The issue of lowballing... What does that mean?

I think fixed price items tend to get way less offers then negotiable items. Plus, there's something fun about the act of the haggle.

Truthfully, I look forward to haggling when I sell something. I remember a while ago I listed Rogue monoblocks and got an email a day later with the message, "I'll take 'em." No haggling, no initial lower offer; just a straight up offer for the going price. Of course I sold them, but that's the only time that's ever happened. Other than that, there's always the give-and-take element. That's half the fun.

I just find it odd that someone would see something offered for, say, $950, and make an offer of $600 or something like that. I mean, really? At least pretend you know how to play the game.

For me, Viridian and others with a similar take got it right. I also think we conveniently overlook our tendency (hipocracy?) to want the best possible price when selling, and the lowest possible when buying; that's human nature, with nothing insidious about it. Sure, some buyers get pretty ridiculous with ridiculously low offers; just ignore them. But, for some (me), buying used, sight unseen, on-line is a huge gamble with, potentially, little recourse if something is or goes wrong. The potential for something going wrong, regardless of the seller's feedback, is much much greater than when buying from a reputable dealer (duh!). Consequently, the price of a used piece needs to reflect what is a very substantial discount over buying new to make up for the potential hassle/loss. What that mount of discount needs to be, to make the purchase worthwhile to any given seller varies widely. It's called aversion to risk; its very different for each of us. So don't assume that a buyer is just being an unreasonable ahole. If you don't like the offer, just move on.

I recently got a low offer on an amp I'm selling. When I declined the offer as being too low, I was berated for being one of the reasons why audiogon is now ruined.

good times!

So recently I made an offer on a VPI-27 record cleaner. New retail is $2200. The add was for $1675. I offered $1300. Now hold Akg_ca don't brand me yet! Let me offer my logic and then feel free to brand away. Why $1300? It was situational. I have aVPI 16.5. I didn't really need a better cleaner but I kind of want one. I figured I could get $3-400 for mine so a delta of $900-1000 seemed OK. The seller declined and sold the unit in the next few days. My point is I offered the value the VPI-27 had for ME. Is that lowballing? Do you think the seller was offended? Would it have helped for me to explain my offer - not to sell them on the idea but to be sure it was not taken as an insult?

Yesterday I purchased a Magnum Dynalab MD-90 tuner in silver on a make offer ad. It was listed at $849, no PayPal fee, shipping included. I hit the buy it now and paid full price. Why? Because I really wanted it. I love the silver, I love Prairie Home Companion, Alec Baldwin and the NY Phil, and Wait, Wait don't tell me. Yes I am a nerd. It was silver and looked immaculate. Again I bought on the value to me, not to the seller, not based on blue book. As a matter of practice, would you have offered less?

Cheers, SB