"What's Your Best Price?"

Maybe I'm just out in left field...

I ALWAYS ask the seller, "What is your best price?" I don't see it as tire kicking, trying to push a seller into negotiating with himself, or whatever. I don't waste a seller's time with a lot of back and forth. I just see that one with an "OBO" is willing to consider a price lower than what he's listed. I don't respond to an ad in the first place unless it's a piece I want to buy (and, will buy if the seller doesn't come across as a total you know what), I have the money, and the seller's Audiogon feedback indicates he's someone I can feel comfortable with.

I simply want to know what the bottom line is, and then I can either buy it, or move on.

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?

I realize that my position here, which I am restating, is in the minority, but I've bought more than a fair amount of equipment here. More often than not, I've requested the seller's best price. And, more often than that, I would say the seller, thinking I would use that as the beginning of the price negotiation (instead of his initial asking price, which I actually do) probably got a lot more out of the deal than he expected. I think the statement which has been suggested, "I know your optimal price but let's cut to the chase, what will you sell it to me for?" sums up my intent perfectly.

In no way do I suggest someone is not justified for feeling the way they do, but taking things the absolute wrong way or ignoring my e-mails would have been to most probably leave money on the table by losing a good sale.