• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Lowballing stories thread

#101
michael_atw said:
No, it cannot due to the mere fact that offers and value are so subjective that the buyer can never tell what the seller considers a "reasonable" offer. The same exact item for two different people may hold a far different value.
Click to expand...

Yes, but come on. Reasonable in this context doesn't mean only what the buyer wants to pay; it obviously means something not too far from what the buyer is asking. Surely any sensible person would read it that way.

Suppose you're selling Entwistle's Buzzard bass, and you're asking $20,000 and saying you'll consider any reasonable offer. I offer you $50. No sane person would call that a reasonable offer--even though the Buzzard bass may be worth no more than $50 to me, since I would never use it and don't really want it around. To make that kind of offer would just be insulting and dumb, and I can't see how you could consider it reasonable.
 
#102
When I see the word lowballing I think of my local music scene.
The bands here have the cut-throat belief that under-cutting another band will be to their benefit. What they fail to realize is that in the long run they are helping keep musician "wages" in the last century.
I have never been a participant in this kiddie game and refuse to underbid another band for money. There is plenty of room out there for all of us to co-exist together graciously.
I've always had the philosophy that the cream will rise to the top and that the public (and thereby your clientele) will recognize that.
IOW, be the best you can and don't settle for crumbs @ the bottom of the cage.
Selah.
 
#103
I was selling my Yamaha RBX5 A2 for around $200 with fret fx and some guy low balled me for 100 asking if the bass is made out of plastic. :rollno:

it kinda offended me and was surprised how the person didn't even read the thread where there was description and no research what so ever....

well I just declined the offer and just let it go away
 
#105
Since we are talking offensive offers...I would also like to point out that putting a price $1 in the price field on Craigslist is both mis-leading and offensive, and anyone that does deserves to be lowballed and spammed.

It misleads the search results. There is a reason to have a price field...it is so cheap bastards like me can find the cheapest price on a specific item I am looking for. Polluting the results with $1 and $2 so you get sorted to the top on a "low price" sort is evil.
 
#109
caeman said:
Since we are talking offensive offers...I would also like to point out that putting a price $1 in the price field on Craigslist is both mis-leading and offensive, and anyone that does deserves to be lowballed and spammed.

It misleads the search results. There is a reason to have a price field...it is so cheap bastards like me can find the cheapest price on a specific item I am looking for. Polluting the results with $1 and $2 so you get sorted to the top on a "low price" sort is evil.
Click to expand...

Agreed on that count too.
 
#110
"Hi. Since you placed $1 in the price field of this item, I will offer to pay that $1."

"Read the description, the asking price is $1,000."

"I am reporting your post for being misleading and requesting it be deleted. Have a nice day."
 
#111
Richard Lindsey said:
In that case, I agree completely.;)
Click to expand...

But I see what you're saying. If someone was asking $1000 for a American Jazz and I offered $50 I'd feel like a tool. But if they put something up with 2 lines of info (like the example seller I was emailing a couple days ago) and a "make me an offer" response, what can they really expect?? I'm not gonna say $700 (even though I would possibly pay that) because I have no idea how low that seller will take for it. Heck, I could say $700 and he would have been willing to take $400 (sounds crazy but it happens)...which would be a lowball offer to most but it would have been right on with him.
 
#113
michael_atw said:
Put it up as a Buy it Now. ESPECIALLY if you aren't in a deathly hurry to move it. You will be glad you did with the strong possibility of an extra $200 in your pocket. With the way the Ric market is, you got the GASing buyer by the *****. Then you don't have to worry about dismal auctions. Only downside is a slightly larger fee charge.
Click to expand...

Well, I went ahead and relisted it after further lowballing attempts by the supposed buyer ("knock an extra $20 off the price and I'll buy it, OK?) The cheek! Anyway, we'll see how it goes. Makes for a good story if nothing else ;)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back