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

Early on in the audio game, I began inserting "No lowball offers, please" in my F.S. listings. I did so because I was often getting emails/posts offering 1/4 to 1/2 of my the asking price, usually w/no other questions about the item. That’s not a negotiation; It’s a drive-by opportunist hoping to find a desperate seller.

The other reason I put that phrase in my F.S. listings is that I’m plugged into the hobby and have a very good idea what different types of gear are selling for. Before even deciding on a selling price, I research that gear category as a last-minute sanity check...maybe things have changed for those who sell X, and I need to know that. Either way, the price I choose is carefully chosen to be market neutral (not too high, not too low), and also to reflect the condition and use pattern of the F.S. item.

I don’t get every single price right. When something isn’t selling, I’ll either reprice it, or take it off the market. Either way, I never accept low balls. Life is too short.

And it goes without saying, so I’ll say it: I also don’t make lowball offers of others.

Less than 10% sounds about right @gnaudio. 

I have to say this has been an interesting and useful thread. I made it all the way to the end so far, and that doesn’t happen very often.  So many good comments.  

I’ve been an A-goner for a while now but rarely buy much, other than accessories.  I’ve resisted the temptation to sell my old gear here partly because of the rude way people talk to one another; it sets a certain tone that makes me wonder if getting rid of something could possibly be worth the potential aggravation.  Audiophiles are such a sensitive bunch ; ).  

Communication IS key.  
If an offer is ignored that speaks for itself and I think it’s unnecessary to reply in a negative way.  However, a polite response that you are looking for something closer to asking price, continues the dialogue rather than ending it.  

I gotta say though that things are definitely different now than they were some time back.  I searched a few topics recently like subwoofer settings I think and was instantly struck by the difference in tone.  The older the thread, the more pleasant the conversation.  After reading quite a few threads from 10 - 15 years ago I realized I was not imagining it.  

My point is that while someone’s lowball offer may seem rude, there likely was no bad intent, and there’s nothing to be gained with a snarky response.  More importantly, doing your part to keep the conversation agreeable, benefits all of us.  

Now that that’s out of the way, does anybody need a 20 year old 7.1 ch AVR that weighs 65 lbs and has no HDMI switching? 
Lowball offers accepted.  
 

Woof 

I respond to low ball offers by informing the buyer I only had one at his offer and he just missed is offer being accepted 10 minutes ago. Sorry. But I have another one  at a little higher price if he wishes. It has worked.   This fun thread reminds me of the question, what is the worst thing in the world?  answer,   when 2 poor people owe each other, one can't pay and the other can't wait.  

Many different ways to go about selling but I only deal with the not offended type. It’s just as easy to reject an offer and offer up an acceptable price.