"What's Your Best Price?"

I suppose the only reason i'd send a question like that is if I think the ad is about to expire and I want to top whatever might get it when i really want it. Length of ad and such could be a negotiating point. But they don't have to agree with it.
What bugs the heck out of me, maybe my own ignorance cropping up again is the $1 start on a $12k item and "reserve not met". It makes me feel like the seller is more interested in either a marketting survey or interested in making people jump through hoops. I think it is true that many of the folks do not read thoroughly and we may see something that excites us to respond without catching something that is odd about an ad so we may send an odd question.
To this one specifically I don't use the "obo" I'll just lower my price to the next lwest need plateau so my needs are net.
But in some cultures a big part of the game is dickering.

You don't want to be insulted with a lowball offer, yet you get irritated when someone sez "I'm interested and will follow thorugh with the sale if we can agree on a price. I don't want to make a low offer and offend, I'd like this transaction to meet both our expectations. Please advise your best price and if it's acceptable (no more haggling) I'll send the money off today". What's wrong with that???

One of the classic textbook tactics used in negotiation is to get the other person to bargain with themselves. In other words, you get them to lower their price before you even make an offer of a price at all. You've then caused them to move a step without having to take a step yourself.

There's no need to be rude and brush them off, or have any emotion at all. It's just part of the game. O they may just not knoe if they are not sophisticated or experienced in negotiation.

When somebody says "What's your best offer?", one good response is: "My offer to sell is stated in the ad, what are YOU offering?" You've already committed to a negotiating figure. It's up to them to do the same so that the boundaries of a negotiation range can be established.

You're not trying to take advantage of anybody (I hope), and you're not looking to be taken advantage of by anybody else. The goal is a fair value transaction for both parties. Countering by lowering your offer before they've even suggested a figure on their part is the first step towards being taken advantage of yourself.

If they're serious, they'll state a figure and you then work from there. If they still don't give a figure, you dont need to rudely brush them off, but just politely tell them to come back when they're ready to negotiate,... if the product is still available. In the meantime you have other potential buyers to talk to.

I think that Markphd and Onhiway61 and Tvad are correct; at least that's my reaction. I will not negotiate against myself. I am always courteous and reply as the others said "Make me an offer and I'll let you know". Few people, IME, are willing to come back with that price, even if its reasonable. The few times I have done that, the next step is to offer 66-90% of that #, with shipping and pp fees included. You have to be polite, because there is that one guy in a hundred who will is serious, but virtually all negotiations that started that way, did not result in me making a sale.

12-14-06: Jeffreybowman2k
i am decidedly in the camp that any buyer whose first question is "what's your best price" is not worth responding to. to me, this kind of an opening communication suggests a very strong likelihood that the buyer is not serious, or is simply interested in "window shopping."

Bingo! Not always, but 99% of the time they are just looking for a desperate seller who will 'give' it to them. Usually it will be back up on the 'GoN within 2 weeks, at a higher price. Yes, there are those here that are not audio enthusiasts, they are here to make a buck. Kinda like vultures, preying on the weak or desperate sellers. The sad part is that I have seen this work, which only fuels the approach. After all, everyone wants a steal.

Now I should mention that not all are like that. I'll usually check to see if they are a forum member. See if they are interested in the hobby. Most of the WYBP questions come from new folks with little feedback and no community participation. I view these fellows as the vultures, only here for the $$$.

That's just my $0.02.

John