Equipment buying negotiation strategies, haggling stories sellers, etc.

[scootr]

There is a “want” for me and a “need”. Obviously a need I am willing to pay more because I need it now. A want I am willing to wait and get a deal, for example a box blade for something like $300 but I waited several years to get one.

Another example, a log splitter, I had one but wanted a better one. I found a used one nearby, a good price so I bought it on the spot. He told me he wanted $800 or $900 for it. Needless to say I gave him $800.

When it’s a “need” I agree with doing your research. For example what’s your used truck really worth. The last truck we bought they kept coming up with a lower Kelly Blue Book value then I had on my phone. My wife finally figure out they had the wrong year for our trade in, due to a typo of course. Yeah right! That saved us $500 when we started to get up and leave.

Years ago I was buying a new car. Their best deal was 2K off listed price. Each time I stood up to leave they gave me $500. Four times we did that and I doubled the original discount...We bought the car.

 

[scootr]

When I'm looking at equipment I want to point out deficiencies like wear or missing optional features or size ... while being careful not to piss the owner off.
Like; This thing looks like it gave a lot of good service to somebody over the years but it's starting to show its age, probably needs new bearings or blades or whatever... it would be a better fit for my tractor if it was bigger or smaller. Mention it's too light or too heavy... ask, Do you have the accessory or driveshaft that goes with it...when was it used last. If they haven't used it some time or are missing anything you are in a better bargaining position. Remember to start low...even if you know it's too low say, I like to give you $2K when you know he's asking $3K and then offer to split the difference... You can say it's not exactly what I'm looking for but I'll give you X for it.
GL out there

 

[sixdogs]

I have found it helps to buy off cycle. The straw hats in September thing. Buying a PTO snowblower in November is tough but in spring is a lot easier.

For me, I don't outright lie and don't say their stuff is junk. I will say "I've been looking at a couple of those and I like yours but don't have that much money to spend on one. I can't pay $2,700 but would pay $2,400. Yours is nice and you might get your price if you wait but I'll buy that now and I have the cash in my pocket." I've bought a lot of stuff that way.

If they don't bite on that and you won't pay say if you want to, just call me before I buy something else or fall out of love with this. You have to be prepared to walk away. Maybe 3/4 of the time they'll take the deal or offer to take $100 more.

Another method is if you're a hundred off and want to just go ahead and pay it. I've said, "Oh, I don't know, want to flip for the $100?" Most people say yes and then you have a 50-50 chance of making $100.


Remember, they want to sell as much as you want to buy. If you're emotionally interested in the item chances are you'll buckle and pay. If the item is out of season or bad weather you'll do OK. The seller went through a long process before they decided to sell and want to get out.

 

[JasperFrank]

If I'm buying from a private party, I spend sometime examining the item..... which of course is normal to do, but I spend an equal amount of time profiling the seller and their surroundings. So, I like going to their place of residence if the item is there and take note of how they maintain everything else. Is the yard neat and cared for, is the garage/shop organized, do they own other things of quality. I'm not casing the place, but I am profiling the seller as to their habits. If there is junk everywhere, and other things not maintained,.... theses are instant red flags to walk. The other, is that the item, if reguired by the state to be titled or registered, have a Clear Title, and Registration that matches the numbers on the item.

 

[ultrarunner]

No matter the price if it is something I can’t use it’s too much.

I knew a guy that would bargain like nobodies business lowering expectations and if he got it fine… if he didn’t he would send his brother over and make a final offer a little higher and almost always sold.

The seller would not be aware they were brothers.

It’s the tag team approach to soften up the seller who then feels vindicated because by holding out he got a little more… human nature?

 

[old and tired]

I wait for great deals on the price of whatever... then I offer $5, $10 bucks more in the email title... Sometimes I'll pull that NC States wants to buy whatever!!!

Got 2 Acetylene tanks, an Oxygen tank (full size) Cutting and Welding Outfit, gloves, shield, whole nine yards, He put it on the market for $200. I was not the first one there so, added $20 and "NC State needs your cutting outfit".... end up giving him $40 extra after knowing how many people I out bid!!! It actually went to our research station 2 hours away!!!

Another guy in Durham, 5' spike aerator AND a 6' rear blade for $50... he left for the day, got hundreds of emails... that night when he got home, picked my email since I offered $60 in the title. Sold the spike aerator for $265 a couple years ago and still use the rear blade.

Sold a 12" Kubota trenching bucket for $220 - the guy meet me at a friends house where we were sampling beers. He gave me cash, I gave him $20 back (for the easy transaction deal).

 

[stevem5215]

I picked up a snowblower last spring. I wasn't sure about all the work it might need as it had sat outside for years. I told the guy I'd take it away for him for $20. He laughed at that. I got it for free.

 

[RayIN]

For vehicles I eliminate the middle-man/salesman. You know how they say they have to go speak with their manager about a lower price?
I let them do that one time, the next time they say that I tell them, "either bring back your manager or a bill of sale for the amount I offered. If you don't bring back one of them you won't find me here over 2 minutes later."
I walked on several prospective vehicles and bought most at my price.
Farm equipment is different, I decided my upper price limit before leaving home. No amount of haggling changes that amount. Sometimes I haul it home, sometimes I don't. It's a tool for working, nothing more. I won't buy anything for more than 50% of a new one, which comes with a warranty.

 

[ultrarunner]

When I bought the dozer the price was firm but the seller agreed to deliver 150 miles one way and had a box scraper he needed to move and threw it in… sometimes a little thinking outside the box works.

 

[RustyA]

As I've bought and sold lots of stuff over the years here's my line of thinking...does the buyer or seller seem like they need the $100 more than I do? Sometimes the stuff is nicer in person and underpriced. In that case I have felt guilty and paid them more than asking price.