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

I LOVE Audiogon. I have purchased and sold many items here and it is a wonderful resource for audio nuts of every variety. Big solid state, tubes, analog, vinyl? Sure it all goes.

So I see posts that are make offer but the seller says "lowballers" will be ignored, vilified, cursed and cussed. So why have a make offer sale? Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. It doesn't matter what you paid for it, or how much you love it. And why be upset? Declining requires one mouse click. Countering maybe five or six clicks or keystrokes. Just curious as this is a commerce site.

I have received offers that seemed really low to me, but I am still happy to have interest and I always counter offer. I recently sold a Clearaudio TT for a lot less than I thought it was worth. But all the offers were low and I had to rethink my view. It ultimately sold as a real bargin but I'm happy and so is the buyer.

Your thoughts?
128x128superbike
simao's avatar
simao
1,848 posts
 
Superbike,

Apparently, yes. Because I wasn't willing to take 60% off the asking price, I had "ruined" audiogon for all those who wanted good stuff at far below market value.

About ten years ago I sold off most of my first primary system as my divorce unfolded. Maggies, ARC's, Blue Circles, Wadias -- all sold for either the asking price or maybe ten percent below.

Was it the booming (but about to stop booming) economy that caused people to pay the asking price or close to it? I don't know. I do know, though, that I never received a ridiculous lowball offer like I have recently.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Lowballers just want to be in the same league as people that can afford things, only they think they are above paying the price whether they have the funds or not. Just pay the price (reasonable or not) or just butt out. 1st time offenders should get a warning (to properly guage an offer the next time) 2nd time offenders should be kicked off of agon ebay clist or any other places they can buy. Let them go lowball the brick and morter stores.
superbike's avatar
superbike OP
12 posts
 
Thanks again to all who posted! Couple of thoughts:

There are some good ideas here and I plan to use them. If I make an offer at less than asking price I plan to send a short note along with it. Again not to sell my position but explain myself.

I have never had, or received an offer at 10% of the original retail price. I'd ignore it but I understand it would be annoying.

I am always surprised by those responses that ignore the questions or thoughts of a post and disparage people based on some weird and likely unjustified sense of superiority. The fact that someone offers less than what you want doesn't mean that they "can't afford things". Can you imagine a business concept that's "Just pay the price (reasonable or not) or just butt out". WOW, really. I am very happy not to be in that league.

I'm also surprised by the few posts that want to actively target people they perceive as a lowballer based on an undefined standard of their own making. What hubris is this? :-)

Simao - sorry man, there's no accounting for kooky people. Hope it sold and BTW I know the feeling of liquidating based on divorce. Not fun at the time (about 10 years ago) but the rebuilding has been slow and truthfully really fun. First system after the divorce was JBL 110's, a flogged Luxman integrated, and old Phillips TT and it ROCKED (metaphorically).

Isochronism - As they say on the internets... Y U NO LIKE ALEC B??? I mean I don't think I'd want to go drinking with him but as a music moderator he's pretty good... OK I probably would go drinking with him.

Anyway thanks and happy listening! Hooking up the MD tuner later today can't wait listen.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Just pay the price or butt out? Why don't we hear from the Lowballers that don't agree with Highballers that seem to charge too much? Paying the price means that a RESPECTABLE offer has been made on an item. No reputable business's cater to bums that think they can pay whatever they'd like. If you're weaving down the highway and get stopped by the Police, a Lowballer would probably use the excuse that they are a member of Damm. Drunks Against Mad Mothers.
superbike's avatar
superbike OP
12 posts
 
Just a note: It's always better to read and try to understand a post before responding...
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