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Is Not Responding To An Offer Just Plain Rude?

Think about it in the context of a BUYER using the Audiogon system - 

1 - “Lowballers will be politely ignored.

What constitutes a lowball offer? Is there a percentage of the asking price below which the offer becomes a “lowball”? If so, what is it? 90%? 75%? ….Is it connected to or disconnected from the length of time the ad has been running?

2 - When the only option is “Make an Offer”.

What am I supposed to do here? Am I supposed to offer more than the asking price? Less than the asking price? If less is OK, then refer to point 1 above.

3 - When the only option is “Make an Offer” and the ad says “price is firm”

What the heck am I supposed to do with that one?

If you’re listing an item with the option of “Make an Offer”, wouldn’t it just be courteous to give the benefit of the doubt to the person submitting the offer, assume he or she is a serious buyer and not a tire-kicker, and just reply one way or the other, in a timely fashion? I mean, there’s nothing lost, right? Just say “NO”. Or make a counteroffer….what’s so difficult?

I just sold a nice preamp to a gentleman who made an offer on it, it arrived with the buyer safely and he’s thrilled with it. So now I have wires hanging loose in my system where a preamp used to be, and it’s almost the Holidays. I found a suitable replacement on Audiogon in the $7K range, made an offer within 10% +/- of the asking price, and…drum roll….….nothing. 

I sat around all weekend waiting for the seller to respond, but they didn’t have the decency to just message me and say no. So I was stuck with the “Seller has 48hrs to review your offer” BS, now I’m back to square one and without the means to play my favorite Kenny G Christmas albums. 

One bandaid fix would be for Audiogon to adopt the ebay system and allow sellers to automatically decline offers below a certain amount. Then they wouldn’t even have to interact with us lowballers and their delicate sensibilities wouldn’t get hurt…..heck, I’d even take a photo of me wearing a mask as I press the ’Submit Offer’ button, if this is a Covid thang…

Whinge over…

Merry Christmas :)



rooze
raysmtb1's avatar
raysmtb1
808 posts
 
You never know who you’re talking to, the safest bet is to use proper manners no matter how goofy the other person on the other hand acts. If you were rude to them it would give them reason to post some thing and your profile. I just as soon be nice, you sleep better at night.
unsound
7,344 posts
 
12  “no” return e-mails would take about a minute.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,539 posts
 
@unsound ,

If you actually read the Audiogon rules regarding making offers, it speciffically states "if you do not hear from the party within 48 hours, consider your offer rejected." Perhaps you need to go over the rules of service again? When I get 12 or more low ball offers, my obligation to the other party is zero, nada, zilch.

If you are offended you do not get a response, go elsewhere to buy, no one is stopping you. You have very few sales here so you probably haven’t run into many lowball offers compared to me with well over 100 sales and all positive feedback. If you want changes made, take it up with Audiogon management. No need for all the whiners to continuiously whine about it here.
rooze's avatar
rooze OP
645 posts
 
@stereo5 You seem to take a very "black and white" stance to buying/selling online, where some might consider the exchange of goods for cash between two complete strangers to be more of a process.
My point is, as a buyer, we've little idea what's in the mind of the seller unless he or she specifically tells us - "Price is Firm" - "Make me an Offer" etc. So all we can do is pitch in with what we believe to be a subjectively fair offer, assuming there's a 'Make an Offer' invitation.

I can't see the hardship in saying "NO" to a dozen people. It releases them from the obligation of buying from you, and, more importantly, they don't have to sit around for two days waiting on a message from someone who has no intention of conducting business with them.

"Bottom line, if you don’t like the Audiogon rules, buy elsewhere" - No, I don't like Audiogon rules, nor do I like the rules imposed on me as a buyer and seller at Amazon and eBay. That doesn't mean I should pack-up and leave.

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,523 posts
 
Offers are interesting and I guess it comes down to your philosophy.  I respond to all offers as quickly as I decide.  I have let one sit for a day because I was pondering it.  Automated rejects would be nice but then again, I like discussing things.  I will usually state what "range" they need to be in for the offer to be considered.  I have never sold an item to someone in this scenario but in the same token, it takes a second to respond.  

What is clear though is what each of us define as a "low-ball offer" is wildly different.  If someone comes in with a reasonable offer that is a bit too low I will almost always counter offer.  If you are within 10% of asking, I can't see how that is offensive.  Worst case, I would counteroffer at asking price and say the price was firm.   

If you are trying to sell something and someone raises there hand and says "I want to buy it", seems like it is probably smart to try and negotiate with them.  Basically, if I don't respond to you within 48 hours, I am likely in the hospital.  Can't imagine why you wouldn't respond to someone.  
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