What is "low ball"

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?