Buying horse riding equipment can be a daunting and time consuming prospect, not to mention expensive. You may be tempted by the great prices, time saving nature and variety on offer in the scores of equestrian retail websites. However this may open you up to another headache – which company do you purchase from? There are some factors to consider when making this important decision, whatever your intended purchase:
- 1. Compare prices
One of the biggest benefits to making that important purchase online is that you are offered a greater range of choice, from more retailers, who are able to offer you different prices. Take full advantage of this by comparing prices between different sellers – even if you have a preferred company, this enables you to contact them to see if they will price match their competitor to get the sale.
- 2. Know your rights
As an online customer you have rights, and you should ensure that you know them. In many ways the Distance Selling Regulations offer you greater protection than if you were to make your purchase from a local tack shop!
- 3. Word of Mouth
Word of mouth is perhaps the best way to ensure that you are making a purchase from a reputable company. Speak to your equestrian friends, or carry out a search on a couple of equestrian forums to check the general consensus of the quality of the goods and customer service offered by a company before committing to buy.
- 4. Make early contact
Often contacting the company with any queries you have surrounding your purchase before placing the order can help to give you a good idea of how the company deals with its customers. Consider the manner of their reply, how long they took to reply and any offer of additional help.
- 5. Payment
Look for a safe method of payment. To ensure that the business is looking after your confidential payment details correctly, look for a range of security features including seals of approvals from third parties, encryption of data (look for the closed padlock in the tool bar) and invest in a filter that will protect you from suspicious websites.
- 6. Returns Policy
Look for a company that offers a returns policy that you are happy with. All online retailers are bound by distance selling regulations to offer the consumer the option of ‘cancelling’ and returning their goods within 7 days of having received them, however most retailers will offer up to 28 days and some even longer.