Yep. You read it correctly. I paid that much to return a trial saddle to a tack shop. I now despair that I will ever find the right saddle We have no tack shops in Tucson. One in Phoenix. I can’t afford to do this over and over. I have a hard to fit horse and trying is a must. Help!
Sounds about right with insurance. It hopefully will go down after the holidays. My prices have doubled in the last month or so…
Really work with a knowledgeable saddle fitter even long distance will dramatically cut down on shipping random saddles.
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Hey, I feels ya’. I’m in Prescott and all we have is Cowboy Corner. (Name says it all). I’ve been agonizing over choosing a hunt seat saddle for the same reasons as you: the dreaded return shipping fees if it doesn’t fit.
The place you get the saddle from usually has a corporate or company contract for shipping, so they pay less to ship it out. We get to pay the full “civilian” price. That’s what fries me.
Check out www.highlinetack.com - they have free shipping on their trials, and if I remember correctly they had some kind of pre-arranged flat rate shipping if you have to return it.
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Thanks for the tip! I think that’s where my friend got her last saddle.
@Renn_aissance: I won’t tell a soul. 
I sold a saddle a few months back and it was $80 just to ship from VA to NY. And it was a 15 inch kids size!
It’s the bulky size that’s the problem, not the weight. The smaller you can make the box the better.
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a suggestion is check the offers your credit card might have… one of mine (USAA) has an alliance with FedEx that allows you yo set up a shipping account that provides a 36% discount personal and 40% for business shipping using FedEx… and has had that offer for several years. (Personal and Business accounts are separate)
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I get what you are upset about, but you do know that companies PAY for their contracts right? They don’t just get lower rates simply because they are companies. Shipping is a major expense in most industries. “Free” shipping can be a killer for smaller companies.
OP, I second/third/whatnot speaking to a good independent fitter, even if it is digitally. They will help you cut way down on the number of saddles you need to try. I am also assuming you have borrowed some saddles from friends/barnmates to see how those go for your horse? Saddle fitting can be such a nightmare, I spent a year (and a good amount of money) to finally find a saddle that worked well for me and my horse. Totally worth it.
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Get the shipper to provide you with a return label for a small fee. I found that you can get saddles in a much smaller box if you “roll” the flaps around the tree.
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I was you. I finally gave up and bought a custom Black Country. Haven’t regretted it one single day.
I was blowing my budget in shipping. In the end, the custom saddle was more cost effective than paying to ship saddles from all over.
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This. Some tack shops will give you a return label, and have you pay them for it. It’s cheaper that way.
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another thought. how far is it to a good tack store with good used inventory? Is the cost of shipping a return ( ~ $200) any different from driving there and looking? what about hauling to meet a fitter or hauling in where you can try multiple saddles from a store, over a weekend?
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Don’t be ridiculous.
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I’m going to call Greenway Saddlery in Phoenix to see what they have. Otherwise, it’s an 8 hour drive to Mary’s in California.
Check with Mary’s before you make the drive. I called (maybe 60 days ago?) and they had limited stock in the store. So many people buy custom saddles that they don’t have the inventory of years past. But maybe you can see what might work in a different size or flap style.
Plus you get the luxury of shopping in a real tack store! 
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It would be nice, but I don’t have my own truck and trailer. It would probably cost $1000 to make the trip.
Hey, I do have my own truck and trailer and I’m not motivated enough to haul there for a saddle fitting. In fact, my life’s goal is to never cross into California ever again. 
I’m just trying to sit in as many styles of saddles as possible. My horse is not hard to fit. I’m the problem… as usual.
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I’m not hard to fit. Bennie is. He’s an appaloosa cross (probably TB?) and has medium-high withers. But too narrow a tree and the saddle it tight on his shoulders. An acquaintance of mine is a saddle maker. She said not to get a narrow tree. So I don’t freakin’ know. There is a Prestige with a 4" dot to dot measurement at the barn that fits him well. Is 4" narrow? I was told not to get a Prestige, too, because they have plastic trees.
Anyone want to take a go? Here is a picture:
OH ok not being able to haul out really is a disadvantage. So sorry you face this issue.
agree with Paint_Party, my issue was always fitting me, more than fitting the horse. Even if you can go to Greenway and sit in saddles before taking a few chosen ones away to try on your horse. Are they good that way.
It use to be there were a few mobile saddlers who traveled my area. I was lucky to find a saddle fitter who was independent and was rep for several lines. Plus he was a 3 day rider so had a diverse background in different seat types and needs.
