Avoid getting my time wasted

So I've been showing Montana for about 3 weeks now. I've had a handful of people come out and only 2 were really serious about buying him for the price I had listed ($2,000 neg.)

The first person didn't get him because he apparently had a "sore back". That was after she had already ridden him and had a friend come out and IMO "cowboy" him (Jump on him, take up the reins and ask him to go. Montana responded with hollowing his back and raising his head.) So they were told by their BO that he had a sore back and it wasn't worth to get a PPE done on a 15 year old horse because it could get worse. Though if he was younger than it would be a different story.
(I have checked him over and had other people ride him and he has never acted like that since)

Then I had another older couple come out that were looking for just a trail horse. He was almost sold but he just wouldn't stand still for the guy to get on and he already had a horse that does that and didn't want to deal with it.(this was out of character for Montana as he's always stood still for people to get on. Maybe he sensed something, or didn't want to leave? I don't know)

Besides those two sets of people, I have had numerous people that apparently had no intention of buying him and just wanted to ride him (which they would ride him for about 45 min- 1 hour, say they have to do this or that before they could get him, or the "we'll keep in touch" line) or they'd offer me a low ball over that I just could not accept.

How do I go about to still show Montana but not have my time wasted? I know its all part of it and normally I would be fine with it, but with me being pregnant I would think people would be courteous of that. Maybe I'm just asking too much.

Did you put in your add serious inquirier only? Not sure if that would deter someone with brass looking for a free ride, but might help.

I've never sold a horse so I don't have much input , sorry.

Ask for their references before letting them come out. That would dissuade most I would think. Along with the serious inquiries only.
Sorry you have to put up with the crap from people. Maybe put a time limit, not a solid one but one for sure if they seem like they just came for the ride.
Good luck!

I do have serious inquiries only in the ads that I have up. As well as that I'm selling him due to pregnancy (just so people know before hand why im selling him as well as why I can't ride)

I will definitely do the time limit. I would think an hour is ample time to figure out if the horse is a good match etc.

I also like the reference idea too. That'll hopefully stop a lot of "free riders" from coming out.

Serious folks won't buy on a whim, so when someone comes out to look, have it be just that...a look. After you've talked, decide if they are serious, and if so, make an appointment for a ride. Most people who aren't serious won't bother to come back.

I realize that serious people will come back out and the two serious buyers that I had, came out twice.
Everyone else came out just once and IMO if they aren't serious why bother coming out?
Well I had someone else come back out and I guess you can say she was a serious buyer, but she could only afford a fraction of his asking price. Why look at a $2,000 horse if you can only afford a fraction of it? To me that was a waste of my time as she knew from the beginning she couldn't afford it, yet never told me the price range she was looking at spending.

Maybe its just the type of person that I am that I wouldn't go looking at horses unless I was a serious buyer and I definitely wouldn't go look at a horse that is like 4x above my price range and offer them 1/4 of the price.

Hey - at least you are getting people out looking. That is a positive thing in this current economy! Hope he sells soon for you.

I imagine with the economy and horse market the way it is, people are expecting to get (unreasonable) deals.

Hang in there...he's a beauty and I think you should be able to get $2000 easy.

Thanks PHM!

Tom and I were even talking about just leasing him out, which might interest more people, but that's still in the talking stage.

I don't really have a sellers point of view...but I do have a little experience in buyer point of view. I personally would not put the price negotiable. I would not say that it is firm or anything....I would just post the price. Maybe that would help with people offering unreasonable amounts of money. Most potential buyers will come with the hopes of talking you down a little, but I think when you say negotiable it kinda leaves you open to all offers. Also, when someone comes out to meet your horse...I WOULD ride for them or let them ride if that's what they wanted. From a buyers perspective...so many people are full of it...I personally would be very skeptical of anyone who refused to ride or let me ride. It's a tough market and there are so many dishonest people in the horse industry that I think anyone purchasing a horse should be skeptical. Also, your horse may not be right for everyone considering purchasing a horse. I'm sure you have a good horse, but what may be the perfect horse for you may not be for me for various reasons. Don't assume that just because someone comes out and rides your horse and doesn't come back, that they were just looking for a "free ride". It very well could be that it just wasn't the right fit...and it is better for all involved for everyone to be happy with the deal. I know it must be tough on you trying to sell a horse in these times....but remember that its not easy on the buyer either. So many sellers try and sell you horses that are not what they seem.