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| One things for sure, saddles are personal! |
Here is a list of used saddle shops online -- where I have personal experience with a company, I've noted it. I have omitted a few used saddle shops that I know have a spotty reputation Others, I have heard of, maybe, or contacted them, but no direct experience. A few hints for "taking the plunge" with an unknown seller are...
- Sites should list a name, phone, and physical address. Call them! Google the address and get a street view of the establishment.
- Search the Chronicle of the Horse forums for discussion of the shop you're considering. Have others had a bad experience?
- Is there a contract? What are their trial policies?
- Talk to the seller about how much they vet their saddles. Do they check the tree? Do they take any saddle, or are they selective?
- Charlottes Saddlery (They've been around awhile, but I've never used them. I have communicated with them before, and I think they are pretty solid).
- Classic Saddlery (These guys have been around since the 1990s, and a friend recommended them way back then).
- Dressagestar.com
- Duchess Bridle and Saddle (Travelling saddle shop. If you are on the East Coast they do runs down the coast)
- Equestrian Imports (they occasionally advertise in Dressage Today -- they rent saddles too.)
- Equine Consign (local shop in Georgia)
- Equine Inspired Touch (I have corresponded with them and they have a good reputation)
- EquusNow
- Farm House used saddles (I have purchased from Farm House -- not saddles though)
- Fine Used Saddles (Texas-based consignment, well-regarded, focus on high-end saddles)
- Galloping Grape
- Good Apple Equine (Wonderful Ocala-based shop I can personally recommend)
- Maryland Saddlery
- Maryland Tack Exchange (Buys saddles outright if you want to sell quickly)
- Middleburg Tack Exchange
- MM Tack Shop (I used to live by this tack shop in North Carolina. They have been around since at least the 1990s)
- Pelham Saddlery (I have corresponded with this shop, never trialled a saddle)
- Rick's Heritage Saddlery (Can recommend based on personal experience -- low end to high end)
- Saddler's Row
- Snooty Fox
- St. Croix Saddlery (I have corresponded with this shop, never trialled a saddle)
- Skylands Saddlery (Can highly recommend based on personal experience -- has Ebay shop, assumes risk associated with selling via Ebay)
- Tack Trader (Can recommend on personal experience, free or paid ads)
- Trumbull Mountain Saddlery (highly recommend, on personal experience)
- Warmblood Sales Tack List
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What a wonderful list! I have contacted a few to see what they can offer. Thank you for putting in the effort to do this.
ReplyDeleteWow, what a list. Thank you for sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteI have both bought and sold with Fine Used Saddles and can highly recommend. :)
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if you experienced any delay in communication from Fine Saddles? I submitted the online consignment form on Sept 29, followed that up with an email on Oct 2 and as of today, Oct 4 I have not had any response whatsoever. I am concerned about the lack of communication. I am grateful for the list of other options featured here on this blog just in case I don't hear from Fine Saddles.
DeleteI have had two bad experiences with Classic Saddlery, both involved high end saddles with serious structural issues. I know I am not the only one. The owner is super nice until their is an issue and then she is a real witch.
ReplyDeleteI've also had a horrible experience with them. The new saddle that they sold me was actually a demo model with chalk writing under the flap and no size embossing or finishes of an actual off the line saddle. I returned it and the girth and have been credited for the girth. After a month of back and forth and even forwarding them the email where they said they received both items and would issue the credit they are now saying the box arrived torn open and the girth was missing so I have to file a claim with UPS. After a month and staying previously they had received everything??? Fishy...
DeleteThank you for the info on Classic - I will avoid!
DeleteI'm in the middle of a terrible experience with Classic Saddlery right now! Avoid them at all costs! I've never, ever in my life dealt with such an unprofessional and rude person as the owner, Lynda. After sending me a defective saddle that clearly isn't as depicted in the EBay ad, she is refusing to take it back and give me my refund, as well as calling me names, insulting my knowledge, and hanging up one me. It's amazingly bad. Buyer beware!! I'm hoping Ebay will help me out with this terrible situation - and adjust her "positive" rating on their site.
DeleteWhat about iselltack.com?
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, yes, I have heard that they can be slow. Search the chronicleforums for more info -- but I think overall they are a nice source of good saddles, no one that I have heard about has been left hanging permanently.
ReplyDeleteHey ideas ! I loved the insight - Does anyone know where my business might get access to a fillable CA SC-150 document to edit ?
ReplyDeleteThoughtful analysis . Speaking of which if people a a form , my secretary filled out a sample form here http://goo.gl/gGe8cA
ReplyDeleteI saw someone had asked about Iselltack and I feel as though I need to post this. They have great reviews, are highly recommended on all the message boards, and I had a friend sell a saddle through them with no problems. I, however, have had a horrible experience with them and have not received money for a saddle that sold months ago. They ignore my emails or respond telling me they will get back to me. So, although most people have a great experience with them, be wary.
ReplyDelete