The issue of lowballing... What does that mean?


I LOVE Audiogon. I have purchased and sold many items here and it is a wonderful resource for audio nuts of every variety. Big solid state, tubes, analog, vinyl? Sure it all goes.

So I see posts that are make offer but the seller says "lowballers" will be ignored, vilified, cursed and cussed. So why have a make offer sale? Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It doesn't matter what you paid for it, or how much you love it. And why be upset? Declining requires one mouse click. Countering maybe five or six clicks or keystrokes. Just curious as this is a commerce site.

I have received offers that seemed really low to me, but I am still happy to have interest and I always counter offer. I recently sold a Clearaudio TT for a lot less than I thought it was worth. But all the offers were low and I had to rethink my view. It ultimately sold as a real bargin but I'm happy and so is the buyer.

Your thoughts?
128x128superbike
Hi Mechans,

I read the new functionality as offers of 55% below your listing price will automatically be declined. For me I have to get better at the games some buyers will play. I get thin skinned sometimes because I really try to list what I'm selling at a fair MV prices. Then I get these really low offers that I interpret as a slap in the face. It is an issue I have to deal with. As I'm back to selling more now I'm getting used to the low offering process and have to let them slide.

Here is an example of what I've been dealing with. I was selling Shunyata Venom 3 power cords at around $90 per cable plus shipping. The $90 price was in the range of comparable Venom 3 cables that had recently sold on Ebay's sold listings search query. I kept getting offers for $35 to $40 per cable. I guess I was expecting more professionalism from the enthusiasts. 
Whenever I've purchased an item here I'll always make what I believe is a fair offer based on recent completed sales not what I feel I should pay.

I will have to start adding the wording that Ziff says. Pricing is firm.

Thanks again.
sign of the times...Something for nothing crowd WITH AN ATTITUDE!
Thirteen years on the Gon and yes the slide has started about three years ago...
One ethnic group seems to take a particular pleasure in EXTREME lowballing or ,perhaps, they have no soul!
There, i said what a lot of you are thinking...:-)
Truth in the statement that a repost with "no offers" may eliminate SOME of the problems but still you will get those that don't read the ad for information before asking stupid questions already answered in the ad!

Well there it is...the inevitable rude and nasty prejudice that has no business being in this forum or anywhere else. Please go crawl back in your hole or where ever you came from and let the people here enjoy a quality environment. 
I've been an active member on Audiogon since 2001 but this is one reason I've never been too involved in the discussions. Sad. 


Ziff...
Well... he’s got a point... most, if not all, maybe EVERY single one, of my ridiculous  low ball offers have seemed to come come from a characteristic of last names, mostly from California (and NO, It’s not Spanish speaking people, the’re awesome!) ....maybe you’re so open minded...you’re oblivious.... liberal guilt at its finest.

That’s what’s wrecking this country...the inability to tell it like it is. Other cultures laugh at our political correctness. Grow a pair! I think you need to stay out of the proverbial kitchen if you are so easily offended.