Does it make sense to "ignore low ball offers"?

Everyone thinks of this differently. As for me, I’ve done a lot of buying and selling online. My F.S. listings are always priced rationally, and sometimes quite  aggressively (unlike some that are just 10%-15% under list price, which is silly). My my listings always say, "Please, no lowballs."

But of course lowballs pop up. The real reason is dedicated lowballers put out dozens of offers. Not a single offer is serious--usually they say little other than "will you take $xx?"--I have to assume the theory is every now & then the lowball will trigger a seller's desperation; then the lowballer can then flip & profit from the item.

I never give lowball offers to sellers and just don’t want to deal with them when I'm the seller. To my way of thinking, they’re just drive-by opportunists, the opposite of serious buyers.

the way i sees it, audiogon is (or at least used to be) a bastion of higher-minded gentlemen/gentlewomen who are supposed to follow a certain unwritten code. making stupid offers (or listing gear at outrageous prices) is a breach of the code which doesn't merit a response. now, there's nothing wrong with seeking a bargain, and "lowball" is an inherently subjective term, but (like pronography) we all know an insulting offer when we see one.

There is no point in adding "lowball offers will be ignored" to a listing other than being a bit snooty.  Just ignore any offer the seller considers unacceptable.

As far as following an unwritten code, lowball offers are no different than unrealistic asking prices.  40% of new retail for a used item is in the realistic ball park. Some brands or models can be in demand and fetch more.

Once made an opening offer of 50% of new retail that the seller considered insulting.  Asking price was 90% of what he claimed to have paid and $1K more than retail for the newest model.  There is unrealistic behavior at both ends of the spectrum.

Almost all the lowball offers I’ve received were from members with no feedback or a few with very little. Takes a few seconds to hit decline. This is a business site, nothing personal 

When I sell I try to set a realistic asking price. Do I build in some room? Sure. But say I’m selling and asking $5k but figure the first $4250 takes it. If someone offers me $650 that’s not a serious buyer. And even if we were to agree on a price experience tells me that this buyer is going to be an after sales headache. 

Serious buyers only can be used instead of lowball offer cheerfully declined. But frankly, getting annoyed that someone says they will decline low ballers is silly