I would love opinions on an issue I had at a premier sale lately.

I put a reserve on my consigned horse.  He went through the ring for $500. less than my reserve.  I assumed I still owned the horse.  I went to office to pay the no sale fee and retrieve my papers.  When I got there I discovered that my horse had actually been sold.  The sale owner responded with “I made a command decision for you.  I didn’t think you would want to ruin the sale for $500.”

How would you respond to this situation?

i would kindly tell them it wasnt their decision to decide on the matter and that you set a reserve for a reason. I would tell them to return the horse OR they can pay you the additional 500. 

Did you leave without your horse? I'm not very familiar with sales or the fine print but I dont like that at all. Reserves are set for a reason. I'd be pretty heated if it were me! 

Sometimes that $500 is the difference between loss and profit. He needs to pay the $500 or you leave with your horse

That's what I was wondering too--who took YOUR horse home???

After talking to the man who bought my horse I decided to let him go.  You are right about the whole profit/loss deal!  Since I bought the horse with borrowed $ I pretty much needed to sell him to pay off the note.  I’m not real pleased with how this all turned out,

The commission on a no sale is 4%.  The commission otherwise is 7%.  I’m thinking to propose to the sale owner to pay the 4% on the amount he sold him for (rather then the 7%).  I did the math on it and that would pretty much make me whole.

I wanted to run it by you guys first..

That sounds like an equitable solution IF the sales company will go for it. I would remind them that THEY are the ones who marked the horse sold UNDER your "reserve". They should pay the $500.

Oh heck no.  I'd demand the difference in the sale amount and only the 4% no sale fee. 

How long ago did this sale take place?

well 500.00 aint much..........cheaper than feeding and shoeing them for a few months...........  I think I would of thanked him!

I like this idea!

I get it, it's $500 BUT the fact of the matter is someone made a decision FOR THE OWNER who should not have had the audacity to do so. I would be upset at that alone.

Hate to say I agree but I do.  I no-saled a horse one time because I didn't think it was enough money.  Months later I sold her for less.  

I don't think what the auction did was fair but it's done and if they refuse to pay you the difference, I'd let it go at that.  A lesson for next time..........