What is "low ball"

I agree with Slikric, too many people today want something for nothing. They make excuses about the economy being bad. So do lots of companies that pay a lot less money to employees now. The company makes just as much money, but they take advantage of the employees. I may not be rich, but I'm glad I always bought and sold right to retire under 50. Good luck to all and remember, no lowballing.

Ah, one of the eternal questions; quite a few past threads on this.

As everyone is noting, this is pretty subjective, but I'm quite sure that 75% is too high for the lowball line; for example, pristine dealer demos, b-stock, or just sale items often come in with markdowns more than 25%, with warranty. I think it pretty reasonable to look for 60% of msrp for used electronics, and sometimes less for hard to ship speakers.

I've both bought and sold for 60% with no cries of lowballing, but this may be due the fact that I tend to ignore adds with things like "lowballers will be politely ignored," "no tirekickers," etc, because I prefer not to trade with people who initiate transactions by insulting potential buyers. If the seller has a firm limit, they should say so. If the seller doesn't want to list a firm price (thus leaving wiggle room in order to maximize their return), they should entertain offers.

Just my 2c. Takes all kinds.

John

Apparently Elizabeth has never used audiogon to sell anything. Her stance is ridiculous.
Jaxwired

You are only half right as Elizabeth has sold items. ;)

I agree with the first poster in that it depends on the asking price and how realistic the asking price is. I just sold an item which I listed for $650 OBO. I received three offers, $400 (lowball), $550 and $600. I accepted the $600 offer as that was my target. Unfortunately, with the new system I could not communicate with the other potential buyers once the offer was accepted. Oh yeah, the item sold the day it was listed.

Come on guys, you know what a lowball offer is.

" I'm thinking less than 75% of asking price is where "low ball" kicks in....."

Really? Geesh

I don't use the make offer option any more because of all the bottom feeders that want to offer 1/3 of the asking price. Any comments that disagree with lowballers = bottom feeders must be offended because they are guilty of it. I have always gave asking price and never asked for anything less.

Seller sets the price. No offers. It's the sellers that buy something they can't afford to keep that help out the bottom feeders, as long as the price is fair, especially if the item has always been handled with gloves and treated with the utmost care. If a buyer doesn't like a price, they can pay retail.

Apparently Elizabeth has never used audiogon to sell anything. Her stance is ridiculous.

If a person says "no lowball" and also allows the "make offer" button, they are clearly willing to accept less than their asking price. It's just not clear what is too low.

When I sell, I usually price below the going rate and do not allow the "make offer" button. So I clearly communicate my bottom line. But many sellers prefer the "start high and take offers" approach. Which is fine with me, but then they add this "no lowball" thing which requires the buyers to guess what that means.

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. How is the buyer suppose to know you would deem the offer beneath your dignity to even reply to?

Anything where the price is marked 'firm'. I always mark my price 'soft' with no 'low ball' or 'bottom feeders' welcome. Always get the price I think is 'fair', whatever that means.

I have offered less many times on items listed with "no low ballers" or similar stated in the ad. CLOSED MANY, MANY DEALS!

I ignore such statements. It is used to make people think that the item is somehow exceptional and the seller is not willing to negotiate.

The fact that they are willing to pay to list and write the ad and maybe take pictures clearly sends a different message. "The item is no longer wanted and needs a new home." Anyone willing to go to that much effort would be a FOOL to not consider accepting money from a willing buyer.

Times are tough in a lot of places and this is a discretionary purchase. Certainly not a requirement by any measure. I guess it makes the seller feel better when they ad such verbiage to their ad. Like I said I either want the item or not and I have a price in mind. We either come to a professional, cordial and upfront deal or not. No Biggie!

New items show up every day and there are only so many of us that have the $$, the time and the inclination to buy. I agree with Rrog, the people with the money and the desire to buy are the market and set the price. Sellers can put whatever they want in their ad copy. I can choose to ignor it. Freedom of speech man!

I agree with Rrog. The sellers who always crack me up are the ones who list a price and then also say "or best offer", and then complain and label as "low-balling" any offer they actually receive below their asking price. "Or best offer" clearly implies a lower offer. If you don't want to accept an offer below your asking price, don't imply that you will. If you list "or best offer" at all, you will get some low offers, period. You don't have to accept them, but you don't have to ridicule them either - you asked for them.

Lowballers=bottom feeders? I don't think so. It's the buyers who set the sales price not the sellers. I have been tracking sales prices on certain items and it is the sellers who are continuously trying to jack the prices up. So, if your price is too high and a buyer offers the going price, is the buyer a lowballer? I don't think so.

lowballers = bottom feeders

I would say it depends on what the buyers asking price is. If the asking price is close to what other similar items have sold for recently, then approx. 20% less than that amount or more might be considered "low". If the buyer is asking say, $1000 for an item that usually sells for $800, then an offer of $750 would not be considered a "lowball" offer, because his price is too high to start with.