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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
orelayer's avatar
orelayer
59 posts
 
What do you consider "a little less?" If you define lowballers as bums then you must define what a lowball offer is.
Do you pay the sticker price for a car?
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
its obvious that many individuals want to pay as little as possible when they buy and get as much as possible when they sell.

given "human nature", or whatever you want to call it, one would be better off to simply ignore an unacceptable offer, rather than let it affect them in a manner which may be deleterious to one's health.

i detect some anger management issues here.

getting angry in response to a low bid may be indicative of a psychological problem--perhaps an inflated ego.

the reaction to a low bid reminds me of people who complain about certain television shows. you don't have to watch them and you can overlook low bids without reacting to them.

calling people who present a low bid, dums, may be a sign of repressed hostility.n a bid on a piece of equipment is so trivial as not to warrant any vitriol.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Buy it now. 0% If I like the price I'll buy, if not, I'll walk away. Make offer 8-10% otherwise the item would be an auction. I've never paid sticker or retail for anything, I let the dealership know how much I can spend without financing and go from there. Even if I finance to get a lower sales price, I make one payment on the first bill and it's done. I don't like owing anyone for anything. You just have to walk away sometimes because sooner rather than later there will be another earth shattering sale on whatever. Lowballers still = bums.
orelayer's avatar
orelayer
59 posts
 
I would say that when people make offers whether you call it a lowball offer or not they are just letting the seller know how much they are willing to spend. Just like you do at the car dealership.
polk432
1,142 posts
 
Guess what? It may be they are stating what they can't spend. As far as I'm concerned buy a Benz or buy a VW, just don't waste my time trying to get something for nothing, or something you don't deserve financially.
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