Discussions

I''m just wondering how do others respond to these types of e-mails on eBrandon?  
 
When I post something I usually do a fair bit of research on what I think is an acceptable amount. Having someone respond which "what is your lowest price" before asking any other questions only shows that the buyer is not really interested in the item and just wants to see if they can poke out a bargain without any actual effort.  
 
Personally, I usually respond with a number that is nowhere near my lowest price... or I just restate my listed price.  
 
How do others handle this? Am I being unreasonable ? Am I missing something?  
 
Edited by ron546, 2017-07-01 12:15:07

Yes had the same thing happen to me advertise something at a fair price, maybe with a little flexibility. But then get a low ball price or what would you take for it. LOL My answer is if I have it at $50 My answer is I will let it go at $60. Often that floors them. They go down you go up. :-) Even had free stuff and they ask if you deliver, I say maybe I should pay you something for taking it off my hands. Some people.

As a seller I'd ask them what they're lowest price offering is. Put the ball back in their court and go from there.

I don't have a lot of patience for lowballers. I also feel that when I advertise things my asking prices are fair with a bit of room for wiggling, but on some bigger items valued at $1000 or so, 900 is kinda where I would bottom out, but hate the $400 offers. I have started to play with people a bit too. One time I was selling something and a person was looking for a 2nd one as he already had the same thing, and he made me an insulting offer to which I replied "gee if they are that cheap sell me yours for that then?" and the look of embarrassment was priceless!

Collie said "I don't have a lot of patience for lowballers. I also feel that when I advertise things my asking prices are fair with a bit of room for wiggling, but on some bigger items valued at $1000 or so, 900 is kinda where I would bottom out, but hate the $400 offers. I have started to play with people a bit too. One time I was selling something and a person was looking for a 2nd one as he already had the same thing, and he made me an insulting offer to which I replied "gee if they are that cheap sell me yours for that then?" and the look of embarrassment was priceless! "

I often disregard their email if the offer is a "joke" in the way of being too low.  
But if someone wants something bad enough, they will buy it for your best offer.  
If I meet a low-baller and they are the first caller I may say, "Sorry, I have a better offer for $_____". (not to offend, but politely)  
 
In my mind, that translates to:  
 
1. The offer stinks, and it's worth more to me to hang on to it. (Even if I don't have any other offer).  
 
2. There are many others in line waiting to pay the asking price.  
 
When someone comes to my door and sets a further counter offer than we agreed upon prior, I refuse the offer and inform them that the item is popular. This makes people turn around say, "OK, that's fair - I will take it!"  
 
As a buyer I have asked people what is their best price. Perhaps the the ad is older and they have not moved it so they are more than willing to negotiate, trade or bundle something with it.  
 
Some sellers have obliged me in the past also! Sometimes I NEED something but didn't have the cash. In all fairness and good nature, (after using the item) I went back to them later and gave them more money.  
 
Edited by FreeCycler, 2017-07-01 15:04:54

It's polite to come to someone's door as a buyer with the correct amount of money. If I have to make change, I will have to charge sales tax Have a nice weekend

I think a lot of sellers including myself will ask a higher price to allow some negotiating room. I posted a scooter last year for $1200 as I wanted $1000. I didn't have much trouble selling it for the $1000 that I wanted as other scooters (my model)were selling on kijiji for $1200 +. I also recently bought a snow blower listed at $500 and asked the seller what's the lowest they would go and he said $450 so I bought it for $450.  
In a lot of Asian countries bartering is huge and people think it's a lot of fun. I wouldn't take too much offence to people being polite and asking what's the lowest price u will go.

As a buyer and a seller, I understand that everyone likes a DEAL. Don't we all?  
 
Dont take it as an insult. If you won't go lower than your asking price, just say so politely. You would be surprised how many people are still willing to pay your asking price.  
 
Just my opinion.

Shebear said "I understand how some feel people should just come pick up the item, but what about people who dont drive or cant or have health issues that they cant lift or whatever, and they dont know of anyone to help them pick it up? I guess they could offer a few $ to help with gas, but what happend to people just helping people? Everyone has a right to how they want their item for sale to be picked up or if they are ok to deliver within reason, but sometimes just helping people is a good thing. I think some people here ask too much for some items that are used (their right to ask what they want, just saying) , and others are more than fair. I prefer to put lower price as there are people who cant afford high prices, what I dont like is when I have a item that is more than fair and you get emails with insulting $ amount and they make it like they are doing you the favor or you are desperate to sell or stupid lol Oh well, we are all individuals lol "

[/i] I guess they could offer a few $ to help with gas, but what happend to people just helping people? [/i]  
 
haha if people wanted to help people then the one getting the free item should just be generous enough to realize they are asking for a service and automatically offer to pay to help, so ya it works both ways, maybe if you were a nice senior or young or something i might say nay, its ok, ill drop it off next time im out, but assuming i should not only give you my item (very helpful as it is) plus feel like its an inconvenience to even think to offer a bit of cash is down right rude imo  
 
 
As for asking whats the lowest you'll go, not tactful over internet, but id answer with not sure, whats the highest you'd offer? if you say higher or say the same i would assume you are not willing to negotiate at all and that might make a buyer walk away, ultimately selling the item is i assume the goal

Just a note, I was referring specifically to buyers who refuse to make an offer and expect the seller to automatically lower the price for them. I don''t have any trouble with negotiating to get a better price. But you need to come up with an offer and sell me on why you deserve a discount.  
 
Edited by ron546, 2017-07-01 16:29:09

If your price is fair, why didn''t it sell. You wouldn''t need to cry about offers if it''s sold.  
.  
 
Edited by loeog, 2017-07-01 17:23:32

eventually sell. Sometimes it is to the first inquiry, sometimes it takes 15 inquiries.  
 
If I won't go any lower, I put "firm" in.the ad after my price. I might list a price I would lime-still a fair price-but the higher end of fair. Thos I will consider offers. If asked the question above-I will counter with the question what would you like to offer? A lowball offer will likely be ignored -lowball me on a like new item that is worth every penny of the asking price and I cannot bother to deal with you. Most items I would like to sell but I do not need to give them away. Some people will try "I can buy that for $xx at_______." I say that is nice, do go and buy it there then. Goodbye.

When people start trying to negotiate I say"at least come and look before insulting me".

Just tell them to make me an offer. If I like it I'll accept, if not, they can make another offer or go look for a similar item. Slightly off topic, but lately I've been noticing that people don't bother responding to my e-mail if I ask them a question about an item they've advertised, even though they didn't specify not to contact them by e-mail. If they wont respond to a simple question about the item I won't bother them again.

GordonSchwindt said "When people start trying to negotiate I say"at least come and look before insulting me". "

Good way to negotiate. Telling them you are insulting them. That right there would stop me in my tracks and I wouldn't pursue your item any further.

Triplethreat said "Just tell them to make me an offer. If I like it I'll accept, if not, they can make another offer or go look for a similar item. Slightly off topic, but lately I've been noticing that people don't bother responding to my e-mail if I ask them a question about an item they've advertised, even though they didn't specify not to contact them by e-mail. If they wont respond to a simple question about the item I won't bother them again. "

Me too. I often wonder if they even check their emails if they list a number. I always do when selling something.

half or more of the time people do not respond to emails.  
I was selling my pet once for $400 and a cheap person offered $100....really this is 4x less than what I asked for so either some are really really cheap to get items almost free or they want pay cheap because they want sell for higher price

Are you missing something? sales is a dance, you do the dance or you don't make the sale, if you have ever bought anything out of a classified you know your odds of of paying less than asking are pretty good, if you don't ask you don't know, have you ever walked into a car dealership and offered full price? don't you will give the sales man a heart attack, if the price is the price the secret is just state that's the price take it of leave it, and if they genuinely need that item and are not out hustling for resale items they might pay or they might not.

FML I see I should have added a little background to my initial comment.  
 
I like to negotiate as much as the next person. I have no problem with a potential buyer trying to find a "better price." What I resent is the low ballers who keep texting trying to get your price down. Then don't even show up.  
 
If you want to negotiate at least come and see the quality of item for sale.

On the flip side I think some people are completely out to lunch on their prices.  
 
Your 1/4 pug 1/4 collie 1/4 poodle 1/4 great dane isn't worth $900, and your 25 year old 400,000km un-safetied rust bucket isn't worth $5000 either.

Shebear said "You mentiond ".. but assuming i should not only give you my item (very helpful as it is) plus feel like its an inconvenience to even think to offer a bit of cash is down right rude imo " How is someone offering to give the seller some $ for gas for delivering down right rude? I think its a nice gester/offer, and yes getting something free is always nice, but maybe that person will give you something free down the road that you need, and maybe they will contact you when they get more $ to give you for gas if they didnt have it at that moment you deliverd it. "

someone asking for delivery on a free item WITH an offer of cash isnt rude, thinking that you [i]might[/i] offer some cash while you ask for a free item to be delivered is very rude, which is how i read your first post

If you advertise OBO or willing to negotiate then you should be prepared to do so.  
I recently responded to an ad that said $800 OBO  
I asked about the condition and then offered $700. I don't generally go look at things unless I am being picky. I like to trust that the person is being honest about condition and I would say that 99 percent of the time I have been happy upon seeing my purchase.  
The seller responded with the fact that they were firm at $800.  
This person needs to understand what OBO and willing to negotiate means.  
p.s. They responded a week later saying they would take my $700 and although I wanted the item, I sent back a message saying I was no longer interested.  
 
Edited by Popcorn Twist, 2017-07-04 09:56:49

1. People trying to get rich off the classifieds. Just because you're selling a Sears knock-off of something you saw on Antiques Roadshow, doesn't mean it's worth the same amount.  
 
2. People who come with less money than they've agreed to pay. Had this happen a couple times. If you come with less than what we've agreed you're going to leave with less than we agreed on.  
 
3. Post pictures whenever possible, please.  
 
Happy selling.

ron546 said "I''m just wondering how do others respond to these types of e-mails on eBrandon?     When I post something I usually do a fair bit of research on what I think is an acceptable amount. Having someone respond which "what is your lowest price" before asking any other questions only shows that the buyer is not really interested in the item and just wants to see if they can poke out a bargain without any actual effort.     Personally, I usually respond with a number that is nowhere near my lowest price... or I just restate my listed price.     How do others handle this? Am I being unreasonable ? Am I missing something?     Edited by ron546, 2017-07-01 12:15:07"

IMHO:  
I stopped responding to low ball offers along time ago. If people offer you 60-80% less then what the item is worth second hand then you know they're just wasting your time.  
 
I've re-listed the same item(s) 4-5 times before until a more reasonable person responds to the ad  
 
If you're not in a rush, wait!

It doesn't make sense why they message in the first place. I get everyone wants a deal but it seems no matter what you post someone will low ball.

It doesn't make sense why they message in the first place. I get everyone wants a deal but it seems no matter what you post someone will low ball.

I would have a new 2016 2017 new item with tag still on it and people offering me half of my price that I advertised is pretty cheap and low from them.  
I skip sale ads with make an offer. There are times I have not quite an idea the value of it and they are not describing their stuff in details or a bad picture I find not worth it to bother.

GordonSchwindt said "FML I see I should have added a little background to my initial comment.     I like to negotiate as much as the next person. I have no problem with a potential buyer trying to find a "better price." What I resent is the low ballers who keep texting trying to get your price down. Then don't even show up.     If you want to negotiate at least come and see the quality of item for sale. "

Kijiji is really bad for people not showing up.

ron546 said "I''m just wondering how do others respond to these types of e-mails on eBrandon?     When I post something I usually do a fair bit of research on what I think is an acceptable amount. Having someone respond which "what is your lowest price" before asking any other questions only shows that the buyer is not really interested in the item and just wants to see if they can poke out a bargain without any actual effort.     Personally, I usually respond with a number that is nowhere near my lowest price... or I just restate my listed price.     How do others handle this? Am I being unreasonable ? Am I missing something?     Edited by ron546, 2017-07-01 12:15:07"

I wouldn't. This type of probing shows no class and little negotiating savvy.

some people wonder why they don't get a reply when they email about an item. Perhaps the reason is they started out with the "what is your lowest price" question and the seller simply can't be bothered with them