"What's Your Best Price?"

I guess there is just mass confusion over what the heck OBO means. Some think that the seller is committed to making their best offer to a buyer. Some think the buyer is committed to making an offer with the seller choosing the best. This will never be answered to everyone's satisfaction. I would just like to remind everyone that OBO does not necessarily mean a lower price. I have sold items, and seen items purchased for more than the asking price. After all 105% of your asking price is a better offer than 95% of your asking price, isn't it? While this should not be an option with a firm price, if OBO is a stated option, it can be done.

As for the new car analogy, how many people spend more than the asking price? You can't really compare these two markets if there isn't anyone who has paid more than list.

I'm sure this will open another can of worms, as it has before. Some people insist that OBO means Or Best Offer lower than the asking price. While this may be a common assumption, it is not what OBO means to others. Some think that OBO means Or Best Offer, period. Irregardless of asking price. I know I've read previous threads on AudiogoN from those complaining about a seller selling an item for more than his asking price. If he clearly states 'OBO', and receives an offer better than his asking price, why not? It is just business, right?

Some think that OBO means Or Best Offer, period. Irregardless of asking price. I know I've read previous threads on AudiogoN from those complaining about a seller selling an item for more than his asking price. If he clearly states 'OBO', and receives an offer better than his asking price, why not? It is just business, right?

So let me get this straight: if the seller says "OBO," he is free to sell for a price higher than his ask; but if the seller indicates his price is "firm," it would not be right for him to take above his ask -- if someone is crazy enough to offer it.

Nah, you must be joking.

Well etiquette says that if the price is firm, it is firm. That doesn't mean that all sellers follow proper etiquette.

'OBO' simply means Or Best Offer, that's all. No relation with the asking price. Usually it is lower than the asking price, but it could be higher, depending on supply and demand.

Jmcgrogan2, I agree with you that best offer can indeed be higher than the asking price. To me best offer also includes other factors such as "I will send a postal money order via priority mail" vs "will you wait for my personal check to clear".

I have waited for personal checks (low cost items) to clear from Audiogon members with excellent ratings. I would do so again in the future. But for high cost items the fastest, most secure payment contributes to how I rate an offer.

In response to your previous question--I feel inflating the price is just as counter productive as a ridiculous low-ball offer or "what is your best price?" response. I want to show I am a serious and fair seller so I do my homework and set a fair price. I frequently sell at my asking price. Most of the rest of the time I sell near the asking price. Sometimes I just go away and sell another day.

The best price I will accept also varies with how long the item has been advertised. The most annoying "WIYBP" offers are the ones that come immediately after the classified has been posted. At that point my best price is the advertised price---unless of course someone makes me a serious offer.

Bottom line to me is--Serious buyers should make serious offers.