Hurt by Rude Sale-man-ship (MHR)

[midnight star stables]

Hi everyone,

As you guys know I’ve been looking for a buddy for my yearling, Joy, for a few months now. In October, I had gone to a sale & saw one that caught my eye, but we didn’t buy. Well I tracked him down, he was bought back. Now this mini is a 35†perlino ‘gelding’(to be), he has nice movement and conformation. I really really like him. I went and saw him last weekend. We talked and made a payment plan. (But she insisted we didn’t pay any thing at the time, so we held of on giving her our down payment)

Well I e-mailed her for final plans two days later and she writes back saying they’ve changed their mind… From the beginning, I made it ‘Very’ clear I needed to do time payments because I’m a 15 year old teen who can’t get more that $150 a month and we are without our own trailer… She had written back saying she wants him paid in full, picked up on the same day, and all before May(the next sale), BUT If anyone comes and likes him, she’ll sell to them first, if they give her the money… My family is appalled (and say %#@&^ her…) but I really like this horse… Something keeps drawing me back to him… I am really hurt by her ‘business’ look of things and I’ve never know anyone to be so harsh… So I would now have to borrow money from both my mom and dad, and have them rent a trailer, slowly paying them off!!

And then today I received a call from Mrs. Sandra Bucknell (The lady a bought Joy from) and She’s slowly selling out. She told me about her 3 year old sorrel tovero mare, who is the best in her barn, great conformation, but still yet to be really handled… A really really wanted me to have her, offering me half the price, plus over a year to pay it!!! This also includes FREE shipping her, blankets, halters and the best friend you could have in the horse business!!! This mare is Sandra’s favorite… She really does not want to sell her… But due to her lack of handling, Sandra feels this mare will be just thrown out to pasture as a broodmare, and she really didn’t want that, She wanted a one on one home, with some showing & breeding in a few years… She is begging me to take her… Also Joy grew up with this mare for Joy’s first 4 months…

I’m REALLY torn, I really like the boy, but I’m confused on how to react to his owner, where as I want to help Sandra out because I love that woman, but I’m not as fond of her mare… there’s just something about the perlino…

Wow, this is long! Sorry to vent; I really needed to though… Any help is greatly appreciated.

-Desiree

 

[Ashley]

It might just be me, but a seller like that would make me turn and walk away in a heart beat and never look back.

 

[MiLo Minis]

Save your money up and buy him at the sale in May - bet you will get him for less than in a private sale!!! She obviously didn't take your downpayment cause she wanted time to think it over and once she did she figured she would give you to the sale to take him or she would put him in the sale. He has been for sale for quite some time and she hasn't been able to sell him. He was in the last sale and she didn't let him go - maybe this time she will? If someone else buys him between now and then well then it wasn't meant to be and you will go on to something else.

:

 

[bluerogue]

I'm going to go against the grain, and say forget the colt, and talk some more with your friend about the mare. She needs a good home, and Joy needs a friend. And they will remember each other. I know it is not easy to have a horse who is in need of daily handling (I have one, but since I don't live on site with her, she's just going to have to wait to get her major handling in. She's doing well with her lessons though). Go look at the mare, and talk to your friend about her. It is good to have a mentor. I would try to forget the perlino, as his owner sounds like someone I would not want to deal with. Especially with her ethics.

 

[Cathy_H]

I say don't be barn blind here & pick the BEST horse to do what it is that you want your next horse to do...... If it is the one that the NICE lady is selling then you CAN become just as fond of it as the other one.................. Regarding the wishy washy person, can you trust them to give you the truth about that horses health? If you are having a problem buying the horse can you afford a vet bill if the horse comes to you with health issues? More to think about here than the price of the horse............................. Long term care can end up costing many times more than the animal. Best of luck in whatever you do.

 

[mininik]

I'd forget about the 'gelding' as I'd be afraid of potential paperwork issues cropping up. The seller is already proving to be unreliable so even if you could pay in full in time I wouldn't doubt there'll be more problems later on.

Get the mare!

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[liltnt]

with an attutude from the geldings mom, I would tell her to keep the horse and take the one that is being offered. As it is said, there is a reason why things dont work out. Heed the warning and go with the mare. YOu will be much happier

 

[KrisP]

I'll tell you what my husband always tells me, you're buying the horse not the person, so go with the horse that YOU want. :bgrin

krisp

 

[promise]

If you really want the gelding, make sure he is sound. Keep an ear out if he has been sold or not. Be truthful with your friend. If she loves this horse that much, and the market being slow right now, there is a good chance she will not sell the mare to just anyone. If the other lady sells, consider your friends mare. If the gelding does to auction, you will probable get him cheap. Don't be surprised if you don't get an email or call before the sale as a last chance attempt to get a good price for the gelding. In my experience, unless this guy is phenominal, geldings don't go excessively high at sales.

I have gotten more than one of these emails from owners at the last minute. One person tried to sell me a colt I was not interested in, very much saying oh he's real nice, good manners, nice confirmation, but he was too big for my mares. Don't you know the same guy she offered to me as marked down price of $1000 went for $275 at the sale!

Promise

 

[midnight star stables]

Ok I'll do just a short post.

The boy is seven. He is a Stallion. I will geld him (because she doesn’t want 'our' bill, but wouldn't even do it if we paid!

: ) I like the guy. A lot. He is sound and up-to date with every thing, It's just that because I'm young, and inexperienced, She’s short of trying to rip us off, to see how far we'll bounce... She know I want the him...

Where as Sandra is a dear to every one, I love her to peaces, but this mare isn't really what I'm looking for, Her conformation is fine, I'm not crazy for her colour(But when have I got the right colours anyway! ~ but it does make a difference..) but she's not trained to lead, lunge, drive(nor is the boy though) and is really out of shape, have the last 2 summers total out to pasture. But on top of that She May be Prego! I'm not looking to buy a bred mare, I need her open, because of what I plan to do:

So what really do I want to do?

1) Joy's buddy (both work)

2) A YOUTH show horse, because Midnight always being a stallion, I never got to show with other youths

3) Midnight's 'replacement', so my old boy can take up the pasture life.

4)Go to AMHR Nat.

5) *A MINI I CAN DRIVE*

I really want to Drive.. Midnight's just getting too old. First I'd have to work with the mare for months, making her bombproof, Before I can even think of ground driving. Then if she’s Prego, I can't show her, so there goes my small enjoyment or goal. (I'd be getting her in June, that the week of the first show and she'd be due in August, the second show.. :no: I can only do the two shows.) But I want to help Sandra.. I'm really torn, she’s like a mom or a grandma to me.. She has both trust & fate in me..

Money is not the problem, Lets say one is around 1500 and the other 1000. I can do one but not both.

My mom wants me to go with my heart & get the guy.. My dad wants me to buy the cheapest mini i can..

: :bgrin Fat chance!

It took me a long time to get Joy, a real long time, I have the chance to pick out my last mini until one passes on... I felt something really special with that gelding... A click I've only had a few times... I know I'll kick myself for letting the boy slip through my fingers, but is it worth getting played? I know Sandra wouldn't play us..

Sorry this isn't short!

-Desiree

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Are you POSITIVE there is no other reason she does not want the Stallion gelded on her property?? Have you had a Vets report on him?? I would be suspecting retained testicle , if I were trying to buy him. Also you have not the option to breed a gelding, even when you are ready to!!

There is something smelling in the Perlino deal, for me, I would not be happy with this deal. The other one? Well, if not the mare offered, what els has your friend got that you like??

The other problem here is you are buying a stallion (albeit gelded) to keep a yearling filly company- that doesn't work for me, not at all. I doubt you would get then together this year.

I would go for the filly that you are not do fond of- she will grow on you!!

 

[Robin1]

You know which one you want. I would have a full vet check on the boy before the sale comes in May. You are looking for a horse you can show in all kinds of classes and not worry about, that sounds like a gelding to me.

What matters most is ,"what do you want?" I know what you want as well as anybody else that has read your posts. You are looking for people to tell you what you want to hear.

Make the decision you can live with. Not something that you will always wonder about.

Robin

 

[Triggy&Blue&Daisy Too]

Neither situation sounds good and I suspect you'll not be happy in the end no matter which way you go if you make these two your only options. Sometimes when their are obstacles like this is means you need to keep looking for the "right" horse. Good things come to those who wait.

 

[FairytailGlennMinis]

I also feel that something isn't right about the stud. First...no payments when she will have him until May AND that she doesn't want him gelded there. I agree with Rabbit that it sounds like she wants to unload a problem. There is something VERY fishy here! If your heart is set on THIS horse, I would call again, ask to see ALL of his paperwork (and if it isn't in order or she hesitates--RUN). Then ask if you can have a vet out to do a pre-purchase exam. Something in my gut says something is wrong with this sale and do you really want to be stuck with a crytorchid stud or one without papers (or at best that you would have to spend a fortune to get everthing fixed) and STILL have the possibility of your dreams going up in smoke?

Now onto the mare. This sounds like a great deal, but if your heart isn't set on her, then plain and simply don't do it. There are too many horses out there that are exactly what you want! I would take that list and not hand over my money until everything on there is met. You CAN get exactly what you want for that amount of money, my dear. My advice is to hold out for one that meets or exceeds your list. Until then, save those pennies!

-Amy

 

[MountainViewMiniatures]

I would say buy the one you have your heart set on but a 7 year old stallion even gelded is not the right companion for a yearling especially a filly - it can take years (or never in my friend's mini's case and he was gelded at 5, both testicles removed, and is still breeding/bothering her mares and gelding 6 years later). Also remember that he will still be fertile for up to a month or so after gelding. So if this was a major consideration in buying him be honest with yourself and take that out of the equation as your filly could actually be hurt badly by him. I would personally want to check for both testicles also - has this fellow ever breed any mares? That's another consideration to look at.

I would definately need to actually see his paperwork to be sure she is owner of record and has permanent papers. You may not be buying the seller but a bad experience imo and experience is not worth it. If you want him - wait till the auction. I wouldn't worry about someone buying him first after all how long has she been trying to sell him? If she does it wasn't meant to be.

It is worth checking out the mare - after all you can have her pregnancy tested. You should always explore all your options and this sounds like a great opportunity and a real companion for your filly. I've seen what great results/time/effort and care you put in your minis - I don't think it would take you any longer to get this mare going than it would the "gelding" - if she is pregnant then maybe you can recoup some of your money with the sale of the foal (if you can bring yourself to sell the foall

). So what if you need to wait one more year to show her? Think how awesome she'd be by then. Plus if she is due soon and you work with handling till the foal is born you may be able to show this year later in the season. If she is close enough I would certainly take a visit to meet her.

Also as Rabbit said you have the option of breeding her down the road when you retire her from showing

Might be best to write down in 2 columns your pros and cons sometimes seeing it all written out helps.

Good luck whichever way you decide!

 

[coopermini]

As many have stated there is something not right with the deal with the stallion! I think it was said the stallion has not been worked with? I would question why is he still a stud and never been worked with????? Maybe they tried and couldn't do anything with him?? I think you have exp. enough to get the mare going but the stallion could be a multi year project if they have screwed up with him in the past and are not telling the whole story.

Another line of thought is that seller may be trying to steer you away as she knows he will be a bad fit and may never work out for you??

Good luck with your decision Desiree!

 

[zacharyfarms]

I agree with KrisP's husband..don't throw the baby out with the bath water...just because you don't like the seller doesn't mean the horse shouldn't be yours if you still want him. Now that said, is there some reason she (the stallion seller) is pulling these shenanigans or perhaps you all rubbed her the wrong way and she just didn't want to have to deal with the gelding process, the payments, etc.etc. or perhaps your enthusiasm made her feel her horse was more valuable than she thought and she wants to try to find a buyer for a higher price. Now as for your friend's horse..I had a friend that dispersed two years ago and she had 3 mares that I had always admired but needed like I needed a hole in my head...she of course made me a deal that I couldn't refuse and I ended up with 3 horses (2 in foal) that I really didn't want or need at the time but I succumbed and bought all three

: I love the horses and love their babies but......If you are limited to how many horses you can have or provide for then you must go with the horse that you truly want..IMO Don't be in too big of a rush. If the horse you want doesn't work out due to the reluctance of the seller try to find another of your liking that fits the bill but if your friend's horse is a horse that you like almost as much than perhaps this what sounds like a great opportunity is truly a Godsend. Now this post should clear up your dilemma.

:

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

Well here is my take.. there are SO MANY NICE horses out there to buy and I personally wont deal with a seller who doesnt seem to have customer service at all in there mind. I have passed on some nice horses however.. there was and is always a nicer one around the corner.

 

[Marty]

I could not deal with a seller who acts like that and I absoultely do not like to be pressured into any sale like that. Nope no way.

If you don't care for the mare, then move along.

I think you should start all over again and look for another horse.

 

[slaneyrose]

we have heard from lots of people on another thread about not "connecting" with some horses and falling madly in love with others......I would say follow your heart!! If you REALLY want this boy (and it sounds like you are totally smitten) and your parents can lend you the money I would say go for it!! But offer them slightly less for cash in hand!!!