|
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 729
  
Location: south central usa | I only call - you can glean so much more info by talking to the sellers as they may bring up something that they may forget about while typing...you can also gauge their answers by their tone/behavior. |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 383
Location: Sweet Home Alabama | This is why I always call about something (animal, saddle, etc) I'm interested in. And you get a genuine response to your questions. Like if they're kinda hesitant or don't know the answer to my question, then I start mentally talking myself out of buying it. Imo, people who call seem like more serious buyers. And I don't have time to write out a novel through text, you'd be better to call and let me Bluetooth and continue what I'm doing. But I drive for a living so maybe that's why I'm like this |
|
| |
|
 Just a Yankee
Posts: 1239
Location: Some where I haven't left yet | As someone who has 90 unread text messages (no, really ... there are 90) Don't text me... Ever, if you want a response. Call me. I run a business and work 32+ hours a week at a different job. No time to type into my phone. If I'm interested in buying something, I'll call. Period. |
|
| |
|
 Goat Giver
Posts: 23166
 
| My name in real life is Tia Chandler. Please do me a favor and if I ever list a horse for sale don't call, don't text and don't email me. I really don't think I will be raising horses for the public ever again due to life changes, but please avoid me if I do. The thought of turning one of mt babies over to someone so in need of validation is not one I care to contemplate. |
|
| |
|
Boot Detective
Posts: 1900
| I like contacting via email first so I can ask ALL of my questions and hopefully get a written response so they have plenty time to answer all my questions (very few do). That email they send is proof in court what they claimed the horse is, if it turns out it is not. I could write a book on this. I have a bigger problem with a broker/rep advertising a horse on here for $20,000 that has NO verifiable stats on the internet anywhere and when I asked them to provide some, 2 wks later they still furnished nothing. Not even a backyard jackpot where this horse has ran. I believe it has but it is not that hard to list SOMEWHERE this horse has ran. Then the same broker makes zero effort to make the horse available to try. I doubt the horse owner would be happy to know their broker is doing everything to avoid selling the horse for whatever reason. I asked when THEY were running the horse somewhere, no answer to that either. Hmmm. Moved on. They just missed a sell. |
|
| |
|
  Warmblood with Wings
Posts: 27846
Location: Florida.. | cecollins0811 - 2016-06-08 12:24 PM Little bit of a rant/pet peeve/vent thread. Sorry in advance. I don't know about everyone else but I severely dislike it when I'm contacting someone who is selling their horse and they use "lazy wording", basically texting like they are 12 years old. I mean, it's just unprofessional and makes me turn away quicker. Also, why do some people choose to answer certain questions about their horse and ignore the others? I want to know everything about your horse, not just a sentence. Send me a whole article if you can! 
I would not answer any texts regarding a horse I have for sale.. call me or email ...Id rather talk on phone therefore I can get a feel of exactly what your wanting and if you have the knowledge and what level etc.. |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 2161
Location: NW. Florida | I guess people selling should list what kind of comunication they have time for. I've been helping a friend look for something for his daughter and I can't tell you how many I've contacted and would not reply back. We were looking in the $20 to $30,000 price range. You would think, if folks had something to sell for that kind of money they would return an email. Luckily Jim and Stacy Warner will return a email, we got to meet extremely nice people, and with a we left with a very nice one. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 490
| On the flip side, what about potential buyers that make you want to pull your hair out............ Had a lady message me through Facebook on saturday about my mare. Asked for videos, verifiable results, pictures, etc. Normal stuff that I would expect. But then starts asking random questions. Is she smooth? I told her come try her and decide. One persons smooth is another ones rough. Just random off the wall questions I kept getting. Never called me, would only message me. Then at 2am yesterday I receive a message asking if she is broke.... Yes a mare that is 1D-2D..... is she broke? I have had it with this woman. I told her that I sent her plenty of videos showing that the mare is a finished barrel horse. I dont know what she meant by broke but that she could call me with any further questions or to set up a time to try her.
I have yet to hear anything back.
You may be tired of sellers, but Im tired of flaky, set an appointment and dont keep it buyers. |
|
| |
|
 Elite Veteran
Posts: 754
Location: Arkansas | I don't sell horses for a living, but on the occasion that I do sell one, I communicate however the customer (buyer) wants. Phone/text/email/facebook/carrier pigeon--doesn't matter to me! I've sold via all written communication, and I've had people repeatedly waste my time on the phone. When I am buying, I will usually send an initial email if I have a few easy questions that will determine if I am interested in the horse. If I know by the ad I am interested (or if the seller requests calls only), I call right off the bat.
My pet peeve is when people ask if I will take less when the ad states "PRICE IS FIRM". If it doesn't state that, I dont mind someone telling me "my budget is $XXXX, is that something you can work with?" |
|
| |
|
 Professional Amateur
Posts: 6750
Location: Oklahoma | I always respond to inquiries - via FB; Text; Email; phone call. I prefer after a few messages to have a phone call to discuss things and the phone call is easily followed up with more messages (via text, email, etc.) Once a purchase is made, I even email an "Owners Manual" of a history on the horse purchased. Has always worked well for me. I have owners that have owned the horses purchased from me for 15+ years and return to purchase another one when the horse is nearing retirement. I also get referral and repeat customers by the right buyer getting the horse. The best sales have been buyers that go with their gut. If the horse "talks" to them and they just know they want it - I quiz buyers more than they quiz me to confirm that is the right fit.
I sell a lot more horses for clients than personal horses. Closet Collector. LOL
|
|
| |
|
 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| If you are only accepting phone calls from buyers... then you wont be getting any $$$ from me. 
I purchase solely through email & fb messenger.
#1 I do not like talking on the phone.
#2 I have written communication I can refer back to if needed.
As a seller, I will call/text/social media message. But I STILL prefer email. :) |
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 3534
Location: Stuck in a cubicle having tropical thoughts | Southtxponygirl - 2016-06-08 12:37 PM Dont text call the person that owns the horse and talk to them in person, to me if someone texts then their not that interested.
I don't agree with this. I sold a mare last year and the only communication I had with the buyer was through text. I answered all questions, sent photos, links to you tube videos and set up a date to try the mare all through text. They came from 4 hours away from another state. THen they made an offer and did negotitaion all through text. Came back 2 weeks late and brought cash and bought the mare. Now, this wasn't a $20K plus horse but it also wasn't a $1500 horse.
I also sold a gelding a few years back, who had a medical issue with his eye all through email with a 16YO girl. She showed up with her parents and grandma and cash in hand from 2 states away and took him home.
I never had a phone conversation with either buyer.
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1481
Location: TEXAS | dianeguinn - 2016-06-08 12:21 PM As a long time seller, I can tell you that I HATE getting texts about a horse I have for sale. Although I CAN text (it's a necessity in today's world), it's hard and laboriously slow for me, as I am 64 and don't often do it. I would MUCH rather type, and I am much better at it. If you want everything in writing, then PLEASE email me. I will answer every question quickly and at length, but if I'm texting, I may forget some, as I can't see the original text when I'm answering. I, too, don't consider a text a valid inquiry most of the time. I dismiss it as a kid. The email address is right there on the ad, so if you choose a written inquiry on any of my horses for sale, please email rather than text.
I agree with you Dianne  |
|
| |
Folks on-line