Re: RC: What would you do? (Sort of endurance related)

[Lynne Glazer <lynne@glazer.org>]

At 12:24 AM -0500 8/20/01, love2ride@starband.net wrote:
>I purchased an endurance saddle (light oil finish) and saddle pad
>(burgundy, with inserts and contoured to fit the horse's back) from one
>of our well known endurance vendors.
>
>The vendor took it upon herself to darken my saddle because she didn't
>think it would look good with the burgundy saddle pad.  I was ok with
>that even though she didn't ask me.  The saddle pad arrived with mauve
>fleece and had wrinkles on the saddle pad due to puckering during
>sewing.  I sent an email stating I was returning the saddle pad.  I
>received no communication from her.  I returned the saddle pad,
>requesting a refund since it wasn't what I ordered and obviously not
>professionally made.  (I have photos if anyone is interested).

You didn't use the pad, Dee?

>
>Three weeks after I mailed the pad, I emailed her to see if she received
>it.  She wrote me back saying she had received it, but that she doesn't
>give refunds and that she was going to send me a fleece top and bottom
>saddle pad.  I wrote back telling her I didn't want that and that I
>wanted a burgundy pad with black or white/off white fleece with foam
>inserts.  A couple days later I received in the mail a plaid saddle pad
>with some burgundy in it (not bad looking), but it does not have any
>inserts nor is it made to accept inserts nor is it contoured to fit the
>horse's back.  It is not the style I ordered.  The one she sent was
>probably worth about $50.  I paid $100 for the originally ordered pad.
>I wrote to her about not receiving the style of pad I had ordered and
>told her I felt I was getting ripped off.  I have received no word from
>her.  It has been about 2 1/2 weeks.

If you didn't use the original pad and aren't happy with the 
replacement, you should get a refund.  Is the saddle of such a 
proprietary type that only this vendor's pad will work?   I'm not 
sure I'd do business with a vendor who didn't give a refund for 
unused accesories, particularly if there's a perceived defect.

In terms of communication, remember that many endurance saddle 
vendors are really small shops.  They might be out traveling, might 
be backlogged, and hopefully will at least communicate with you soon.

When we buy materials, we are small fry to the tree, leather and 
findings vendors out there, lead times can be exacerbated by lot size 
requirements too.

No excuse for bad workmanship.  No reputable vendor wants defective 
product out there.

>
>What would you do about this?

Does this vendor read ridecamp? <g>

>
>Dee (very disappointed in this vendor)
>

Lynne
in ReactorPanel Saddle Company mode

P.S. Say hi to Bill!