Haven't payed for the saddle yet?

Sorry Saddlebag, I meant to mention this in my above post.

Not sure where in Ontario you are...and I don't need to know...but Bahr's Saddlery in Halton does let people do test rides in their saddles. It does require a safety deposit. Link to their page of the saddle policy thing:

Saddle Policy

Not sure if Brubachers Harness in Wallenstein does it, but it is possible that they do.

Sorry to hear that, Saddlebag. I've let a saddle go home with a friend but I wouldn't with someone I didn't know. Maybe it's the same with my tack shop. I've been going to them for the past 10 years that they have been open and I stop in regularly just to visit and have a cup of coffee - I also get my feed there.

I'd go back to the tack store and explain that I wanted to go ahead and pay for the saddle. I'd be concerned about being accused of theft or damaging the saddle if I continued using it and then had my price offer rejected or some other problem emerged.

I think this is a rather strange situation, honestly. The tack store owner should be able to get it sorted out.

I personally would go to the tack store (or call) and get to the bottom of this. It just seems off that the saddle fitter told you not to call them. Something is going on.

That's how my tack store works. You leave a credit card number and you get to borrow a saddle for about 3-5 days. If you don't return the saddle in that time frame, they charge the card.

Thank you for the replies guys!

The tack store is an 1 1/2 hrs away from where I live, so i've been phoning trying to get a hold of the girl I recieved the saddle from to talk before making the trip in. I left 3 messages over the past few days and still haven't gotten a return call. Will phone later today.

Courtney- That is what the original plan was, since I had left a credit card # with them when I took the saddle out originally, they did not need me to return to the store when I buy it ( assuming the saddle owner accepted my offer ). The money I had put aside for the saddle is still there and I haven't heard back on what the situation was.

How very strange! Keep us informed - I'd be curious to hear what's going on (I hope they don't go out of business though as if it's a case it may take time to sort everything out).

I'd call and speak with the owner or overall manager of the store and either get an answer or tell them that I'd be shipping the saddle back to them ASAP. I'd box up the saddle, write a note with my offer in it, and ask them to call me once they had an answer and I'd ship that saddle right back to them. Something is .........maybe not rotten in Denmark but at least starting to smell spoiled. I'd be getting worried that maybe the saddle was stolen and they didn't know it when they took it on consignment but now.......eh.....I'm suspicious by nature though.

Contacted the saddle fitter today - didn't sound too worried at all, asked how I was liking the saddle & how my horse was doing. She said that when she phoned originally, the owners didn't return her call and she never got around to phoning again. She said she'll get back to me in the next week.

You've done what you could - seems they are not worried about it, so I wouldn't be either. If you are willing to go to the full price in the even that they don't take your offer, I would simply enjoy the saddle until they contact you.

Dreamcatcher - wow, that is some scenario and a little extreme for my tastes.