I got discouraged same as you, I hunted every thrift and flea only to find no G1 ponies.  The other 80's toys I pick up if they are collectable and sell them online to buy ponies online.  It really does work out if  you know what to pick.

Regardless, don't give up!  I found some very rare petites at a yard sale once and my grandma scored a mimic at a yard sale for 2.00.  Yard sales are really the best, fleas second best, then thrift shops.

I have edited the original post to include the seller's name.  Buyer beware.

Update>>> on a nice note myself and the other buyer have both exchanged our ponies and have them in hand.  As for the seller, no refund or response via email.

I'm curious who the seller was. I use IG a lot for pony transactions, and I'd definitely want to avoid someone who does nothing to resolve their mistakes.

Sending A PM to you. 

I have had dealings with this person as a seller.  I had bought a lot from them as this whole thing was going down.  I was nervous about the transaction but wasn't aware of her until after I purchased the lot. 
When my box arrived I was missing two ponies but they were replaced with some really great items....like a sea pony shell and extra ponies etc.  She also sent me a nice note explaining that ink was on my missing ponies. Not only did she send me extras, but has since sent me a replacement for one of the ruined ponies.  I haven't received it yet, but she did supply tracking.  I guess if the ponies were ruined she could have messaged me before shipping the order, but has really made up for the issue in my eyes.  I don't know if it is because of the drama here or what.  I just wanted to add my experience to the discussion.

I saw her at my goodwill and left her there, I know nothing about G4 ponies....

So, I bought three ponies in an instagram sale last week.  Unfortunately, when they arrived I got the wrong lot of ponies.  I contacted the seller and the person who actually was supposed to receive the ponies I got.  Im thinking the packages were swapped, no big deal.

The seller was non apologetic over the issue.  I offered to ship the lot I received to the correct buyer if she reimbursed shipping.  I asked her to confirm with the original buyer that it was ok for me to do so, the seller agreed and insisted I send out the ponies by the 3rd of this month because she was going offline for personal reasons.
Today I message the seller and ask for an update, tomorrow is my only day off before the 3rd that I can get to the post office.  With no response she deletes her account 20 minutes later.

At least I am in touch with the other buyer, and hopefully she got my lot and we can swap.  However, we are both out shipping fees now that the seller is not available to refund.  My question is: Can we contact paypal to be reimbursed for shipping or request a partial refund or are we just out of the money?
What if the other buyer doesn't get my lot but someone elses?  Then what?


***edited to add the name of the seller as Rileycat or currently Rileycat 24

I have her and love her, she was my grail!  Most favorite pony.  I got mine on ebay and the seller didn't disclose her hair cut.  I plan on re-hairing her forelock.