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SELLERS: PICK UP THE D@MN PHONE...

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  • #1

    SELLERS: PICK UP THE D@MN PHONE...

    So I'm ranting a little bit b/c after spending only a couple of weeks doing this horse shopping thing, I am so frustrated with people who post ads to sell a horse and then can't be bothered to return phone calls inquiring about said horse. wth???

    Having been on both sides of this coin, I get the sellers' frustrations with tire kickers, 14 year olds with unfettered Internet access, buyers who will never find the perfect Walter Farley Dream Horse and torture everyone, buyers with completely skewed perceptions of their own abilities, etc.....boy, do I get it. BUT when I call you and leave a message with my name, phone number, trainer's name/farm, and a very brief description of what my needs are, the least you could do is shoot me a text if the horse won't work or isn't available. I get it that perhaps sellers/trainers/owners are busy. But I've called about more than a few horses that would be more than suitable and I get zero response from the seller. Trainer & I were even at a show in the city where one horse was and made every attempt to go see the sales horse(s) at that barn and no response. I just don't get it...if you want to sell a horse/horses, you will have to call some folks back.

    I will say that the two shining exceptions were a seller who not only actually picked up the phone, but was most helpful in discussing the horse and making arrangements to have some additional video shot showing specific things (and this person was headed to the hospital to have a baby the next day!) and another was an owner who is not a lifelong horse person so couldn't answer some of my questions, but offered to get the info from the barn manager, connected me with a trainer who knew the horse, and was forthcoming with every minute bit of info...he wanted full disclosure to make sure his horse went to the best, most suitable home possible. I wish all sellers were as professional as these folks.

    And fwiw, I've had much better luck with private individuals than with trainers. And the price point hasn't seemed to mean anything either as far as who calls back and who doesn't. We're spending 5 digits...not high 5 digits but still...all horses have great "feedability" and they eat while you sleep. I know selling horses is a pain and it's time consuming but good grief....you won't know that your horse might be sold to us and have a great home with competent horse people unless you call back.

    Sorry to rant...back to the regularly scheduled programming...
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  • #2
    I wonder if owners have any idea how many calls the people handling their sales don't return? Bet they'd start reconsidering their process if they did. My guess is if it's a trainer or BO with a horse that's half decent, they want to keep it in their barn for further training/lessons/board after selling to someone who will keep it there so they can get their commission AND more money after.
    America dialed 911. Donald Trump answered the phone.

    Stop pumping money into colleges and start getting ready to earn money in the projected tradesman shortage of 2024. Make Trades Great Again!

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    • #3
      It is frustrating and I too have been on both sides of the coin. I do want to point out having sold three horses this year that my work schedule (and add to that my riding/horse care schedule) often precludes me from picking up the phone when it rings. I do return all calls if a message is left. Yesterday I had 28 surgeries to do. My phone went off 3 times while I was scrubbed in and there wasn't any way I could return the calls until I was done. Because I am cognizant of emergencies I do have my staff check my phone to make sure it is something that can wait (as in life or death). My point is that I do feel your pain (and have literally); but, I also know that many of us who have had ads out find responding by email easier though are not opposed to phone calls. It's just that we have to juggle them around time zones, work schedules and the like.
      Ranch of Last Resort

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