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 dont 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.
I'm looking for a horse now. I will tell you that I don't call the ads that say "serious inquiries only." There's a horse I'd love more info about but it says that in the ad. I'm not calling. I am seriously looking at horses but I don't know if I am seriously looking at THAT horse. That phrase is off-putting.
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.
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?
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.
I would ride Montana if I could. I'm 4 months pregnant and am not going to risk anything happening to me or the baby. If they don't like that, they can leave. I'm not going to endanger the baby's life just to please someone. I do lunge (if they want) him before they ride so they can see how he moves, how he is at the w/t/c before they get on. They don't have to ride him if I dont, its all what they have decided.
I know Montana will not be a perfect match for everyone, I'm not saying he is, but to come out for almost 2 hours and ride him for over an hour, I think it a bit excessive if the horse isn't a perfect match. I would think experienced horse people (which everyone has been except for a mother and daughter) would know off the bat if a horse was a good match or not. I know I did when I went looking at horses.
When I put negotiable, I knew I'd get offers, but $500 for a $2,000 horse is ridiculous IMO. I will edit out the neg. part and see what happens. I just think this girl was looking for a great deal. IMO she'd have better luck at the auction.
I will revise my game plan for when people come out. I dont mind showing him to people. I just dont like the fact when people are out there for around 2 hours and seem like they're really interested and then they hit you with the BS. So IMO they came out for a "free ride".
If he's not going to work out, then have the decency to get off or leave and just say that "He's a nice horse but i'm looking for something different" or whatever. I'd be fine with that.
I did that mostly so I wouldn't get kids e-mailing or calling just to get more pictures.
I'm not saying they have to want Montana when they see the ad, but atleast have an interest in him to be contacting me and not someone who just wants to add to their picture collection.
And if someone's put off by it, then it wasn't meant to be. (no offense Joshie, I understand completely where you are coming from)
I think its just one of those things you have to bite your tongue and put up with the BS when you have anything for sale.
I've sold a few horses, cars, houses. etc. Its all the same, gotta wade through the mud to get to solid ground. Very rarely does a sale of anything go without a few pains in the patooty.
that's what I was figuring.
I guess what really sparked this was having a young girl come out twice and then basically want him for little to nothing when I feel I have him priced reasonably.
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