What is "low ball"

Hifihvn, somebody with no feedback such as yourself is in no position to suggest that. Asking for a good deal in polite fashion is smart, not insulting but regardless dont lecture me when you have no record of feedback. It would far more likely that someone with no positive feedback is a lowballer than taking issue with me who has satisfied feedback as both buyer and seller here.

Hifihvn, no I'm not a professional, just a smart person that knows my place, just like lowballers should also know. Like I said I sold items, not buy them. This can be an expensive hobby for some, just like rare coins. Try to get a 1916-d dime, 1955 ddo penny, 3 legged buffalo nickel, 1916 standing liberty quarter, or any other coin of respectable value for 50% on the dollar and you'll be ignored too. Buyers don't owe sellers, and sellers don't owe buyers anything either. So no, I'm not a professional lowballer. If I want something, I just buy it. Sorry if you're not in the same position. I feel your pain.

Chadnilz, sorry, I was referring to Polk.

I should have said he is a professional highballer for his sales, and a professional lowballer when buying.

Let me rephrase this all, its a game both buyers and sellers are free to play, in the end its those two peoples business and nobody else. Buyers start low and often buyers start high, the happy medium is the result, neither party knows the true amount the other will accept. I dont have any issue with sellers or buyers playing the game and Hifihvn, sorry to single you out.

I'm still standin'.

The truth is there is really no issue here ;)

.

Ok, if you think you are right, I'll knock off 500.00 now please put your money where your mouth is or shut up. You don't have the money anyway, so what's your point? No paypal fee no money order fee and no anchovies. Whaaa Whaaa Whaaa.

Of course I'm right, it is common sense, but I have no idea what you are talking about here. Put up or shut up? What in the world are you talking about?

.

I'm still standin'.

Herman, how is it I'm charging for a money order? I still don't understand?

If one is offended by any part of a transaction, they should probably not be selling on the internet or anywhere else for that matter. Really, has some folks skin grown that thin? Take the advice of Nancy Reagan.... just say no !!!!!

No offense, just keepin out the riff raff.

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Polk, I never said you were charging for a money order. I said you were charging extra for Paypal.

I think you are just messing with me,,, right?

Lets just drop it, the little one liner jabs you are interjecting don't make any sense to anybody but you anyway.

I'm still standin'

what the hell is that all about?

.

Question: What is a "low ball"
Answer: An offer somewhat below the lowest end of the price range, blue book value, typical cost or selling value.

What am I chargin for then? I'm still standin.

I have sold things on this site and when I get an offer I feel is below what I will accept no matter how low I simply say No Thanks and move on. I never take it personnally. When people write ads stating that Low Ballers will be ignored I think that is rude. I feel you owe the person a response.

Chuck

With all respect for those who struggle with addiction as a matter of life and death, I've heard 'alcoholic' humorously defined as "a person you don't like who drinks more than you do."

"Lowballer" is a person you don't like who offers you less than you want to get.

You don't know how low some people will go trying to push the envelope. As a seller, I owe the buyer nothing especially when they make an offer so low it's an insult to my intelligence. On the other hand I also give extras with the items I sell so that the buyer gets a good deal and the items are ready to plug and play.

>>01-29-12: Jaxwired
And then you have people that won't respond to your offer if they deem it below this unnamed low ball line. That's really offensive.<<

Could be.

However, it is no more offensive than an offer that is 20% of the asking price.

That occurs more than you might expect.

IMO

I love that joke about how being an alcoholic is the only "disease" you get yelled at for having lol. Can you imagine someone bitching at you for having Polio lol?

"Life is just a game
and there are many ways to play
and all you do is choose."
Stanley Clarke

"no low ballers" merely suggests that the Seller lacks negotiating skills.

Believe it or not, there are people here who think you should pay 80% of retail for used gear with no manufacturer's warranty, then whine about lowballers if they get a more realistic offer.

I never understood why people get upset about low ballers. As a seller, just ignore, decline, accept, or counter.
I recently had a pair of speakers for sale here listed @ $1900. I got several offers for $1000, and one for $800 and seller pays shipping (it was listed as local PU only). I didn't get mad or cry. I didn't start a thread about these terrible people. It didn't hurt my feelings. I just declined. It ain't no big deal.(They sold to a local buyer for $1700.)

No lowballers...Jeez. C'mon man - Grow a pair!

I negotiated well enough to retire 9 years ago at 49. A lowballer or person that thinks that they are entitled to something even if they don't have the means should look elseware, or find a desparate seller. Sure, there are sellers that charge too much, but you should move on to someone else. Why give your money to them even if they come down to your price? I never give lowballers the time of day, unless they are asking to round down just a few bucks, but I try to give them a good deal from the start. If that's not good enough, then it's haves vs. have nots.

Well, Polk in the words of the incomparable "church lady" aka Dana Carvey, "Aren't we special???"

01-30-12: Swampwalker
Well, Polk in the words of the incomparable "church lady" aka Dana Carvey, "Aren't we special???"

I was thinking the same thing SW !!!!!

Sounds like something a lowballer or have not would say. Happy listening.

>>01-29-12: Hifihvn
In other words, your(sic) a "professional lowballer".<<

And you're an amateur comedian?

Hi, my name is John S., I'm a lowballer !!!!!

there is no quantitative answer, since "low ball" is a matter of perception.

i'd say there is some threshold, which when reached insults the seller. when the seller responds , say, angrily to an offer, it's probably a very low price.

This thread is a hoot. People really don't know what "low ball" offer is? Heres an example. I list something that sold for $3500 retail. Granted, you could get it for a bit less, probably, when new. Say 10%. I put it at $1400. No paypal fees, free shipping. One year warranty. I get an offer of $400$ Is that a lowball offer? I'd say. Is it insulting? To me, yes. Anyone that wants to sell me things for about 10 cents on the dollar, charge no fees, or shipping, and give me a one year warranty, just email. I'll take it all. I still reply, but, I know it won't work out before I do. I buy thing's, and I sometimes make a RESONABLE offer. Usually, if the seller is realistic, and I think it's a good deal, I buy it. If you can't do that, stick to garage sales, and flea markets. You are NOT going to buy a 5k amp on here for $500. Don't waste both the sellers, and your time. It really is ridiculous. On another note, I guess I never knew "lowball" had anything to do with anatomy.

Granted, you could get it for a bit less, probably, when new. Say 10%. I put it at $1400. No paypal fees, free shipping. One year warranty. I get an offer of $400$ Is that a lowball offer? I'd say. Is it insulting? To me, yes. Anyone that wants to sell me things for about 10 cents on the dollar, charge no fees, or shipping, and give me a one year warranty, just email. I'll take it all. I still reply, but, I know it won't work out before I do. I buy thing's, and I sometimes make a RESONABLE offer

If someone made me a lowball offer like that, I wouldn't feel insulted, I would just figure the source of this kind of offer is not worth it.

>> 01-30-12: Zydo
On another note, I guess I never knew "lowball" had anything to do with anatomy. <<

And that's because it doesn't!

lowball:

— noun
1. a game of poker in which the player with the lowest hand wins
2. a. a very low estimate or offer
  b. (as modifier): a lowball bid
 
— verb
3. (tr) to make a very low estimate or offer for (a service, product, company, etc)
-

question, there is an add for mcintosh mc501 - recently they go for about 2,800~3,000 on audiogon...
the add: "McIntosh MC501's 1 year, mint, original box & manual from dealer, 40% discount! $6,600"
if i would offer 2,800 - is it considered "low ball" ?

No,I just call that offer BIG BALLS.

Go ahead, make your offer. Please report back to us. I would be curious to know how it works out for you.

What is "low ball"? Answer: this thread.
Elizabeth

+1

What next? Why not have a lowball contest right here on agon, and see who can get something the cheapest. Then the lowballer can sell it for less than what they paid.

I think this thread should be canned in favor of "How successful are you?" thread, and a "What are your retirement plans?" thread.

"What are your retirement plans?"

POWERBALL baby,I can feel it this week!!!!!!!!

Retirement plans should be made from the day one starts working. Many people simply spend on whatever they want, then it becomes too late to save. As far as lowballers (not frugal people) go, they seem to be the first ones to complain about how little they make, or not getting raises. It's different to them when their bosses are lowballers and won't pay them more money, then they expect the rest of us to pick up the slack by selling things cheaply to them, after the many sacrifices we had to make to better our positions in life. Why is that.

01-31-12: Polk432
"As far as lowballers (not frugal people) go, they seem to be the first ones to complain about how little they make, or not getting raises."

Yeah, one guy offered me $400 for a $1000 item:
"Will you take $400. My boss is a jerk and I don't make that much money, and I haven't had a raise. The other guy in my area got 2 raises. Oh yeah, and you pay shipping."

Happens all the time.

You should have counter offered with 1,100.00 Why get upset.

The truth is, the sellers who complain the most about lowballers probably lowballed someone else when they bought it and are trying to make a profit.

I buy new and don't sell used for profits. Don't let your ham and eggs get cold. Sellers only complain about things buyers want for nothing. There's nothing wrong with getting a good deal.

Bottom line is the selling price.

All else is just wasted energy.

IMO

You drive a hard bargin but, ok I'll overnight them. Will a 5 yeat warranty be enough?

Lowballers on A-gon assume that the seller does not know the value of the item, which doesn't happen too often with this group. Lowballers are NOT trying to be savvy shoppers, rather shoppers trying to get away with an ignorant and/or financially desperate seller.