What is a lowball offer? How low is low?


Recently I was looking at 2 -3 preamps. One was particularly interesting which was a Conrad Johnson 16LS2. The asking price was $3500. I have always wanted the 16LS2. But it was out of my price range. I couldn't make a serious offer. So I didn't and moved on. A few days later I see that it has sold for $2500! What? That was in my budget. But I would have considered that more an insult than a offer. And because I didn't want to insult the seller, I lost a good preamp to someone who was willing to take the chance. So what is the lesson learned here? Apparently I should insult more sellers . The seller wasn't insulted after all. he sold it for $2500. Or is the lesson that I take this stuff too seriously?Should sellers be insulted when offered 50% of their price?  I had thought that 10-15% below the asking price was a realistic offer. Now I'm not sure. So what do you consider a low ball offer? And please, I understand that a product is worth what someone is willing to pay. So no economic lessons please
artemus_5

Showing 1 response by kink56

So many people are so afraid they might be paying too much. Oh the horror if one finds one less expensive after they buy something. And as it has been already stated, even after accepting a lowball offer, often times they still don’t buy it. I NEVER make an offer I am not prepared to pay IMMEDIATELY. And I never accept an offer I do not expect to be paid IMMEIDIATELY. So many wishy-washy types.

I have stopped bothering to list items on Audiogon because in my experience these problems are worse than on other place I list my gear.

I have had people email me for up to a YEAR about something I have for sale, trying to decide. I finally told one I would not sell anything to him no matter what. He came back that he did not understand why people (apparently he does this to others as well) get upset just sitting at a computer and answering questions. I told him people get angry answering the same questions over and over again for a year from the same person. And that HE was not the only person asking questions.