Seller now asking more than horse sale ad? *UPDATE on page 6/post 115 :D*

[Mimi La Rue]

Yesterday I posted about what would be a reasonable offer to a $5000 horse. Well I made an offer last night on the horse and the owner got back to me today saying she would now like to sell him for $7500. He was listed (and still is) for $5000! His ad stated and still states $5000 and would consider any reasonable offers. She said someone else made an offer on him and also someone responded to his old ad when he was listed for $12,000. Is this person trying to play me for a fool in hopes I'd jump up to the $7500 or is this kind of thing pretty common? The horse owner said we are a good match and she'd rather sell him to me than the other person who made an offer. This is my first time purchasing a horse on my "own." This is so frustrating because I wouldn't have drove out to ride him had I known his real price. :mad:

[greysandbays]

They're playing you for a sucker. If they really had a buyer on the $12,000 ad, they'd have snapped it up and then told you, "I have accepted another (higher) offer. But thanks for your interest".

I'd just say, "Well, in that case, I'm sorry you wasted MY time. My budget is $[amount of original offer], and it appears that we can't do business on that."

[Lori B]

And even if these folks straighten up and reconsider your offer, I'd want a reference from them regarding them as horse sellers, i.e., someone who can say, "I did business with X, and the horse was as advertised and they were honest to deal with."

I hope you've seen and ridden the horse. ????

[arabhorse2]

Yes, she's playing you for a fool.

No, it's not something a reputable seller would do.

Tell the seller you hope the new buyer works out, since it's obvious they can pay more money for the horse than you can. :D

Chances are, she'll come running after you and give him to you at his $5,000 price tag, if of course, you want to deal with a dishonest seller.

If she'll do that on his pricetag, what else is she being dishonest about?

[Mimi La Rue]

They're playing you for a sucker. If they really had a buyer on the $12,000 ad, they'd have snapped it up and then told you, "I have accepted another (higher) offer. But thanks for your interest".

I'd just say, "Well, in that case, I'm sorry you wasted MY time. My budget is $[amount of original offer], and it appears that we can't do business on that."

I guess the person who responded to the 12k ad hasn't seen him yet and are coming out to look at him.

The ad I still see for him has him listed at 5k.

[Mimi La Rue]

And even if these folks straighten up and reconsider your offer, I'd want a reference from them regarding them as horse sellers, i.e., someone who can say, "I did business with X, and the horse was as advertised and they were honest to deal with."

I hope you've seen and ridden the horse. ????


Yes, I have seen and ridden the horse a couple times now. I took off work and everything. Drove 2 hours each time to see him. :o

[arabhorse2]

I guess the person who responded to the 12k ad hasn't seen him yet and are coming out to look at him.

Yeah, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona I'm willing to sell, too! :lol:

That was just to make you want the horse more, and agree to her higher price.

Run, don't walk from this seller. There are plenty of good, honest sellers out there with nice horses. You don't need this crap.

[Mimi La Rue]

Yes, she's playing you for a fool.

No, it's not something a reputable seller would do.

Tell the seller you hope the new buyer works out, since it's obvious they can pay more money for the horse than you can. :D

Chances are, she'll come running after you and give him to you at his $5,000 price tag, if of course, you want to deal with a dishonest seller.

If she'll do that on his pricetag, what else is she being dishonest about?

Yeah who knows. I said $4500 is the most I can do, which it is.

[Mimi La Rue]

Yeah, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona I'm willing to sell, too! :lol:

That was just to make you want the horse more, and agree to her higher price.

Run, don't walk from this seller. There are plenty of good, honest sellers out there with nice horses. You don't need this crap.

Yup, so true. How am I to believe all the stuff she told me about him now? :mad:

[dghunter]

When we were looking at a horse the owner did say that she had received an offer on the horse but would rather the horse went to us and was only asking $500 more. We thought about it and did end up taking him. When we switched trainers we actually met the girl who had wanted to buy the horse :lol: But that seems to be a steep increase in price, I would wonder about it too.

[Mimi La Rue]

When we were looking at a horse the owner did say that she had received an offer on the horse but would rather the horse went to us and was only asking $500 more. We thought about it and did end up taking him. When we switched trainers we actually met the girl who had wanted to buy the horse :lol: But that seems to be a steep increase in price, I would wonder about it too.


I wouldn't mind $500, but $2500 is a little insane.

[talloaks]

I wouldn't mind $500, but $2500 is a little insane.


Do you suppose the seller read this thread????:eek: Well the other thread really.

[saultgirl]

Yesterday I posted about what would be a reasonable offer to a $5000 horse. Well I made an offer last night on the horse and the owner got back to me today saying she would now like to sell him for $7500. He was listed (and still is) for $5000! His ad stated and still states $5000 and would consider any reasonable offers. She said someone else made an offer on him and also someone responded to his old ad when he was listed for $12,000. Is this person trying to play me for a fool in hopes I'd jump up to the $7500 or is this kind of thing pretty common? The horse owner said we are a good match and she'd rather sell him to me than the other person who made an offer. This is my first time purchasing a horse on my "own." This is so frustrating because I wouldn't have drove out to ride him had I known his real price. :mad:


Hmmm... by chance, did this happen after you put in a low-ball offer of $3000 like your trainer suggested?

[Come Shine]

lol. I was thinking about this today. Went to a clinic and saw a loffly horse there. Was told horse was for sale for $35K - REALLY nice horse. Well, lo and behold, cruising a sale site this afternoon, saw an ad for the horse for $20K. That's a pretty big jump. :)

[ShotenStar]

Hmmm... by chance, did this happen after you put in a low-ball offer of $3000 like your trainer suggested?

The proper response to a low-ball offer would have been for the seller to say 'No, but I will let horsy go for X' or 'No, his price is original asking price'. Raising the price is not kosher.

*star*

[Czar]

Ditto Star.

I wouldn't even deal with a seller who was so offended at my offer that they raised the price of the horse. Seems a little theatrical to me & I don't do drama.

Walk away - it's incredibly rude of a seller to raise the price AFTER you have driven to see the horse.

[Mimi La Rue]

Maybe this is just an April fools day joke. :lol:

I know it's not though but that would be a good one to pull...

[TBMaggie]

OOOOhh - Walk away!

I have to share a story that happened to me along these same lines: I went to look at a horse for sale, alone, without my trainer for guidance. I tried several horses, didn't like any, until a big chestnut with 3 socks and a blaze was brought out. I watched him being ridden, jumped, and then I got on. Rode, jumped, loved. He was offered at $5,000 (this was many years ago), and I said 'I'd take him.' While walking back to the barn with the horse, seller now informs me that the horse is no longer for sale, because he's so nice, didn't realize he was so nice, wife would kill him if he sold, ...... Ok, weird, but I got in my truck and left.

Several weeks passed, and I got a phone call from seller. He told me that he'd part with his wonderful horse, only the price was now $6500. I told him that was out of my league, sorry.

Months pass. Another call from seller. Horse is now priced at $5000. I said ok, sold. Pending PPE. Horse passed PPE. I arranged for a friend and I to go pick him up. Now, this will sound incredably stupid, unbelievable, but when I went to pick up this horse, seller was nowhere to be found. Horse was x-tied in the barn....or at least I 'thought' it was the horse. Looked 'smaller' but had 3 white socks and a blaze, must be 'horse.' I found seller's barn manager, and she confirmed that this was the horse I had 'tried, jumped, bought, had a PPE done on." Wow, he sure looked smaller, but I hadn't seen him in months. Took horse home.

Several more months pass - horse was never 'quite' as exciting as I remembered (and I had been 'blown away' by my trial ride). One day, one of the boarders at the barn came in with her new horse....and I about had a heart attack! Her horse was MY horse!!! Or was the horse I should have gotten. I asked her where she got the horse, and it was from the same seller. My heart sank. Just shoot me - after the word "stupid" is stamped on my forehead. Nice 'switch-er-roo' there seller guy!!

So, moral of the story, when a seller starts screwing around with your mind, run. Fast. I'm still reeling from my episode, and it was years ago.

[ESG]

Hmmm... by chance, did this happen after you put in a low-ball offer of $3000 like your trainer suggested?

My thoughts exactly. :yes:

That said, if anyone raises the price of a horse after you've tried it and said you liked it, run! I have had this happen to me. Told the seller to piss off, that we ( I was shopping for a client) had gone to see/try the horse with the understanding that it was priced at $X, not $X + $1000. Seller backpedaled faster than Lance Armstrong on a bad day, and reinstated the advertised price. We didn't end up buying the horse, but that was because we found a more appropriate mount for the buyer.

I'm with those who say that if the owner really did get a better offer, she would have taken it and run like hell. Walk away, and see how fast they chase you. :winkgrin:

[Mimi La Rue]

Wow that is a crazy story TBMaggie! It sounded like my situation at first because I went out alone without a trainer my first time -- I guess that makes me come across as a sucker? The other time I rode him the owner wasn't even there, she just had her groom get him ready for me. I also gushed on and on about how much I loved him, which I guess I shouldn't have done (as much) but if I were selling my horse I'd love to hear positive things my potential buyer had to say. I wouldn't sell my horse to someone who was just like "eh."

Well as luck (or whatever) would have it another horse I enquired about owner got back to me today, so I will be going out tomorrow to see him. So we shall see how that goes. :)

[skykingismybaby1]

A beginner rider where I board, is looking for his very first horse. He has a VTNT (very tiny name trainer) and they brought in a nice TB gelding (12 yo)on trial. Of course everyone had to check his tatoo out, hmmm teeth look........well what do I know?

I asked permission to watch the PPE from reputable local vet. Permission was granted. Vet checked tatoo, first letter unreadable. He hummed and hawed. "How old?" Vet checked teeth once, once again, looked at legs, checked teeth again. Vet sighed and said in his conservative estimation horse was 24 to 26 yo.

Nice horse, beginner rider devastated. Not sure what he will decide to do as he had already fallen in love.

[ESG]

Did vet perhaps run the tattoo through the JC registration? It's easily done online. Maybe horsey has shitty teeth and that's what's giving the vet that impression?

I only say that because it happened to me. I bought a TB gelding knowing he was 13 (had copies of his papers and checked out his tattoo # with the JC) and a vet tried to tell me that he was at least 20. His teeth were malformed to the extent that he couldn't chew his food properly, and had to be put under general sedation to have his incisors cut down, to allow proper mastication. Made him look a LOT younger once that was done! :lol: That was the horse I lost three weeks ago, at age 29. There's hope for your buyers yet. :yes:

[cu.at.x]

Walk away.

[TBMaggie]

Good luck to you on your next horsey trial....there are sooo many wonderful horses out there. You don't have to put up with a strange seller! You'll find that 'right' horse!!

[Mimi La Rue]

Thanks! I am excited to see the other horse tomorrow even though I feel like I am getting burned out with the whole buying process. :sadsmile:

I just have to remember I am not in a rush. I can ride my trainers horses in the mean time. These are all ready made horses -- horse I could never afford but are so much fun to ride.

[Sarabeth]

Politely tell the seller thanks, and to get back to you if she changes their mind.

I did that once. The seller called me after we had already closed the deal and I was on my way back from the bank with the check, telling me a buyer on the east coast was interested in the mare due to her bloodlines. I could hear the lie in her voice and I was steamed that she would try to yank my chain, but I just calmly wished her luck and told her to contact me if the deal fell through.

Four hours later my phone rang, and the horse was mine at the agreed-upon price.

[kellyb]

Sorry OP, that sucks (and, holy CRAP!! TB maggie!!)

Stick to your guns and your offer. She is probably just trying to jerk you around. Let us know how it goes!

[PNWjumper]

I'm with everyone who says walk away. At least for now.

I would give the seller the benefit of the doubt in the sense that they may not be raising the price of the horse in an active or malicious attempt to screw you. I've seen a LOT of people "suddenly realize how valuable" their horse is the minute someone else is interested in it. And I wouldn't be surprised if she had a really basic inquiry on a more expensive ad. And since you're very interested, she may be transferring that interest to the new person and assuming they'll be just as interested. It's CRAZY what the thought of money will do to people!

I will also say that I truly believe that horses come to you when you're meant to have them. If it's meant to work out then it will without you having to jump through hoops or spend more than you want. If I were to take a wild guess, I would guess that if you pass you'll get a call in a week or two weeks or a month asking if you're still interested in the horse.

Good luck! :)

[snkstacres]

Whew, leave that lady behind. I am sure her selling tactics and honesty are not a whole lot more ethical. You may be losing a great horse but Lord, there are billions of great horses out there.

[Sansena]

THE ONLY reasons a seller can increase the price after the ad is placed... and I mean THE ONLY REASONs are if it's due to more training (ie: several months have passed since ad placement and your inquiry)..
.. and the training is proven by a traceable show record
... and the potential price increase is already stated in the original add. (ie: Price to increase from $5k to $7k in 90 days)

Somehow, though, I think OPs seller is a scheister.
Run away!

[lcw579]

lol. I was thinking about this today. Went to a clinic and saw a loffly horse there. Was told horse was for sale for $35K - REALLY nice horse. Well, lo and behold, cruising a sale site this afternoon, saw an ad for the horse for $20K. That's a pretty big jump. :)

I think this happens a lot. There was a pony brought into a barn where daughter was taking lessons for a bit. Ok pony nothing great. Trainer is trying to sell it for another trainer. Trying to get me to lease purchase it or something with a real complicated deal. I say "no thanks' kidlet will outgrow it in no time. Has another girl ride it, who IMO is already too big for it. Pony's price is $5000 for them. I look up the pony on dreamhorse price is $3000. :eek: When I mention this to trainer you could practically see the wheels turning! Well, I guess she didn't update the price since he's had more training :confused: hmm when did that happen? :no: Other family did end up buying him. They were happy enough I suppose. They left the barn soon after so I don't know the final outcome.

OP I too would run away!

[Ozone]

That stinks! But run like others said and you will find the one horse for you :)

Recently I was looking at ads for no reason and came across an ad for a horse that I know very well. He is listed 16.3H, 17 YO, Dressage 2nd level, stadium jumper, $6K... I think hummm, anit that fishy as I know this horse and I don't remember the jumping part what so ever. Next ad I see now the horse is 17H, 18 YO, lower level dressage, jumps 2'3" a little stiff behind $4K. Now that sounds like the horse I know ... minus the 17H part ;)

Grrr! Why do people price gouge horses?? I know a horse is worth what someone is willing to pay but when it's in an ad black and white how can you keep switching it up? Makes me feel like the seller is totally dishonest from the start!

[Saidapal]

Walk away and don't look back. There are too many nice horses out there.

Everytime a deal has started to take strange turns in my life, and I have tried to make it work regardless, I have ended up disappointed, screwed, sorry.

At the first sign of highjinx now, I walk away and don't look back. Several times I have gotten calls later on, and I've always said "no thanks".

She apparently thinks she has a hot item because people have shown interest. We will see if she feels the same down the road when she's still feeding, shoeing, vetting the horse. I'm sure most of the lookers have been tire kickers.

[khorsem]

I agree that it was either a response to the ridiculously low offer and she was insulted and/or she read this thread.

[findeight]

I dunno...maybe seller thinks she is countering your low ball offer with a highball price increase. But it's odd unless the horse is receving more training and has done well at shows since the price was originally set. Then again, seller may just not be very experienced at it, or flat ignorant.

You could counter back and offer 4k with the stipulation that's it, you have a week to accept.

And, NEVER ever post on here unless you change the details and descriptions significantly. If some don't read it, they know others who do and it's a smaller world then you think.

[Jealoushe]

I agree that it was either a response to the ridiculously low offer and she was insulted and/or she read this thread.

Agreed, I think said person read this thread!

[Aubreyyy]

You gushed about the horse- thats why!

Oldest trick in the book... try to extort an extra $1500 out of the horse lover with no trainer to tell her to shut up :)

[Mimi La Rue]

So just because they might have read this thread it ads 2k on to the horse? Doesn't make sense to me. Also I didn't state any names or really anyway to out this person, and that wasn't my intention to do so. I am just using this board as a place for some friendly advice. This is my first time purchasing a horse on my own -- in the past I was lucky enough to have my parents support my love for horses -- so posting here has been very helpful. :yes:

[Mimi La Rue]

You gushed about the horse- thats why!

Oldest trick in the book... try to extort an extra $1500 out of the horse lover with no trainer to tell her to shut up :)

Yup, silly me! :sadsmile: Next time I will totally act uninterested. :winkgrin:

[Aubreyyy]

^^^

Don't worry, I'm seriously the worst at it. To the point where I wasn't even ALLOWED to come on other people's horse shopping trips before I moved away... my trainer had banned me!

[DeeThbd]

Everytime a deal has started to take strange turns in my life, and I have tried to make it work regardless, I have ended up disappointed, screwed, sorry.
.
True enough! Two of my geldings came from the same type of situation...the first time, I had fallen in LOVE with a gelding I worked with, had a solid deal with his trainer, and got back from the bank to find that he was sold and gone to another trainer. Two days later, I was told about a different horse - and 15 years later, I realize how blessed I am to have HIM instead. Fast forward to this past year, and the identical thing happened...I was offered a good looking chestnut, set a pickup date, and the trainer decided to keep racing him instead of letting him go to a guaranteed good home. Two days later....guess what? :D
Dee

[Mimi La Rue]

Well the seller got back to me and said she would sell him to me for $5000, his asking price. My husband wants to stay firm on $4500, so we'll see where we go with that.

Tonight I am looking at a WB cross and my trainer called me this morning telling me of two horses she knows of for sale in my price range. One is a TB who is kind of green but totally willing and the other is a seasoned WB that knows his stuff. She said at one time he was going for 30k+ but the owners need to sell him ASAP due to the economy. I am going to ride them both tomorrow.

[Iron Horse Farm]

12 years ago I made an offer on my foundation broodmare. Full asking price. Had her vetted. Arranged a pickup time. Got a phone call the night before I was to get her that she had been sold to someone else at twice the price who showed up with cash. Called the trainer at the barn who verified. Within a couple of hours I was more angry than sad ....and getting angrier. :mad::mad::mad:By dinner time I was in full BITCH mode. I called the owner and gave her a piece of my mind. What did I have to lose? I'd already lost my horse. I told her that not only would I never do business with her again, but I would make sure that every show that I ever went to, every horse person that I ever ran into would know about her unsavory business practices. I wasn't nice. At all.

At 5am the next morning I got a phone call from owner who apologized and told me to come pick up my horse. 12 years later it was still one of the best purchases that I have ever made AND I did business with that owner again. :)

http://ironhorsefrm.com/reelproper.htm

[arabhorse2]

Well the seller got back to me and said she would sell him to me for $5000, his asking price. My husband wants to stay firm on $4500, so we'll see where we go with that.

I hope you told her that $4,500 is your top offer, and you have 2 horses to see tomorrow.

I told you she'd come running after you. It was all a bluff, to get you to pay more for the horse. What an assbucket! :mad:

[Iron Horse Farm]

FWIW, I don't think that a $4500 off on a $5000 priceis a LOWBALL offer in any way. Now $2500.............. grrrrrrr

[Mimi La Rue]

12 years ago I made an offer on my foundation broodmare. Full asking price. Had her vetted. Arranged a pickup time. Got a phone call the night before I was to get her that she had been sold to someone else at twice the price who showed up with cash. Called the trainer at the barn who verified. Within a couple of hours I was more angry than sad ....and getting angrier. :mad::mad::mad:By dinner time I was in full BITCH mode. I called the owner and gave her a piece of my mind. What did I have to lose? I'd already lost my horse. I told her that not only would I never do business with her again, but I would make sure that every show that I ever went to, every horse person that I ever ran into would know about her unsavory business practices. I wasn't nice. At all.

At 5am the next morning I got a phone call from owner who apologized and told me to come pick up my horse. 12 years later it was still one of the best purchases that I have ever made AND I did business with that owner again. :)

http://ironhorsefrm.com/reelproper.htm

Wow and you have every reason to be mad! After she vetted and you agreed to pay full price? Maybe they assumed she wouldn't vet but once she passed they upped her price? I am glad it ended up being a happy ending for you though!

[Mimi La Rue]

I hope you told her that $4,500 is your top offer, and you have 2 horses to see tomorrow.

I told you she'd come running after you. It was all a bluff, to get you to pay more for the horse. What an assbucket! :mad:

I did because it's all my husband will pay -- even if I cry to him about it lol.

[Jealoushe]

Can you scrounge up the remaining $500?

[Bogey2]

would you believe I had two people do the same to me a couple of years ago? And these were 20,000 and 25,000. horses. One I looked at for the first time, took a video to show my trainer and as I was leaving she said "you have 24 hours then the price goes up 5,000". The next said "the price you saw in the ad was the 2006 price, it's January, and I want 5,000. more. Neither horse was under saddle as both were 2....so it was not a training issue.
Needless to say, I did not take a second look and one of them hounded me for a couple of months. Too late honey!

[Mimi La Rue]

Can you scrounge up the remaining $500?


Yes, husband just gave in.

[dacasodivine]

Wait a few more days and she will come down to $4500. Besides, you might like one of the horses you are trying tomorrow better.

Be sure and tell the seller you are looking at other horses.

[talloaks]

Buy it and be happy you have the horse you wanted!! Good luck with him/her!!:winkgrin:

[Alagirl]

Yes, husband just gave in.


LOL, good guy, but it's now a matter of principal... ;)

[TBMaggie]

oy, Mimi La Rue - hold your horses!!! If you decide to 'buy' this horse after the 'mind game' the seller has played with you, please go back and ride this horse again. Spend several hours with the horse, and make sure that this is the horse that makes you smile. Sometimes, as happened to me, the game makes you want something that you really don't want. Does that make sense?? You should have the biggest, sh**ta** grin on your face when you're on this horse. If not, pass. Doesn't matter that you 'won' the game.

[TBMaggie]

:):):)and your husband is a doll.

[jse]

My only question would be, is why on earth was the horse advertised before at $12,000 and then again on another site for $5000? Why the $7,000 difference?

[Beasmom]

Yeah, Look at the other horses. Let the lying seller sweat a bit. In this economy, you might find an even nicer horse for less money.

And yes, why $12,000 and then $5000? Because of the recession?

[Alagirl]

Yeah, Look at the other horses. Let the lying seller sweat a bit. In this economy, you might find an even nicer horse for less money.

And yes, why $12,000 and then $5000? Because of the recession?

Might even get it for 4k or less... play hardball...there are PLENTY of really nice horses to be had right now. there is NO reason whatsoever to let yourself get hoodwinked like that! :cool:

[jse]

I would keep looking for a horse OP. Based on that gap in prices on various sites alone....

[DiablosHalo]

I would ask that question also. maybe the $12k was an old listing and she has since realized she must sell- so lowered it to get him moved?

I drastically lowered the price of my guys for different reasons. One I had xrays done on and found she has some athritis in one ankle and needs maintenance- she went from mid-5 figures to 4 due to that and being unfit now.

The other had been young and well started and shown a few times ...and sat in my field for 2 years due to pregnancy, etc. He is sound, xrayed clean, but now 2 years older and should be showing- but still sitting in the field. I dropped him drastically but he's still a lot for a prospect. I can sit on him for another year and he'll be the soundest 7yo out there! :)

So... there could be different reasons. Greed and ignorance (in a good way) are the most common. A lot of times we hope to get "sedimental" prices for them and it takes the unseasoned seller awhile to figure out the horse is only worth "x" no matter how much you love them! The first mare was showing successfully and I didn't put her up for sale until after I got pregnant. Then she wasn't showing. Her price honestly did a landslide in one year!


My only question would be, is why on earth was the horse advertised before at $12,000 and then again on another site for $5000? Why the $7,000 difference?

[lcw579]

oy, Mimi La Rue - hold your horses!!! If you decide to 'buy' this horse after the 'mind game' the seller has played with you, please go back and ride this horse again. Spend several hours with the horse, and make sure that this is the horse that makes you smile. Sometimes, as happened to me, the game makes you want something that you really don't want. Does that make sense?? You should have the biggest, sh**ta** grin on your face when you're on this horse. If not, pass. Doesn't matter that you 'won' the game.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Excellent advice. :yes::yes::yes:

[Mimi La Rue]

Heres a new update:

Husband went back to sticking with $4500. The ad did say $5000 or a reasonable offer and I feel $4500 is pretty reasonable. As for him being priced at $12,000, he was around last August. Seems like he has been for sale for awhile.

I went and saw one horse last night but even as cute as he was, he was too much of a project I'm willing to take on right now. Owner kind of over-hyped him when I spoke to her on the phone and then the real truth came out when I got there. Nice! :o

There are two horses I am looking at tonight, both at my barn which is nice. I went and took a peek at them last night and one is gorgeous. He is a mahogany bay warmblood with a sweet/funny personality when I was petting him. Even my husband said he had a personality, when most horses to him are just horses. I am excited to go down and ride him tonight.

[Aubreyyy]

There are two horses I am looking at tonight, both at my barn which is nice. I went and took a peek at them last night and one is gorgeous. He is a mahogany bay warmblood with a sweet/funny personality when I was petting him. Even my husband said he had a personality, when most horses to him are just horses. I am excited to go down and ride him tonight.


Oh sounds nice :) I hope he works out!

[PNWjumper]

I agree that you shouldn't come up the $500....it's a matter of principle at this point. And I have a feeling you could have this horse for quite a bit less than $5000. If you can easily afford it, on the other hand, I suppose you could just be done with the game and take your horse home. :)

To those who are questioning the price discrepancy.....I've done that before. I had a gelding listed at $25,000 for 6 months and was getting NO responses on him at all. I relisted on a new site at $45,000 (on the advice of a trainer friend of mine) and immediately started getting several e-mails a day (at which point I took down the $25K ad). I eventually sold him for $45K. Pricing a horse is a funny game, and the woman may have decided to give the sale a go in a different price range to see if targeting a new group of prospective buyers would change her luck.

[TBMaggie]

And, we're all excited to hear how you like "Mr. Perfect (because he's a Bay!!) Warmblood!!

Husband might be 'horse psychic" (already knows that horsey is perfect for wifey).:lol:

[VAHorseGurl]

oy, Mimi La Rue - hold your horses!!! If you decide to 'buy' this horse after the 'mind game' the seller has played with you, please go back and ride this horse again. Spend several hours with the horse, and make sure that this is the horse that makes you smile. Sometimes, as happened to me, the game makes you want something that you really don't want. Does that make sense?? You should have the biggest, sh**ta** grin on your face when you're on this horse. If not, pass. Doesn't matter that you 'won' the game.


Please please go back and spend some time with this horse!! I found myself in the same situation as you last year in March and I fell in love with this horse and the owner played games at first and by the time we got around to agreeing on the price and scheduling the PPE, this horse came up lame. :(

[Mimi La Rue]

The owner will be giving me a 7 day trial at my barn so I can have him vetted by my vet and see how he works out there.

[Huntertwo]

The owner will be giving me a 7 day trial at my barn so I can have him vetted by my vet and see how he works out there.

That sounds like a nice plan..:yes: Sometimes things happen for a reason. Maybe this is the time.

Honestly, as others have said - The seller sounds like a rat and I certainly wouldn't trust her now after what she tried to pull over on you.

Good luck with the trial.

[DeeThbd]

The owner will be giving me a 7 day trial at my barn so I can have him vetted by my vet and see how he works out there.
For the pretty bay, or for the original horse?
Dee

[Mimi La Rue]

Both are pretty bays. The 7 day trial would be for the original horse that I started this thread about and the owner agreed to $4500 this morning. :)

The mahogany bay is one I will be trying tonight. He is at my barn but there are 500+ horses there so I have never seen him before. My mom was at the barn this morning and saw him being hacked by my trainer and said I am going to love him. Also I found out more info on him too - he is a 12 year old Oldenburg. His vet is my vet so I can find out any vet history on him. Owners are asking $4000 and need to sell him ASAP. Since he is at my barn and being sold by my trainer I am sure I will get to ride him as much as I want to see if he's a match.

[Ambrey]

Didn't you just make an offer of $4500 for the other horse? I'm confused.

[Mimi La Rue]

I am getting confused too! :eek:

Ok horse #1 - the original horse I started this thread about: Yes, last night I did email the owner saying I could only pay $4500. The owner is impossible to get ahold of because she has a very busy schedule so all of our contact has been through email - other than when we met the first time I tried him out. The owner emailed me this morning saying ok to $4500. I haven't replied yet.

Horse #2 - I haven't rode this horse yet but yesterday my trainer contact me telling me all about him. Yesterday I agreed to ride him because nothing had went through with horse #1. I did go down and take a peek at him last night because he is at my barn and he is really cute and very sweet! I will be riding him once I get off work this evening. Now I keep hearing a lot about him and he sounds great and is priced at $4000. My mom saw him being hacked this morning and said I am going to love him. He has the same vet and farrier as who I use so I can find out a lot of info about him. Plus my trainer is selling him and I totally trust my trainer. I have been riding with her for about 7 years now and she knows me really well -- knows my goals and what I want.

So yes, I did put in an offer for horse #1 via email, but the owner agreed to a 7 day trial where I can bring him to my barn to have him vetted by my vet and see how he adapts to my barn but what if I now really like horse #2 that I will ride today? Not only is he cheaper but I can find out a lot more about him and he is already at my barn. So we will see how tonight goes riding horse #2. If he isn't for me, then I will pick up horse #1 this weekend for a trial at my barn.

[Mimi La Rue]

So I rode horse #2 tonight and I really love him!

[Beasmom]

Uh, oh! Now what do you do?

[TXPiaffe]

Buy horse Number 2 if the PPE is ok and say Buh Bye to Owner of horse #1. you don't need that headache!

[RegentLion]

OH I think I'd go with horse #2. No games... right?

Also 500 horses at a barn, that is huge!!! :eek:

Unless it is more common than I thought but I'm just a small town gal...?

[Mimi La Rue]

Well I am pretty sure #2 is the one! He is such a gentleman. I am going to ride him tomorrow and Sunday and if that goes as good as today, then all he has to do is pass a vetting.

[Mimi La Rue]

OH I think I'd go with horse #2. No games... right?

Also 500 horses at a barn, that is huge!!! :eek:

Unless it is more common than I thought but I'm just a small town gal...?

Yeah my barn is insane. On top of the 500 horses at my barn there are two stables next door with at least another 300. I love my barn because it's open 24/7 and I am usually a late evening rider and it's 2 minutes away from my house but it gets very hectic sometimes! Especially when the after school lessons are going. :eek:

[Mimi La Rue]

BTW here is a picture of horsie #2. His name is Rudy! :D

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q280/kirsten627/rudy4.jpg

[Abberlaze]

Wonderful!

I'm glad it all worked out for you :-D

[Aubreyyy]

BTW here is a picture of horsie #2. His name is Rudy! :D

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q280/kirsten627/rudy4.jpg

Oh I LOVVVE him! :) He looks like the horse I just leased!

Where do you live?

[RubyLink]

I vote for horse #2 especially after what that first seller did.

[brummelhorsefarm]

We sell horses for a living.

It is a normal thing for a horse's price to increase because of improvement.

However, in the process of doing so, we always will honor the previous price if a client made an appointment before or during the price change.

We have sold a pony for 7500 that was going to be bumped up to 12500! They got a deal!

[Airamennyl]

Horse #2!!!!!! Gorgeous:)

[ESG]

As with all other things in life, if it's meant to be, it will be. And it sounds like Rudy is meant to be for you.

One rule I live by is that if a deal is good for you, everything falls into place. The more you have to force and push to get a deal done, the less likely it is that you'll be happy with the result.

Tell the owner of horse #1 thank you, but that you've found something else you like better. Be polite, but firm. It does not do to burn bridges unnecessarily, and you may run across her again some time.

Good luck to you and Rudy! :D

[horsegirl123]

If Horse #2 fits the bill I would go for it! Very handsome.

Thank seller #1 for her time. Personally I feel she should have given you had heads up on the increase prior to your visit. That would have been the honest thing to do.

Good Luck and keep us posted!

[TikiSoo]

My first thought was exactly what brummel brought up....a horse's value increases as their "talent" increases. But does that happen over a month's time? Not really.
So my guess is you're being jerked around, and no one needs that drama.

Reminds me of my scary horse shopping experience. I have zero "horsey" friends that could help me look, I was on my own.
I saw one little buckskin gelding I liked a lot and offered them half down, half upon pick up.
(I had 3 months until sending my aged pony over the bridge and couldn't afford 2 boarding bills, besides, I wanted to shower my pony with all my affection while she was still with me)
They refused, and I understood. It was a lot to ask.
Two months later, I get a frantic call from them to take the buckskin....I was the only person to even look at him and they were losing the farm. I felt terrible, but had already bought another horse.
I can't imagine with this economy things are any better for sellers.

[lcw579]

What ESG said!

Rudy is very cute. I'm a firm believer in things working out the way they were supposed to and it looks like Rudy is your boy. :yes:

[cranky]

Congratulations on finding such a nice horse!

I can really relate to this thread as I am currently in horse shopping mode as a first-time horse buyer and I'm finding myself rather overwhelmed. Like you, I have a small budget which has narrowed my focus. I thought I had found my perfect horse, but he didn't vet. I have another horse that I tried last weekend that my trainer had negotiated a price on, seller had suggested that I could take the horse on a trial to see if we're truly right for each other. Trial was supposed to start tomorrow, but now there is a little back-pedaling happening -- she suddenly said that she has another buyer coming out to see him (after he's been on the market since Summer or so), so I'm not sure what's actually going to happen. I like the horse a lot, but luckily I haven't spent enough time with him yet to be really attached. I have the attitude right now that if it's meant to be, it'll happen. If not, another horse will come around.

But the vetting and the politics and the whatever is making this horse shopping thing decidedly not fun. I was really looking forward to this, once I was finally ready to find "MY horse", but so far, I'm not really having such a good time.

Anyway, I'm very happy to hear that there can be a happy ending! So, thanks very much for sharing your story.

[Ambrey]

I hope the owner of horse #1 doesn't turn away any lookers because you've made an offer. I always think of making an offer as committing to buy the horse... ??

But horse #2 is cute! And I think I've been to your stable, it IS insane!

[TBMaggie]

Is that YOU on him in the picture, with the sh**A** grin on face???? I hope so. (And if you decide that you don't want him, I'll take him. He looks almost like my favorite-est horse I ever owned, "Castle" -who sadly had to be put down last fall. If Rudy has a 'faint' snip on his nose, then must say, I've lost my heart to your 'next' horse!)


A 'gentleman-type' horse is a joy. It means horsey will happily take good care of you, even if he doesn't have a clue what you're asking.

Take deep breath, spend lots of time with horsey #2, and if you can't wipe that grin off your face, then he's the one. Politely thank horsey #1's seller, and move on.

[TBMaggie]

I hope the owner of horse #1 doesn't turn away any lookers because you've made an offer. I always think of making an offer as committing to buy the horse... ??

But horse #2 is cute! And I think I've been to your stable, it IS insane!

Unless Mimi La Rue gave seller of horse #1 some money, I don't think there's a danger of the seller turning others away. If seller is smart, she/he will take contact info. on interested parties.....horsey #1 isn't sold until has PPE done anyway.

Now, I've had a horse sold out from under me while I was waiting on a PPE - seems like I'm an' unscrupulous seller' magnet.....:mad::mad::mad:

[avezan]

I hope the owner of horse #1 doesn't turn away any lookers because you've made an offer. I always think of making an offer as committing to buy the horse... ??

OP made an offer, but it was turned down. So, basically, the offer is off the table. Owner #1 came back with a few counters and then agreed to the original offer. now ball is in OP's court to accept or decline. the polite thing to do would be to tell owner#1 that she is considering other horses. That way everyone is clear and noone misses a sale or buy thinking a horse is on "hold". An offer is never firm unless there is a contract or deposit, IMO.

I was in a situation recently where an offer was made on a horse of mine through a third party (trainer). The trainer and I discussed it and finally agreed to accept the offer even though it was WAY less than asking because we thought it was a good fit. The person who made the offer walked away! It wasn't a firm offer, I guess, even though I thought it was.

I'm currently in a situation where someone is very interested in buying one of my horses. We have discussed vetting and pick up date, but I don't have an offer! I do consider this horse still for sale. Although if I did get a firm offer from someone else, I would contact this first person first as a courtesy, to see if they want to firm things up before I would accept another offer.

My advice to buyers and sellers is to keep communication open. Never assume anything. Unless there is a contract and a deposit, the horse is still for sale. Period.

OP, I hope things work out with horse#2. Horse #1's price drop is concerning. Either he was way overpriced to begin with, or something happened to lower his value. Or possibly the seller is just desperate, in which case he could be a good deal. It is such a buyer's market right now, that it is probably in your best interest to walk away from Horse #1.

[Mimi La Rue]

Is that YOU on him in the picture, with the sh**A** grin on face???? I hope so. (And if you decide that you don't want him, I'll take him. He looks almost like my favorite-est horse I ever owned, "Castle" -who sadly had to be put down last fall. If Rudy has a 'faint' snip on his nose, then must say, I've lost my heart to your 'next' horse!)


A 'gentleman-type' horse is a joy. It means horsey will happily take good care of you, even if he doesn't have a clue what you're asking.

Take deep breath, spend lots of time with horsey #2, and if you can't wipe that grin off your face, then he's the one. Politely thank horsey #1's seller, and move on.

Yup that is me. :D

[Milocalwinnings]

I vote horse #2. You won't risk getting taken for a ride (no pun intended) like you would with horse #1... plus he looks lovely! The extra money you'll save by buying him could go towards pampering him:winkgrin:

[kellyb]

I'm glad that you fell in love with horse #2. That will teach the seller to play games!! She could have had your $4500 a week ago if she'd not done the price-raising nonsense. "One bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" - very much applies to selling horses! :)

[Mimi La Rue]

I rode Rudy again today and I definitely want him! He is so perfect for me and I just feel like I have been riding him for years. I feel so comfortable on him. I got a lesson on him today and he was so wonderful. I even jumped him over an x when I haven't jumped for a few years. We trotted and cantered it and he just was a trooper. I haven't jumped since selling my last horse in 2004. I then started riding again in April 2008 and just leased various horses but never was brave enough to jump them but have always wanted to jump again. Now all he has to do it pass a vetting and he will be mine. I am trying not to get my hopes up until the deal is officially done but it's just so hard not to be excited.

[cranky]

I rode Rudy again today and I definitely want him! He is so perfect for me and I just feel like I have been riding him for years. I feel so comfortable on him. I got a lesson on him today and he was so wonderful. I even jumped him over an x when I haven't jumped for a few years. We trotted and cantered it and he just was a trooper. I haven't jumped since selling my last horse in 2004. I then started riding again in April 2008 and just leased various horses but never was brave enough to jump them but have always wanted to jump again. Now all he has to do it pass a vetting and he will be mine. I am trying not to get my hopes up until the deal is officially done but it's just so hard not to be excited.

Good luck, please keep us posted!

[Beasmom]

It's like you're a kid again and it's three days to Christmas!

Best wishes for the PPE.

[Long Spot]

I'll be hoping for a good outcome on the PPE, Mimi.

Incidentally, someone just tried this very same ploy on someone I know. Sounds similar enough with the prices that I wondered if it was the same seller.

Rudy sounds like the horse for you. How exciting for you. Hope it everything goes smoothly and you get good news on the PPE.

[Nessie]

Do you mind PMing me your location? I have never posted on COTH before, I'm a lurker, but this SAME exact thing happened to me with a bay horse...His price was 5 K, I made an offer, then all of a sudden "Well it was originally 12 K but we can sell him to you for $7500"

This is eerie!

(P.S. I found a different horse and love love love him! Things work out!)

[dacasodivine]

Congratulations! Fingers crossed for a good PPE. Hopefully the seller of the original horse will learn not to play games anymore. Doubtful, but because of that, you found a horse you like better.

[Vandy]

Hope Rudy's PPE goes well - he is adorable!

I think the situation with Horse #1 happens all the time. Last year I took a client to see a nice older WB who the seller had priced at $6500. We drove 2 hours to see him, buyer paid for a pro to ride him for her and I gave her a lesson on him. My client offered $6500 the day she tried him, and the buyer, who had watched the pro ride and my client's lesson, realized she had a nicer horse than she'd thought and raised the price to $14,000 ("but $12,000 for you because I feel bad"). Unbelievable. Out of my client's budget but that's not even the point - client and I agreed that even if she'd had $12K to spend, the deal was way too shady, and she felt betrayed and misled.

Fast forward to a year later, and the horse still isn't sold. I'm sure the sellers would be thrilled with $6500 at this point, but too bad, so sad, my client has found another horse that she's very happy with and with no mind games surrounding the sale. Sometimes karma's a bitch!

[Hampton Bay]

The grin on your face in that picture says it all! Everything happens for a reason it seems.

[Christine (Fgs)]

I buy and sell horses for a living.

WALK AWAY!..

If it's listed at $5,000.00 - then she can't go up. If there really is someone at $12,000.00 congratulate her .. it's a better deal.. lol.

and then Walk Away.. Lots of great horses out there..

Your horses is waiting for you to find him/or her... Enjoy the search.

[sidepasser]

I say walk away from horse number one as you have that "I am in Love, lust and Heaven" grin on with horse number 2.

Hope the PPE goes well and Rudy becomes YOUR horse for real...

I would never buy a horse from someone who upped the price over what the sale ad says unless in the original sale ad it says "price goes up with training" and there is more than one month between listing and "new price"..no horse goes up that amount in one month and if they do..

Send me the name and addy of your trainer please..I really need the dollars for the kid in college and am sure that I can locate a few not trained horses for 500 and have that trainer make them into 3,000 horses in a month..

(yeah right! sarcasm here)..matter of fact, post the name of that trainer publicly here cause we all need to make a few dollars off ponies for sale..lol. Do they have to have a show record? Does doing a "barn show" count? What about an unrated, never heard of, in the woods type show? I can buy a ribbon for 50 cents...

Point being..beware anyone who ratchets up the price on a horse because you show interest..they are, not in my mind, being honest, upfront and not someone I would want to deal with anyway..

Good luck with the purchase, we want more Rudy pics after the deal is done.

[Christine (Fgs)]

I buy and sell horses for a living.

WALK AWAY!..

If it's listed at $5,000.00 - then she can't go up. If there really is someone at $12,000.00 congratulate her .. it's a better deal.. lol.

and then Walk Away.. Lots of great horses out there..

Your horses is waiting for you to find him/or her... Enjoy the search.

[Mimi La Rue]

Well today was very frustrating. I scheduled to ride Rudy at 12pm. I get there and I am notified that he is being shown to someone else! :sigh: I thought it was pretty clear that I was 100% interested in him and it's my own trainer so they know me and stuff. All I was waiting on was his vet records and the PPE. So these other people rode him which was painful to watch, but I then made it clear how interested I am and put down a deposit. My trainer now has to get in contact with the owner and make sure the sale will be ok -- seems like that should have been okay in advance? He is a consignment horse of hers and I guess the people who own him are going through a divorce and hurting because of the ecomony and haven't even been paying board on him the last few months. My trainer said they would sell him for this amount and I said many times "are you sure" and they assured me that it would be, but now they have to get it okayed by the owner. All this is stressing me out now. I will be sooo happy when this is all over with. :(

[skykingismybaby1]

Mimi dear............breath in ...............breath out ...........repeat as needed. It will work out.

[Mimi La Rue]

Haha thanks! I think I have been losing my mind the past few days. :eek:

[DiscoMom]

Update???

[TBMaggie]

Yes!! We need an update Mimi!! Don't leave us hanging here!

[MandyVA]

I just read this whole thread from start to finish and I can't believe there is no happy ending!!

[Milocalwinnings]

Please update us!!!

[Mimi La Rue]

Sorry here is an update and it's a happy ending! Rudy is now MINE and I couldn't be any happier. Today is the first official day he is mine so I had to call in sick to work because I was just too excited. I have been shopping for him all day and now I am going to go down to the barn to show him all of his presents! :D

[cranky]

Sorry here is an update and it's a happy ending! Rudy is now MINE and I couldn't be any happier. Today is the first official day he is mine so I had to call in sick to work because I was just too excited. I have been shopping for him all day and now I am going to go down to the barn to show him all of his presents! :D



Wonderful news -- congratulations! Thanks so much for updating us.

[horseluver1]

Congratulations!!! There's nothing like having a horsey "sick" day!

[kellyb]

Yay!! This has been a fun journey. Enjoy your new horse!

[ThatScaryChick]

Very cool! Congrats on your new horse!

[TBMaggie]

WaaaHooo!!! Congrats to you and Rudy! And I'm soo happy that things all worked out. Thanks for taking us all along on your adventure!!

I hope Rudy brings you much joy.

[2bays3days]

My Rudy is wonderful! Hope you enjoy your Rudy.

[DiscoMom]

Congrats! I am glad it worked out for you!!!

[skykingismybaby1]

That's wonderful!!!

[jengersnap]

Huge Congrats! So glad this story has a happy ending. More pictures....pleeeeease? Rudy is such a cutie!

[Chardavej]

Good deal!

So did you tell the owner "Thanks but no thanks"? If so what did she say??

[hey101]

Mimi, congrats! And I am pretty sure I know which stable you are at, and it is a zoo. If it's the one Im thinking of, I was hauling over there for jumping lessons a lot last year. I board my horse in the same town, but at a smaller stable. Enjoy the new horse, so glad it worked out for you. :)

[Mimi La Rue]

Good deal!

So did you tell the owner "Thanks but no thanks"? If so what did she say??

I told horse #1 that I would only pay $4500 and that I was going to try some other horses. When she said $5000 she said she was going to have some other people out to try him. Well she then came down to $4500 but at that time I had already rode Rudy and knew he was perfect for me so I told her that I already found a horse that is exactly what I am looking for and more suited for my budget. She never responded back to me. All of our communication was through email, which I found a little bit odd but maybe that's how horses are selling these days. I met her in person when I rode the horse but there were a couple times I left her voice messages which went unreturned.

Anyway I am so glad it worked out the way it did because I have no doubts that Rudy is the one for me!

Sadly my saddle doesn't fit him so finding a saddle that fits him will be my next adventure. :lol:

[Sansena]

SOoo glad you found the horse of your dreams.
And didn't get hosed in the process.

I'll bet horse #1 stays on the market a while. Owner's a kook.

[ESG]

Yay for you and Rudy! :D

Ebay is great for used saddles. :winkgrin:

[LaurieB]

Congratulations! I'm glad it all worked out for you. You and Rudy look great together. :)