Typically I'll offer what "I BELIEVE" is a fair price and that it irregardless of whatever they have it listed for. But when I have a fair market price in mind I also take into consideration the fees and shipping and who's paying them. Most people aren't insulted but will come back with a counter-offer of their lowest price. Then you either barter or thank them and move on.
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Lowball: How much is too much?
- Thread starter davec
- Start date
The buyer sets the selling price. Like a seller can ask whatever they want, a buyer can make an offer that represents that item's value to him.
When I decide to make a purchase, I have a a very good idea how much value said item has for me expressed in dollars and sense. For instance, I would love to buy X but it is not worth it to me for one penny over $X. Then I start to shop. And this does take patience.
A classic example was my Mesa WD-800. I knew for years I wanted one, but only if one was for sale at about 30% off retail. Sure enough, and TBer put one up for sale at the price I was willing to pay..There was no need to haggle because the selling price met my value limit and the seller got a fair price.
In answer to your question, you can offer whatever you want.
Unfortunately, I'm fair in my business dealings. If the selling price is within my value range, I'm not going to ask for a further discount. But if a selling price is beyond my value point, like 10-15% beyond, I may make an offer if it's something I really need. If it's beyond 15 % I'll just say sorry, it's more than I'm willing to pay. If the seller says make an offer, I'll stick to my value price and let the seller make the decision.
Too much, is NOT ENOUGH.
I once sold a bass (pretty friggin' mint/nice bass, by the way. 2k'ish) on R'verb to a buyer who "claimed" that it was for his son who wanted to "learn" to play bass, and me suggesting that he should "maybe get him a Squier, or something." After MANY messages back and forth... as he persisted pretty aggressively... he got it for 1400. Yeah... I'm all about the kids, and have even given away some pretty decent basses (not 2k instruments). Two weeks later, it was for sale for more than I had it listed for. He became pretty well known for his collection. After "calling him on it", he got snippy and said... "how about I just GIVE the bass back to you." I ain't that guy, soooooooooooo... I hope that the new owner is playing the heck out of it, and smiling ear to ear.
I still ain't mad. But... stories mean less anymore.
I once sold a bass (pretty friggin' mint/nice bass, by the way. 2k'ish) on R'verb to a buyer who "claimed" that it was for his son who wanted to "learn" to play bass, and me suggesting that he should "maybe get him a Squier, or something." After MANY messages back and forth... as he persisted pretty aggressively... he got it for 1400. Yeah... I'm all about the kids, and have even given away some pretty decent basses (not 2k instruments). Two weeks later, it was for sale for more than I had it listed for. He became pretty well known for his collection. After "calling him on it", he got snippy and said... "how about I just GIVE the bass back to you." I ain't that guy, soooooooooooo... I hope that the new owner is playing the heck out of it, and smiling ear to ear.
I still ain't mad. But... stories mean less anymore.
Firstly, offence is taken not given and you can always state in your ad that the price is firm and no negotiation will be entered into. Unrealistic offers usually get the “I’m in no hurry to sell. I’ll wait for the right buyer” routine from me.
I usually price my items on the low side. So any offer that is more than 20% off asking is an insult IMHO. The sob stories or telling me they can get it somewhere else for less is also a pile of 
. I'm not a charity and if they can get it elsewhere for less, buy it. I'm not rich and I'm not a retailer.
. I'm not a charity and if they can get it elsewhere for less, buy it. I'm not rich and I'm not a retailer.
Same, tbh. I don't sell things I love. If I'm selling something there are 20 of on Reverb, I am going to price my item competitively. Ideally the lowest within the condition bracket. If I'm selling it I probably need the cash for somethingI usually price my items on the low side. So any offer that is more than 20% off asking is an insult IMHO. The sob stories or telling me they can get it somewhere else for less is also a pile of
We’ve been in a really strange market. Frankly I have no idea what to offer for what????? I’ve seen multiple guitars listed for 1 sometimes even longer than two years. I can think of several 2021 American made Spector NS-2 guitars still being sold as “new” because there just aren’t a lot of people with 6-9K laying around to spend on a bass. I’m thinking of another, a white Steinberger XL-2 that’s been listed for well over a year for $6995.00.
I’ve watched several Steinberger XL-2 basses for sale from anywhere from 2800-7000 depending on condition. And they’re listed for a looooooooooong time. Which brings me back around to the 85’ Steinberger XL-2 I just bought from a music go round in Stockton for 1598 in pretty decent condition. They started out asking 2899 and I kept watching it go down and down and down until I got it at that price.
I guess if it’s a fairly common moderately priced instrument they sell faster and you don’t have as much wiggle room. Higher priced rarer instruments, some call boutique, can be found for really good deals provided you’re patient enough to wait for a motivated seller.
Any way, don’t be afraid to offer a low ball bid for ANYTHING. All they can do is say no.
I’ve watched several Steinberger XL-2 basses for sale from anywhere from 2800-7000 depending on condition. And they’re listed for a looooooooooong time. Which brings me back around to the 85’ Steinberger XL-2 I just bought from a music go round in Stockton for 1598 in pretty decent condition. They started out asking 2899 and I kept watching it go down and down and down until I got it at that price.
I guess if it’s a fairly common moderately priced instrument they sell faster and you don’t have as much wiggle room. Higher priced rarer instruments, some call boutique, can be found for really good deals provided you’re patient enough to wait for a motivated seller.
Any way, don’t be afraid to offer a low ball bid for ANYTHING. All they can do is say no.
for me 10% discount is about the most I feel like dickering over, as a seller that's usually what I am willing to compromise
If the point is that you can only get a price a buyer is willing to pay, surely that goes without saying? My point, rather, was something a little different but probably as obvious--that the seller has no obligation to sell at all, no obligation to take the most someone is willing to pay, or any offer really.
OMG. That line really gets my blood boiling.
Like, my best price is the one I’m selling at you schmuck. I’m not doing your negotiating for you… how lazy can you actually be? Geez
This is the crappiest response of all. "Yo, seller, go negotiate against yourself!" Really? I've seen a number of these, and my responses are civil, but blunt.
It has nothing to do with asking price, or any percentage below it. People can ask whatever the hell they want, and it usually has little to do with actual market value – i.e. what things actually sell for. If someone is asking twice market value, and you offer market value, that's not lowballing.
Within 25 percent of market value is fair, IMO. But if you have the option of making an offer, then anything goes, really. You get an offer below what you'd sell for? Why get mad? Simply counter.
Within 25 percent of market value is fair, IMO. But if you have the option of making an offer, then anything goes, really. You get an offer below what you'd sell for? Why get mad? Simply counter.
I never lowball. That's my default position. If I consider a seller's asking price to be realistic, I'll give it to them without batting an eyelid. If I consider it too high, I won't begin a transaction.
I actually 'highballed' a seller for my custom shop '59 Precision. His asking price was $3300, but I offered him $3400 to bring the bass halfway. We met, I tried the bass out for 15 minutes and it was just what I wanted so we shook on the deal. Both of us departed very happy and I'd cut a potential four-hour journey down to two.
I actually 'highballed' a seller for my custom shop '59 Precision. His asking price was $3300, but I offered him $3400 to bring the bass halfway. We met, I tried the bass out for 15 minutes and it was just what I wanted so we shook on the deal. Both of us departed very happy and I'd cut a potential four-hour journey down to two.
I once had a guy on Reverb offer me 40% of asking on a mint item which was already 10% less than similar listed items (and 20% less than retail). I didn’t get offended, I just countered with 150% of retail. He got all mad and asked me WTH I thought I was doing since he could get a new one for less; I said “hey, you seemed like you were making up imaginary numbers so I thought I’d join in!”
I’m always looking for a bargain, and sometimes I’ll see a piece of gear keep getting relisted at the same price for months. “It’s not selling at that price, buddy. Either take the hint or don’t, but relisting it every week is just annoying.”
ok, I don’t actually say that! But sometimes if it’s something I want, I’ll step in with an offer that I think is fair, or that I can afford. It’s an option for the seller - certainly higher than a pawn shop would offer. I try to be respectful. Sometimes the difference can be negotiated, other times we’re too far off and I wish him luck with the sale.
When I’m selling something, I’ll sometimes get a sub 50% asking price offer - and I politely decline. Or a trade for a piece of junk, or a pile of junk. No thanks. The thing that actually upsets me is when a buyer says he wants something, we set up a meet place and time, and then they try to negotiate price. Especially if it required me to drive any distance to “meet halfway”. There’s no price negotiations if you say you want to buy it.
ok, I don’t actually say that! But sometimes if it’s something I want, I’ll step in with an offer that I think is fair, or that I can afford. It’s an option for the seller - certainly higher than a pawn shop would offer. I try to be respectful. Sometimes the difference can be negotiated, other times we’re too far off and I wish him luck with the sale.
When I’m selling something, I’ll sometimes get a sub 50% asking price offer - and I politely decline. Or a trade for a piece of junk, or a pile of junk. No thanks. The thing that actually upsets me is when a buyer says he wants something, we set up a meet place and time, and then they try to negotiate price. Especially if it required me to drive any distance to “meet halfway”. There’s no price negotiations if you say you want to buy it.
Gotta love the offers you send to sellers just for them to respond with a counter offer of double what they originally listed for. That’s when you know you’ve totally pissed off the seller 
Haggling doesn't actually upset me. I'm always polite.
However my own personal threshold/scale:
10% off is perfectly reasonable. (might straight up accept)
20% off is halfway expected. (will counteroffer)
30% off a bit of an ask. (will counteroffer)
40% off yeah... no.
50% off "Go away. You're joking." (silently thinking "F___ you too buddy.")
60% off or more (will counteroffer by raising asking price. WON'T come down now for them.)
Also, this varies depending on my emotional attachment to the item. If it's a bass I played for ages and have lots of memories with I might not negotiate at all. On the other hand if it's valuable junk taking up even more valuable space in my house I might not balk at even a 50% offer. You just never know. But generally anything beyond 1/3 of my asking price better come with a hell of a story delivered with some charm and charisma if you don't want me to stonewall you.
However my own personal threshold/scale:
10% off is perfectly reasonable. (might straight up accept)
20% off is halfway expected. (will counteroffer)
30% off a bit of an ask. (will counteroffer)
40% off yeah... no.
50% off "Go away. You're joking." (silently thinking "F___ you too buddy.")
60% off or more (will counteroffer by raising asking price. WON'T come down now for them.)
Also, this varies depending on my emotional attachment to the item. If it's a bass I played for ages and have lots of memories with I might not negotiate at all. On the other hand if it's valuable junk taking up even more valuable space in my house I might not balk at even a 50% offer. You just never know. But generally anything beyond 1/3 of my asking price better come with a hell of a story delivered with some charm and charisma if you don't want me to stonewall you.
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I hate offers with explanations attached. Just make your offer and it’s either acceptable or not. I don’t need to know that you just paid a lot of vet bills and can only afford $X. Basically you’re asking me as a seller to subsidize your vet bills. Just give me a number if you feel my price is too high. But I’ve done my homework and I know my prices are more than fair.
I went through this recently on Reverb, a guy made an offer on a bass I was selling that was 38% less than asking, I counter offered at 15% off he immediately declined.
So I went to his listings and reciprocated a similar offer on one of his guitars at 38% off and he immediately declined without a counter offer.
No offense taken either way, just different ways of conducting business.
So I went to his listings and reciprocated a similar offer on one of his guitars at 38% off and he immediately declined without a counter offer.
No offense taken either way, just different ways of conducting business.
