Using Agents to Sell Horses

[wildhorses]

I am wondering if anyone here is an Agent, or has used an agent to try to market and sell their horses? I guess I was wondering how this works, how much it costs, etc. I am also wondering for those that have used it if they have seen an increase in their sales using an agent versus selling on their own. Any input or experiences would be appreciated. This was mentioned to me as an option to sell some horses, but I know nothing about using an agent so wanted to get some info here first before persuing it farther. Thanks in advance!

 

[yankee_minis]

I do it for people who don't have access to the Internet or who don't have the time to advertise or take good pictures. I usually get 10% of the sale. And I go take pictures, post on my website, advertise around locally and here on LB. I answer all the calls and emails and at some point I give the seller's info to the potential buyer. Depends on what the seller wants.

If you hire an agent, please don't change the price or take the horse off the market without talking to the agent.

And don't sell the horse to your brother-in-law and not tell the agent. Talk up front about how you'll work it out if someone you know very well approaches you without contacting the agent. The seller and agent need to agree ahead of time.

If you're not negotiable on some points, say so. If you are negotiable, give the agent an idea of how far you'll go.

Give the agent as much information on the horse as possible. Make a recommendation on the suitability of the horse for certain homes-- kids? show? breed?

Be honest about your horse. I am an honest person and it's important that horses are placed with the right humans. Don't tell me the horse is kid safe when it is not. That just hurts everybody, especially the horse.

I'm sure there will be others who comment here. I'm just a little guy who spends a lot of time on the computer and is good with a camera.

 

[MountainMeadows]

Do your homework on the person who will be representing you, are the professional, what can they offer that you cant, etc -- get a contract IN WRITING that you both agree on that spells out all the specific terms that you intend to agree to, ie Health Guarantees, Height Guarantees, Live Foal Guarantees, on & on. Make sure that the contract is specific for EACH horse being represented. Put a beginning and an end date on the contract. Make sure that you address where disputes will be resolved - ie -- YOUR backyard, not the agents or the buyers! Make sure that the agent is taking commission on only the specific listed horses, for "such & such"a time period and that their involvement does not extend into the millineum and cover every horse on your place now and into the future! If the agent is going to actually HAVE the horse in their possession, specifically detail your expectations as far as care, and indicate your approval of use of the animal whether it be showing, breeding, transporting, medicating, etc.

In other words -- there is a lot to take into consideration -- these are just a few things that flew into my head and I didn't really think about a lot more things that may be possible "hiccups" to a situation such as this.

Just my .02 worth

Stach

 

[Cathy_H]

If the agent requires that your horse (s) be on their farm be AWARE that this is a way to get monthy board from you. After paying months of board and no sold horses you will find that you are in the hole rather than making a profit...... Some people have to have boarders to offset their own costs.... If the agent doesn't charge board but a percentage once sold then I might consider it. 10% use to be common from what I've seen.................... As most of us old times know, the agents own horse is almost always going to sell first or the person that the agent is obligated to more!...... Sorry no help but a word of caution from seeing other people disappointed that had horses for sell through someone else.

 

[End Level Farms]

My fiance has helped numerous people sell their horses.

She always seem to be able to sell other horses better than our own.

She is very open and honest about the horse.

She haa done both where they have paid board and I no commission or they bring feed and I get a commission.

She has also done it so that the horse is actually in training and being advertised to sell that way.

A lot of people she has helped cant get to a computer cant answer emails or post pictures or even show the horse to potential buyers. She hates taking horses in the winter because she cant keep them clipped and ***** and span. So she usually suggests for people to get the training done in the winter when the pictures arent worth much because the horses look like yaks. And get them sold in the spring. As thats when the horses can be clipped and put into show condition.

My word of warning using an agent make sure you get everything in writing. This protects you and the agent. Make sure its what you want. Specially because if the agent takes the horse on the promise of the sale and then you back out of the sale. It tends to upset people. Beware agents that want more than 10% of the purchase price or that charge the buyer a buying fee as well. This will scare a lot of buyers off. Make sure the agent knows what your rock bottom price is on the horse as thats what they have to be prepared to take as payment. Also stipulate who pays for what while the horse is in the care of the agent. Example Clipping Sharpening Blades ect..... If the horse is staying with you times you are available for the horse to be shown times that are not acceptable. Calling times. Also you will have to be prepared to keep the horse in a presentable condition for the potential buyers to see.

Theres a lot of pros and cons when selling a horse yourself and or using an agent.

GOOD LUCK

 

[mizbeth]

Hi

If you use an agent to sell your horses, make sure they are knowledgable, know the market and are positive about the future of the miniature horses.

B

 

[Annabellarose]

Hi
If you use an agent to sell your horses, make sure they are knowledgable, know the market and are positive about the future of the miniature horses.

B

Goodness yes!

I am a potential buyer cruising the Miniature Horse market right now and I was contacted recently by someone in Texas that found out that I was looking for a show horse. She told me that her boss was going to be selling all of his Miniature Horses because he felt that the market had completely vanished for them. I don't want to buy from someone with an attitude like that! It was a complete and total turn off for me as a buyer and as someone that is optimistic about getting involved with the breed. If you like being involved with a particular breed you (hopefully!) are not going to sell or dump all of your stock because they won't sell as well.

If you, or your agent, doom and gloom the breed a buyer might ask themselves, "Should I buy a floundering breed?"