My Responsibility, Your Responsibility

Buying a horse is a big responsibility.

Buying tack is just as big.

I have been responsible almost to a fault in my life. Those of you who know me personally are probably nodding your head, smirking a bit, agreeing as you remember the many ways I put my responsibilities first and foremost (especially my equine ones!) before hanging out with you on a Friday night.

Which shouldn't make the fact that the responsibility I have always felt has carried over into A-List Tack a surprise.

I feel buying and selling - no matter what it is - carries a certain sense of responsibilities on both parties, and it's important to understand what those are before the cash flows.

My Responsibility

I don't take my responsibility in selling tack lightly.

I feel a lot of pressure to do the absolute right thing to both the seller and buyer.

After all, how could I sleep at night if I skirted my responsibilities? I've known and been harmed by too many irresponsible horse owners (I'm sure you can name one or two), and lost too much sleep in the past to act irresponsibly. It just isn't fair.

That's why I want to make clear what my responsibilities are to you as either a buyer or a seller.

1. Give you the right price. Whether you're buying or selling, it is my job

to know what it is worth. Pricing an item too high or low is frustrating on both counts and would be a huge mistake. That's why I like to match market pricing as closely as possible. I search used and new pricing on every item I consign so I have a good understanding of market value. Sellers also agree to all prices prior to listing, and I send offers to sellers prior to committing to the sale.

2. Advertise completely. You may have seen one or two of my ads and thought:

"Why would she include that detail/description/photo?!?!?! She will NEVER sell it that way!"

Well, the truth is - I advertise everything about the item - good and bad. It is my responsibility to sell, and sell fairly with a complete description. I do a thorough check and measurement of each item so the seller AND buyer know exactly what condition it is in. If I don't know or can't find the answer (sometimes in the case of unmarked items, I am unable to provide a completely knowledgeable and accurate description), I say so. It's not my job to be honest, but it is my responsibility and I do it because I couldn't sell any other way.

3. Be communicative. What are the 3 C's of business? I like to imagine they are "Communicate, Communicate, Communicate" because so far it's worked out pretty well for me. There has never been a situation or job I have found myself in where good communication did not make things better. The same is true with A-List Tack. I communicate with buyers, sellers, and tack companies (especially when it comes to saddles), on items. And I think that it makes life a whole lot easier and pleasant.

Your Responsibility

As a horse owner myself, I know and understand the responsibilities can be endless. It can be outright exhausting (hay season, anyone?).

We've all been there. It's Thursday night (will we make it to Friday?). Work is dragging on. You might mindlessly be scrolling through ads, emails, or Facebook and see something we want. Somehow, clicking "Pay Now" makes the exhaustion melt away.

I'm pretty sure there are actual studies about how purchasing online makes people literally feel better (for a short while), but in the light of the next day, you might experience some level of buyer's remorse. Especially if you maybe bought those rainbow colored horse hair extensions for your pony. And you don't even have a pony.

That's why it's healthy and important to keep your responsibility of horse tack buying in check and at the forefront of every purchase you make and consider.

1. You know what you're buying. I don't know what you need. It is more likely than not, I do not know you, or your horse, or your best friend's cousin and their horse. Therefore, I don't know what you need to buy. Only you know that. If you don't know what you need, don't buy it. This is seriously coming from someone who is sells tack on a daily basis.

Although this is a sneak peek at the blog titled "Nightmares from a Tack Shop," here's a doozy of a true-story preview for you: I engage in answering questions and sending photos of tack items to a customer for 2 weeks. She decides to purchase 5 items from me at one time. She gets the items she agreed to purchase (and which I reviewed with her in picture form before sending the invoice), and she is incredibly upset. She does not need any of this and must return it!

Sorry. Not my responsibility.

How dare you?

Sorry, again - it is not my responsibility to ask you "Do you need this item you would like to purchase from me?".

Imagine if a gas attendant did that with every gallon you bought. Or if your favorite burger place asked, "Do you really need this soda with your burger?".

Ummm first of all, that's kind of offensive.

Second of all, not my responsibility. Or their responsibility. It is YOUR responsibility.

2. Understand what you are buying: Used V. New Most of my items are used. I do get a nice variety of new items in, but they vary from size and type. When you purchase used, you need to understand that you are purchasing a used item and read the description carefully. If you do not know the condition of the item, or you need clarification, it is your responsibility to ask for more details and/or photos. If you purchase from me, I am always happy to provide additional photos, descriptions, measurements, and videos if my original ad does not suffice.

Even if you are buying a new item - even from an established tack company online - read the description and/or ask what is included. I myself have been surprised when I thought a purchase included a set, but it was really just one item. Cue my living room missing half of its curtains for a week.

3. Be realistic. It's important that you be realistic about what you are buying and the costs. Here is a breakdown of some things to keep in mind when buying:

• What will it cost to ship this item? Most western saddles cost anywhere between $50- 100 to ship. If you aren't prepared to pay that, or don't want to ship a saddle, then you will need to look for something within a pick-up range.

• What else needs to go with this item? Do you need to purchase additional items to use this? Think: English saddles usually do not include leathers and irons, and western saddles usually do not include cinches.

• Making thoughtful offers is important. Many of my items are followed by an "OBO," which means we are open to reasonable offers. It is important to understand that while we are motivated to sell, we are not prepared to give the item away. When you make offers, understand the value of the item (and do take in shipping cost). With that being said - we all love a great deal, and negotiations are welcome!

• Are you prepared to purchase now? I do not hold items. I have learned this lesson over too many times. I would love to be able to hold items without a payment, but more often than not it never results in a sale. If you are not prepared to purchase or make a payment, the item will not be held for you. You can, however, ask about payment options as some sellers are open to short-term payment plans on items.

Let's face it: being responsible is hard. Especially when you see that cactus print set of SMBs you have been waiting FOREVER to find. Or that beautiful saddle you just know you could squeeze in your tackroom.

It takes an extra step or two.

It asks for a little more consideration.

It requires a little more time.

But I promise you - it's worth it!