Sometimes a person only would like to have an item, or can only afford an item at less than it's worth. For example, there are 1000's of ibanez basses for sale on craigslist and ebay. One of those sellers will let his go for next to nothing. Why pay $400 for a used sr500 when someone else will let theirs go for $250? I don't see why this makes someone a d-bag. An item is only worth what someone is willing to pay.
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Worst lowball you've ever been dealt?
- Thread starter michael_atw
- Start date
I have never understood why low offers get people's panties wadded up.
You can't blame someone for trying, and even if you do think (quite often correctly) that they are an idiot, why waste the time and energy getting upset about it, or thinking up (and posting about
) your "witty retort"? 
Life's too short and the world is loaded with "something for nothing types"; save yourself for something that actually matters!
Like fishing, there may be one out there that will take the bait.
Sellers have their own stories as well. Maybe they don't need the money right now, need it next month or maybe tomorrow, you never know unless you ask.
I agree, an item is worth what someones willing to pay but its all in the approach. Asking or inquiring politely with a reasonable price is one thing, but offering 15% of the original asking price is just being a jackhole.
What a BUNCH of sellers on here and other places like craigslist should realize is that what you see something listed for isnt usually what it sells for. Take your typical run of the mill Musicman. Stingray or Sterling. Usually list around $800 to 1000 shipped. I've bought and sold them for no more than $850 on here. Thats 50 bucks more than the lowest average list price on here.
If someone is firm on their price, they should justify it a bit. If they need that exact price due to their financial needs, thats cool.
I did get a PM earlier today about something Im selling that had I sold it for what they wanted to give me, I wouldve been left with about 4 bucks after fees and shipping.
About a month ago a young man listed a clean Schecter C-4 XXX for $200. Two days later he listed it for $180. Then it was $175, $170, $150 and finally $125. I was going to buy it that price. The next morning it was listed at $200 again. I guess he had gotten paid and didn't need the money as bad.
The following week it started it's decent again. When it hit the $170 mark again I called him and offered $150 for it. He said that he really needed $170. Oh, okay. I don't have $170, but I do have $150 in my hand. (which was true.) I added that I had seen him offer it as low as $125. There was a long pause... "Can you do it today?" Yes I could and I did.
Now I'm sure that some of you would have offered him $125 or less. And had I waited I might have gotten it for that price. Honestly, I thought that $150 was a good price as it was.
The following week it started it's decent again. When it hit the $170 mark again I called him and offered $150 for it. He said that he really needed $170. Oh, okay. I don't have $170, but I do have $150 in my hand. (which was true.) I added that I had seen him offer it as low as $125. There was a long pause... "Can you do it today?" Yes I could and I did.
Now I'm sure that some of you would have offered him $125 or less. And had I waited I might have gotten it for that price. Honestly, I thought that $150 was a good price as it was.
I don't mind low-ball offers. A simple "no thanks" takes care of them. Quick and easy. Besides, I may be sick of owning whatever it is, and a low-ball offer may hit the spot. If the offer is not too far off my bottom line, I may negotiate them up to something agreeable. I really don't get all this anger business about low offers.
I have never understood why low offers get people's panties wadded up.
You can't blame someone for trying, and even if you do think (quite often correctly) that they are an idiot, why waste the time and energy getting upset about it, or thinking up (and posting about
Life's too short and the world is loaded with "something for nothing types"; save yourself for something that actually matters!
I guess I should've just done a +1.
When dealing with craigslist. I always add 20 to 50$ to the price I want that way when they try and talk me down I end up at the price I want for the item. I never over price items I usually look at what they are going used for and go like 50-60 percent of that.
Indeed. That was my initial point. I'm not talking $200 for a $300 item I'm talking $50 for a $300 item.:scowl:
I will tell some of the lowballers that if they came into a a store making that offer, they'd get laughed back out of it. Anyone who wants to be considered a serious buyer knows that. I think the internet gives people big balls some times.
I have made some insanely good buys on craigslist from lowballing. I always approach respectfully and never get upset, and if I sell something and receive a lowball offer, I treat it the same way. A little respect can go a long way.
Some kid offered my $1500 for a NYC Sadowsky I was asking $2900 for.I might have been annoyed but I could tell he really wanted it bad and just didn't have the money.
To be fair, I've seen a few people post certain 'boutique but mass made' basses at unreasonable high prices lately.
One guy had a (I won't post the model for some confidentiality reasons on both our parts) posted for around $3,500 used. It was in very nice condition, but on the used market his bass wasn't moving for more than $1,900ish.
I offered him the going price for his model on the used market, plus a couple hundred more in good faith. He laughed it off and told me not to lowball him. Two months later he still hadn't moved the bass despite dropping its price multiple times. He finally came back with a counter offer to me that was still overpriced and I gave him a new offer that was less than my previous. He said I was being an ****er, but I told him it was market value.
After nearly four months he finally sold the thing... for less than the last offer I had made. Some people just don't understand how the market works. No one cares what your sob story is. If you need to sell something to pay bills, pay for books, whatever... then you have to be willing to take market value, otherwise you won't be moving anything.
I wasn't talking about you. Actually, I wasn't even talking about anyone on TB
But I'm glad yours sold as yours was at market value. The guys bass, in my story, however, wasn't.
There are definitely people who list things incredible high. I love finding Starcasters and Squier Affinities for $200-$300 on craigslist.
So it goes the opposite way too.
So it goes the opposite way too.
Interesting.... I was given this same story toooo... but i just told sorry i couldn't help him.
People are funny, doubt it was truthful.
Went to a music instrument store that I had purchased about 12K in the last two years looking for a Fender MIA Jazz. I took a Gibson SG leftie guitar in to trade. (It was about a year old and I had paid $1500.00 for it). They offered me $275.00 on a trade in.
I sold it a week later on CL for $700.00 which was my full asking price.
Went to a different store to buy the Fender as I didn't want to deal with the original store anymore. The new store didn't deal in Fenders.
I was bummed until they showed me the Dingwall. Now two Dingers later I'm converted, but I should have taken the original offer. My wallet would be a lot thicker now!
I sold it a week later on CL for $700.00 which was my full asking price.
Went to a different store to buy the Fender as I didn't want to deal with the original store anymore. The new store didn't deal in Fenders.
I was bummed until they showed me the Dingwall. Now two Dingers later I'm converted, but I should have taken the original offer. My wallet would be a lot thicker now!
I said that the first couple times but after you hear it time and time again, 8, 9, 10 times you get sick of these guys feeling like they can play these cards without getting called out.
Anytime I hear a "pity" story from a lowballer over the internet - whether they emphasize a disability, military duty, no job, or a charity build for a poor kid - I want to punch that person in the face. To be blunt, there's nothing more sickening to me than using those methods to pull at someone's heartstrings. No soldier, quadriplegic, etc. with any sense of decency would do such a thing. Just the same I've had people after they purchase something mention their military background or something else, after the purchase. That's the difference between a real soldier and a fake, IMO.
Those lowballers who do that find the attributes which people refuse to call out or make people feel bad about calling out.
My friend had a music store in Rochester offer him something like $250 for a Mesa Boogie combo. Music stores seem to be pretty unabashed about such things.
Most of my lowball offers have come from right here on TB. I usually don't even respond. I usually price my stuff low to begin with.
Just say no.
I'm sometimes shocked how much people take offense at a low but not absurd offer.
Not talking about TB.
I'm sometimes shocked how much people take offense at a low but not absurd offer.
Not talking about TB.
