Boa2, LMAO! Thanks, that does seem like Life of AudiogoN.
HARRY THE HAGGLER: "I sell you this amp for $XXX"
BRIAN: "What's Your Best Offer?"
I should save that link and just clip and paste as a reply to WYBP e-mails, huh? ;~)
John |
Did you ever see those commercials for the dollar store, where the customer keeps asking 'how much does this cost?' and the clerk keeps responding 'for you, one dollar'?
That's a great reply.
"What's your best price?"
"For you, one dollar."
LOL. |
12-14-06: Jeffreybowman2k
i am decidedly in the camp that any buyer whose first question is "what's your best price" is not worth responding to. to me, this kind of an opening communication suggests a very strong likelihood that the buyer is not serious, or is simply interested in "window shopping." Bingo! Not always, but 99% of the time they are just looking for a desperate seller who will 'give' it to them. Usually it will be back up on the 'GoN within 2 weeks, at a higher price. Yes, there are those here that are not audio enthusiasts, they are here to make a buck. Kinda like vultures, preying on the weak or desperate sellers. The sad part is that I have seen this work, which only fuels the approach. After all, everyone wants a steal. Now I should mention that not all are like that. I'll usually check to see if they are a forum member. See if they are interested in the hobby. Most of the WYBP questions come from new folks with little feedback and no community participation. I view these fellows as the vultures, only here for the $$$. That's just my $0.02. John |
In the end, I'm left feeling confused - not that it's rare for me. Put forth an offer which may be construed as a "low ball", which will offend. Or, ask the seller what their best price is, which will also offend. So, which is the lesser of the two evils?
Trelja (Threads | Answers) Joe, personally I would vote for the lowball offer. I don't really get offended by any e-mails. The WYBP responses just lack imagination, IMHO. Nothing personal, they don't irritate me enough to start a thread, but they are just so boring. Now a good lowball offer can make my day. Seriously, I've gotten some great laughs and stories out of some of those offers. I don't find them annoying, and they do show some imagination. In some cases, a lot of imagination.........yes, these are the ones you remember.... That doesn't mean that I haven't sold gear at less than my asking price, I have. So I'm not trying to discourage offers at all. I do feel that the seller had the imagination to come up with the initial asking price, the least an interested buyer could do is show a little imagination of their own. That is if they are really interested. I think the main feeling a seller has is that if the buyer can't even be bothered to give a moments thought to what they think a fair value is, they are not really an interested buyer. Cheers, John |
Just to change the subject for a moment, how many sellers feel that they have to inflate their asking price because nobody seems to want to pay the asking price?
I'll go first, I'm one of them. I experimented with lowering my asking price, and while it did generate a lot more interest, everyone still wanted more money off. It didn't seem to matter how low I would post an ad, everyone wants a better deal. So I think most folks inflate their asking price so that they have some wriggle room. It seems like a silly game to me, but that's how the game is played.
An example, I can get $2K for X amplifier. I can advertise it at $2300 and sell it for $2K. If I advertise it for $2K, I get a lot more e-mails, but everyone wants it for $1700-1800. That's been my experience anyway.
Anyway, I now return you to your regularly scheduled program "What's Your Best Price?". |
I guess there is just mass confusion over what the heck OBO means. Some think that the seller is committed to making their best offer to a buyer. Some think the buyer is committed to making an offer with the seller choosing the best. This will never be answered to everyone's satisfaction. I would just like to remind everyone that OBO does not necessarily mean a lower price. I have sold items, and seen items purchased for more than the asking price. After all 105% of your asking price is a better offer than 95% of your asking price, isn't it? While this should not be an option with a firm price, if OBO is a stated option, it can be done.
As for the new car analogy, how many people spend more than the asking price? You can't really compare these two markets if there isn't anyone who has paid more than list.
I'm sure this will open another can of worms, as it has before. Some people insist that OBO means Or Best Offer lower than the asking price. While this may be a common assumption, it is not what OBO means to others. Some think that OBO means Or Best Offer, period. Irregardless of asking price. I know I've read previous threads on AudiogoN from those complaining about a seller selling an item for more than his asking price. If he clearly states 'OBO', and receives an offer better than his asking price, why not? It is just business, right? |
Well etiquette says that if the price is firm, it is firm. That doesn't mean that all sellers follow proper etiquette.
'OBO' simply means Or Best Offer, that's all. No relation with the asking price. Usually it is lower than the asking price, but it could be higher, depending on supply and demand. |
Here in the midwest it means the listed price or lower. It's almost like you're in a different country. :) Here on the east coast, OBO means Or Best Offer, period. Maybe AudiogoN does need to look into the OBOL or OBOH, to avoid the confusion that stems in the midwest. One more thing, since the seller states, OBO, it is the seller who gets to choose the best offer, not the buyer. At least that's the way it is interpreted on the east coast. :) |
Don_s, I agree that best offer means more than just $$$. Best Offer is the best offer, actual money is just part of an offer. Form of payment and inernational shipping vs. local shipping or pick up are also part of the best offer formulation.
I also agree with you final sentence, a serious buyer should make a serious offer. |
12-24-06: Jeffreybowman2k
From the website www.howstuffworks.com:
Car Selling Ad Terms*
OBO - This means "or best offer," which tells the buyer that you are willing to consider offers below the price you listed.
Source: Edmunds.com
Must be printed in the midwest. :) I won't get into this again, as it's been debated before, and it really is off the WYBP topic anyway, which is really starting to get beat to death as well. Happy Holidays, John |
Neptune is getting pretty crowded these days. :) |
LOL! 4 years later this is still spinning....kinda like watching a dog chase his tail.....carry on. |
