What's your bottom dollar?

[caver]

Regarding selling used stuff online. Is this some kind of Millennial thing? I don't recall 20 years ago people saying whats your bottom dollar? or what's the lowest price you will take? That would be like negotiating against myself. I would say 99% the people that pull that are not going to buy it. If you say firm, it seems to weird a lot of people out. I'm dealing with three people today and all just want a steal. It's like they are too lazy to go look at an item and wave some cash. That's when the deal starts for me and they then have some skin in the game. Or they just want to trade. My thoughts are I'm getting rid of stuff, I don't need more stuff Apparently all the musicians in this area are broke and just want to trade gear. Whew, had to rant again about online selling.

 

[kenmac]

Regarding selling used stuff online. Is this some kind of Millennial thing? I don't recall 20 years ago people saying whats your bottom dollar? or what's the lowest price you will take? That would be like negotiating against myself. I would say 99% the people that pull that are not going to buy it. If you say firm, it seems to weird a lot of people out. I'm dealing with three people today and all just want a steal. It's like they are too lazy to go look at an item and wave some cash. That's when the deal starts for me and they then have some skin in the game. Or they just want to trade. My thoughts are I'm getting rid of stuff, I don't need more stuff Apparently all the musicians in this area are broke and just want to trade gear. Whew, had to rant again about online selling.

lol I have a 20 ft trailer listed for sale. One guy just messaged me and said. ''Let me know what someone offers you for the trailer. I might just beat their price ''! LMBO ! Yeah, I'm gonna notify you.. hold your breath

 

[drssg]

Back in the 80s, I was interested in becoming a better negotiator, and I did some training. The idea of someone directly asking for your lowest price was around back then, so I don't think it's a millennium thing. IIRC, the standard answer was to inform the buying that you aren't trying to sell it for the lowest price and request that they make an offer.

Since that time, I've become less and less patient with the whole negotiating process, and I avoid it as much as possible. I gave my last old car to a family member, rather than going through the hassle of selling it myself.

 

[RNeumann]

Reply that you only negotiate in person. It’s sport to many.

 

[ning]

I have to drive a minimum hour round trip, typically more like two hours plus (an hour or more each way), for most things on my "local" Craigslist.

I don't make a drive like that to dick around over price; I negotiate before traveling with the understanding that if the item isn't as described, I'll immediately leave.

So far I'm 100% with this, and it includes having flown a thousand to buy a car.

 

[4570Man]

I have to drive a minimum hour round trip, typically more like two hours plus (an hour or more each way), for most things on my "local" Craigslist.

I don't make a drive like that to dick around over price; I negotiate before traveling with the understanding that if the item isn't as described, I'll immediately leave.

So far I'm 100% with this, and it includes having flown a thousand to buy a car.

Same here. I’m not wasting time and money driving around when we could have already agreed on the most important part already. If someone wants to be a PITA about it then fine, I probably didn’t need it anyway.

 

[jaxs]

If by "selling stuff online",you mean Craigslist,there's no good answers. 50% are phishing for email addys and phone #s,10% do it strictly for intertainment,10% are auctions looking for steals to turn a profit,10% intend to screw you out of it for nothing. It's not unusual for a few of remaining 20% to "horse trade". My usual responses are. Show me 3 others like it for sale cheaper and we will negotiate. Exactly why do you think I should sell it cheaper than I've listed it for? My favorite when they ask before laying eyes on it,"if I say yes to your offer,will you pay me when you get here and before seeing it"? For those that ask for "pitchers" or "more pitchers" of things like 4'x8'x1/2" drywall,20' of 3/8" #43 log chain with grab hooks or new set of .30 over pistons for 5.7L chevy. I don't even respond.
My late brother laughed and razzed me for 20 years over selling an old dirt bike. I bought it not running from a neighbor whose son had left it behind when he married. A little tinkering and it was running so I sat it out with a $50 for sale sign. Guy stopped,test drove it and offered $40. I refused and he left. Couple hours later he came back with $50 in hand. Meanwhile my brother had came over to sip some brews. When the guy walked up he said" the bike is over priced but I'll buy it." When he held out the money I told him "if you think $50 is over priced,you will consider $60 highway robbery but that's what I'm asking now." After turning red and lecturing me on the reasons I couldn't go up after telling him $50,I told him "the **** I can't,I just did.". The guy turned and went to his truck cursing with every step. After sitting in the truck a few minutes,he got out and headed my way shaking his head. Before he had a chance to speak,I said"the bike is now $75 take it or leave it and I'm not saying what I might want tomorrow". The guy silently stared for a few seconds,laughed and said "i'll take it" then handed over $75. My brother never allowed me to forget it and took great pleasure in telling friends about his greedy brother.

 

[TnAndy]

"Can you take less for it ?"

I can afford to give it away if you can convince me of your need for charity.

 

[caver]

This is something I have on FB Marketplace. CL has become useless around here. The last guy made an offer and lives about 70 miles away so I understand wanting to lock in a price but come on dude you're not even serious. I did get him to make an offer 500 which others had beat him to that low ball. He upped another 50 when i told him that. It's a Honda inverter generator and if i could have found one for 500 I would have bought it to parallel with this one to run camper A/C in the rare times I need it boondocking. I saw one maybe 200 miles away for upper 500's and it looked like they had pulled it out of a landfill.

 

[oosik]

I advertised my first rear blade on Craig's list. The guy who bought it said - "what's the lowest you will take for the rear blade". Looked him straight in the eye and said - "I advertised it for $950 and $950 is what I will take for it". He paid the $950 and departed happy. I have no time for this happy BS or negotiations. Take it or leave.

Next time I sell something and some dumb idiot asks this question, my answer will be - - "Well, since you asked, the price is now $1050". "Want to ask again?"

Good used implements are as scarce as hen's teeth around here. The fellow who bought it and I both knew that. I had it sold within 30 minuets after it show up on Craig's list.

 

[mrmikey]

I'll say firm on a price, someone offers me a lower price I'll add money to the original price. Listed for $100 firm, offered $90 nope $110 now............Mike

 

[Oaktree]

I advertised my first rear blade on Craig's list. The guy who bought it said - "what's the lowest you will take for the rear blade". Looked him straight in the eye and said - "I advertised it for $950 and $950 is what I will take for it". He paid the $950 and departed happy. I have no time for this happy BS or negotiations. Take it or leave.

Next time I sell something and some dumb idiot asks this question, my answer will be - - "Well, since you asked, the price is now $1050". "Want to ask again?"

I don't sell on CL very often, but I'll either ignore those replies, or do something similar to what you did. I don't give out my phone # or personal email address...any communication is thru CL's email forwarding service.

I'm not on FB so I can't comment on their marketplace (to be honest, didn't even know they had one).

I have to drive a minimum hour round trip, typically more like two hours plus (an hour or more each way), for most things on my "local" Craigslist.

I don't make a drive like that to dick around over price; I negotiate before traveling with the understanding that if the item isn't as described, I'll immediately leave.

So far I'm 100% with this, and it includes having flown a thousand to buy a car.

I dunno about that. I for one am not going to make an offer, or even a buying decision on something without having seen it first. If I'm selling something I'll price it so as to leave room for (reasonable) negotiation, but I'm always suspicious of someone who offers to buy something sight unseen.
Photos can be deceiving.

 

[thekkfan]

I always add more to the price before I list it. Making them feel like they have 'won' the battle by dropping to what I originally wanted to begin with has always been a great strategy for me.

Also your listing price usually says something to whether you'll drop the price any. If I wanted $300 for something I'd list for $325. Just mark it up 10% or so above your take. I've never had anything listed for more than a couple days before sold.

 

[EddieWalker]

American Pickers is a show that pretty much revolves around getting stuff for the bottom dollar, and they ask the seller this question all the time. I've come to really enjoy the show because of all the unique and weird stuff that they find, but also how they put a value on what they buy.

I've been to auctions where used stuff has sold for more then you can buy it brand new. I always check on my phone for what it costs before bidding and know where to walk away. Same thing with Craigslist, FB Marketplace and garage sales. I also think it's required to see how little you can get it for if you are buying, and expect the same when selling. It's just as easy to say no as it is to ask for a lower price.

I do not think bargaining for a lower price is anything new. Probably goes back tens of thousands of years.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

American Pickers is a show that pretty much revolves around getting stuff for the bottom dollar, and they ask the seller this question all the time. I've come to really enjoy the show because of all the unique and weird stuff that they find, but also how they put a value on what they buy.

I've been to auctions where used stuff has sold for more then you can buy it brand new. I always check on my phone for what it costs before bidding and know where to walk away. Same thing with Craigslist, FB Marketplace and garage sales. I also think it's required to see how little you can get it for if you are buying, and expect the same when selling. It's just as easy to say no as it is to ask for a lower price.

I do not think bargaining for a lower price is anything new. Probably goes back tens of thousands of years.

Met a guy at a car show a couple of years ago who had been visited by the "American Pickers". He said he couldn't deal with them; that they wanted (I'll omit what he really said) everything dirt cheap.

 

[/pine]

That show is 100% scripted...there has been several stories on the net about it being scripted...All the find locations have been previously vetted by the producers etc...the two on screen characters are fully aware in advance of what they "find"...and any negotiating has been rehearsed...!

 

[Industrial Toys]

My Ads say FIRM yet some yahoo always low balls you and stresses CASH. I guess you can't blame them for trying.

Putting warnings in ones ads, just drives people away. It's just something you have to deal with.

 

[skipperbrown]

I always ask what is your lowest acceptable price. If it's more than I want to pay, I move on. If it's not, I buy it. That way I don't waste the seller's time or more importantly, mine.

 

[sd455dan]

"Can you take less for it ?"

I can afford to give it away if you can convince me of your need for charity.

Well , i have been through that ruse to.
Guy shows up wanting to buy a 1st gen Mazda RX7 I listed for parts with a toasted rotary I bought it for the interior and spare rear axle for my other RX7.

the guy shows up, then wants me to (donate) it to the church group he is part of and they are going to restore it and then do a raffle.
That's when I start asking questions - like where are you going to find a new interior, good rotary engine, battery body work paint and a rear axle. I tell him that the car is a true parts car and is not worth restoring and if I can't get a few bucks for it, the metal recycler will come and get it sight unseen and pay me $200.

Then he admits that is all he was going to do (for the church), So then I ask which church he is talking about and I can see he hasn't even thought that part up yet.
At this point I get out my cell phone and call the recycler and set up the pick up of the car.

 

[Industrial Toys]

The only thing worse than trying to sell stuff is putting up a wanted Ad. Rarely will anyone respond with a decent price.