My theory on Low Ballers

[Alan L.]

I never buy anything used from an individual unless I feel its a bargain. Unless its gold you're selling the price is to be determined. Nobody is forcing me to offer you your asking price nor is anyone forcing you to accept my low offer. Nothing personal, if the offer is too low turn it down. Sometimes people take 35-50% less then they were asking to get it done, because unless you have a storefront or a particularly rare or desirable product to sell the market is not that big.

 

[Cat_Driver]

A serious offer with cash in hand is a serious offer with cash in hand. Why would that insult you?

Well you sort of answered your own question, and I guess did'nt read how this thread was started. a LOW BALLER is not a serious offer. Here let me explain. I'll give you $100.00 for you house today. I'll give you $50.00 for you vehicle. Well? Come on. These are two serious offers as you explained. That didn't insult you did it? What I did was just admit you do not know what your house and car are worth, so as a buyer I think you're uneducated because I just LOW BALLED you. Still not insulted, well good for you. Me and quite a few other here DO get insulted, and when we get insulted the person insulting the seller usually never leaves with what they came to buy.

OK let me spell it out for you.

When a buyer P-off's a seller by low balling it doesn't matter if the buyer offer MORE than the selling price. Now for some people money is the driving factor, never for me. It's all about attitude, respect, etc.

If a buyer is a low baller he steps into a whole new realm. If he low balls me then I think - DO I LOOK THAT STUPID? Then the negotiations takes on a whole new life. Then it becomes a P-ing contest, and rather than being a NEGOTIATION between two people it become how can I prevent this guy from buying this "bargain". Beside the buyer thinking I'm a Moron, I then instantly thinks he's a Moron and nothing more than a tire kicker wasting my time.

There are ways to negotiate productively. Low balling is not one of them

 

[bcp]

There are ways to negotiate productively. Low balling is not one of them

I've found VERY LOW BALLING is productive. It gets the seller laughing, then you can make a realistic lower offer that often gets accepted.

"I'd really like to buy it but I'm a little short of cash. Would you take 17 cents?"

Bruce

 

[Cat_Driver]

What makes you think I'm "not getting your point?" Your point is an opinion, not a fact. It may be "plain and simple" for you however, other people may not be as easily insulted as yourself. To suggest something is "plain and simple" infers it is a universally accepted practice or fact.

I am not insulted when someone offers less. I don't treat the negotiation as personal. That is a fact.

Just because I offered a different opinion than yours doesn't mean I don't understand what you were saying. I simply offered an alternate view.

Think about it for a moment. You started a thread based on your opinion of something. Did you expect everyone to agree 100% Do you expect that those with differing opinions will change theirs just because you tell them they are "not getting the point?"

I'll explain what makes me think you are "not getting my point"

1 - What do you care what the guy offers as a starting price? - I DO CARE because I want to make the most money?

2- Are you trying to sell or make a new friend? - This one is self explanatory on "not getting my point"

3 - Why is a low offer an insult? - Because when someone low balls they are assuming the seller is an idiot, so next you get low balled, think of that.

4 - The buyer can always increase his offer if he really wants the item. - Yes, but he has started by low balling which is not a convivial starting point.

5 - Who cares if you think your price is "fair?" - I do.

6 - Why do sellers take the view that an offer - no matter the %% of asking - is a personal insult. It's a negotiation between total strangers. Some people are good at it or lucky and often do get items for 50% of asking. - Ahhh because people are HUMAN not Animatron.

I couldn't care less if you agree with me or not. You can go around an low ball till the cows come home, and wave a flag and say what a great negotiator you are for getting that ONE SUPER deal, because you low balled.

One thing I know for sure you've missed out on a thousand other bargains you will never tell us about or are not even aware of because you are exactly the person who lowballs and misses out more than wins.

Because I know for every low baller out there there is a seller that get insulted and won't sell to a low batter at any price cash or no cash.

The point is there are ways to negotiate successfully and low balling is one of the worst.

See this is why I knew you were "not getting myr point?"

 

[2458n]

Wake -up! Alot of times a low baller is working with the guy that comes next. After dealing with an idiot the seller is more receptive to the next reasonable offer that comes along. That and some crisp Uncle Bens turns many people into sellers...

 

[Cat_Driver]

Not saying I agree with how the "buyer" handled things but I do disagree with the idea that the buyer "made you" do anything. It got personal for you and YOU decided to not sell to him.....that's 100% "your" choice. The buying and selling experience is relative. As a seller, imho, if you're really serious about getting rid of your item then you welcome all potential buyers and weed out the ones you don't want.....but you don't ever take it personal.

Take ownership of the situation and just admit you were offended (and that's personal) and that's the reason the sale was not made.

Just say....This guy lowballed be and it pissed me off....and that's fine.

It's all good....:thumbsup:

I thought that's what I have been saying all along. There is a lot that takes place between a buyer and seller. I disagree with your theory that if I was serious etc. Of course I was serious, but being serious does not mean I need to give something away when the next guy will pay more because that's what it's worth. I mean would you? If you would WHY? Why would you hand over $1000.00 to a stranger. If you do hand over $1000.00 to strangers I'll give you my address.

What - is this low baller the only buyer on Earth? Must I entertain his low ball offer, do I have the right to draw a line in the sand and sell to the next guy?

I think the disconnect is between fair market value and a low ball price. All negotiations are personal. You have two people who want to make the most money for themselves, see that's very personal. To suggest it's not is being disingenuous.

There is a point where both people leave happy, or both people leave equally unhappy. The goal is to find that "point" and meet there.

Low ballers, imho, complicate getting to that point. maybe not for all but certainly for some.

What we are all getting out of this thread are productive ways to negotiate with all sellers, not just those "lucky few" that accept low ball offers. I think we would all be better negotiators by treading lightly.

A low baller is like a bull in a China shop, and no matter if people admit it or not, some sellers are off put by low ballers. My thought is why would anyone want to start negotiations by off putting a seller? That simply is not the way imho to start a relationship with a seller. And, yes you do get into a relationship even if it is briefly.

Now if someone is hard up for money - all bets are off and all rules are out the window. I'm just talking an average sale of a fair priced item not needing to sell it at a fire sale.

 

[sodamo]

This is a current situation for me, I have my truck listed for sale on CL. Tomorrow a guy is driving from the other side of the island, 2 hours for a look. Do I expect him to shuck out my asking price without discussion? Not really. I do expect that whatever offer he makes to be fair and my question to him is how he came up with his number. My CL lists the rationale for my price based on blue book, but as with anything used, it's still a guess and I expect to negotiate. We have talked twice on the phone, he asked for first refusal, I sent him extra photos that are not in the ad. I fully expect to sell him the truck at a fair cash price. Should he hit me right off with the low ball, I will grit my teeth and maintain my cool, but the final price will end up being higher than it could have been. Call it the price of disrespect. I will sell this vehicle at a fair price, whatever that might be - hopefully it sells tomorrow. I want to sell this vehicle, but I don't "need" to, not a fire sale.

I do like finding a good deal, but usually buy stuff I really need vs want. If not familiar, I will research. Really dislike those that sell without a clue to realistic vs emotional value or are dishonest in description. Unfortunately, I very rarely get the really great bargains either, but have been lucky a time or two, you know where the price was so good you just hoped to be the first one there. I don't sell stuff all that often, so not a hardened negotiator. If I'm selling, it's usually to get rid of something I no longer need, but not primarily motivated by the dollar factor, so I will attempt to price fairly. I'd rather give something away either via our recycle point or web based free cycle than be lowballed. Yep, done that before, refuse to deal with the disrespectful lowballer and just give the item away. Sometimes, attitude is the key.

Interesting how some here have down played the emotional angle, but seems to me those that make out on the lowball deal sure do brag about it, TBN posters excepted of course

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

 

[von-mil]

i wouldn't drive a long way to lowball somethng.. but no matter what.. when i get there whether downt he road or the next state.. if it's not as advertised.. I don't mind lowballing or walking.

I feel the same way. It's amazing how many people advertise an item as "Like New" or "Used Only Once" and then you show up and find something quite different. I'll offer low and, if refused, I'll be on my way.

 

[Soundguy]

The ones that tick me off are guys driving by the yard while I'm out working offering to haul off my farm equipment, and suggest something ridiculous like $300 for the lot of it (I have 20 or so implements and a dozen tractors) to "get it out of your way." The insinuation that somehow I would be the person benefitting from that exchange infuriates me to no end. Nothing even has a for sale sign on it, so the lowball offer is entirely unsolicited.

gotta be real carefull about scrap haulers!


at work, we had a collection of metal in the back.. stuff we use to cut parts and patches out of.

scrapper came by, offered to haul, we declined politely stating we actually used it for welding up stuff. no problem.. he leaves.

2 days later I'm coming back from lunch... this is a typical construction co shop yard. big fenced area.. shop with roll down doors, locked, office, locked, and a parking area for trucks and equipment.. auto's etc. when nobody is here the shop and office are locked.. but the gates stay open all day as a dump turck or transport may be in and out at odd times. .. so I pull in and there is the scrapper backed up to the back of the shop.. as I pull in he pulls out.. trailer empty.. about a week later I look in the back, and about half the scrap is gone! obviousle he sat and watched when we come and go and had alreay made 1 load!!!

 

[dmccarty]

gotta be real carefull about scrap haulers!


at work, we had a collection of metal in the back.. stuff we use to cut parts and patches out of.

scrapper came by, offered to haul, we declined politely stating we actually used it for welding up stuff. no problem.. he leaves.

2 days later I'm coming back from lunch... this is a typical construction co shop yard. big fenced area.. shop with roll down doors, locked, office, locked, and a parking area for trucks and equipment.. auto's etc. when nobody is here the shop and office are locked.. but the gates stay open all day as a dump turck or transport may be in and out at odd times. .. so I pull in and there is the scrapper backed up to the back of the shop.. as I pull in he pulls out.. trailer empty.. about a week later I look in the back, and about half the scrap is gone! obviousle he sat and watched when we come and go and had alreay made 1 load!!!

Security cameras? If not set up a game camera since he might be back. Given the price of scrap he might be guilty of a felony depending on FLA law.

Later,
Dan