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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
 
Location: Oklahoma | I have been trying out some horses and setting up appointments for others... and I'm unsure of what to do when a sellers can't respond!
I first inquire (be it phone call, text, or e-mail) if a horse is still for sale and when I get an answer I always proceed with either more questions or I try to set something up (kuddos to the people who write detailed ads... I don't need to know anything else about the horse until I can form an opinion from riding the horse) using the same form of communication as I started with. (with the exception of a mare I tried a few weeks ago. I e-mailed but didn't get a response but I was very interested so I started texting and set something up.. seller didn't check e-mail until a day or two later until after I rode the horse)
I have had sellers e-mail me back but say please contact me over the phone if you need anything else or want to set something up. This I understand.
Here is my issue... I e-mailed someone about a horse and got a response within 10-15 minutes and they replied to the e-mail with their phone. I wrote back asking if I could try the horse (I didn't feel the need to ask anything else about the horse as anything I could want to know was in the ad) and here it is over 48 hours later with no response. I'm starting to get a little frustrated. Am I wrong in this? Did I come on too strong? Did I sound too much like a tire kicker? I guess I should have started out with calling/texting but the ad stated e-mailing was fine and that's the route I took as it's easier for me during the day when I'm usually on the phone, but always have my e-mail up.
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 Expert
Posts: 2097
 
Location: Deep South | Longneck - 2014-04-16 2:42 PM
I have been trying out some horses and setting up appointments for others... and I'm unsure of what to do when a sellers can't respond!
I first inquire (be it phone call, text, or e-mail) if a horse is still for sale and when I get an answer I always proceed with either more questions or I try to set something up (kuddos to the people who write detailed ads... I don't need to know anything else about the horse until I can form an opinion from riding the horse) using the same form of communication as I started with. (with the exception of a mare I tried a few weeks ago. I e-mailed but didn't get a response but I was very interested so I started texting and set something up.. seller didn't check e-mail until a day or two later until after I rode the horse)
I have had sellers e-mail me back but say please contact me over the phone if you need anything else or want to set something up. This I understand.
Here is my issue... I e-mailed someone about a horse and got a response within 10-15 minutes and they replied to the e-mail with their phone. I wrote back asking if I could try the horse (I didn't feel the need to ask anything else about the horse as anything I could want to know was in the ad) and here it is over 48 hours later with no response. I'm starting to get a little frustrated. Am I wrong in this? Did I come on too strong? Did I sound too much like a tire kicker? I guess I should have started out with calling/texting but the ad stated e-mailing was fine and that's the route I took as it's easier for me during the day when I'm usually on the phone, but always have my e-mail up.
Hmmmm..... I might would try to get in touch one more time. As you just never know with phones. I have friends/family tell me all the time "I called/texted you and you didn't answer me!" but I honestly didn't get it. It's random and sporadic and who knows what other calls and texts I've missed and those people just never said anything.
Plus I know how hard it is to find one you really like and want to try, and I wouldn't be willing to give up so easily.
After that, they have no excuse and I would just move on. I don't think you've done anything wrong or sounded like you weren't legit. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 941
Location: Kansas | I would suggest you call them. It will be much easier to set an appointment on the phone when you can both say a date and time will or won't work. |
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 Ima Fickle Fan
Posts: 3547
Location: Texas | Longneck - 2014-04-16 2:42 PM I have been trying out some horses and setting up appointments for others... and I'm unsure of what to do when a sellers can't respond!
I first inquire (be it phone call, text, or e-mail) if a horse is still for sale and when I get an answer I always proceed with either more questions or I try to set something up (kuddos to the people who write detailed ads... I don't need to know anything else about the horse until I can form an opinion from riding the horse) using the same form of communication as I started with. (with the exception of a mare I tried a few weeks ago. I e-mailed but didn't get a response but I was very interested so I started texting and set something up.. seller didn't check e-mail until a day or two later until after I rode the horse)
I have had sellers e-mail me back but say please contact me over the phone if you need anything else or want to set something up. This I understand.
Here is my issue... I e-mailed someone about a horse and got a response within 10-15 minutes and they replied to the e-mail with their phone. I wrote back asking if I could try the horse (I didn't feel the need to ask anything else about the horse as anything I could want to know was in the ad) and here it is over 48 hours later with no response. I'm starting to get a little frustrated. Am I wrong in this? Did I come on too strong? Did I sound too much like a tire kicker? I guess I should have started out with calling/texting but the ad stated e-mailing was fine and that's the route I took as it's easier for me during the day when I'm usually on the phone, but always have my e-mail up.
I am going to bet that they don't check email often OR they feel you will call them if you are serious. My hubby is in sales and it irks him that people want to do business through email or text. He does it because he has to, but a lot of people, especially older than 25, do NOT like doing business online or through text. If you're a serious buyer, pick up the phone.
You're only a tire kicker if you have no intention of buying. Don't take it personally that they haven't responded to your email. Picking up the phone helps show you're not a scammer and that you are genuinely interested. They may weed out buyers who only email. You never know. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 292
Location: Northeast Nebraska | I wonder why people never give a thought that someone might be hearing impaired and can get things done faster and with less mistakes through email vs phone. Even after telling people this, they act like I'm some kind of scammer or weirdo. |
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| I don't think a seller has a choice how you want to communicate if they want to sell the horse.
I think a lot of sellers want to give a sales pitch when the buyer is ready to buy if the horse rides out like the seller stated ...........
I have sold horses rarely on the phone or even talked to the buyers ....... email seems to work for me and my buyers even to the extent of using Bing to translate my English to their language and vice versa ...
I am proud to say my buyers and the sellers I have bought from have been very professional, truthful and we report back to each other on the horses involved which is a lot of fun to know we are all happy with the horses ...
I have one rule:
If buying or selling a horse becomes work and tiresome with a buyer or seller .... I move on knowing the deal was not meant to be ....
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Ugh. After texting the seller I believe I am just even more ticked off than I was about them not giving my second email any attention. SMH |
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 Veteran
Posts: 151
| I have had communication stall after saying I wanted to come try the horse as well. I think some people don't want you to actually try the horse...they just want to sell sight unseen. Maybe she has something to hide? |
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  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | Longneck - 2014-04-16 8:34 PM Ugh. After texting the seller I believe I am just even more ticked off than I was about them not giving my second email any attention. SMH
Did you call or text? ... call if you havent. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Bibliafarm - 2014-04-16 7:52 PM
Longneck - 2014-04-16 8:34 PM Ugh. After texting the seller I believe I am just even more ticked off than I was about them not giving my second email any attention. SMH
Did you call or text? ... call if you havent.
We communicated via text. |
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 Coyote Country Queen
Posts: 5666
| I agree that sometimes things get lost...into wherever lost texts and emails go! As a seller, I respond to every contact about a horse for sale, so if you don't hear from me it's because I never got it. I also sell a lot of horses via email without ever even speaking to the buyer until we meet in person, and I don't understand why some people are so against this (unless of course they don't have easy access to check their email). If you have put forth a good effort to make contact, then I would proceed with caution. I would be concerned that this kind of behavior is representative of how they will handle a horse deal. The good thing is that there are so many horses for sale, there's no point in dealing with an uncooperative seller, you'll find exactly what you're looking for in time from a seller that's easy to work with. |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Jenbabe - 2014-04-17 9:16 AM I agree that sometimes things get lost...into wherever lost texts and emails go! As a seller, I respond to every contact about a horse for sale, so if you don't hear from me it's because I never got it. I also sell a lot of horses via email without ever even speaking to the buyer until we meet in person, and I don't understand why some people are so against this (unless of course they don't have easy access to check their email). If you have put forth a good effort to make contact, then I would proceed with caution. I would be concerned that this kind of behavior is representative of how they will handle a horse deal. The good thing is that there are so many horses for sale, there's no point in dealing with an uncooperative seller, you'll find exactly what you're looking for in time from a seller that's easy to work with.
Yes, I agree! I am trying out something on Friday and the seller has (so far, at least) been a dream to communicate with. Instantly responded and if she couldn't talk with me (i.e. at work or busy doing other things) she let me know and has never left me with any questions.
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Seller, I'm curious... do you research the buyers that contact you? I know that if you try to google my name you won't find anything horse related(just maybe my pinterest board). You would find race results from years ago if you knew my maiden name or if I still went by it, but there is nothing with my married name since I'm just getting back into it. Just curious if that might scare someone into thinking I'm a tire kicker. I usually disclose that I'm looking for a horse to get me back into the swing of things once I start talking to the seller, but not in my first communication.
I always research the sellers before I contact them.. I want to see if I can find any record on the horse with the current owner or anything interesting on the seller that might deter me from doing business with them. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: SE KS | "Seller, I'm curious... do you research the buyers that contact you? I know that if you try to google my name you won't find anything horse related(just maybe my pinterest board). You would find race results from years ago if you knew my maiden name or if I still went by it, but there is nothing with my married name since I'm just getting back into it. Just curious if that might scare someone into thinking I'm a tire kicker. I usually disclose that I'm looking for a horse to get me back into the swing of things once I start talking to the seller, but not in my first communication."
Yes, I usually do research on both buyers & sellers. I would like to be reassured as much as possible about where my horse is going!
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| I have researched buyers or potential buyers. I want to ensure that they can ride the caliber of horse they are trying out.
I ask questions on the phone or via email about their experience.
I don't have to sell my horses, so I am not afraid to tell people the horse is not what they are looking for.
It doesn't matter so much about stats but riding ability, style, knowledge of horses. I want the horse to go to their forever home be loved and taken care of. |
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 Member
Posts: 33
Location: Florida | They must not want to sell that bad. If I am selling something I am going to respond whatever way the buyer wants me to =)
Personally though I like to do things like this via phone. Jumps right to the source and gets it done. However Im in your same boat and can really only email during the day. A lot of times I will shoot an email and arrange a good time to call. |
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 MEOW!
Posts: 4477
Location: High heels in the air... | I travel overseas...I call when I get in.my point is people have lives...could have been a personal issue or a dropped call. Patience !!! |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| It sounds like you are calling/emailing/texting quite a few horses. It also sounds like you are setting up many horses to try out.
Some may consider this tire kicking.
Myself if I am looking at a broke horse, I will only go and try the horse out if it fits my needs and I am quite certain I would be purchasing the horse.
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 Lady Di
Posts: 21556
Location: Oklahoma | Come try mine!! I've got 6 for sale, and they're all nice and I'm ready to make a deal!! I have too many for this old lady to ride! I'm in McAlester! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | cheryl makofka - 2014-04-17 7:37 PM It sounds like you are calling/emailing/texting quite a few horses. It also sounds like you are setting up many horses to try out. Some may consider this tire kicking. Myself if I am looking at a broke horse, I will only go and try the horse out if it fits my needs and I am quite certain I would be purchasing the horse.
These horses were four to five hours away. Why does it have to be considered tire kicking if you're trying to plan your time and ride more than one horse during the trip?. I'm not looking at anything out of my budget or my riding ability so I know I'm not tire kicking... but I know that I'm not going to click with each and every horse so I must try before hand. |
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 Living on the edge of common sense
Posts: 24138
Location: Carpenter, WY | With me being sick we are selling down. I have emailed back and forth till my fingers are sore on horses but the 2 sold this week were the results of a phone call. If you are serious a phone call is the best way to go imo
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Meanest Teacher!!!
Posts: 8552
Location: sunny california | i don't mind calling but I do wnat an email. too many times the price changes and i want it in writing.... before I spend my gas money |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 941
Location: Kansas | We don't worry about "tire kickers". If a person doesn't want your horse or isn't sure he/she is ready to buy, they may mention you or your horses to someone else. My husband is the main contact for selling our horses. He replies to any inquiries on Facebook or e-mail. He always asks people to call him on his cell phone because "I may talk slow but I type a lot slower". We don't have a problem with quoting an asking price in an e-mail. We, like every other seller, would like our horses to go to a home that is a good fit for them. If someone told us they would prefer to communicate by e-mail because it is difficult to hear on the phone, we would try to do that. I hope you are able to work out visits to the horses that interest you. If you are looking for a prospect in eastern Kansas, we have several to see. |
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Location: East of the Pecos | TigerTe - 2014-04-18 12:16 PM We don't worry about "tire kickers". If a person doesn't want your horse or isn't sure he/she is ready to buy, they may mention you or your horses to someone else. My husband is the main contact for selling our horses. He replies to any inquiries on Facebook or e-mail. He always asks people to call him on his cell phone because "I may talk slow but I type a lot slower". We don't have a problem with quoting an asking price in an e-mail. We, like every other seller, would like our horses to go to a home that is a good fit for them. If someone told us they would prefer to communicate by e-mail because it is difficult to hear on the phone, we would try to do that. I hope you are able to work out visits to the horses that interest you. If you are looking for a prospect in eastern Kansas, we have several to see.
What a great attitude.  I know I have inquired about horses that seemed to be a good choice over the phone, but several times when I went and rode, I found out very quickly that either the seller was dishonest, clueless, or desperate to say anything to sell. I mainly buy young horses that might be lightly started, but none who already have a searchable record. I look for diamonds in the rough, and I know you have to look at a lot of horses to find the one that has the feel you want. There is no way to know if you are going to purchase from a phone call. You have to go get on the horse and see how they ride and feel to know if they might be a fit. You just can't feel beligerant, resentful, rough riding, etc. over the phone. |
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The Advice Guru
Posts: 6419
| Bug Is Alive - 2014-04-18 12:39 PM
TigerTe - 2014-04-18 12:16 PM We don't worry about "tire kickers". If a person doesn't want your horse or isn't sure he/she is ready to buy, they may mention you or your horses to someone else. My husband is the main contact for selling our horses. He replies to any inquiries on Facebook or e-mail. He always asks people to call him on his cell phone because "I may talk slow but I type a lot slower". We don't have a problem with quoting an asking price in an e-mail. We, like every other seller, would like our horses to go to a home that is a good fit for them. If someone told us they would prefer to communicate by e-mail because it is difficult to hear on the phone, we would try to do that. I hope you are able to work out visits to the horses that interest you. If you are looking for a prospect in eastern Kansas, we have several to see.
What a great attitude. I know I have inquired about horses that seemed to be a good choice over the phone, but several times when I went and rode, I found out very quickly that either the seller was dishonest, clueless, or desperate to say anything to sell. I mainly buy young horses that might be lightly started, but none who already have a searchable record. I look for diamonds in the rough, and I know you have to look at a lot of horses to find the one that has the feel you want. There is no way to know if you are going to purchase from a phone call. You have to go get on the horse and see how they ride and feel to know if they might be a fit. You just can't feel beligerant, resentful, rough riding, etc. over the phone.
To add what you have said, I have had potential buyers being dishonest or exaggerating their skill set. I have simply told people within minutes of then getting on the horse was not for them.
Also videos can be very important, as this helps weed out the horses that don't fit a specific type or style. |
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 Champ
Posts: 19623
Location: Peg-Leg Julia Grimm | I'm one that likes to negotiate by email. That way I have a written record of the transaction. But if I see a screamin deal on a mare, I will pick up the phone. I buy mostly broodmares and sell mostly broodmares and babies. If someone is selling a horse and isn't ready to pay attention to the needs of the buyer then move on. Some people think you should be prepared to buy from one or two pictures and no video. I would never buy a horse that will be ridden without video unless I really trusted that person because I have purchased from them before and they have been honest. I don't expect people to buy without me doing my work to assure them the horse is what I say (s)he is. I have buyers now that will buy from pictures and LOVE them when they get them home. It's very nice to have those kinds of buyers and VERY nice to be a person they can trust.  |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | Thanks, everyone! I have found "the one" and hoping that everything goes well at the vet next week. The seller has been an absolute dream to work with. We've texted/called quite a bit to discuss anything and everything I've wanted to know and she's always gotten right back withme. Never e-mailed as she said she only checks it about once every 24 hours.
I believe that the original seller I had asked about had changed her mind on selling horse but didn't want to bother telling me that. Very annoying because I appreciate honesty! I don't think that I willl ever be one of those people that could buy a horse that's running and not ride it first. I'm out of this world picky and my riding isn't at the point where I'm able to adapt quickly. |
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