The issue of lowballing... What does that mean?

The most accurate way to determine price when you are the seller, is to ask YOURSELF, "what would I pay for this". Ask for that amount. That's fair.

Cheers

When someone sends a "lowball" offer, they know it. I don't really think anyone ever sells for that kind of price. Here is an example. A $7000 pre/pro, (current model) with a warranty. Offer comes in for $800. Does anyone really think the seller might take that? I highly doubt they think there is any chance of that, so why even do it? Its a waste of time for both. Granted, its not any effort to ignore it, or simply decline it. Usually these are zero feedback members. If people would try to be realistic, this wouldn't even be a topic for discussion. This is Audiogon, not fantasy island. I don't do it, and I personally find it irritating.

Fortunately, whenever I sold items on Audiogon, I have never been "desperate". So, I investigated the "market price" for the item, remembered how long I have owned it or how old it was to determine how much to mark it down or mark it up in the event that it was worth more and started from there. I always have a price point whereby I will not go lower so, when some send extremely low offers, I always respond and tell that person that it is wayyyyy to low. If their offer is close to my price, I may compromise, spit the difference if it isn't too much, etc. But, all buyers and sellers can check the blue book values of items. It also shows trends, average prices, low and high prices also. I always try to price my items to sell, so I typically price lower than average blue book prices anyway. Some may think that I'm desperate when they see my listings because it is lower than average blue book prices (unless it is a rare jem and I won't lower it), but when they submit their offers, and it is too low, I simply tell them thus and that is it. I will not respond to a stupidly low offer with a counter offer. It (to me) is up to the buyer to present a reasonable offer. I will not haggle when selling. As long as I'm within the respectable used sale price range for the item, I can dance a little. I'm not trying to make money here, but I do want to get what the item is worth. Yes, it is worth what a person is willing to pay for it, I've said that here many times. But we have agreed to establish a rating/pricing system (blue book, etc.) and I use that. Most stereo stores definitely use it for demo and used equipment for sale.

enjoy

I grew up in the antique business. (school of hard knocks). A women came in and made an offer on an item marked 325-. She said (to my mother) would you take 2 dollars? My mother said "this is marked 325 dollars. The women walked out embarrassed. It sold very shortly after for 300-.
Another time a women came in and fell IN LOVE with a rocking chair saying "it is JUST what I have been looking for!!", and how much? While I called for the price she was sitting in it and loving it!! I came back and told her 125-. She looked funny and replied "I am really looking for something much nicer"!! That one sold very shortly afterward as well.
It goes both ways and every which way.

I have found the vast majority of offers made to me on this site to be very fair and I probably accepted most of the them, if not all. However, I think we've all had annoying people who are more interested in bargaining than actually purchasing something. You could put up a pair of Magico Q1s for $20 and they'll offer you $10. When I get an offer from one of these types, I will just reply "No thank you" and leave it at that. Sometimes they will raise their offers, but I honestly would rather not deal with them at all. I think that once they get the item, they will attempt to start re-negotiating the price, because that's what they live for. I just don't need the aggravation when there are so many people here who are a pleasure to deal with.

In general I agree that staying "lowballers will be ignored" doesn't make sense but I wouldn't get upset over it. Please realize that many people here aren't professional sales. They most likely do buying much more often than selling. I know I am. Sometimes they may put in words without thinking too much about the net effect. So don't take that too seriously. If you like the item, just make an offer for the amount you are willing to pay. Most members here are very nice people. I am sure they won't send you a nasty email. If they did, well, at least you know who not to do business with.

I have wondered about that myself. If a seller wants a certain price and doesn't wish to field offers all he has to do is put "Firm"! in the ad. Otherwise how can a buyer possibly know what the seller means by "reasonable offers only" and the ubiquitous low balls will be ignored (or worse)?
I started a thread just like this on Audio Asylum and it was well recieved. You are not the only one wondering how low is low, people had a bunch of ideas but none of it was clearly logical. Thanks for bringing it up here.
BTW The next time you are about to give away some good stuff send me an email first.

I am in total agreement with you and don't understand the comment of ignoring offers when it is so easy just to decline the offer and move on. Don't take offers low or otherwise personally it is what it is buying and selling. Actually the comment (ignored) turns me off but that's me. I have sold a few things on this site and I just figure offers (low) are just a part of the game of buying and selling.

Chuck

Simple. The seller doesn't want to sell for a bargain price and doesn't want to deal with lowballers. So why don't you just respect his wishes and just move on.

I agree, I don't know why people get upset at lowballers. Ignoring them requires even less than one mouse click. A lot of lowballers (not so much on Audiogon but more on Ebay and Craigslist) are people who want to pick up your item at a low price, then flip it at a higher price. Nothing wrong with that as such, but it's not the kind of buyer I want to deal with. What does annoy me somewhat is people who string you along for a while like they are really interested but you can never quite close the deal with them. I wish these people would be a bit more decisive.