What is "low ball"

I got this email regarding a pair of cables I'm selling. Not low ball but worse in my opinion. Looks like phishing:

Good Morning, Thanks for your response to my mail, I hope it is in good condition like it stated because I have taken a close look at the advert and am completely satisfied, . I'll want you to remove the advert from web and consider this item is sold to me, I'll be paying via Certified check and the check will deliver to you in next two days .So i want to be the best offer by adding $50 to your money and i hope you will keep this item for me Your Full Name: Contact Physical Address not p.o box: City and State with Zip Code: Cell phone number: amount: I will like you to know that you will not be responsible for shipping i will have my mover to come over as soon as you have the check,and i will get back to you once my secretary made the payment out to you.(Pls send your reply to (left his secretary's email) Thanks

Dicey? or am I over reacting to this one? Buyer has 0 feedback.

I don't like any of um. Just think of how bad they'd try to lowball us on agon? And with the taxpayers money too. Maybe all of Greenspans screw ups were to intentionally force us to go back to the gold standard!? Something that actually backs money. I guess responsibility by our Government is too much to wish for.

Polk432 is my new hero!

Mine too! I think he should replace Newt "Let's put Tiffany's franchises on the moon" Gingrich as the Un-Romney!

Just think of how much good this blog will do lowballers when they try to show their bosses this blog trying to get paid more. Even if they get a raise (which I doubt) they'll still find an excuse to lowball. How can their bosses be so cruel?

It's similar to "low blow"

Lowball better than no ball.

It takes all kinds. Some think OBO means or best over. Go figure. Some people are still trying to figure out how to follow someone into a revolving door and come out ahead of them.

If you offer less than the selling price and don't get a reply, take the hint.
Polk432

Hell, I've offered asking price and not received an answer more than once.

I was called a lowballer by a seller once. My offer was asking price but stipulated seller pay shipping and absorb paypal fees. The item was marked OBO. Maybe he thought best offer would be more than his asking price.

If you offer less than the selling price and don't get a reply, take the hint.

if you have lowballitis, see a urologist.

I said needy not greedy! Unempolyment, food stamps, and welfare (for those 88% that don't need it) get a crystal radio. Get a haircut and get real job, and maybe get a tube crystal radio instead of ss.

I'm all for a good deal, but I'll destroy something first or donate it to the needy before caving in to bottom feeders.

I'm needy, what ya got?

Polk432 is my new hero!

Look at the shape of the entire country. Most don't realize how much sacrifice it takes to have nice things, and are not going to deny themselves anything since they seem to think that people that have nice things had them handed to them. I'm all for a good deal, but I'll destroy something first or donate it to the needy before caving in to bottom feeders. Even though I retired early, there will be lots of things I won't be able to have, and I really don't care. I did without a new car till I was 44 and had no credit card till I was 45. Maybe it worked out for the better.

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.

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

Bottom line is the selling price.

All else is just wasted energy.

IMO

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

"What are your retirement plans?"

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

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

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.

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

+1

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

No,I just call that offer BIG BALLS.

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" ?

>> 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)
-

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.

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.

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.

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

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

And you're an amateur comedian?

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

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 !!!!!

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

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.

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!

"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.

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

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?

>>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

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.

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.

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