Much like negotiating a salary for a new job, it's one of the oldest money games in the book, different players perhaps, but the same game. The first person to state a number loses.
eBay/Craigslist wow- ****** out there
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Much like negotiating a salary for a new job, it's one of the oldest money games in the book, different players perhaps, but the same game. The first person to state a number loses.
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I learned at an early age the asking price is just that...
Growing up in and around the car business I would have to say NO ONE ever came onto the lot and paid the price on the window... all the cars, even the used ones had the price clearly marked.
Some people would offer half and others would ask for things to be included... and others would have a total out the door figure in mind.
Some cultures would loose face if they didn't bargain... some will walk out over $20 after hours of negotiations... can't win all the time.
My Grandfather said the quick way to fail in business is by making enemies from potential customers.
Another thing he taught me is some of his toughest sales later turned out to be some of his best customers.
One fellow went round and round with him on a used pick-up years ago... it came to the point where my Grandfather told him it was a good truck at a fair price... the next day they made the deal... he has sold maybe a dozen more cars from referrals from this man over the last 20 years... the result of the negotiations was more like getting to know one another to the point where trust was earned...
The one thing I never want to have is buyer's remorse... and if I do, I have no one to blame but myself...
The only people I have no use for are the ones where there word means nothing... to many good folks around to waste time with those that aren't...
On many ocasions I will be asked what's my bottom line for something... I always say I not going to loose a sale for a couple of dollars... if something is advertised for $1000... I doubt I would turn down $950 cash in hand... it's my 5% rule.
Growing up in and around the car business I would have to say NO ONE ever came onto the lot and paid the price on the window... all the cars, even the used ones had the price clearly marked.
Some people would offer half and others would ask for things to be included... and others would have a total out the door figure in mind.
Some cultures would loose face if they didn't bargain... some will walk out over $20 after hours of negotiations... can't win all the time.
My Grandfather said the quick way to fail in business is by making enemies from potential customers.
Another thing he taught me is some of his toughest sales later turned out to be some of his best customers.
One fellow went round and round with him on a used pick-up years ago... it came to the point where my Grandfather told him it was a good truck at a fair price... the next day they made the deal... he has sold maybe a dozen more cars from referrals from this man over the last 20 years... the result of the negotiations was more like getting to know one another to the point where trust was earned...
The one thing I never want to have is buyer's remorse... and if I do, I have no one to blame but myself...
The only people I have no use for are the ones where there word means nothing... to many good folks around to waste time with those that aren't...
On many ocasions I will be asked what's my bottom line for something... I always say I not going to loose a sale for a couple of dollars... if something is advertised for $1000... I doubt I would turn down $950 cash in hand... it's my 5% rule.
caver
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Torched it with a flamethrower. He offered 50% of what it was worth.
caver
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<snip> Before the other guy could get out of the car he reached in his pocket and pulled a wad of cash out, said he would pay the asking price. It was perfect timing
I love it!!:thumbsup:
LD1
Epic Contributor
AHHH, the beauty of negotiating:thumbsup:
You say
BUT...the buyer is thinking :What is the benefit of me offering $900 right off the bat, IF he will take $750 for it:
Its ALL negotiating. When I sell something, I always ask higher than I would take. Because I know people will offer less.
And when I buy something, I always try to do a little negotiation over the phone before I waste MY time and gas, or any of the sellers time. Most of the stuff I buy, like chainsaws, Sure they can have a picture, but you cant take a picture of how well it starts, what the compression feels like, etc. Or like Implements, with one crappy picture or no picture at all. THESE kinds of items I wouldnt expect to have a firm agreed upon price over the phone. BUT, if I think they are high, I may as things like "are you firm on that price" or "is the price negotiable". And depending on the answer, I will decide if I want to see it in person.
But when dealing with things like hand tools, a set of rims, etc. I wouldnt expect too much haggling. If I am on the buying end, I'll make my negotiations on the phone. If I am selling, IF they dont negotiate on the phone for a $50 item, and they show up, I expect the FULL $50. Now if they asked over the phone "would ya take 40", I would probabally say yes.
aczlan
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Exactly, my prices are always listed as $xxxx OBO. I am fine with them offering $750, I am happy to counter with $1000 and see where we go.BUT...the buyer is thinking :What is the benefit of me offering $900 right off the bat, IF he will take $750 for it:
Its ALL negotiating. When I sell something, I always ask higher than I would take. Because I know people will offer less.
It bugs me when they refuse to make me an offer.
I had a plow that I was selling, I was asking $800 for it and hoping to get $700 (we paid $500 for it a few years back). I settled with the buyer for $650 as he was on the far side of the state and had to truck it home.
He found it because he had a friend who drove by and saw it there, then passed on my number. I emailed him pictures and we worked out a price that was amenable to both of us.
Aaron Z
beppington
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Gotcha :thumbsup:
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herefromthere
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Negotiation is an art, and I respect someone who negotiates. Game playing in buying and selling is just annoying. Most of the time, I try to negotiate a lower price when buying. But, if a seller has something I want/need that's underpriced, I buy it ASAP at asking price w/o attempting to negotiate. When selling, I'm usually negotiable, but sometimes I put up the price I'll take, period. On small stuff, I generally have it priced at what it's worth to me to take (a) photo(s) and put up the ad. If you want to buy more items, then we can talk discounts.
There are only a few cases where I've lowballed someone's price. Most of those were when the item or its condition was misrepresented or had an undisclosed defect. The few others were when I thought they had it overpriced. Usually though, I don't bother contacting people with overpriced stuff.
The way a buyer approaches me also dictates the price they'll get. If someone tells me they'll buy something in a phone call, I hold it until they get there and assume they've agreed to the price. If they get there and then offer less, I say no thanks. If I just set an appointment for someone to come see an item, I'm open to offers and sometimes even hold the item without a commitment if the party seems serious. If someone starts pointing to deficiencies in what I'm selling that are normal or inherent in the product or that were disclosed in my ad, then I won't budge. If someone tries to guilt me into a lower price based on them driving all the way over, no discount. If someone lowballs me, they're likely to get a "no thanks" rather than a counteroffer.
As a buyer or as a seller, I try to approach the process with respect and courtesy. My approach works for me, and I'd be perfectly happy if someone treated me as I treat others. Gotta admit, I do take a bit of satisfaction in frustrating the game players by refusing to play their game.
There are only a few cases where I've lowballed someone's price. Most of those were when the item or its condition was misrepresented or had an undisclosed defect. The few others were when I thought they had it overpriced. Usually though, I don't bother contacting people with overpriced stuff.
The way a buyer approaches me also dictates the price they'll get. If someone tells me they'll buy something in a phone call, I hold it until they get there and assume they've agreed to the price. If they get there and then offer less, I say no thanks. If I just set an appointment for someone to come see an item, I'm open to offers and sometimes even hold the item without a commitment if the party seems serious. If someone starts pointing to deficiencies in what I'm selling that are normal or inherent in the product or that were disclosed in my ad, then I won't budge. If someone tries to guilt me into a lower price based on them driving all the way over, no discount. If someone lowballs me, they're likely to get a "no thanks" rather than a counteroffer.
As a buyer or as a seller, I try to approach the process with respect and courtesy. My approach works for me, and I'd be perfectly happy if someone treated me as I treat others. Gotta admit, I do take a bit of satisfaction in frustrating the game players by refusing to play their game.
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I'm on CL right now with a rental home... maybe 1 in 10 will keep an appointment and everyone asks what is the least I will take.
Not blaming CL... just seems lots of flaky people have computers...
One called this morning... works for the city and said she would be there at 12:30 to see it.
I called her at 11:45 to let her know I was on my way and she said she was going to look at another one and if it didn't work out... she would get back to me... typical from me CL experiences.
Generally... I will post 2 days ahead my open house hours... those that come... fine and at least I'm not wasting my time on no shows.
As to price concessions... I reply be asking if they have a problem paying the advertised rent... if I like what I hear I will tell them they can take $50 off as long as the rent is in my hand by the 5th of each month.
Not blaming CL... just seems lots of flaky people have computers...
One called this morning... works for the city and said she would be there at 12:30 to see it.
I called her at 11:45 to let her know I was on my way and she said she was going to look at another one and if it didn't work out... she would get back to me... typical from me CL experiences.
Generally... I will post 2 days ahead my open house hours... those that come... fine and at least I'm not wasting my time on no shows.
As to price concessions... I reply be asking if they have a problem paying the advertised rent... if I like what I hear I will tell them they can take $50 off as long as the rent is in my hand by the 5th of each month.
dodge man
Super Star Member
I've had poor experience selling stuff on CL. I tried to sell a solar pool cover, for probably 10% of what it cost new, I was asking something like $20. I also tried to sell a couple of cars on CL. On both cars, people try to talk me down on the price, without even looking at it. They say they have another car for $XXXX and will I take that. I ask them if they have looked at the other car. They usually say no. I ask them how do you know that mine isn't nicer, less miles, better maintained etc. I traded one car in, and the other one sold by putting it out near the highway at my office with a sign in the window.
The solar pool cover, I put an ad on CL under the free section. It was gone in a day, and I had people calling about it weeks later. I finally removed the ad, even though it had dropped several pages down. I just hated the idea of throwing out a usefull item.
As far as price go, I usually expect some haggling and I won't be offended either way.
The solar pool cover, I put an ad on CL under the free section. It was gone in a day, and I had people calling about it weeks later. I finally removed the ad, even though it had dropped several pages down. I just hated the idea of throwing out a usefull item.
As far as price go, I usually expect some haggling and I won't be offended either way.
