Selling something and people trying to low ball you with insulting offers - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Rerun · 07-08-2009, 10:41 AM

Sold my 1997 Rav4 the very first day I advertised it on Kijjiji. In two days must have gotten at least 10 e-mails from people wanting it.... although I must admit a couple of the offers were on the insulting side. Here I'm asking $3295 for it (underpriced if you ask me... but I wanted a quick sale), one guy has the balls to ask me if I would accept $1500. I felt like telling him to f-off.

I also received a couple of e-mails from people asking if I would accept $2000 for it. My e-mail response was simple.... "NO. Don't bother me again."

I mean, I can understand people wanting to haggle a bit, but come-on... offering 40-60% below the asking price (which is extremely reasonable). These offers really pissed me off.

And not to be a racist, but the fact is that all the low ball offers came from people with foreign (east asian / middle eastern / african) type names who's spelling and grammar in their e-mails was very poor.

This experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Cowboy89 · 07-08-2009, 10:44 AM

The anglosphere is pretty much among the only places in the world where haggling on price is discouraged and considered a somewhat trashy thing to do.

Many places in Europe look down upon us when we pay the prices listed on the spot with no protest. The prices listed there is a starting point that often commonly ends up being even as much as 50% lower. I would expect that kind of behavior from foreigners because it's in their culture to do so.

CMPunk · 07-08-2009, 10:44 AM

See, when they offer $2000, you counter with $3290, that's how haggling works....or just drop it a dollar every time he asks and get him to work his way up

GreenTeaFrapp · 07-08-2009, 10:45 AM

If they annoy you that much you could always agree and then give them the wrong address to pick it up at. See how many times you can give them the wrong address before they get the hint.

Kybosh · 07-08-2009, 10:46 AM

So, you're upset about people emailing you low offers? You never even spoke to these people in person? I don't see why you're so upset. If I only had $2000 but saw a vehicle that I wanted I would've inquired as well. It would not have done any harm.

rockstar · 07-08-2009, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

And not to be a racist, but the fact is that all the low ball offers came from people with foreign (east asian / middle eastern / african) type names who's spelling and grammar in their e-mails was very poor.

Oh, man. Where to begin? Sorry, Rerun.

photon · 07-08-2009, 10:48 AM

Could be a decent business model.. lowball everything on Kijiji, find that 10% that have to sell and will take the lowball, turn around and sell it for the original asking price. Lather, rinse, repeat, profit.

Swarly · 07-08-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kybosh

So, you're upset about people emailing you low offers? You never even spoke to these people in person? I don't see why you're so upset. If I only had $2000 but saw a vehicle that I wanted I would've inquired as well. It would not have done any harm.

very true, much worse if they email saying they are interested and want to set up a meeting to see the car and then after checking it out and wasting your time offer you 1500. but an email takes 20 seconds to read and ignore.

mykalberta · 07-08-2009, 10:49 AM

I have sold some items via Craigslist/Kijiji lately.

I consider 20% off what I am asking the lowest I will reply to. Anything lower and you just ignore the email.

That is why email is great - its easy to ignore people.

Rerun · 07-08-2009, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kybosh

So, you're upset about people emailing you low offers? You never even spoke to these people in person? I don't see why you're so upset. If I only had $2000 but saw a vehicle that I wanted I would've inquired as well. It would not have done any harm.

Yes it is because the offer is wasting my time.

alltherage · 07-08-2009, 10:50 AM

I have heard Kijiji is notorious for this. I wouldn't worry too much about it. When I was in Haiti they tried to sell me crappy flip flops for $40!!! Walmart would have had them for $6, so I haggled them down to $10. I felt like an arrogant "rich american", but at the same time, the sales people never get extra money. Just their "bosses".

Ironhorse · 07-08-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

Many places in Europe look down upon us when we pay the prices listed on the spot with no protest. The prices listed there is a starting point that often commonly ends up being even as much as 50% lower. I would expect that kind of behavior from foreigners because it's in their culture to do so.

Western Europe does not haggle all that much, unless it has changed in the last 10-20 years due to the foreign immigration influx.

Rhettzky · 07-08-2009, 10:52 AM

This is why I can't stand having garage sales. I just can't take people offering me less then I think my useless crap is worth!

CMPunk · 07-08-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

Yes it is because the offer is wasting my time.

Cause that's 20 seconds you'll never get back reading that email

mykalberta · 07-08-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Usually know that something racist will follow.

I really think the phrase 'not to be racist' or 'some of my best friends are black' should be changed to 'I'm about to say something racist, so be warned'.

Actually he is right. Althought from my experience they are using those listings to get email addresses for spam purposes.

They cant properly spam Craigslist or Kijiji addresses because your email address is hidden.

For me, if there is an obvious or more than 2 spelling mistakes from a freebee email account I ignore it no matter what.

I was selling an electronic item a few years ago. I knew the price on Ebay I could get and asked 10% more than that (to cover saving on shipping) - I made the mistake of accepting the 1 in 10 email I got that offered me list price for it. It was my first foray into a version of the Nigerian 411 scam.

Knut · 07-08-2009, 10:53 AM

We have listed our Condo on welist .... some of the LowBall offers there are rediculous.

Listed at 285 ... offered 200

Cowboy89 · 07-08-2009, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Usually know that something racist will follow.

I really think the phrase 'not to be racist' or 'some of my best friends are black' should be changed to 'I'm about to say something racist, so be warned'.

Joke: How does every racist joke start? Answer in White

Answer: With a look over your shoulder

llama64 · 07-08-2009, 10:54 AM

If you're selling something and are "insulted" by offers, stop selling it and get a broker to do it for you. It's obvious barter and trade is not your forte.

Just ignore the offers that don't interest you.

Dion · 07-08-2009, 10:57 AM

A few weeks back I tried to sell some old assorted golf clubs I had stored in my closet. Some idiot shows up and offers me $5 for a Ping driver I had. I asked if he was being serious or wether he just showed up to insult me. He said he was serious and I told him to take a hike.

EddyBeers · 07-08-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

And not to be a racist, but the fact is that all the low ball offers came from people with foreign (east asian / middle eastern / african) type names who's spelling and grammar in their e-mails was very poor.

This experience left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Who is spelling and grammer?? Gold baby Gold