|
|
Member
Posts: 9
| Backstory: I bought this saddle brand new appx 15 years ago? Which YES, that is quite a long time ago. It's a Circle Y Marlene Mcrae Special Effx saddle. However, out of those 15 years, it was barely ridden in. The most it was ridden in was 2 gymkhana seasons, and a few barrel races and some riding here and there. There were literally YEARS (most of the 15) where I didn't ride or one once a year. 2 of those years alone, I didn't ride because I was pregnant. Essentially, it really hasn't been used all that much. The latigo keeper fell out again and is lost (after they replaced it) and the jockeys have literally worn through the foam underneath from rubbing, down to the carpet type material on the very bottom.
So, yes it has been a long time, but I wasn't expecting worn in holes and not having a latigo keeper on an expensive saddle, and it's just going downhill quick now that I'm riding again. Should I even bother contacting Marlene Mcrae's support through their website or Circle Y? Obviously not looking for a refund LOL Just wondering if anything at all might be done, besides me potentially never buying anything Circle Y again. I know circle Y isn't a top brand, but holy cow...I paid a lot of money for this saddle and I have older ones (like my rope saddle) that are twice as old and look AMAZING. |
|
| |
|
 The One
Posts: 7998
   
Location: South Georgia | Mine (2007 model) has an actual tree in it, so I'm not sure how the jockey would wear through to the carpeting. It is a flex tree, but there is still a tree. It's not like a BM. With yours being as old as it is, I doubt anyone would be willing to back it at this point, unfortunately. You could try to contact her. I have sent her messages on FB before and gotten a response. |
|
| |
|
Nut Case Expert
Posts: 9305
Location: Tulsa, Ok | I would probably just take it to a good saddle shop and have necessary repairs made and/or parts replaced. |
|
| |
|
  Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | I would start by contacting Circle Y first and discussing the problems....Due to liability issues, as a Saddlemaker and repairman, my husband wouldn't touch it with a 10' pole....he has turned them away in the past.
Edited by NJJ 2017-11-30 9:38 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 599
| I’ve had a couple Circle y special effx saddles and LOVED them...until nails started popping out everywhere and pieces weren’t being held together. I love close-ish to Caldwell Saddlery and asked if I could bring them in for repair. Charon said she won’t work on them because the rubber trees can’t hold a saddle together (or something along those lines). So, unfortunately, I won’t have another flex tree. :( |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 9
| So, I meant FENDER not jockey LOL This mom needs more coffee...all the time. I was cleaning the saddle and flipped the fender up on the seat to clean it. Underneath that, there's a small space where you can see the foam, and the leather that the blevin buckle slides up and down rubbed on it and wore down the foam almost to the carpet underneath. You can feel how thin it is.
Unfortunately I've lost faith in anyone standing behind their products, so most likely it's a waste of time. I'm still debating reaching out to someone. |
|
| |
|
Location: in the ozone | I bought one of those a few years ago, used. The idiot that packaged it (was shipped via shipping store & they did the boxing of it), did such a poor job that when it arrived, the horn was through the box & the tree felt broken - it flexed the wrong way. I contact McRae's & they said I could send it to them or Circle Y & they would fix it. I think I sent it to them & it took about a month to get it back - didn't cost me anything because the stupid shipping business was at fault & had to pay for it. It was probably 5 years old then, and as I said - used.
Edited by slipperyslope 2017-11-30 9:02 PM
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 9
| Hmmm....maybe I will try contacting then! |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 9
| UPDATE:
I first contacted Mcrae's team, and was told I could contact Circle Y to see how much repairs would COST. I do understand I've had it a while but I'd figure there would be some standing behind a product their name is on, or at least offering something...anything at all. Definitely not paying to ship it to and from circle y plus pay for repairs on their saddle that was from light use. Lesson learned! |
|
| |
|
 Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | you have had it 15 yrs?
They do not know you have barely rode in it, where you kept it etc.. they just know its a lil older.. they dont know how welll you cared for it either.. I dont feel at this time they owe you anything free.. it doesnt mean they dont stand behind their product.
\
if you barely rode in it how did this happen?
jockeys have literally worn through the foam underneath from rubbing, down to the carpet type material on the very bottom.
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 9
| I didn't say I never rode in it, I said it wasn't ridden in it much. Right after I purchased it the latigo keeper literally fell off and was lost in an arena. I was told it was a common problem and was sent a replacement one.
Friction from leather rubbing on soft foam caused the hole. Think of how you can use another piece of bailing twine, loop it through a piece of twine still on a bale and pull it back and forth. It doesn't take a lot of friction to break through the piece of twice still on the bale. The foam is soft and was caused without a lot of use. I do understand that I have had it a while, but this saddle has shown the most wear out of any I have owned for being ridden so little. The saddle doesn't even look all that used. In 15 years I probably have had 20-30 rides in this saddle. Yes, they do not know what the truth is or how I've taken care of it.
I typically ride in my older rope saddle which hasn't had any issues, and I just bought another better made barrel saddle. |
|
| |
|
Location: Not Where I Want to Be | Roan8907 - 2017-12-01 6:46 PM UPDATE: I first contacted Mcrae's team, and was told I could contact Circle Y to see how much repairs would COST. I do understand I've had it a while but I'd figure there would be some standing behind a product their name is on, or at least offering something...anything at all. Definitely not paying to ship it to and from circle y plus pay for repairs on their saddle that was from light use. Lesson learned!
Sweet Heysus
you've had the saddle of 15 years.
How long are they supposed to stand behind it?
|
|
| |
|
 Witty Enough
Posts: 2954
Location: CTX | 1DSoon - 2017-12-03 6:14 AM Roan8907 - 2017-12-01 6:46 PM UPDATE: I first contacted Mcrae's team, and was told I could contact Circle Y to see how much repairs would COST. I do understand I've had it a while but I'd figure there would be some standing behind a product their name is on, or at least offering something...anything at all. Definitely not paying to ship it to and from circle y plus pay for repairs on their saddle that was from light use. Lesson learned! Sweet Heysus
you've had the saddle of 15 years.
How long are they supposed to stand behind it?
I bought my trailer 2 years ago, it's a 2003 model, so plenty old... and I know I am at least the 3rd owner, since my friend (who I bought it from) got it used.
Last year I noticed an issue with the floor, called the company and they told me to bring it in. They fixed it, no charges what so ever! Because they stand behind their product! ANd to top it off, I had a broken window in the horse compartment, so I asked them to replace it if they had one that size on hand.... They replaced it and I only had to pay the cost of the window... not even the labor...
To the OP, sorry to hear they won't help you, unfortunately that is the norm now-a-days...
Edited by cranky B4 10am 2017-12-03 9:16 AM
|
|
| |
|
Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian | Roan8907 - 2017-12-02 11:53 PM I didn't say I never rode in it, I said it wasn't ridden in it much. Right after I purchased it the latigo keeper literally fell off and was lost in an arena. I was told it was a common problem and was sent a replacement one. Friction from leather rubbing on soft foam caused the hole. Think of how you can use another piece of bailing twine, loop it through a piece of twine still on a bale and pull it back and forth. It doesn't take a lot of friction to break through the piece of twice still on the bale. The foam is soft and was caused without a lot of use. I do understand that I have had it a while, but this saddle has shown the most wear out of any I have owned for being ridden so little. The saddle doesn't even look all that used. In 15 years I probably have had 20-30 rides in this saddle. Yes, they do not know what the truth is or how I've taken care of it. I typically ride in my older rope saddle which hasn't had any issues, and I just bought another better made barrel saddle.
I doubt that you only rode in it 20-30 times since you already said that you rode it for two full seasons and I am sure that you "practiced" in it too .
I wouldn't say that Circle Y should stand behind a saddle that is FIFTEEN years old. They have no way of knowing how hard (even though you told them) of use or abuse or if there was ANY care taken of the saddle....Apparently, it hasn't been cleaned in 15 years IF you are just now noticing that there is a problem. Perhaps, if you had sent them pictures of the saddle, etc, they "may" give a discount on repairs. Additionally, Circle Y is not a "premium saddle" ..... Like I mentioned before, my husband (saddlemaker) wouldn't touch those saddles with a 10' pole to repair ..... lesson learned .... you get what you pay for ..... |
|
| |
|
 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | The saddle is 15 years old. You have used it, Circle Y is not my choice of saddles, but goodness the saddle has a lot of age on it, just sell the darn thing and move on..to a better brand.  |
|
| |
|
 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | Southtxponygirl - 2017-12-03 11:27 AM
The saddle is 15 years old. You have used it, Circle Y is not my choice of saddles, but goodness the saddle has a lot of age on it, just sell the darn thing and move on..to a better brand.
OT I know, but I just want to say it is BEYOND wonderful to see you back Miss Roxie  |
|
| |
|
A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas |
thank you  |
|
| |
|
Fact Checker
Posts: 16575
Location: Displaced Iowegian |
|
|
| |
Folks on-line