Why do so many sellers take offense to offers on their listings?

@schw06 if you are selling at a reasonable price then you are probably not the person I am referring to in this post. One time I offered a pretty low offer on a piece because it had been on the site for over six months. At that point I don’t think there are any offensive offers.

@bubba12-definitely agree on any offer being fair for something that hasn't sold in 6 months. 

I’ve bought and sold gear, sometimes made money and occasionally broke even. Mostly ’common’ brands, Martin Logan, Emotiva, Tekton, NAD, Topping, B&W, Buchardt, etc. I price things just below the next lowest seller. I figure it gives me a slight advantage and ensures the buyer is getting a fair deal. My ultimate goal is for the buyer to be satisfied, and enjoy their purchase. Occasionally a buyer will low-ball, and I explain my pricing strategy, which will either lead to a sale or not. I figure if the lowest price available isn’t good enough for them, then they’re probably looking to resell. I’d rather keep the gear for a rainy day, dig it out of the closet a couple years later and it’s suddenly like a new toy again. There’s no offense taken by low- ball offers. People (myself included) can make financially sound purchasing decisions - especially with such non-essential items. And sellers (myself included) can be doing the same with selling decisions.

It may well be an issue of culture, or education. There are times a potential buyer, giddy with the thought of falling it the deal of a lifetime, is tiresome and unappealing when parting with something you have found value in. Perhaps like shaking the hand of a teenager who has just come out of the bathroom with a skin mag and would like to meet your daughter. She may be technically "fair game" but that does not mean it is pleasant to deal with the pimples or greasy hand. We are in this for the pleasure of music not low life ego trips.