Question About Selling Horses and Tack

Ok, didn't know of a better place to put this, so I'm sorry in advance if it's miscategorized!

Anyway, I've run into this a couple of times recently, and just wanted to know what everyone's thoughts were... When you are selling a horse or tack (i.e. Equitation saddle), I've had everyone ask if they can take the horse/saddle on a "test" trial for a couple of days, or even a week. I have been totally set against this... What happens if the horse comes up lame, or the saddle gets dropped or scratched? Then you are totally out of the selling market and won't get anything for your product. I can see the buyers point of view - they want to try it out and make sure it works for them. But I don't EVER remember this a few years ago. Then they seem to get upset when I say no - I've offered to have them come and ride at our house, or take it to theirs to try out, but it's no deal.

So, what's your take on this? Would you let someone you don't know take your horse or tack on a test trial?

If I would consider lending tack on a trial, I would want collateral. I sell my tack through tack shops on consignment; they won't let people get away with theft ;)

ETA: When you go through your local tack shop, they will take the person's credit card on file and make them sign a contract saying if they damage or attempt to steal the saddle, they'll just charge the card :)

I would let an interested buyer come to my place and try out the horse or equipment. As many times as they would like (within reason not like every saturday for a couple months..no free weekend pony rides) But a couple test drives. And they could visit as much as they liked.
As for tack...for everthing but the saddle...gimme cash and go away. and for the saddle idk.. maybe a deposit if it is an expensive saddle? But it would be for like 1/2 the price. I would really prefer that if they are that concerned they could bring their horse to my house and try it on. Otherwise I feel like I am not Wal-mart. Your satisfaction is not guarnteed. You decision is totally yours and I will not push you to buy anything you do not want. I will hold items for a day or so. To give them time to make up their minds. But no more than 2 days. I would be open and accomodating but only to a point. Alot of time is really just depends upon the buyer on how giving I am.

Re-reading this I sound kind of harsh. I guess I wouldn't waste someones time if I wasn't serious and I expect that same courtacy.

Yeah, I'd definitely have a trial if I were selling tack. Or have like, some type of agreement in case anything happens.

Tack - no free trial

Horse - it would cost them $$ if they wanted to take the horse away - I would also make them sign a contract stating that they would be responsible for any vet bills that could arise while in their care - also farrier bills if the horse threw a shoe. They would also have to list where they would be keeping the horse...and I would have to see the place first :)

Horse + tack - no way! They are just wanting a free horse for a week! Now if the horse has some funky sort of conformation and only one saddle would fit it, then that is a different story...but they aren't going to buy the whole "kit and kaboodle" anyway, so I would request that they provide their own tack

The problem with California is that personal contracts don't hold up in court - if they hurt the horse, decide they don't want it, then give it back, I would really have no way of getting any money out of them... Same goes with tack. Not sure about other states, I think CA is the worst when it comes to personal property...

Then request it up front. A good way to rule out people that aren't interested anyway is say "it's going to cost you ____ to take my horse for a week. 50% (or whatever you choose) will be non-refundable if you choose not to purchase the horse, but if you do decide to purchase, it will all go towards the purchase price." If you have no way legally to protect yourself, then line your pockets with their money. Take no chances!!!

I wouldn't be afraid to just tell the buyers...this is how I roll 8)

And set rules for what you think is right.

If someone is serious about buying your horse and/ or tack they should be willing to jump through your hoops. If they are not, someone elsw will.

I would never give my tack to someone I don't know. The bridle as long as it is not a fancy expensive bridal, I would give as it is a lot more of a comfort issue for the horse, otherwise no! I refuse to let anyone borrow my saddle!

I generally don't let people take my horses out on trial unless it's through a reputable trainer who I know. My last sale horse I did let out on trial. But she gave me a filled out check for his sale amount and filled out a very thorough Bill of Sale form that said that if anything happened to the horse during that week that the horse was theirs and that I could cash the check. It also required them to insure the horse for that time period. I think in the horse show world it's pretty normal to get/allow a horse on trial though. I assume because trainers are often connected and it's fairly common to get horses from out of state. In fact, we get a fair amount of horses from out of state that we bring back so we can use our vet for an exam/xrays. But for some random guy off the street who saw an online ad of mine? Nope! They can come and ride him all they want (within reason of course) but they are not taking the horse off the property until he is completely paid for. I also allow payments, but will charge them board until all payments are finished.

As far as tack goes, I either sell to people I know, through consignment, or through Ebay. On Ebay I don't allow returns! Maybe that's harsh but I've bought stuff that didn't fit that I've had to resell.