Insulting offers

[Joe Nerve]

I don't mind them on craigslist, I just ignore them, but I get pissed when I get them here. I've had a few things for sale in the past year or so and when people make me offers like I'm an idiot - I want to lash out, but usually don't. I guess I'm lashing out here now.

Do you tell people what you really think when they make ridiculous trade or money offers for your gear, do you ignore them, or do you respond politely? I think I'll make this a poll.

[jimc]

I've always found most prices in the classifieds to be pretty reasonable, unlike Craigslist, so I've never thought to make an offer, if I want it I pay the asking price however I have been surprised by a lower offer a couple of times when selling.

I think a polite response is taking the high road though I've never had a totally unreasonable offer made to me (yet!).

I recently made a 'what I thought was a reasonable' trade offer. Never heard back and a couple of days later the items was sold. I was annoyed that it was too much trouble for the seller (a mod no less) to respond when I had taken the trouble to take pics, post them online and send a PM.

[Joe Nerve]

The low baller that inspired this thread PMed me an apology . It was a totally innocent not knowing any better, and I believe it.

[bongomania]

I've had a few lowball offers on here, and I typically just say "nope but thanks for the interest."

[GregC]

I haven't sold anything on TB (yet), but taking the high road seems like the best policy in potential transactions whenever possible. When I see someone trying to sell gear at a really inflated price, I don't send a PM telling them they're nuts.

[Blake Bass]

I just had a very insulting lowball offer on an item I have listed in TB classifieds. I took the high road and said I'd rather keep the item than sell it at that price. But I really wanted to say a whole lot more!

[GrindYourMind]

How is a lowball offer ever insulting? It may be wishful thinking but it's not like they are saying "Hey, loser/unintelligent cretin, want my Squier?"...I understand it can be aggravating but don't get how it's insulting.

[Joe Gress]

I sent a lowball offer on accident once (I didn't do the math right), and I felt really bad when the other guy sent me a pm saying that he did not want to trade and why the math didn't add up. I quickly responded with a better offer and an apology saying that I didn't mean to lowball him (which I truthfully was not), and the trade went fine. But I kinda felt like a terd for doing it in the first place.

Some people have sent me kinda low offers, and my usual thing is to laugh it off, and send a "no thanks, but thanks for your interest" pm back.

[stflbn]

I usually just say 'no thanks, blah blah blah blah blah' explaining quickly why their offer is insulting.


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[dave64o]

Originally Posted by bongomania

I've had a few lowball offers on here, and I typically just say "nope but thanks for the interest."

I've used that on a couple of my sales. While it's true you can't blame someone for asking, I always price my basses here at the low end of what the item's been selling for on eBay so I give a good deal to begin with. I have no problem passing on an offer that's considerably below what I ask.

[Sartori]

I give offers on ebay that would seem a little absurd all the time. Mostly on items that have no offers and no bids.

Often it's a cultural thing I think. Some people's culture is to drive a hard bargain with a good sense of humour, expecting the other person to give back as hard. Other people's culture is to respect the asking price and trust that it's fair.

[MadMan118]

I largely ignore tgem, but every so often I tell them to go stick it.