What are your tricks

[capall beag]

Yes, as said!

I think your site looks great!

Your horses are beautiful!

But I would definately include price!

Price is very important!

 

[lvponies]

I don't have any tricks for selling quickly. I am a buyer though and am currently looking for a new mare. I haven't looked at your site, so this is just general stuff I look for. When I go to a web site, I like to see prices on the horses. I rarely inquire on a horse if there is no price listed. I did once and was astounded at the price.

I'm sure she was worth it, but way, way out of my price range!! I also like to see information about the mare's foaling history and pix of her past foals. If bred, I like to see pix of the stallion she's bred to. I don't like to see pictures of the horse with her head down grazing. If I can't go see the horse in person, I have to rely on the seller to give me the pictures I'm asking for and answer my questions honestly. I will sometimes ask other members if they have had experience with the seller and what their thoughts are on the seller and the horse I'm interested in. I've made some mistakes in my purchases in the past, but have learned and am continuing to learn.

 

[Chamomile]

I just wanted to add that people shouldn't disregard those horses that don't have a price listed. Email and ask, I guarantee that you may be pleasantly surprised!!!

Sometimes people don't list a price because they are selling for a really great deal and don't want to broadcast it. A low price can make people think the horse must not be a good one, when that isn't always true!! Just my opinion...

I understand the statement that someone who is serious about doing having a website as a business would want to upgrade to a site without the ads, but some of us can't afford to do that right away! And also some people are doing this for fun and selling some here and there. Therefore it can be difficult for them to afford that monthly payment, just to not have the ads up above... I know when I started if it was a choice between grain or an upgraded website, I would always choose the grain! But that also shouldn't mean those website should be discarded as someone who isn't serious enough. Steffanie's website has some really nice pictures and she has put some serious time into finding out all the information she can on her horses. I have put some serious time into designing and making it looks as professional as I can. I hope that people will take the time to look at her horses and take her seriously. We all have to start somewhere and I think she is doing a great job!

Everyone here has had some really great advice though it's greatly appreciated! I know she is listening and I appreciate all the thoughts as well! We always want to do things to make the site look better! Thanks guys

 

[mininik]

"I just wanted to add that people shouldn't disregard those horses that don't have a price listed. Email and ask, I guarantee that you may be pleasantly surprised!!!"

I don't think I've ever been too surprised, but that may be because of where I was doing my shopping. In my opinion, if someone's trying to sell a Porsche for the price of a Jeep that's definitely a bargain and one they ought to advertise...

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

I would just like to put in my two cents here as well on the price...or lack thereof...on some sites.

Not too long ago, I wont name names or anything, but I saw a horse that I was interested in and looked very arabian, out of my price range!!! Right? WRONG! I e-mailed to inquire just for the heck of it, and the gorgeous yearling was being sold for just $350!!!

I appreciate Mindy's words, that you may be pleasantly surprised because it sure does happen more than one would think =)

In my case, i'm not asking $10,000.00 for my horses lol...I am a reasonable person mostly because I am young and I understand how hard money can be to come by.

Thanks again everyone for helping me out, I really appreciate it and again as Mindy stated, I am listening and taking in every word!

 

[Lauralee]

My sales tactics are....

Affordable prices

Interest free financing

Reduced prices for multiple purchases and cash

Mares that are vet ultrasound in foal

Mares that are bred to colorful stallions

Assistance with transport accomodations

I will consider trades and offers also

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

I too was considering trades, would still consider a trade for a 2-4 mini horse trailer or a 2 large horse trailer..something small...because I still need a trailer to haul my appy mini to 2006 shows! But right now I am very very set on doing ANYTHING to bring home a particular snowcap appy colt =) So I am hoping someone will want to work something out with me to give the horses on my sales page a good home. Unfortunately as you read above, I don't have a trailer yet so the only assistance I could offer with transportation is taking off a few $$!

 

[Ashley]

I know both of the horses you own. Have seen them both in person.

I guess what bothers me is when I see somebody buy a horse then a short time later they are back up forsale. It makes me wonder why? like whats wrong with them? I dont beleive you have had them that long.

Also when I see them being sold for a few different reasons, yet the seller is looking for more horses.

This is nothing against you, just something I notice and watch out for. Kinda puts me off.

 

[Crossbuck Farms]

reasonable priced...even the new one I just got that is at the trainers til march was a great price

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

I know everyone has their own opinion and own points of view, but I don't think it is right to judge by how old or newly purchased a horse is that a person puts up for sale. To me it just means either they're having financial problems, or they would like to see the horse be put to better use on a more advanced farm, in most cases.

 

[Miniv]

I shouldn't be writing with advice on your webpage....as we currently have a very outdated one. (Which we are in the middle of working on.)

However, a website that is easy to navigate -- ie, click back on whatever page I want to go to next -- is important. Also, a little bit of info on the sales horses with an asking price is very important too.

Giving a pedigree on a horse is great, but some people don't realize the importance of some of the names unless it is pointed out. It's also helpful to describe some details about the horse -- such as personality, good action, etc.....

Just a thought,

MA

 

[MiniHoofBeats]

Oooohhhhh that is a good idea to add a short description about the horse, I know I like reading that on other peoples sales sites too and I never even thought of putting it on mine!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

well I havent read any answers yet...

for me it is luck.. of course but..

If you are going to advertise your horse for sale have pictures ready to go of leg and bite and such. If I have to wait a week for pics.. I have lost interest and moved on to many horses out there to wait forever.

Make sure you have current pics of your horse on your site or have NO pic at all IMO>

If i see a foal pic of a 2 yr old or older.. i can only assume it matured so icky you are embarassed to post a photo- of course that is more then likey not true but in the instant you have to capture my attention you have lost it and honestly that is my first thought.

Prices on websites are important to me. There is also a fine line between giving info and being a used car salesman the latter turns me off VERY quickly.

For me as a buyer the big thing is - is the seller prepared with pictures and time to answer questions

and by pictures I dont mean of a horse in a group where i have to squint to see who is who, or head down in the grass, or bucking or rearing those are all nice additional pics but not selling pics a good side shot, leg shots, and bite shots are a great start doesnt have to be professional beleive me i am not the best photographer.. but a good clean honest shot of your horse

 

[Getitia]

Like others have mentioned, often the quick sales occur because the horse just exactly matched the purchaser's requirements.

As for what I look for when "shopping"

Count me on the list of those who just skip over the ad when a sales price is not listed. Also, I am not a fan of the "dispersal" sales tactic, or various other sales methods - such as financial or health reasons to try to entice me into purchasing - when those same individuals are posting "Look what I just added to my breeding program" messages.

or I see new horses added to their site just after the dispersal occurred.

After a period of time, you figure out the sellers who are being sincere in detailing their unique circumstances that result in having to sell all or part of their horses and those who are just trying to use any method possible to try and sell horses. To me if someone will tell any "story" to try and make the sale - will they be honest with me in other areas of the sales transaction? ------------- my experience has been no -and word gets around quickly in this business.

I too, do not purchase from "professional" photos - nice to look at, but I've been surprised too many times in the past of the "transformation" from the professional photo to seeing the horse in person (even show groomed) and would swear that it was not the same horse. Neither will I purchase from "poor quality" photos with the horse appearing as a speck with its head down grazing.

The ideas mentioned by others are great suggestions and important to those who are interested in improving their sales methods.

 

[Becky]

I don't think that any 'tricks' will work! Honesty is always the best policy!

Having a horse that is what someone wants that day can account for a quick sale.

I can occasionally reduce the price, offer package discounts, offer shipping on occasion and basically promote the quality of horse I have to offer and price it realistically.

I, too, want to see prices in an ad if I'm shopping. I don't want to have to guess whether a horse is priced in a range I can afford or not.

 

[Marnie]

I guess I'll jump on here too. First, I do have to see prices or I don't bother. Even a halfway decent picture might cause me to inquire for better photographs. But the one thing really bugs me was just mentioned above. I feel like putting an ad on that says "Theres no health problems, no big vet bills, there is room in my barn for winter, there is enough hay for all, I just would like to downsize a bit" but I think that'd be mean. But when you see these same folks bragging on there buys then! I know a girl who goes and buys about ten and then has a dispersal sale and sells all and does it again the next yr, 3 yrs in a row now. I don't say much but I"m on alot of sale sites and farm sites alot and I see alot and know more than I let on. I'll bet alot of mini people are like this. A person does catch on to who's honest, who's doing what, and I do agree with the person who said that when someone just buys a horse and turns around and sells it, I would think twice about it too. I guess I'd just have to sum it up though as the right person has to see the right horse and really want it. There's so many out there to choose from, you just have to keep trying and always try to be honest so that the buyer of your horse knows exactly what they're getting and are happy with it. (None of this is directed at the original poster, of course.)

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

I think it is all timing. This year I could have sold a bunch of babies, but only had one for sale. Next year I hope to have five babies, hopefully they will get sold. I keep the emails of people asking for horses.

I also email birth announcements to previous buyers and have had success in repeat customers.

I also find that being very polite and helpful with a lot of information for the prospective buyer helps in obtaining a sale. Always... honesty.

Offering multiple purchase discounts and sometimes being flexible on a price.

My paperwork is always up to date, as is vet care,shots, dentistry, coggins ,worming etc. I pay for the coggins and helth certificates too.