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

I LOVE Audiogon. I have purchased and sold many items here and it is a wonderful resource for audio nuts of every variety. Big solid state, tubes, analog, vinyl? Sure it all goes.

So I see posts that are make offer but the seller says "lowballers" will be ignored, vilified, cursed and cussed. So why have a make offer sale? Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It doesn't matter what you paid for it, or how much you love it. And why be upset? Declining requires one mouse click. Countering maybe five or six clicks or keystrokes. Just curious as this is a commerce site.

I have received offers that seemed really low to me, but I am still happy to have interest and I always counter offer. I recently sold a Clearaudio TT for a lot less than I thought it was worth. But all the offers were low and I had to rethink my view. It ultimately sold as a real bargin but I'm happy and so is the buyer.

Your thoughts?
128x128superbike
57 responses Add your response
sebrof's avatar
sebrof
835 posts
 
04-18-13: Polk432
The buyer is happy and it was a good deal for the both of us, but according to you, I should have sold it to the lowball bum, like an idiot.
Right there's your problem.
Nobody in this entire thread mentioned or implied that someone should sell at a lowball price if they don't want to. Every single post back to you is saying just ignore a lowballer, don't make a big deal about it.
I think you know this, but you choose to discombobulate and confuse. Why?
polk432
1,142 posts
 
How can you be confused, unless you are or defend lowballers? I make fair deals, and it WILL be a fair deal by both parties, whether you like it or not, when it comes to something I sell or buy. Why does this seem to be the only place that lowballing should be accepted? Why isn't lowballing accepted at the gas pump, grocery store, retail shops, car dealerships, hospitals, and other places? If YOU want to lowball, go ahead, just butt out if I am selling something that I know is a fair price. If for some reason the price isn't fair, I'll just keep it. Please, just get out of the way and move on. Happy listening.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
BG68 you were dumb before this blog even started. Happy lowballing.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Orelayer, your IQ (or what's left of it) is low to begin with so maybe you should stop reading all of the blogs on here before it becomes worse. My understanding of the written word seems to be as good as anyone else. You can't argue with success. Get well soon, and enjoy your lowball life.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
here's the deal. many people want to buy at the lowest price possible and sell at the highest price they can get. it's not rocket science. it's human nature.

no one should be insulred or take personally, a low offer. it's just business.
finishline
8 posts
 
Exactly MrTennis. That's why the have a 'counter offer' button.

I did not read the entire thread but:

If somebody uses 'Make Offer' option - they are asking for an offer less than what they are asking. If it's too low for you, ignore it and let it expire.

I use the make offer option a lot and sometimes wish I had just paid the offered price because it was a still a good value for the item.

There are no set rules as far as I can tell.
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
FYI

Audiogon has now defined lowball offers to be 55%.

I don’t know if you all saw this but I got an e-mail from A’gon stating they have a new feature in place to hinder insane lowball offers.

After you log in go to your Account and select Edit Account. Then scroll down in the Policies section there is a check box to automatically reject lowball offers.


Policies

Lowball offers

Automatically reject offers below 55% of your asking price.

I wish this could be user specific. I would have set this to 45% off of listing price for my tastes but it is a start for Audiogon. I hope this button works and deters the stupidity of the lowball offers some people send.

Thanks
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