Response to Craigslist lowball offers...

GuidoTorpedo

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I think from now on, when I get some ridiculous offer for something I have on CL, I'm just going to respond with this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccenFp_3kq8

That way, not only does the potential "buyer" get the message, but the song will be stuck in their head for the rest of the day. It is truly my gift to the folly of Craigslist.

-Mike
 
Most people won't click a link emailed to them though, I just usually ignore them or just say "no thanks". Almost every one that makes an offer right off the bat will either try and lowball you more when they show up or won't show up at all. I had some lady offer $40 for a table we were selling for $75. I told my wife to just take it since it was blocking my Rush. The lady wanted us to wait 3 days till she could get someone with a truck to come pick it up. As soon as she stepped out of the truck I knew she was going to lowball even more. She nitpicked it and offered $30, a solid wood table and 6 chairs and she expected me to go lower. I told her no and started putting everything back in the garage, the guy who drove her over was pissed. She didn't know what to do, she stood there while I put the table and chairs back, then closed the garage door. 10 min later she called me and said she'd take it, I told her it was sold to someone else and they were on their way to pick it up..... I gave it away to a friend the next day. I'd rather give something away than let a lowballer win!
 
Well, as a cl low baller I can tell you that I have actually had people take the offers and I have got the items. Honestly, I think of it as if I was at an auction and set a price that I would be willing to pay and if I get it great. If not, no big deal. I have always been a big believer in you never know if you don't ask. However I can understand the other side of that as well, you post something for $700 and you get offered $50.00, the person has to reasonably believe that that offer will be refused. It is what it is.... an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay...
 
Well, as a cl low baller I can tell you that I have actually had people take the offers and I have got the items. Honestly, I think of it as if I was at an auction and set a price that I would be willing to pay and if I get it great. If not, no big deal. I have always been a big believer in you never know if you don't ask. However I can understand the other side of that as well, you post something for $700 and you get offered $50.00, the person has to reasonably believe that that offer will be refused. It is what it is.... an item is only worth what someone is willing to pay...

People do sometimes take offers but you also have to accept the fact that if its someone like me then your email will be deleted and I won't reply to other emails unless you make a reasonable offer. I've gotten things for much less than what the seller is asking but its usually after I look at it and not make an offer but simply say I wouldn't pay more than $xxx for it and let them decide. I understand the lowball offer, I have seen too many times where they don't follow threw anyway.
 
Haha, love this story - that's a great way to handle that one.

Most people won't click a link emailed to them though, I just usually ignore them or just say "no thanks". Almost every one that makes an offer right off the bat will either try and lowball you more when they show up or won't show up at all. I had some lady offer $40 for a table we were selling for $75. I told my wife to just take it since it was blocking my Rush. The lady wanted us to wait 3 days till she could get someone with a truck to come pick it up. As soon as she stepped out of the truck I knew she was going to lowball even more. She nitpicked it and offered $30, a solid wood table and 6 chairs and she expected me to go lower. I told her no and started putting everything back in the garage, the guy who drove her over was pissed. She didn't know what to do, she stood there while I put the table and chairs back, then closed the garage door. 10 min later she called me and said she'd take it, I told her it was sold to someone else and they were on their way to pick it up..... I gave it away to a friend the next day. I'd rather give something away than let a lowballer win!
 
If I get an offer in email I just tell them I don't entertain offers without actually seeing the item then I go to the next email.
 
It's one thing to lowball someone when you email them, but I think it takes a lot of nerve to agree to buy something and then lowball when you show up. Now granted there are times an item could be misrepresented in a CL ad and that's different.
 
Most people won't click a link emailed to them though, I just usually ignore them or just say "no thanks". Almost every one that makes an offer right off the bat will either try and lowball you more when they show up or won't show up at all. I had some lady offer $40 for a table we were selling for $75. I told my wife to just take it since it was blocking my Rush. The lady wanted us to wait 3 days till she could get someone with a truck to come pick it up. As soon as she stepped out of the truck I knew she was going to lowball even more. She nitpicked it and offered $30, a solid wood table and 6 chairs and she expected me to go lower. I told her no and started putting everything back in the garage, the guy who drove her over was pissed. She didn't know what to do, she stood there while I put the table and chairs back, then closed the garage door. 10 min later she called me and said she'd take it, I told her it was sold to someone else and they were on their way to pick it up..... I gave it away to a friend the next day. I'd rather give something away than let a lowballer win!

Great story! And good job!

I think the main point is these Low Ballers need to learn to read. If I post an ad and state OBO, then I'm open to offers. If I just post a price then that means no offers OR you better not insult me with an offer if you dare make one!

Too many people think a CL ad equals, "I"ll give them an offer."
 
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She nitpicked it and offered $30...10 min later she called me and said she'd take it, I told her it was sold to someone else and they were on their way to pick it up...

I've done this, even when I didn't really have another buyer!

Or this:

"It's $75."

"I'll pay $40." (They show up.) "I'll pay $30."

"No deal."

(Time passes.) "Okay, okay...I'll take it."

"Cool. $80."
 
It's one thing to lowball someone when you email them, but I think it takes a lot of nerve to agree to buy something and then lowball when you show up. Now granted there are times an item could be misrepresented in a CL ad and that's different.
I agree 100%, if someone isn't being honest about the condition then the offer should change. In my case this was a full table with 6 chairs, I sent several pictures and was specific about the exact condition. She continued to point out things that I had already given her pictures of and I reminded her of that fact.
It made me feel good to make her flustered enough to actually wait several minutes before calling back to agree to pay what she originally offered and I was able to turn her down. I found out a good friend needed a table and I was able to hook him up. It's not always about the money, its about doing what is right when you initiate the deal with an offer.
 
I don't like to haggle. I set a price and expect it. I once tried to get sell a bike for $50. The guy said $40. I confirmed $50. He kept trying to get it for $40. I told him $75. Another guy looking on asked how much and I told him $50. Then the first buy said he wanted it for $50 and I told him his price was $75. I sold it to the second guy for $50 and the first guy was pissed.
Oh well. Don't waste my time and I won't waste yours.
 
unless you make a reasonable offer.

Just remember that reasonable is highly subjective for both parties.

simply say I wouldn't pay more than $xxx for it and let them decide.

Me too. I often put out offers lower than the seller wants. I typi cally say something like; "I know you're asking $XX, but it's only worth $YY to me. Keep my contact info and if you decide to sell it for $YY, please let me know."

I bought my last machine that way. They wanted $300, I just wanted some parts off it (and had to deal with the carcass) so I offered $100. The declined, and a month later called back and asked if I'd pay $150. We settled on $125 and the deal was done.

It's also worth noting that when I agree to a price, I show up on time with cash, truck, and equipment. All the buyer has to do is count their money and point me to the machine.
 
The worst is people trying to haggle when you're dropping something off at their location after you've agreed on a price. I straight up left one time when a guy offered me half of the agreed on price...he said take it or leave it....so I left it and told him to fuck off.
 
I would have too. Gather your information beforehand. If it's materially different, the decision at that point is continue or quit, not "haggle time"
 
The worst is people trying to haggle when you're dropping something off at their location after you've agreed on a price. I straight up left one time when a guy offered me half of the agreed on price...he said take it or leave it....so I left it and told him to fuck off.
Man that's lame for people to do that. I can only assume they think you'll take their offer just so you don't have a wasted trip, but I would have done the same thing you did.
 
You have to remember that most people assume a price set on CL is negotiable, if it isn't you should really say "FIRM" in your ad. I normally ask twice what I want for the item and if it doesn't sell I work the price down to what I actually want and then state that it's firm (and then still plan on selling for less).

The rudest thing I have said to someone offering me money for something I'm selling is "thank you", and gave them a counter offer. There was an item that I was asking $1,000. for and received an offer of $75. Rather than being "insulted" and firing off a 2 page mantra about what a moron he was and how knowledgeable on prices I am, I was polite and ended up selling it to the guy for $850.

When I walk into a car Dealer and they ask me how much I want to pay, I say "5 dollars".

You can obviously do whatever you want however if you are actually "insulted" by someone offering you cash for an item you no longer want you should keep it or just donate it so that you don't have to deal with people and risk being "insulted".
 
Price should be set the moment both parties commit to a pick up time. I really, really don't like people on either end that alter the deal when the exchange has been set and is in motion. It's one of those situations where everyone knows better, but I guess most people find it is best to just play dumb.

I love that you took everything in and closed the door on her. :)

You have to remember that most people...

You are a dying breed around here. Haggling...what's that?
 
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