Lowballers

[pcake]

copy/pasted from an email i sent to my latest lowballer:

"I can't do that, but thank you for the offer."

as usually happens, he then made me a higher offer. i don't take lowball offers personally as many people seem to do - they just want or need to get a deal, they aren't actively trying to insult us. and i'd say 75% of lowballers do increase their offers after i reply politely. at least half the time, i end up selling to them, and even when their higher offer isn't enough, there's no hostility. that being said, i always list stuff i sell for reasonable prices but a little above what i actualy expect to get so there's room for negotiation - and when i get the asking price, it's a bonus.

btw, as a buyer, if something isn't in the described condition, i rarely will buy it at a lower price - i prefer the seller disclose issues honestly so i can make an informed decision. and if they don't, i wonder what else they're leaving out.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I counter, with an offer higher than the original listing, that seems to work.

A classic!

 

[Minimalist]

So you're asking 700 on a 500 bass.

$700 is in line with other listings on Reverb.

 

[jazzyitalian]

Ultimately your call.

I've never gotten a low ball offer here on TB. If I did, I would give them my best counter and tell them it's non-negotiable from that point. If my item is listed on Reverb or eBay, I let it sit for the prescribed time whatever that turns out to be 48 hours or 24 hours then I decline just before the offer expires.

Why do I do this? Not to insult the low-baller, though in practicality that is what they deserve. I do this because other people watching my item will be notified by Reverb or eBay that an offer was made. Sometimes that knowledge of a competing offer in and of itself create a sense of urgency and can flush out other more reasonable offers or even better yet a buyer that accepts your list price. I take advantage of that published offer for as long as I can. So stretch it out because this tactic has actually worked for me in one instance.

 

[Hounddog409]

How do you respond to lowballers? Just ignore them? I had somebody offer $150 on a bass listed for $700. Do these people expect a serious reply?

Why take it personally? Respond with counter offer. Get offer of 150, i respond with offer of 699.

 

[SDC1-ClickClack]

(...snip...) But lately on the internet, I always ask myself, "What is the upside?" of any posting I make. Usually, there isn't any, so I decline to participate.

Oh, man... The part of your comment I am quoting above is truly good advice. Many of us (yes, including me) would do well to bear it in mind everywhere (social media, online forums, actually talking with other people, etc.)

 

[Bob Coldwell]

copy/pasted from an email i sent to my latest lowballer:

"I can't do that, but thank you for the offer."

as usually happens, he then made me a higher offer. i don't take lowball offers personally as many people seem to do - they just want or need to get a deal, they aren't actively trying to insult us. and i'd say 75% of lowballers do increase their offers after i reply politely. at least half the time, i end up selling to them, and even when their higher offer isn't enough, there's no hostility. that being said, i always list stuff i sell for reasonable prices but a little above what i actualy expect to get so there's room for negotiation - and when i get the asking price, it's a bonus.

btw, as a buyer, if something isn't in the described condition, i rarely will buy it at a lower price - i prefer the seller disclose issues honestly so i can make an informed decision. and if they don't, i wonder what else they're leaving out.

 

[Element Zero]

I’d just assume tell them no. A few years ago when I sold 2 VERY high end boutique basses I was lowballed $2000 less than my asking price lol. I just said “thanks for the interest, but the price is $xxxx” and they never replied. It doesn’t cost anything to be nice.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

Agreed. On Ebay "make an offer" I have occasionally pitched what some would consider an insulting offer. But that is just step one in negotiations. How is that different than placing a minimum bid?

 

[Delsan]

Like this. (The reverb guy offered me 135 on a 150 dollar pedal, so I declined. The result speaks for itself lol)

And yes, 135 for a 150 dollar pedal isn't a "low ball", but it's more the principle of just trying to weasel a couple extra bucks.

The other guy was no doubt just looking for a flip

 

[Gorilla Monsoon]

Like this. (The reverb guy offered me 135 on a 150 dollar pedal, so I declined. The result speaks for itself lol)

Nothing ventured, nothing gained?…As a seller, you always have the upper hand. Good on you for busting chops, though…

 

[Delsan]

Nothing ventured, nothing gained?…As a seller, you always have the upper hand. Good on you for busting chops, though…

Dang straight. Especially when it works out.

 

[Chrisk-K]

Why waste valuable time to respond? I ignore them.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

Whether it's Facebook or Reverb or anywhere else, I simply ignore any offers I find insulting.

 

[Delsan]

People who just ignore them are missing out on valuable entertainment.

 

[80jazz]

So you're asking 700 on a 500 bass.

This is the trouble with used bass sales with changed parts. I can decide if it's an upgrade and don't need a seller's help in the name of making money back on parts they don't want to eat. That said, I am also not big in single pickup Stingrays so I wouldn't be a potential customer on the item in the OP anyway.

When it comes to receiving lowballs, I just ignore. The same goes for items I think are too high. Ultimately, I am a firm believer that something is only worth what the buyer and seller agree upon.

 

[sunbeast]

SX. All decked out with Lindy Fralin pickup and John East EQ.

J/k. It's a sterling Ray35 string, with Nordstrand pickup and John East EQ. I realize that I won't recoup money for the upgrades, but $150 is well below what's reasonable. I don't really need the money. Just want to downsize my life and uncluttered so I'm not under pressure and if I keep 3 or 4 basses doesn't really matter. but I was up to 8 and realized some of them are nice but just not for me.

In the time it took to make and respond to this thread you probably coulda removed the upgraded pickup and pre, returned the original parts, and listed em on TB. Just sayin! You will definitely make more selling them seperate, as a Ray35 isn't a consistent enough baseline for expensive mods for many players who would appreciate those mods (ie someone would need to play it and ensure its not a dog)

 

[Alkali Ike]

TL;DR

Why is it so hard to say “Sorry, the price is firm (or pretty firm), but thanks for your interest.”

When I respond that way, 90% of the time they buy the item.

Edit: OK, maybe 50%. And in the case of an extreme lowball offer (like $200 for a $800 listing), there’s no need to respond at all because they’re clearly not a legit buyer.

Don’t waste your time on non-serious offers.

 

[Minimalist]

In the time it took to make and respond to this thread you probably coulda removed the upgraded pickup and pre, returned the original parts, and listed em on TB. Just sayin! You will definitely make more selling them seperate, as a Ray35 isn't a consistent enough baseline for expensive mods for many players who would appreciate those mods (ie someone would need to play it and ensure its not a dog)

My question was not, why is this bass not selling at my asking price. If I had asked that, your reply would have been great.

 

[icefly]

It depends on my mood for the day; sometimes I respond, sometimes I don't, I simply delete the offer.

Or:
- Do you have $ 150?
- So, you are close; just another $550 left to my advertised price.