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Is Not Responding To An Offer Just Plain Rude?

Think about it in the context of a BUYER using the Audiogon system - 

1 - “Lowballers will be politely ignored.

What constitutes a lowball offer? Is there a percentage of the asking price below which the offer becomes a “lowball”? If so, what is it? 90%? 75%? ….Is it connected to or disconnected from the length of time the ad has been running?

2 - When the only option is “Make an Offer”.

What am I supposed to do here? Am I supposed to offer more than the asking price? Less than the asking price? If less is OK, then refer to point 1 above.

3 - When the only option is “Make an Offer” and the ad says “price is firm”

What the heck am I supposed to do with that one?

If you’re listing an item with the option of “Make an Offer”, wouldn’t it just be courteous to give the benefit of the doubt to the person submitting the offer, assume he or she is a serious buyer and not a tire-kicker, and just reply one way or the other, in a timely fashion? I mean, there’s nothing lost, right? Just say “NO”. Or make a counteroffer….what’s so difficult?

I just sold a nice preamp to a gentleman who made an offer on it, it arrived with the buyer safely and he’s thrilled with it. So now I have wires hanging loose in my system where a preamp used to be, and it’s almost the Holidays. I found a suitable replacement on Audiogon in the $7K range, made an offer within 10% +/- of the asking price, and…drum roll….….nothing. 

I sat around all weekend waiting for the seller to respond, but they didn’t have the decency to just message me and say no. So I was stuck with the “Seller has 48hrs to review your offer” BS, now I’m back to square one and without the means to play my favorite Kenny G Christmas albums. 

One bandaid fix would be for Audiogon to adopt the ebay system and allow sellers to automatically decline offers below a certain amount. Then they wouldn’t even have to interact with us lowballers and their delicate sensibilities wouldn’t get hurt…..heck, I’d even take a photo of me wearing a mask as I press the ’Submit Offer’ button, if this is a Covid thang…

Whinge over…

Merry Christmas :)



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Showing 2 responses by verdantaudio

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
Offers are interesting and I guess it comes down to your philosophy.  I respond to all offers as quickly as I decide.  I have let one sit for a day because I was pondering it.  Automated rejects would be nice but then again, I like discussing things.  I will usually state what "range" they need to be in for the offer to be considered.  I have never sold an item to someone in this scenario but in the same token, it takes a second to respond.  

What is clear though is what each of us define as a "low-ball offer" is wildly different.  If someone comes in with a reasonable offer that is a bit too low I will almost always counter offer.  If you are within 10% of asking, I can't see how that is offensive.  Worst case, I would counteroffer at asking price and say the price was firm.   

If you are trying to sell something and someone raises there hand and says "I want to buy it", seems like it is probably smart to try and negotiate with them.  Basically, if I don't respond to you within 48 hours, I am likely in the hospital.  Can't imagine why you wouldn't respond to someone.  
verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,469 posts
 
@stereo5 In scenario number one the offer is 33% below asking?  Yes, the initial offer is low, but I am not sure how rude it is.  They offered to buy.  Worst case, you can just straight up decline. 

In the latter scenario, that is an arrogant person making an offer that is 28% below asking and making demands on top of it.  I would click the decline button and maybe tell them it was absurd.  Maybe not bother saying anything.  In the end, we are talking about clicking a button and typing maybe 10 words.  

In both cases those scenarios are well outside of my 10% threshold. I would agree that in both cases, the offers were low-balls.  Believe me, I have received silly offers from folks on certain items.  Sometimes less than 50% of asking.  It takes me a few seconds to hit decline and say "not even close, needs to be X."  

Alternatively, your scenario above had someone offering $6000 on a $6500 item.  That is 7.7% below asking.  In that scenario, I would probably counter offer for $6250 or $6300.  I am not sure how an offer that is within 10% of asking price is "insulting to the seller."

In the end, makes not difference to me. Everyone is entitled to handle their business the way they see fit.  I was merely explaining my POV.  
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