My theory on Low Ballers

[Soundguy]

A local guy had a Oliver 550 for sale for 10 years. He was asking 6K for it, because he had that much into it. He let the thing sit out, year after year, because he would not come down at all on the price. The tractor looked very good at the start. After 10 years, it looked pretty bad. He eventually scrapped it. His reasoning, if you could call it that, was he wasn't going to have anybody "take" him. I think that "reasoning" is probably pretty common.

i've seen that too. couple places here have a tractor rotting in the ground that couldn't possibly bring asking money now.

occasionally you can get those to sell, by stopping by.. making an offer then coming back next year and reminding them you are still interested and that the machine hasn't sold yet.

 

[Soundguy]

and sometimes ignorance is just ignorance.

I've bought many tractor not running.. or not running well, because the ignorant owner couldn't identify properly what he had and boughtwrong parts and either couldn't install them.. or mangled them installing them...

On the other hand.. I love making firearm purchases from ignorant sellers...

especially when they give you some off the wall stupid story that has to be a lie, even if it was the lie they were told when they bought it.. or, they either have no idea what they have and did 'research' on the wrong gun.. etc.. etc. occasionally you find a hidden diamond sold as coal... most of the time I just listen to their stupid story... nod my head and then buy the gun..

Actually ignorance is bliss.
I bought my "Kabota" at what I considered a good discount. For some reason he hadn't gotten many calls. The guy put the model down as an LA352 on the paperwork. However he did have complete maintenance records from the local tractor dealer.
Often people that are that ignorant about something are smart enough to know their ignorance and get their equipment maintained properly.
SWMBO couldn't tell a CPS from a glowplug, but she knows how to get a recommendation for a good dealer and pay them to fix it.

.

 

[sixdogs]

For me, I advertise at an attractive price since it's something I don't want but am pretty firm on the price . Often, guys will call off of CL and lo-ball without even seeing the item or asking questions or even knowing the whole deal. My standard answer is "wow, thanks for the offer but I already have a better price than that". That answer must trigger some sort of primal feeling in the buyer because it almost always starts a dialog from them and more often than not results in a sale at or near my price.

They might offer a lo-ball and in my my reply I might say "sure, I'd take that if it was beat up but not for mine that's in 95% condition (be honest). Heck, the paint is almost as bright as when it left the factory since it is stored in the barn and I don't think has ever even been left out overnight". I grease it after every use and you can see it needs nothing. A little salesmanship and agri-banter can establish a relationship and result in a sale if the item is worth it.

If a person gives a jerk lo-ball, i just give the "already have a better offer" answer and let it go. Sometimes they just leave and sometimes they don't. But I stay polite and that helps more than you would think. You also have to judge the person making the offer. A rude, ignorant person might have other reasons for trying to get another to submit to their low price. That's not me so "thanks for stopping by".

If I am looking at something and the guy is way off I'll say "if you find the right guy' that might sell but "I really like it and for me it's worth $xxx in cash, unless I buy another one first". If no response I leave my phone number and leave it to fate. You would be surprised. Guys like to know that you like their stuff.

Guys know if things is overpriced and I'll bet that car that sat out for 10 years earlier in this thread might well have been purchased with the right finesse.

 

[Soundguy]

what car? i missed that one.

 

[yelbike]

It was a tractor not a car. Good point about finess, being polite and the "I like your item".

 

[smstonypoint]

what car? i missed that one.

Oliver!!!!!!!!

 

[sixdogs]

A local guy had a Oliver 550 for sale for 10 years. He was asking 6K for it, because he had that much into it. He let the thing sit out, year after year, because he would not come down at all on the price. The tractor looked very good at the start. After 10 years, it looked pretty bad. He eventually scrapped it. His reasoning, if you could call it that, was he wasn't going to have anybody "take" him. I think that "reasoning" is probably pretty common.

Soundguy

Oops, it was a tractor. Post #75. Man, are you on the ball.
But as I implied, you can negotiate with almost anyone once a dialog is started.

 

[Soundguy]

i saw the one about the 10yrold tractor.. but hadn't seen one about a car.. so asked.

 

[Tollster]

I always set a price with room to negotiate, if we cannot settle on the price, I ask for name and mumber should I change my mind,its never no loss to me to say no deal, and I try not to judge anyone untilI wear their shoes. Pretty simple for me and nothing more

 

[yelbike]

I say a post on kijiji a week ago for a jd 52" rotary broom, guys asking $750 including an extra set of new brushes in a box. I told him the "I'd take be a buyer at $500" I thought I was to low but he took my offer. The thing is absolutely mint condition, the original brushes aren't even half worn. Wow.