Am I going crazy or?

The other parameter you people are forgetting is supply/demand. If you've been waiting for a year (or more!) for a used/discontinued item to appear, you're not going to quibble over a higher price than you were hoping/expecting to pay. In fact, if you don't email the seller and agree to buy it 'right now' someone else will likely beat you to it, and you'll be waiting another year while the item (probably) appreciates in price ;--)

So a motivated buyer is IMO the flipside of a lowballer. To a MB, just finding the desired item and, or, finding one in good condition, are much more important than the absolute price +/_. To a lowballer, the item has value inversely to the price paid ;-)

Nsgarch, I agree 100%, the item dosen't sit there because the price is too high, it sits there because someone who really wants it hasn't seen it yet.

Patience pays off many times, as a buyer or a seller. If you buy or sell in a hurry, chances are you didn't get the best deal. Sometimes it's just a matter of being patient for the right buyer or seller to come along.
Sometimes the seller is not really sure that he even wants to sell. He may place an ad as a 'feeler'. If he gets very close to his asking price, he may sell and move on. If he does not, he waits and listens to what he has. I've placed ads before just testing the market for a certain item. It may seem overpriced to you, but I only need one buyer.
All buyers would love to find desperate sellers, a patient buyer/seller can reap the benefits. This holds for any market, audio, homes, autos, etc.

John

I was looking for a Rogue Zeus for a while,probably a year and then one day,what do I see .One Zeus for sale about 45 minutes drive from my place,Wow I rubbed my eyes and looked again .I offered the seller the asking price minus 5% but I was prepared to pay the asking price PLUS 10%.LOL
Anyway he agreed and I went and paid and picked it up 3 days later.That was 2 years ago.If I want something bad I am prepared to pay the asking price so long that it is within reason.But I've overpaid enough times.
Regards
George

There is a bit of psychology in this too, for the seller. I discussed a Burmester CD player with its proud owner recently. He plainly loved it and felt it was worth more than the market would pay, so be it. He did'nt sell perhaps he won't.
In that case, it was a 3 year old player, on CD units you have to factor in Laser and transport players that maybe are'nt available anymore. The great thing for a buyer is not to be in a rush. I have a 4 year old Shanling player that still works, so I can weight. If it fails you are under a bit more time pressure.