Equipment buying negotiation strategies, haggling stories sellers, etc.

[2515R Dude]

When i was in CA i was always negotiating like crazy with those pencils pushing fat slobs In most cases i was getting thing for free, like a generator which they bought five years ago and now could not start, or a chainsaws and such. Usually mechanical things. "....Oh, this thing is ruined, it was sitting for too long and all inside is corroded, if you want i can take it of your hands to safe you a trip to the dump station". Multiple times and all in new condition. The most i was paying was 1/10 of the price when it was tools or some mechanical things. One 3200 gen, 2 chainsaws one of which "new" never uses Still 041 which was missing the saw chain, 3 ton floor jack, greaser, paint sprayer, multiple spinning reels and what not for exactly $0. Probably there were more but i don't remember all the things which happened for 25 years there

Moving to KY rural area, where hard working people try to earn their living working on farms, if i need an item i pay what they ask . They need the money more than i do and i have enough to pay for my toys.
Things i sell, i always offer for pennies. Just sold two good senders for $10 both.

 

[ultrarunner]

When i was in CA i was always negotiating like crazy with those pencils pushing fat slobs In most cases i was getting thing for free, like a generator which they bought five years ago and now could not start, or a chainsaws and such. Usually mechanical things. "....Oh, this thing is ruined, it was sitting for too long and all inside is corroded, if you want i can take it of your hands to safe you a trip to the dump station". Multiple times and all in new condition. The most i was paying was 1/10 of the price when it was tools or some mechanical things. One 3200 gen, 2 chainsaws one of which "new" never uses Still 041 which was missing the saw chain, 3 ton floor jack, greaser, paint sprayer, multiple spinning reels and what not for exactly $0. Probably there were more but i don't remember all the things which happened for 25 years there

Moving to KY rural area, where hard working people try to earn their living working on farms, if i need an item i pay what they ask . They need the money more than i do and i have enough to pay for my toys.
Things i sell, i always offer for pennies. Just sold two good senders for $10 both.

I’ve scored many gas and hand landscape tools just for hauling away.

The Honda Powered self drive mower was curbside so I stopped… the owner said don’t run, don’t care… looked like new… cleaned carb and starts first pull every time.

Picked up a couple of ECHO straight and curved trimmers because the primer bulb was broken…

Good to very good shovels, picks, axes, rakes, wheelbarrows with flat tire, etc.

My California neighbors have little tolerance when it comes to fixen things and now more so with the 2 stoke bans…

 

[dodge man]

I’ll just add I’ve paid full asking price for something that is used because I thought the price was fair. Sometimes I even thought they might take a little less. I’m not talking high ticket items but something that is a few hundred dollars.

 

[kenmac]

I just purchased a new left over Kawsaki mule pro fxt 1000 ranch edition . I pretty much did all negotiating over the internet. I offered 18K out the door, and they wanted 20 K out the door because this UTV had upgraded tires and wheels... I told them I was negotiating on the same type UTV in another state close to me and I would get back with them if the other dealer wasn't going to deal.
Within 5 minuets, the original dealer got back in touch with me and told me they could do 18K out the door

 

[Hay Dude]

I just purchased a new left over Kawsaki mule pro fxt 1000 ranch edition . I pretty much did all negotiating over the internet. I offered 18K out the door, and they wanted 20 K out the door because this UTV had upgraded tires and wheels... I told them I was negotiating on the same type UTV in another state close to me and I would get back with them if the other dealer wasn't going to deal.
Within 5 minuets, the original dealer got back in touch with me and told me they could do 18K out the door

Sounds like someone that actually listened to what you said, thought about losing you to another seller, and realized “closer to you” meant less transportation cost and made a smart decision.

 

[JasperFrank]

Never inform a seller that what they are trying to sell is most likely a fake or a reproduction. That is a can of worms, that just can't be closed again. Never state an opinion about an item in public. This is mainly with collectables, art works, antiques and high value brand names.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

I just purchased a new left over Kawsaki mule pro fxt 1000 ranch edition . I pretty much did all negotiating over the internet. I offered 18K out the door, and they wanted 20 K out the door because this UTV had upgraded tires and wheels... I told them I was negotiating on the same type UTV in another state close to me and I would get back with them if the other dealer wasn't going to deal.
Within 5 minuets, the original dealer got back in touch with me and told me they could do 18K out the door

That's exactly what I paid for the same mule about 6 months ago. Mine was a 'demo' that had been loaned to the local small college. It had about 250 miles on it and came with a full warranty. Sales tax here is about 9.5% and that was included in the 18K.

 

[Hay Dude]

That's exactly what I paid for the same mule about 6 months ago. Mine was a 'demo' that had been loaned to the local small college. It had about 250 miles on it and came with a full warranty. Sales tax here is about 9.5% and that was included in the 18K.

I really like buying demos with deep discounts.

 

[JasperFrank]

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?

I would see this at auctions. Cause I would always get to the lot very early. You can see who is with whom.

 

[dkmc]

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?

And this is why I have 2 accounts on Facebook Marketplace. If they get pissed off at my alias, I come along and make the deal. I had one guy get all weird on a compressed air drier, answered 1 of 4 questions I had, then went silent. Guy was a flake. They abound on Facebook and Craigslist. I wanted the thing, and the price was good. So I contacted him (me not my alias) and made the deal. Afterward I sent one last message as my alias and told him thanks for selling it to 'me'.... anyway.

I always try to get things for free, then reluctantly move up from there. It's amazing how much crap is on Marketplace......junk for crazy high prices, and when you offer less the seller goes off on a tirade, insulted you didn't buy it at his asking price.