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Another selling rant...when a lowball is annoying...

lermgalieu

lermgalieu

Apr 27, 2000
8,066
18,125
56
Austin, TX
#1
I sell bass stuff pretty routinely, both on TB and on Reverb. Selling a pretty expensive (for me) bass at the good price of $1,400. Guy lowballed me at $1,190. No problem, I was not offended, but I declined the offer. He offered again at $1,220. Ok, maybe we aren't too far apart. I countered at $1,300, saying it was as low as I can go. I still think I can get $1,400, but figured it was fine for the quick sale. Then he counters at $1,280. WTAF. I look at this as just trying to eek out every $ he can, and decline the offer. It really annoyed me. He could have just paid the $1,300 but had to try to suck every last $20 bill from the sale. I guess what I am saying is that I understand lowballs. I do it myself from time to time. But when you are so close to a deal, to try to get $20 off just seems like poor decorum to me. Ok, /rant. Hopefully someone buys the bass at a decent price so I don't rue declining him lol.
 
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#6
gln1955 said:
For some, it's not about about the money. It's getting in the last word, "winning" the negotiation.
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So true. I had a brand new set of Duncan QP Jazz pick-ups listed on market place. Listed @ $120 firm, or about 66% of cost. Guy contacts me, offers $90. Day later, $100 cash tonight ! 3 days later, $110 is the best he can do. I explain to him, I need the cash for another pick-up and I'm in no hurry. He says " I can get these all day long for $150. (Maybe on Temu) and I say thanks for letting me know, I'll up my price to $130. He was literally about 6 bars away from me. I would have gladly met him there and bought the first round and talked about some projects. Winning was all that was on his mind. If he would have started @ $110 and said he was firm, I'd have been willing to do it but it just got annoying. I'd rather put them on the mantle in the man cave, next to the Rambo bobble head then give in like that.
 
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#10
Silky Johnson said:
Counter with $1299 if you want to be as annoying to him
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I don't.
Killing Floor said:
Man, I would take it. Honestly I’d mark up $50-75 and let them “win” and get what I need. I don’t list anything for sale until I am wanting to get rid of it so $20 won’t make it or break it.

But Make Sure you get insurance!!!
That big “negotiator” will burn you if you don’t.
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I would take it if it had been up for a while, but it's only been a week. I am fine if it sits there for several weeks or even months. I could have fairly asked $1,500 for it.
 
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#12
Minimalist said:
Thanks for clarifying. Your thread title is confusing, though, if 1190 is not lowballing and a non-issue.

That out of the way, you also have the option to say, screw the $20 and accept the offer.
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Agreed about the title. I don't think any lowballing really occurred in this tale, except I was calling the $20-less offer as a lowball because of the circumstances. Yes, I considered that, but ultimately declined because if he is going to act like that I don't really relish the idea going through the rest of the transaction with him.
 
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#13
I've got a buddy who automatically counters lowballs with higher than original prices. Cracks me up. He has a blast trying to irritate lowballers... his first response would've been $1,425! Next one, $1475, then $1600!!! LOL!!

I say that in jest for frivolous items, this is a different situation if someone actually needs funds for living.
 
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#15
henryjurstin13 said:
I've got a buddy who automatically counters lowballs with higher than original prices. Cracks me up. He has a blast trying to irritate lowballers... his first response would've been $1,425! Next one, $1475, then $1600!!! LOL!!

I say that in jest for frivolous items, this is a different situation if someone actually needs funds for living.
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I usually counter with $.01 off my asking price.
 
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#17
Azari said:
I only send lowball offers after an item has been listed for several months without selling. The longer an item has been listed, the more likely the seller is to accept the offer.
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Yeah, but to be fair (and per @Minimalist's points above), this wasn't really a lowball situation. At least to me, the first offer was just an offer, not really a lowball. I call the last offer a lowball because he was just being greedy at that point for no reason, not because of the delta between the offer and the asking price.
 
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#19
lermgalieu said:
Agreed about the title. I don't think any lowballing really occurred in this tale, except I was calling the $20-less offer as a lowball because of the circumstances. Yes, I considered that, but ultimately declined because if he is going to act like that I don't really relish the idea going through the rest of the transaction with him.
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I get that. Sometimes it's not so much about the lowball, but the way an offer is communicated. For me it's not so much about the money. I have given away gear in the past to some kids in the neighborhood.
 
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