for what I want to do with him, he’ll be perfectly fine even if he’s a bit on the slow side.

Was I wrong to feel a bit played? I would feel terrible if some parent wanted a low level, sane event horse (it’s done BN) and that was there budget. I can ride and I can wait, I’d never sell someone a horse then try to get a higher 'bid".

What say you guys?

[Neigh-Neigh]

To be 100% honest, I don’t really understand what you are talking about.

[jawa]

When shopping for a horse (or home), and you have more than one prospective buyer, I see nothing wrong with a “bidding” war. That is as long as everyone knows the game that is being played.

To have “sold” the horse and then decide they may have been able to get more so start a bidding war is not ethical.

Stick to the higher ground.

[Appsolute]

yep, I had a bidding war situation once.

I put my packer event horse up for sale when I bought my move up prospect.

A very nice family and trainer approached, but they were not willing to pay our asking price, and instead we agreed to lease the horse to them (with the understanding the horse would remain for sale to all perspective buyers).

Eventually a buyer willing to pay full asking price was found. Suddenly the lessors were willing to pay the full asking price. Perspective buyer upped the offer… lessor matched, perspective buyer upped again, and we ended up selling to the perspective buyer.

There were some ruffled feathers in all the back and forth. Lessors threatened to “sue” based on “breach of verbal contract” as we told them we would sell the horse to them for X amount (which at the time the lessors refused to pay) back when the horse was initially leased. But we were now asking them to match offers received.

It was a bunch of hot air. They never sued, and they could have bought the horse for the lesser amount if they had exercised the option when they were given it.

Bidding wars happen, fairly often I am sure.

[sadlmakr]

I think you were right to feel “Played”. If your gut tells you there is something fishy, there is something fishy.

You did right. I do not appreciate it when people play games with me. If the horse is sold then the horse is sold. But this game of “Pay us more and I will sell him out from under the buyer I have”, is just plain wrong. I would not deal with such a person. I think you did right. But that is JMHO.

[2ndyrgal]

I should have been more clear.

I told the woman I wanted the horse, but that I couldn’t be down to pick it up until Monday and I’d bring cash with me. She said she had a couple of people that were trying the horse over the weekend, and I said please let me know what goes on, I’m a serious buyer, but I told her specifically (because we deal in a sales business) don’t walk away from the $$$. If you get an offer (meaning less than full price) please let me know, I’m willing and able to pay what you are asking.

The husband stated the people that tried the horse gave them the full price and he told them it would be their horse. Did I want to pay more? He did not tell them he was going to seek a higher bid. I’ve been on that end, and didn’t like it, so I said go with the people you promised him to.

She called the next day and said the people were from Texas and hadn’t seen the horse, just wanted to send the money and ship him. They slept on it and just couldn’t do it. On our first conversation when I asked their reason for selling, she said her husband wanted a nicer horse to move up the eventing levels with, clearly this wasn’t the horse (and he isn’t). The second phone call painted the horse as a beloved family member that they could hardly part from without an in person, try him interview. He’s advertised as an anyone can ride sort and I emailed pictures of my farm to her which she declared fabulous and stated I could provide MFH references as to my suitability. I asked her the first thing off the bat where she lived so I could have a shipper price it and pick him up. No qualms there.

I’m sure there are many other nice horses out there, this one seemed to fit all my needs, good second horse, good beginner horse for DH and my pals.

The whole thing was a bit strange.

Oh well, onward and upward. We’ll see if they ever call back or return my email.