My New Zero Tolerance Craigslist Attitude.

[WardEarth]

Haggling *should* be a lost art, IMO. But I realize that's a personal preference.

Have you never been to a swap meet or garage sale?

 

[Gorn]

Sometimes when a person tells a story he should seriously consider if he's actually the protagonist. We could all benefit from a good look within.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Have you never been to a swap meet or garage sale?

Sure. Heck, grew up on garage sales. Either paid it or moved on. I don't care for haggling, on either side. But as I said, personal preference.

 

[Nev375]

Haggling *should* be a lost art, IMO. But I realize that's a personal preference.

But why? So many opportunities are lost by taking hard-line attitudes like this.

The only legitimate reason to be against it is because one is not skilled in it and unwilling or unable to learn.

 

[BurtMacklinFBI]

That does seem like a bit of an overreaction. To put it charitably.

 

[darwin-bass]

Sorry OP, this one is on you. You violated your word because you were offended at a buyer dong what buyers do.

 

[baileyboy]

Last week, a guy drove up from about an hour + away to check out my bass. I had it listed for $650.00 which I could have gotten all day. But I made a mistake and was thinking of another bass and told the guy six hundred instead of $650 and even though I made a mistake, that I would still honor $600 because I said it, even mistakenly.

On the drive up the guy texted me this:

Buyer: "Would you consider $550? Haha thinking about turning around this traffic is horrible."

Me: Turn around then. You responded at full price, and then because of my mistake which I honored, you would have gotten $50 off the price, which you agreed to and now you're trying to squeeze me for more?

Buyer: Forget I said anything, I'm almost there. I'll give you $600.

Me: No thanks. I don't want to sell it to you anymore.

Buyer: Mother******.

Me: Go **** yourself.

Feels DAMN GOOD.

If you're going to play the game, be prepared to also lose.

I think you lost. Very poor sales skills. I think you need to take a business class and maybe learn some diplomacy, too.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Sometimes when a person tells a story he should seriously consider if he's actually the protagonist. We could all benefit from a good look within.

I don't think the OP is in the wrong. There was an agreed upon price. Then the buyer made up a story and wanted a lower price. That's fine, he can do that. However the seller reserves the right to no longer deal once a counter offer has been made. Tear up a contract, ask for a different contract and then tried to tape the original contract back together. Haggling is a two way street and the seller can walk away, just like the buyer can show up, look at the item and also walk away without buying it.

 

[LBS-bass]

It's like an ice breaker. I won't contact you if you set it high and say price firm (actually I still would low-ball you cause you never know) but instead say "shoot me an offer" and see if you can meet a price you both like. You still only have to say no if you don't like it. After a bit of back and forth I bet you will get to something acceptable.

You can set a fair price all you want but people are still going to expect to get it for less than you ask.

That's funny because I never have a problem selling things quickly for a fair price. The people who buy from me know they're getting a good deal. They might still ask, but they don't walk away when they know there's nothing better out there.

 

[Scottgun]

Buyer: "Would you consider $550? Haha thinking about turning around this traffic is horrible."

Me: "Thanks, but no. $600 firm. Still want it?"

But hey, that's just me.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

But why? So many opportunities are lost by taking hard-line attitudes like this.

The only legitimate reason to be against it is because one is not skilled in it and unwilling or unable to learn.

It's a preference, and one likely not understood by the other 'side'. Just as I can't really understand why a person would prefer to haggle. Doesn't have anything to do with how I make choices in general, it's just how I approach buying & selling.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Sorry OP, this one is on you. You violated your word because you were offended at a buyer dong what buyers do.

No violation of word at all when the buyer counter offered he rejected to agreed upon price.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Swap meets, antiques malls, bazaars, fairs, etc, are all designed around the art of ‘The Haggle’. It’s a great pastime only appreciated the older you get. IOW, the actual product is secondary. Getting out and meeting people, and engaging is the reason for the season.

FYI, you can’t not haggle when it comes to buying a car or a house.

 

[MattZilla]

No tolerance for the pre-sight haggle.

 

[FingerDub]

He didn't deserve unkindness either. Saying no, sorry my price is firm at 600 is one thing. Saying wah, I'm taking my ball and going home as punishment for your audacity to even attempt negotiating with me, Lord of the Internet, is a jerk move.

This was also texted: "Bring any cables or anything you need. Also, you are ok with $600, correct? Best to avoid any issues before hand."

$600 I am pretty good with long as it's in the condition it appears to be in the photos and sounds & works well. Does it come with a case ? Just wondering."

There you go.

 

[JPaulGeddy]

Swap meets, antiques bazaars, fairs, etc, are all designed around the art of ‘The Haggle’. It’s a great pastime only appreciated the older you get. IOW, the actual product is secondary. Getting out and meeting people, and engaging is the reason for the season.

And here is likely the crux of it. I'm an introvert by nature, so 'getting out and meeting people, and engaging' is really not my thing.

 

[LBS-bass]

That's funny because I never have a problem selling things quickly for a fair price. The people who buy from me know they're getting a good deal. They might still ask, but they don't walk away when they know there's nothing better out there.

BTW, I'm about to list an SWR Goliath Jr. III 2x10 cabinet in Facebook Marketplace. I've posted it already with my bottom line price where friends can see it, in case someone I know wants it.

I think that when I list it on Marketplace I will increase the price by $100 just to see if I can make someone think they got a great deal. I'm not in a hurry to sell this one, so I wonder how long it will take, compared to my normal way of doing business? I bet I can get at least $25 more for it than my original asking price by going this route, and everyone will be happy. But it will take longer to sell.

 

[InhumanResource]

This was also texted: "Bring any cables or anything you need. Also, you are ok with $600, correct? Best to avoid any issues before hand."

$600 I am pretty good with long as it's in the condition it appears to be in the photos and sounds & works well. Does it come with a case ? Just wondering."

There you go.

Yep, and he asked anyway. How dare he! Time to back out of the whole thing!

 

[kesslari]

I like @MordBass approach.
$550? OK, we're back to haggling. $650.

 

[bass12]

But why? So many opportunities are lost by taking hard-line attitudes like this.

The only legitimate reason to be against it is because one is not skilled in it and unwilling or unable to learn.

Yeah, why give up the opportunity to look like a desperate cheapskate? I've never looked upon haggling as any kind of skillful endeavour. All too often the people engaging in such behaviour look cheap and, to be frank, seem to be lacking a degree of honour and class. I'm not saying all haggling is wrong or unbecoming - but far too much of what I've seen does, for me, come across as such. If you believe a price to be fair, do the honourable thing and pay the asking price. Not everything has to be about getting a "better deal".