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| I'm looking for advice on the best way to approach someone to make an offer on a horse that isn't for sale. They are friends, but not close friends. The horse is being underutilized and due to life events might continue that way. I'd appreciate any thoughts, help, advice, etc!
Edited by born2race 2016-12-07 8:24 AM
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 Miss Laundry Misshap
Posts: 5271
 
| I'd walk up and say, "Hey, I noticed you haven't been around as much lately. Are you interested in selling your horse? I love him and have always thought I'd like to own him."
That's about all you can say. If they tell you to get lost, that's what you have to do. You can't make someone sell something they want to keep.
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Location: Not Where I Want to Be | Be honest and forthcoming.
Mr. So and So,,,,,,,I don't really have any reason to believe that nickers is for sale, but I would like to ask you about possibly putting the purchase on him.
All they can do is say no. They can't eat you.
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| 1DSoon - 2016-12-07 8:27 AM Be honest and forthcoming.
Mr. So and So,,,,,,,I don't really have any reason to believe that nickers is for sale, but I would like to ask you about possibly putting the purchase on him.
All they can do is say no. They can't eat you.
This, I have been approached many times and never felt it was inappropriate. |
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 Owner of a ratting catting machine
Posts: 2258
| I'm always flattered when somebody wants to buy my horse even if he's not for sale. If he's for sale, or even if I'd only just entertain the idea, I want to know how much they'll give me for him. Every horse has a price. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 352
Location: Texas | 1DSoon - 2016-12-07 8:27 AM
Be honest and forthcoming.
Mr. So and So,,,,,,,I don't really have any reason to believe that nickers is for sale, but I would like to ask you about possibly putting the purchase on him.
All they can do is say no. They can't eat you.
This and you can add, if he/she isn't for sale, should the horse become available may I give you my contact number?. Sometimes someone will say no on the spur of the moment, but once they think it over some, may decide otherwise. |
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 A Somebody to Everybody
Posts: 41354
Location: Under The Big Sky Of Texas | I would just walk up to them and tell them how much you admire their horse and ask them if they ever decide to sell him/her to please let me be the first to know, I would really love to buy him/her from you.. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 477
Location: IA | I've had offers to sell horses that were not for sale. They were really polite and just asked to have the first chance to buy when/if I did decide to sell.
I changed my mind about 3 months later and they showed up with my asking price and a trailer. Best home I ever could have hoped for, and a great friend in the process.
Some people just don't want to go through the sale process, but if someone comes up and asks, they are willing to get the horse off their feed bill. It's actually nice to have a number to call if you need a good home/use for your horse. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| classicpotatochip - 2016-12-07 9:00 AM I'm always flattered when somebody wants to buy my horse even if he's not for sale. If he's for sale, or even if I'd only just entertain the idea, I want to know how much they'll give me for him. Every horse has a price.
I am flattered too but I also know that I am approached because I don't ride them to their potential, lol. Mine don't have a price though, these are staying with me regardless. My daughter was offered big $$ several times. The decision was hers, the heart ache would not have been worth it-he is still here with us. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 253
Location: Back Creek Valley!!! | Id have a figure ready in your head, Just in case they ask you what you were thinking. We still have my daughters first pony. She tears up when we talk about selling him. SHE IS 18!!! But we do lease him out to a few little girls we know and it has worked out amazing. He is a awesome quarter pony to learn on. But we know exactly how he is taking care of. If they are that attached, they won't sell. But money talks if they are not! Be ready |
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 BHW New Catch of the Day
Posts: 9884
Location: Missouri | I ended up buying a horse that everybody and their brother had made an offer on and she turned them down. I waited until I noticed that she didn't show up much anymore and was busy with school and such.
I simply asked if she was interested in selling him and if not, leasing him. She said no, but called me 6 months later and said if we'd like to haul him for a month and see if he worked out, we could.
People about crapped their pants when we unloaded him at the first race and didn't believe we'd made a deal, lol. It was great! He continued his success with my oldest daughter, then was passed to my younger daughter and she too was very successful with him. He was one of a kind. Passed away 2 years ago after we'd retired him for 2 years earlier. |
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Expert
Posts: 1956
Location: Ky | born2race - 2016-12-07 8:23 AM I'm looking for advice on the best way to approach someone to make an offer on a horse that isn't for sale. They are friends, but not close friends. The horse is being underutilized and due to life events might continue that way. I'd appreciate any thoughts, help, advice, etc!
I wanted to buy a horse 2-3 years ago that wasn't for sale. He was worth $10-15K if he was trying to sell. I just told the guy that I would like to buy his horse and I will give $15K for him. He said no. So I offered $20K. He said no.
So I asked if there wasa price he would not back down from and he said , "no, he's not for sale". I asked to call me if he ever changed his mind. He said he would.
He hasn't and he still has the horse.
It's not difficult at all to tell someone you would like to buy their horse. People used to try to buy my horse all the time. I never went more then 2 weekends without someone asking if he's for sale if not making an offer.
What hurts is when you're trying to sell and no one will offer.
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 Expert
Posts: 2128
| Agree with most others here. No one will be mad that you are interested in buying their horse, it is a compliment. Just be cool about it. If you see them somewhere just say " I really like that horse". Of course they will say "Thank you" and that will prob start a pleasant conversation about the horse...then just go in for the kill and tell them you would love to own it, would they ever consider selling, and if so what would they like to get. If they say "No we arent interested in selling" just say "I understand, if you ever change your mind let me be the first to know". Heck you never know, they may just shoot you a price and you can negotiate from there. |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 336
Location: Missouri | I agree, just ask, be prepared to buy if it's within your range, and offer your number if they no. My daughter had a wicked little showmanship and walk trot pony when she was tiny. We had several offers on him, and when the time came to sell, he was sold to a great home within the day.
That being said, just be respectful if they say no. When my daughter was 10 she got her rockstar. She had ridden him six months before we (me and the owner) decided they were going to work out. I paid for him, then the owner and I surprised her with his papers complete with her name on them. Two weeks later she had the honor of presenting the American flag at the AQHA World Show as Little Miss Rodeo Missouri (we don't show AQHA, much less travel in those circles). Now, he is a big good looking ranch horse - in no way a show horse - but here we are surrounded by the best (picture Beverly Hillbillies), but she had no idea. She was riding her dream with names she had heard of, but in no way felt outclassed. I noticed a man watching her intently, then saw him go up to her by the fence in the warm up arena. Was starting to get a little creeped out to be honest. Saw her talking, smiling, then shaking her head, then getting a less friendly look, pointing to me, say no, really shake her head, and ride off. This guy came around to me, asked if I were her mother. Yes..he pulled out his checkbook, said he WAS GOING TO BUY THAT HORSE. Told me my daughter said he wasn't for sale. My response...then he isn't for sale (feeling somewhat flattered at the impression they had made on him). He took a pen, signed the check, handed it to me, said everything is for sale..fill out the check but keep it under six figures. I repeated HE ISN'T FOR SALE. Guy literally shoved checkbook in my hand..told me again he WAS GOING TO OWN THAT HORSE. By then I was thoroughly piffed off, and told him less nicely this time. Sound business decision - No. Best decision I ever made in my life? Absolutely. She has had way more than six figures worth of education, fun, and love in the past six years with that horse. He will never leave our house. |
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BHW's Simon Cowell
Location: The Saudia Arabia of Wind Energy, Western Oklahoma | I have never been offended by someone inquiring about buying a horse but I have heard other people that are. That was surprising to me, but this lady was from out west. I just figured it was a regional thing. LOL |
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 Expert
Posts: 1229
Location: Royal J Performance Horses, AZ | ksjackofalltrades - 2016-12-07 10:48 AM
I have never been offended by someone inquiring about buying a horse but I have heard other people that are. That was surprising to me, but this lady was from out west. I just figured it was a regional thing. LOL
Im from out west and i wouldn't be offended by it at all.... I'd be flattered someone liked my horse that much.
In fact it's happened to me several times. I was offered money on my pain stud i used to ride at high school rodeos when i was running him way back when. Thinking back... i should have taken it. but too late now :) |
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 Three in a Bikini
Posts: 2035
| Agree with the comments that have been posted so far.
Just an extra thought... You might try contacting them over social media or email as well. If someone asked me to purchase my horse face to face I may not be prepared with an amount. But if they contacted me via email then I would be able to consider my options and prepare a response. |
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 Loves to compete
Posts: 5760
Location: Oakdale, CA | gosh I would tell them you love their horse and ask if they would consider selling it to me...........
of course go along with the conversation................they might need some time to sink in ya never know. then copy the american pickers and if its not for sale ask them whats their I don't want to sell it price.................))) |
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 My Heart Be Happy
Posts: 9159
Location: Arkansas | rodeomom3 - 2016-12-07 9:19 AM
classicpotatochip - 2016-12-07 9:00 AM I'm always flattered when somebody wants to buy my horse even if he's not for sale. If he's for sale, or even if I'd only just entertain the idea, I want to know how much they'll give me for him. Every horse has a price.
I am flattered too but I also know that I am approached because I don't ride them to their potential, lol. Mine don't have a price though, these are staying with me regardless. My daughter was offered big $$ several times. The decision was hers, the heart ache would not have been worth it-he is still here with us.
Kinda what I was thinking----no, not EVERY horse has a price. Sometimes Chandler looks at me like I arrived in a green egg from outer space when I say that  |
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| Thanks everyone for your fantastic suggestions! It was nice to see many different wordings of the same proposition. Now to wait until the 2 horses I have in training sell so I have additional money backing my question and then I will feel comfortable planting the seed in their brains. |
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