What's an acceptable offer on a item for sale?

[puckluck]

The GMG thread got me thinking what was an acceptable offer on an item for sale without it being considered a low ball.

For me if an item is being advertised for $500 something in the range of $375-$500 is an acceptable bid. Anything under should be considered a lowball offer. Obviously this depends on the item for sale as well.

So if you're trying to sell something for $500 what do you consider a low ball offer?

[Kybosh]

About three fiddy.

[BlackArcher101]

No possible way I can answer that. I tend to price fairly right off the bat, so I may not accept less than $450. On the other hand, some people tend to think their 10 year old device is worth the same as what they paid for it, so $500 may be worth $50.

[Jbo]

My biggest pet peeve with kijiji is when I put something up for say 300 bucks and get 15 to 1 responses from guys saying they will give 200 CASH. No I don't want your crap low ball offer and how else were you expecting to pay me?

I can understand a low ball if there is a reason. Ie on a iPad there is a scratch or out of warranty...something like that.

[Hilch]

The worst low ball offers are the ones that don't even offer you cash. I was selling a truck not too long ago online and I would get offers for labour/renos and my favorite offer was a dirt bike and "dank" weed.

I just find it hard to believe people would offer an illegal substances online to someone they never met. What if I was the police or someone who would tell the police?

[edn88]

If I am selling it for $500, I probably want $500. If I wanted $350 I would have advertised it for that. But then again, I am not selling anything that I am desperate to sell.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

There's really no set answer to this. It depends on how motivated the seller is to get rid of the item, and how motivated the buyer is to pick up the item.

For me, If I want the item fairly badly, and the price is reasonable, I'll pay whatever the seller asks. If it's one of those things I think its nice to have, but not necessary, I'll ask for 25% less than the listed price.

However, whenever I sell an item, I'll always list a bit high, with the expectation that someone will bargain, although every now and then I get my listed price. But then again, I'm Chinese

P.S. If I feel I'm being low-balled on an item I'm selling, I'll ignore it. No skin off my back. Although I don't think I've ever been offered "Dank" weed before lol.

[Regulator75]

You sure it wasn't skank or skunk weed?

I don't get too many low ball offers for my gear.
Used Nikon lenses and accessories are pretty much the same price around the net. Adorama & B&HPhoto
(The condition will always influence the price, obviously).

I'm not desperate to sell and have turn down a measly difference of $30.00, it's the principle of the deal...
I know my stuff is in excellent condition and have sold everything for what I know is a fair market price.

[drewboy12]

That's the thing about selling/buying on the internet... So many of these items people are desperate for cash... For what ever reason, and that $500 item, if they are desperate, they will take that $200 cash offer...

[Regulator75]

Originally Posted by drewboy12

That's the thing about selling/buying on the internet... So many of these items people are desperate for cash... For what ever reason, and that $500 item, if they are desperate, they will take that $200 cash offer...

Desperate for cash? Those really motivated sellers are probably selling "found" goods.

[Deegee]

In a recessionary economy, why wouldn't you low ball someone to start?

If you don't want low ball offers, put firm in the listing.

I always thought it was called bargaining.

[WilsonFourTwo]

I've always been annoyed with the "No Low Ballers" BS......it's beyond stupid.

You're listing used stuff, targeting a bargain hunting audience, and then get mad when people try to get rock bottom pricing? People aren't going to pay a penny more than they have too......why does this surprise anyone?

As for OPs question......your offer is what the thing is worth. If the seller gets their panties in a twist, that's their problem.

[valo403]

I don't understand people who get pissed off about getting these supposed 'low ball' offers. If you didn't want to open yourself up to getting offers don't sell things on the internet, or at least state that the price is firm. Is it really that hard to ignore an email with an offer you deem unacceptable?

As for the original question, it depends on how accurate your pricing is. If you are overvaluing your goods, as many people do, then a 50% discount might be completely reasonable. The actual value of anything is no higher than what someone is willing to pay, if you think your getting a lot of low ball offers you're likely out to lunch on your pricing.

[Prototype]

If you see something for $100, anything lower than $75 would be a lowball in my opinion. Nothing wrong with trying to get a deal, especially if they post "OBO", but anything lower than 25% off is lowball, IMO.