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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
michael457
5 posts
 
04-06-13: Michael457
I don't particularly care for lowballing, but I also recognize that it is in the nature of all of us to try to
get a desired piece of audio equipment for significantly
less than the seller's asking price. It is also true that some seller's when they list an item have no idea of establishing a realistic selling price. If I am the bidder I do try to make my low bids realistic. If I am the seller, I reply to reasonable bids but seldom respond to offers that are obsurdly low.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Why would a lowballer care if a seller states that they will be ignored? An offer a bit lower is one thing, but lowballers are bums. They should practice their skills in stores in a live situation. I just sold a custom pool cue for 1200.00 on the bay. It was listed for 1299.00 and I was offered 1200.00 so I sold it and shipped it the same day. The buyer is very happy with it. I was also offered 1150.00 and less by lowballers, so I offered the cue to them at 1400.00 or higher. They got mad when they found out it was their time they were wasting.
orelayer's avatar
orelayer
60 posts
 
"Lowballers are bums" I don't get it. Seriously, what is a lowball offer to you? Less 10%, 20%....? What defines a lowball offer?
Is offering a lower than asked amount offensive to you?
This lowball issue is very interesting to me and have yet to have anybody define what exactly a "lowball offer" is.
I have heard a lowball offer is substantially less but that is up to interpretation. So, someone please tell what defines a lowball offer!
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Lowball offer= bums. When an item for sale is at a set price, that's the price the buyer wants. If you think it's too high, move on, you may be right. If it is fixed and states make offer, then offer a little less, don't insult the seller trying to get it for nothing. They will let you know if they are desperate to sell. You may as well ask "just exactly how much is a shitload"? How the Hell do I know?
orelayer's avatar
orelayer
60 posts
 
What do you consider "a little less?" If you define lowballers as bums then you must define what a lowball offer is.
Do you pay the sticker price for a car?
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