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
04-11-13: Polk432
If the price is buy it now 1000.00 plus shipping then that's the price. It doesn't say make offer.
You said in your post if it says make offer then 8% - 10% offer is OK. My example was below 10%, so according to you that guy is a bum.

One thing you may want to keep in mind is that many people who are very well off financially got that way (and stay that way) in part because they are financially very shrewd. I guess it depends on your definition of "bum."

btw: People who get emotionally involved in business transactions almost always lose.
I didn't retire at 49 for no reason. I'm all for a deal, but at realistic prices. Like I stated earlier, try that in retail stores in a live situation. Go ahead, make lower offers than the marked prices. Offer less at the gas pump, why not, you deserve the best regardless of whether you have the means or not. Why should you pay as much for something if you have less to spend than someone that does have? People that have money never sacrificed a thing to get that way, so why should you? Some stranger just walked up to me one day and handed me enough to retire on. Who knows, maybe he'll do the same for you tomorrow. People would be much better off financially if they realized that if you don't manage your money it'll manage you and the only other way you'll be financially stable is to win the lottery or turn to crime. I simply have no time for lowballing bums. Like I said, check my feedback on here or ebay. Numbers don't lie.
+1 on the anger management.

Congratulations on retiring early. Don't waste it being mad at the world.
Sebrof,
Your comment about financially well off people is spot on.
As for Polk432, you take low offes WAY to personal and that is evident by your comment about not caving in. You are also WAY off base with your comment about people lowballing (your definition) because they don't have the means...really. If you would rather spend $1000 for an item than pay $800 for it, well thats just.....silly.
Also, what does "deserving" have to to with dollars? Using your logic people that can't afford food don't deserve food. All I can say is wow..........